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There are many facets that illustrate the importance of Life Sciences.
Life Sciences also encompasses other fields of research that are related to the sustainability of life, including the environment, ecosystem, food quality, causes of illnesses, the development of medicines, the study of the human body, to name just a few. The study of life has helped in shaping the world as it has provided many credible and reliable answers explaining more scientifically why things happen in the world.
Reasons why learners should know the importance of studying Life Sciences:
Life Sciences teaches learners to develop:
Sisulu is the name given to our yellow house. Albertina Sisulu was an anti-apartheid activist and part of the ANCWL. She played an influential role in the lives of many as she ran schools from her home because of her opposition to the policy of Bantu Education instituted by the apartheid government. Sisulu also participated in the Women’s March against passes in 1956
Sneddon is the namesake for our red house. Elizabeth Sneddon was the director of the Sneddon Theatre Workshop Company and a passionate Professor of Performing Arts. Sneddon founded the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in 1981, which has proved across the years to be a space for nurturing generations of performing artists.
Gordimer, our pink house is named after Nadine Gordimer. She was a novelist and short story writer who wrote texts largely themed around identity, exile and alienation. In 1991, she received was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Fatima Meer is the person after whom our turquoise house is named. Meer was a political activist, writer, academic and screenwriter. She played significant roles in developing women’s activism and multi-racial alliances in South Africa.
Maxeke is the name given to our orange house, named after Charlotte Maxeke. She was a social worker, religious leader and apartheid activist. Maxeke was active in the anti-pass demonstrations in South Africa and became a member of the ANCWL
Makeba is the name given to our green house, named after Mairiam Makeba. She was an internationally renowned singer and human rights activist who conveyed many messages against the apartheid government through her music
Courtenay-Latimer is the name of our blue house. Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer was a South African museum official who discovered the coelacanth, a fish thought to have been extinct for 65 million years. She is remembered for her commitment to biodiversity and her work with the museums of South Africa.
Campbell is the name of our purple house. Killie Campbell is historically known for her grand collection of books, manuscripts and photographs covering the history of south east Africa. She opened a library to focus specifically on the history of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Art Club takes place on two days during the week, each led by an Art Teacher, who is assisted by the Art Monitors. The Club provides learners with the opportunity to explore different art techniques and media outside of the standard syllabus.
Learners are assisted in developing their speaking skills, which encourages them to build confidence and comfort in a public setting. Many competitions are available to those interested in public speaking, including the Best Speaker competition. Social Public Speaking is available for Grade 8 and 9 learners.
The Music Ensemble is a group of learners who enjoy playing music together. The ensemble performs at concerts, school events and participates in competitions.
The marimba is a percussion instrument consisting of a set of wooden bars struck with mallets to produce musical tones. The school maintains three marimba bands that perform for the public and compete in competitions. The Griffin Girls (our most senior band) have played and won at national level and have received their South African Colours blazers.
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It is important to remember that drama-related activities are not just for those learners who take Dramatic Arts as a subject. Annual productions include the school plays (at both WGHS and WBHS), House Plays and
the Cultural Evenings. In addition, we promote the arts through theatre and festival visits (including both the Hilton and National Arts Festivals) and by hosting touring productions at school.
Debating is a wonderful activity which allows girls to voice their opinions, and engage in logical discussion, while honing teamwork skills.
| Terms 1 & 2 - | Practices on Tuesdays & Thursdays. League fixtures every second Thursday. |
| Term 3 - | League semi-finals & finals. |
The Creative Writing Club offers support to learners who are interested in skills outside the classroom in English, IsiZulu and Afrikaans. Teachers are on hand during sessions to assist learners and to help learners enter
a variety of competitions which are held throughout the year.
These competitions include:
| Term 1 - | Poort Skryfkompetisie (Afrikaans Poetry) Time of the Writer (English & isiZulu Short Story) |
| Term 2 - | Douglas Livingstone Creative Writing Competition (English Poetry & Short Story) GrondWoorde (Afrikaans Poetry) |
| Term 3 - | Pantoffel Poësie (Afrikaans Poetry) The Mary Johnstone Poetry Competition (English Poetry) Poetry Africa (English & isiZulu Poetry) |
| Term 4 - | English Alive (English Poetry & Short Story) |
At Westville Girls’ High we are non-denominational; however, we view our learners’ religious and cultural beliefs as a vital part of their development. Learners at the school identify mostly with three main religious groups: Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
The Hindu Students’ Association (HSA), Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) and Students’ Christian Association (SCA) are each headed by a Committee of Senior learners and supervised by a teacher of the same faith. All three groups meet at least once a week for worship or prayer.
Each association serves the same purpose: to strengthen the bonds between learners of the same faith and to educate and inform the school community of their faith and cultural beliefs.
Waterpolo is played in term 3 at a competitive level, as we play matches against many other schools and participate in a tournament towards the end of the year. It is also played socially and we welcome all girls to join us at practices. We cater for everyone as we have coaches for the U14, U16 and open age groups and we are very proud of the girls who have made the KZN squad for the various age groups. Every year WGHS participates in the Annual St Anne's Waterpolo Tournament, in Hilton. This is seen as one of the top prestigious tournaments in waterpolo with all the top All Girls schools taking part. We also participate in the Top 10 tournament, which sees the Top 10 KZN schools invited to this tournament, held at Thomas More College. So come and join the waterpolo team. We assure you it will be a cool experience!
Volleyball is a simple game which can be played by anyone, at any level and almost anywhere. Volleyball is a team sport in every sense of the word. Coaching is also offered twice a week for all teams. We are affiliated to the official Volleyball schools league. We play organised matches and tournaments each week during term 2.
Touch Rugby is played in the 1st and 4th terms, during which we participate in the Schools Touch Rugby League held on Friday afternoons. Touch is a non-contact game played with 6 players on the field and 1-4 substitutes who sub onto the field during attack. The game differs slightly from the 1 touch as each team has 6 touches, although the same amount of speed and ability is required from the players. Practices are held twice a week. We have excellent coaches, who put the girls through lots of training, which has paid off as we have finished with medals for the past few years.
The school has 6 well-maintained, all-weather tennis courts on which both social and competitive tennis is played. Every year we enter in each age group in both the Durban Coastal Leagues — the Doubles League in summer (term 1) and the Singles League (term 3). Our First team participates in 2 major tournaments each year — the Youngleson Shield (doubles) Tournament and the Smythe (doubles) Tournament in Pietermaritzburg. We offer social tennis for beginners on Wednesday afternoons until 4pm. Our coaches coach girls until they are strong enough to participate in team trials. We wish to encourage tennis as a life-long sport amongst our girls.
WGHS has a 8 lane, 25 metre pool which allows us to offer both competitive and social swimming. Our aim is to improve fitness and refine the swimmers' strokes, starts, turns and finishes. Our swimming team participates in the inter-school Wednesday friendly galas, where we compete against single-sex and co-educational schools. We also have our Annual Inter-house Gala and host the Great 8 friendly gala.
Westville Girls’ High has two well maintained squash courts, and offers both social and competitive squash options to learners. A professional coach teaches the beginners the basic rules and style, and helps more experienced girls to fine-tune their performance. The most important competitive squash activity that we participate in is the inter-schools Girls' League. This involves schools throughout the greater Durban area, with matches being played on Wednesday afternoons throughout the 2nd term.
Westville Girls’ High has dominated softball at inter-school level for many years. Our coaches have coached at provincial level and offer our learners the chance to learn about the game at all levels. We usually enter 6 teams in the U14, U16 and Open age groups, and we never like to turn anyone away, so if there is enough interest we will enter more teams or put together a social team. All matches are played on Saturdays at Queensmead or Hoy Park.
During the Third Term, Soccer is available to any learner, either socially or competitively. Westville Girls’ is part of the Schools’ League and therefore takes part in matches and tournaments. Coaching is provided by external coaches. Each year, approximately 90 girls take part in the sport and this year we were able to enter 6 teams into the league. Soccer has proved to be extremely popular with the girls and they have responded enthusiastically. We have had a number of learners selected for City of Durban or PADSA teams.
Rock climbing is a sport that challenges gender stereotypes — fitting for a school such as Westville Girls’ High. It is a rapidly growing sport in S.A. At WGHS we contribute to its growth by providing a qualified coach to train the girls at all their sessions. Not only do members practise on our bouldering and vertical walls on our premises; outings are also organised to the Sports Union at the University of KwaZulu Natal and Southern Rock as well as to natural rock — the true essence of climbing.
A provincial league is held annually, in which WGHS is a strong contender, having in recent years, boasted national champions as well as South African Representatives. Rock Climbing is practised on a social and competitive level. We have three KZN League competitions each year. There are also friendly inter-school competitions as well as a Bouldering League.
On a social level we strive to go climbing on natural rock as much as possible on weekends. Rock climbing is a developing sport which offers lots of possibilities for individuals. It is an opportunity not to be missed.
Netball at Westville Girls’ High is well supported and we have an inclusive policy. Players who have not been selected for the A or B side for their age group are either asked to go up to another age group where they might make a side, or they are rotated into one of the other sides in their age group, or we put together a C team if we have enough players to do this. We have 4 netball courts situated in the tennis court area, which are well maintained.
Action Netball takes place in the 1st term. This is excellent pre-season training for netball players and we encourage as many players to take part as possible. Our first year that we introduced action to the school, we were able to enter a 1st side. With the sport growing and the incentive of action netball being included in the sports awards policy, we now are able to enter 3 sides into the action league. League matches take place every Friday afternoon, running into the evening.
WGHS offers indoor hockey in terms 1 and 4, and outdoor hockey in term 2. All girls wishing to play the sport, whether at a competitive level or purely for the enjoyment of a team game on a social level, are encouraged to participate. We field two teams in each of the following age groups - U14, U16 and Open. Our competitive teams participate in the regional A league and friendly matches against teams in the other leagues are organised for our social players.
Riding is practised on a social and competitive level and girls can participate in dressage, showjumping, eventing, cross-country and polo-cross. The KwaZulu-Natal Inter-Schools Championships occur in April. Riders have to be affiliated with the Natal Horse Society to be able to compete in such events and also in shows throughout the year. Pony Club Competitions and training shows are also arranged throughout the year, together with interesting outings that are equestrian related. We also attend the SPCA Horse Care Unit for community service. This occurs on a Saturday morning once a month.
Equestrian Vaulting is one of the Equestrian disciplines which can best be described as gymnastics on a moving horse. Most exercises are performed at a canter and the riders learn to interpret music as they arrange their routine. It is an all-year-round sport and an outdoor arena is used on a Saturday. Vaulting on a padded barrel or practice horse is done at school where difficult manoeuvres can be perfected. It is the least expensive equestrian sport and riders can perform as individuals.
Dance sport is a fairly new sport at WGHS, which has thrived since its introduction. WGHS currently has two full teams, as well as a social dance group. We are affiliated to DSSL (the Dance Sport League in KZN). We compete in league events each week and WGHS is one of the host venues, allowing for schools to compete against each other in a safe environment. Schools receive dance moves which the learners have to include within their dance pieces.
Cross Country takes place mainly in the Second Term with the season culminating in the S.A. Championships in the Third Term. Training takes place on a Monday and Friday, when combined where all athletes and cross country athletes can train together. League meetings take place on Wednesday afternoons, each one at a different venue. There are various levels of accomplishment to aim for: the section for the Zonal Team is a very realistic goal for most runners, whereas selection for the Regional and KZN Teams is obviously more difficult.
Many people do not realise that Cross Country is a team sport where team placings are determined by the placings of four individual athletes. This encourages the development of an attitude of responsibility and commitment. Travelling on the bus together also tends to develop a spirit of camaraderie and an interest in others. Participation helps athletes to learn more about themselves, their strengths and weaknesses and, hopefully, to emerge as better people.
WGHS has produced a number of excellent Cross Country athletes, some of whom have competed with distinction at SA Championships. This is not, however, a sport reserved only for the talented. The more runners we have, the more teams we are able to enter. Anyone can participate and reap the benefits of health, fitness and friendship.
WGHS offers girls cricket in terms 1 and 4. Cricket is a fairly new sport at WGHS, being introduced in 2022. We have recently built cricket batting cages, to assist with properly coaching the girls in the game of cricket. We compete against other girls’ schools in organised friendly matches each week when possible. We currently field two teams.
Basketball is offered in the third term of the school year. Teams train twice a week and matches take place on Friday afternoons at WGHS. Coaching is also offered to beginners and social players to develop the sporting code.
We are affiliated to the Pinetown District School Sports Association and play in organised tournaments and fixtures. WGHS is a host venue for this particular sporting code, providing the correct court in a safe environment for schools keen to participate.
Badminton is coached on a competitive and social level. League matches are played in the second term on Wednesday afternoons, with team training being on a Monday and Thursday afternoon. Social badminton is offered on a Tuesday afternoon as a means of developing the sport and creating depth. Social badminton is open to all players, whether you are still learning or wanting extra training.
At Westville Girls’ High School we are proud of our strong and motivated group of athletes. We offer a wide variety of Athletic events, such as short distance sprints, long and medium distance runs, high jump, long jump, javelin; discus and shot-put.
When we return to school after a long December holiday, it is time to sharpen up for trials which take place in circuits, districts, regions and, finally, at provincial level. In the Third term we hold our Annual Inter-house Athletics meeting, where we try to involve as many learners as possible, by enticing them to take part. They will be able to earn class points as well!
We also participate in inter-school meetings where possible and have a very successful track record. Colours awards are based strictly on the internationally recognized ABSA tables, where points are allocated on a time/distance basis, and on the athletes placing and selection on zonal and regional meetings. To encourage athletes to train as often as possible, we offer training on Mondays and Wednesdays when it does not clash with soccer or softball training days.
Mrs Tarboton Gouws is in charge of athletics and is assisted by specialised outside coaches for the different disciplines. We appeal to all to come and join a very happy and successful athletics family to Mrs Tarboton-Gouws.
Visual Arts is offered in three bespoke studios on campus. Senior Visual Arts learners choose their medium of expression and the classes are small and intimate. Juniors are taught the basics of various mediums and receive an introduction to Digital Arts. Visual Arts learners must purchase most of their own supplementary materials. There is a theoretical and practical component to the subject across the grades.
In our music department, we are passionate about nurturing musical talent and providing a vibrant and enriching musical experience for all. Whether you're an aspiring musician, a seasoned performer, or someone who simply loves music, we have something for everyone.
Our Programmes and Courses:
Our department offers a comprehensive range of programmes and courses designed to cater to diverse musical interests and skill levels. From music theory and composition to instrumental and vocal performance, our experienced faculty members are dedicated to helping students develop their talents and reach their full potential.
Ensembles and Performance Opportunities:
We believe that music comes alive when shared with others. Our department proudly offers a variety of ensembles, including choirs, Marimba bands, and chamber groups, through which students can collaborate and perform together. We also host regular concerts and recitals, providing our students with valuable performance opportunities and a platform to showcase their skills.
Faculty and Staff:
Our dedicated and accomplished faculty members are accomplished musicians, educators, and scholars who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the classroom. They are committed to providing personalised instruction, mentorship, and guidance to help students thrive in their musical pursuits.
The ultimate goal of the Science team is to develop learners with inquiring minds and curiosity about Science and to enable learners to make informed decisions in scientific and other contexts ie. to become scientifically literate. To achieve this, we have a dedicated team passionate about Science that provides learners with opportunities to acquire knowledge, construct meaning, develop their conceptual understanding and develop skills to solve problems.
Learning takes place in many different circumstances and contexts. In the laboratory the learners observe and experience working with chemicals and different Scientific apparatus to develop their investigative and process skills. Theoretical work is explained using a multifaceted approach like powerpoint presentations, videos, concept maps, etc. Science is seen as a gateway subject to tertiary education and future career prospects.
These are some of the careers one can pursue in Science.
The aim of Mathematical Literacy is to help learners develop the ability to use a variety of mathematical and non-mathematical techniques to explore and make sense of both familiar and unfamiliar real-life contexts.
Learners will engage in making sense of newspaper articles, real bank statements, real plans and other authentic resources. Mathematical Literacy will teach learners how to deal with practical real-world problems.
The truth is Mathematical Literacy is not Standard Grade Mathematics - in fact it is very different. It requires hard work and dedication and is offered from grade 10 to 12.
Mathematical Literacy will give learners the confidence to understand the world around them and use numbers in an authentic way to solve problems that they will encounter in everyday life.
In today’s world of expanding technology and connectivity, the role of Information Technology has never been more important. Our relationship with digital devices is not going to fade; therefore, it is vital that we become comfortable with using technology and developing solutions to everyday problems using the tools that we have at our disposal.
Content Covered
Career Opportunities
Information Technology at the high-school level sets
Candidate requirements
In order to be successful in Information Technology, learners must display strong logic and computational thinking skills. We recommend that learners should achieve at least 70% in both Mathematics and English in Grade 9 in order to be able to fully engage with the Information Technology curriculum. Owing to the time required for practical work, we prefer that learners have access to a computer at home.
The study of History has both an intellectual and a practical purpose. History will enable the learners to understand how our country and world came to be what they are today. An understanding of History will equip them with valuable skills and turn them into informed adults with enquiring minds.
History contributes to:
History produces a trained mind. From it, learners derive an introduction to politics, sociology, economics and race relations. History teaches learners skills that have value and usefulness in the world of employment and in life in general.
In History, we try to equip learners with the skills necessary to deal with and adapt to the changing demands of society. The skills developed in History are useful to those intending to study further at university, college or technikon.
History teaches learners to:
Career Opportunities:
Welcome to the captivating realm of Geography! At Westville Girls’ High School we believe in the transformative power of geography. Our dedicated educators provide students with a comprehensive curriculum that goes beyond memorisation, encouraging critical thinking, spatial analysis, and a holistic understanding of the world. Through interactive lessons, field trips, and hands-on projects, students will embark on a journey that nurtures their curiosity and equips them with essential life skills.
Geography is the study of Earth's landscapes, environments, and the interactions between nature and humanity. It provides a lens through which we can comprehend the complexities of the world we inhabit, from the grandeur of mountain ranges to the bustling cities, and from the vast oceans to the delicate ecosystems.
By studying Geography, our students become global citizens who are not only aware of the world's challenges but are also equipped to contribute meaningfully to its betterment.
Geography is a subject that unveils the intricate tapestry of our planet. Geography encompasses far more than just memorising countries and their capitals or identifying mountain ranges on a map. It delves into the why and how of the Earth's physical features and cultural phenomena. Through Geography, we explore the forces that shape our world — from the geological processes that formed continents to the cultural practices that define societies.
Studying Geography teaches valuable skills such as, spatial analysis, critical thinking, data interpretation, problem solving and global awareness, all of which are vital for further studies and to help people engage in the world around them.
The subject Economic and Management Sciences is offered in
Grade 8 and Grade 9 and deals with the efficient and effective use of different types of private, public or collective resources to satisfy people’s needs and wants. It reflects critically on the impact of resource exploitation on the environment and on people. It also deals with effective management of scarce resources in order to maximise profit.
Economic and Management Sciences is a practical subject that equips learners with real-life skills for personal development and the development of the community. The tasks set should contribute to personal development and should promote the idea of sustainable economic growth and the development of the community.
The main topics in the Economic and Management Sciences curriculum include:
This subject is offered for Grade 8 and 9.
Learners in Grade 8 and Grade 9 study Drama under the umbrella of Creative Arts. Both Drama and Dramatic Arts (offered as an elective in Grades 10-12), often referred to as Drama or Theatre Arts, is a creative and expressive form of art that involves the creation, performance, and appreciation of stories, characters, and emotions through various theatrical mediums. It encompasses a wide range of activities and disciplines, including acting, directing, playwriting, stage design, set construction, costume design, lighting design, sound design and more.
There are many benefits associated with taking drama as a subject:. The so-called ‘soft skills’, much valued in the 21st century workplace are fostered through collaborative work that is highly creative and stimulating. The following skills are all entrenched and developed on a continual basis:
The benefits of taking drama as a subject:
Career Opportunities:
Film Careers:
The subject Business Studies deals with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values critical for informed, productive, ethical and responsible participation in the formal and informal economic sectors. The subject encompasses business principles, theory and practice that underpin the development of entrepreneurial initiatives, sustainable enterprises and economic growth.
The four main topics and corresponding topics in the Business Studies Curriculum.
1. Business environments
2. Business ventures
3. Business roles
4. Business operations
Economics is the study of how individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations within our society choose to use scarce resources to satisfy their numerous needs and wants in a manner that is efficient, equitable and sustainable.
The four main topics and corresponding topics in the Economics curriculum.
1. Macroeconomics
2. Microeconomics
3. Contemporary economic issues
Business Studies and Economics are offered from Grade 10-12.
Many believe that Accounting is solely the language of business and therefore shy away from it. Nothing can be further from the truth. Accounting teaches one life-skills and as long as an individual is economically active, they will in their lifetime be involved in one or more of the following: either earning an income, incurring expenses, acquiring assets such as a vehicle or property (either from their cash savings or through bank finance), meeting their tax obligations and other monthly commitments. A person who is financially literate will be able to manoeuvre their way through these life challenges.
Learners are given a very limited exposure to the subject in Grade 8 and 9, where it is incorporated into the subject called Economic and Management Sciences (EMS). Should the learners find the accounting component of EMS appealing to them, they are encouraged to pursue Accounting as a subject in the FET phase.
Learners currently taking Accounting find the subject interesting and stimulating and many of them extend themselves by participating in the Accounting Olympiad and the Proverto Challenge.
Westville Girls’ High School Accounting high achievers are also sought after by auditing firms such as PWC and Ernst & Young. At our annual year-end awards function, trophies and cash prizes are awarded by these firms to those excelling in accounting and are committed to qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
Career opportunities:
