ART
Since its founding, Herschel girls have been taught
to appreciate the beauty in art. Right through the 20s, 30s and 40s the girls
would regularly be taken to art exhibitions and shows, and in 1936 a proper art
room was built. Under Dr Barbara Siberbauer a new arts block, comprising a
large art department, was built for the school's thriving arts. In 1977, the
first art exhibition was held with art created by many of the girls on display.
Nowadays, the Herschel Art department has grown enormously, and many girls find
themselves taking art until matric.
Interview with Faith Knight, who took art for
matric in 1982 and who went on to study and work in Textile Design:
"Is the art at Herschel today very different compared to when you were at Herschel?"
"Yes,
when I was at Herschel, art was very different than it is today. We had to draw
still lives over and over again, and weren’t allowed to interpret a task as
much as the students are allowed to nowadays.
We would be given a task, and that’s what we had to do. Today it has
evolved into something vastly different from my time. Just by looking at some
of the art from Eat Dream Dance I
think I can safely say that the girls are encouraged to be more creative and
are given more freedom to interpret something."
"Although it was quite repetitive, did you enjoy art as a subject?"
"I
did enjoy art, and surprisingly, I thoroughly enjoyed art theory and art
history. But unfortunately taking art is a commitment, and it meant doing a lot
of extra work, which I didn’t really enjoy."
"Do you feel that all of the drawing helped fuel your artistic career?"
"It
must have. After Herschel I went on to study textile design and fine art, and
got a job in a textile factory. When I realised that that wasn’t for me, I
started designing and hand-making my own trays, which I sold at the Blue Shed
in the Waterfront. I loved making those trays, as I got to combine still lives
and textiles, combining what I learnt at Herschel and what I learnt in college.
"
"Do you have anything to say to any girls who are thinking of taking art for matric?"
"Don’t
give up. Yes, art means a lot of work,
and yes, expressing yourself can be hard, but in the end, if you love it, it is
the best decision you can make. I gave up on my art career and became an estate
agent, but now I have gone back to my roots and am taking art classes, and I
absolutely love it."
 |
| Ms Jordan is always ready with useful advice to offer the art students. |
Since 1977, when it became a matriculating
subject, Drama at Herschel has flourished immensely. For most girls, Drama
comes as a breath of fresh air in a cluttered timetable; a period when there is
no right or wrong answer, and where imagination and self-expression is ultimately
the way to success. For those that don't take drama as a subject, there is
still a chance to demonstrate their dramatic flair in the annual inter-house
plays, in which anyone can participate whether it be behind the stage, in the
sound box or up on stage in front of the crowd. These competitions are one of
the highlights of the year and are traditionally produced, written and directed
by the grade 11's. Although these plays are competitive, the girls care more
for the experience of being involved in the drama department than for winning.
It is a fantastic opportunity for them to exhibit their creativity and skill in
drama, as well as to show house spirit.
Before the construction of the Theatre, shows were performed in the
Mary Jagger Hall on a crudely built stage consisting of movable boxes. This
hindrance, however, did not stop the major productions that were released every
few years. The drama department worked tirelessly to put on shows such as A
Midsummer Night's Dream in 1932, Saint Joan in 1939, which was
featured in the Cape Times, and The Crucible in 1986. The theatre in use
today was opened in October 1988 by the mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Peter
Muller, during Mrs Pamela Duff’s term of office. The very
first production was The Wizard of Oz,
which was followed by an equally successful production, Oh What A Lovely War. The building remains one of the focal points
of the school to this day, with the most recent production being Tom Stoppard’s
The Real Inspector Hound, in
collaboration with Herzlia High School.
In 2012, Herschel celebrated its 90th birthday
and the school held an exciting and lavish celebration that included all the
girls from the art students’ stunning wire and fabric sculptures, to the
spectacular dancing ranging from Flamenco to Highland. The festival was held
shortly after the release of the film Eat Pray Love, which evidently inspired
the girls to christen the event Eat Dream
Dance, with the theme being that of living your dreams and striving to
pursue your passions, which was conveyed through art, music and dance. The
school also hired the Zip Zap Circus for the event, who "wowed" the
audience with impressive acrobatics and ribbon dancing.
 |
| The first production in the Theatre, The Wizard of Oz; Herschel has come a long a long way since. |
 |
| Dancers perform at Eat Dream Dance |
Since its inception,
music has been a vital part of the Herschel community. In keeping with
tradition, the Lord’s Prayer and a different hymn are sung every Monday during
assembly, and on special occasions (such as the end of term assembly) the
school song is sung with great vigour, often accompanied by the time-honoured
tradition of linking arms and swaying with the music.
Choir
The first Herschel
choir was established in 1933 by Miss Lillian Willis, who was an avid supporter
of music, and also founded the first music ensemble called ‘The Bamboo Pipe
Players’, with pipes made by the girls themselves.
Mrs Mavis Kittow
(headmistress from 1962-1970) was very musical, and had wanted to become a
singer. With her encouragement and Miss Sweet’s musical instruction, the choir
reached new heights. In 1970, Mrs Kittow retired after eight years of
commitment to the school and during her final term of office, the school choir
won the SABC Schools’ Choir Competition for English Medium Schools and was
invited to compete internationally. Later in 1979, the choir appeared on
television.
Today, many girls
are actively involved in the choir, which, in the capable hands of Miss Margie Barlow
has won many competitions and is well known in the inter-schools music
environment.
Cabaret
On Herschel’s 70th birthday in 1992, the very
first Herschel Cabaret was held under the huge Ilex tree in the centre of the
school courtyard. The show told the story of Herschel over the last seven
decades. Two years later in 1994, the school was presented with a new school
song by the Head girl, Thandi Siebert.
Our most recent Cabaret, entitled A Night On Broadway, was held in March 2011. Its talented cast of singers and dancers
performed numerous hits from musicals such as Cabaret, West Side Story,
Cats, and Oliver. The show was produced and directed by the singing teacher
Mrs Julie Robbins, a talented stage performer, who the school was sad to see
leave for the United Kingdom at the beginning of this year.
 |
| Rehearsing A Night On Braodway |
LATEST NEWS
On 2nd September 2012, the Herschel Chorale
achieved a commendable 92% aggregate in their eisteddfod. The comments they
received from the adjudicators were very positive and they were congratulated
on their meticulous phrasing and good diction, as well as their rich, beautiful
sound.
Herschel recently featured in the new
television series Come Dine with Me South
Africa. The school’s acapella singing group, Fusion, sang Adele’s Rolling in the Deep.
In September, the grade 10 drama classes had
the opportunity to perform on the Artscape stage along with other schools such
as Bergvliet High and Wynberg Boys' for the Shakespeare Schools' Drama Festival.
Herschel presented their unique renditions of Twelfth Night and Much Ado
About Nothing. The girls were able to meet fellow drama enthusiasts from other
schools, as well as to extend their drama experience by performing in such a
prestigious venue, to where some of them may return in their future careers. |
| Ceilidhe Speirs' wire sculpture from Eat Dream Dance was used on the cover of the invitation for the Cultural Dinner in July. |
From 1912 to 2012, Herschel has seen many
changes regarding the arts, though the quality of the work and the dedication
of the students has always been of a high standard. All girls, whether they are scientific minds or
gifted storytellers, have found solace in the arts and culture at the school, even
if they are merely observing. Herschel has been cultivating this department for
90 years and has never fallen behind due to the tireless efforts and commitment
of both the pupils and teachers, in order to come out with something original
and innovative every time. Herschel will continue to achieve this for as long
as it stands, and will always be a source of joy and enlightenment for both the
spectators and the artists.
The School Song
We are assembled here in love.
We are united, we care for one another.
The greatest lesson of all is the one
that teaches us to live together, together.
Everyone's a spark and in the night
together we make a light,
a fire burning bright.
Ad Dei gloriam
Inkosi mayibongwe,
to the glory of our God.
this is what we believe.
In times of trouble we support our fellows;
we are taught to be there for our friends.
And all around us, there will be that special
unity,
That binds us all together.
Everyone's a spark...
If we come back after many years,
we will think fondly of the things that we
remember,
and the friends that we made then,
these will be friends forever, forever.
Everyone's a spark...
Ad Dei Gloriam
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