We had a beautiful and memorable Reunion Mass and Tea on Woman’s Day.
Alumni sisters expressed their joy and excitement at being present at the Reunion Mass. Some were even emotional when singing the school song!
Unfortunately, we missed some of our alumni sisters who could not attend due to the taxi strike.
Just before we sang the recessional Hymn, load shedding kicked in, Ilze could accompany us on the trumpet to sing WALK WITH ME O MY LORD, not even load shedding could dampen our spirits!
As usual, the photo gallery was visited first as soon as the ladies entered the school.
Lots of catching up, reminiscing with old school friends and teachers over scrumptious eats.
SOME COMMENTS :
“Such a beautiful day spent with Maccies IMMACULATA VERITAS WOMAN ALUMNI.
Great memories, beautiful mass and angelic singing! Thank you to the organizers”
“Loved every moment, ladies we need to step up and help our school! Immaculata needs each and everyone of us”.
“Great catching up with some High school friends at IMMACULATA VERITAS WOMAN ALUMNI Reunion Mass and Get Together” “Old Friends, new memories”
“I am thankful for the invaluable education that I received whilst at Immaculata”.
“What an awesome day spent with wonderful women. Ladies, our school needs you! Let’s create the Change for Immaculata”. Very Special mention of alumnus DOREEN SOUTHGATE(nee WILLEMBURG) – CLASS OF 1948 who attended the mass and tea.
God gently steered us and we are humbled and Blessed to be of service to our fellow sisters during these last five years. We sang the most beautiful and fitting words in the following hymn during mass:
O the love of my Lord is the essence
Of all that I have here on earth
All the beauty I see He has given to me
And His giving is gentle as silence
Every day, every hour, every moment,
Has been blessed by the strength of His love
At the turn of each tide He is here at my side
And his touch is as gentle as silence
From Fr. Jackson’s sermon, we take away these profound words:
“GOD LOVES US”.
May God’s Love, Grace and Mercy continue to guide all that we do as sisters and for our sisters at our alma mater.
Shireen Van Der Rheede (Class of 1981)
Below is my Address to the Alumni Sisters on Woman’s Day:
I am pleased to see so many ladies, some accompanied by their mothers or daughters. We have much to give thanks for and celebrate since our launch in 2018.
Veritas Woman alumni have grown from strength to strength and since our initial meeting on 06 June 2018 called by Yolanda Haupt (then Principal) and Chauntal Noble (then Deputy Principal) we launched on 09 August 2018.
Fond Memories of our alma mater is what inspires us to do what we do.
Those of us who can remember SACRED SINGING after morning assembly, Swimming galas, dramas, cultural shows, musicals, quizzes, debates, eisteddfods, sports days, matric dances held in the school hall, arranged by grade 11’s, Cleaning day at the end of every term, amongst many others. My being early for school and my friend and I collecting the school keys at the convent and we would unlock the school. Us Being moulded and shaped into the women we are today by our teachers and sisters who were women of faith, strength and substance.
We have been taught to uphold the Ethos and Values of our Alma Mater, that being, Truth, Justice, The pursuit of excellence, Integrity and God-centeredness.
We aspire to live a life that is an example of Gospel Values that we have been taught, that being, Love, Compassion, Service, Healing and Forgiveness.
On Launch day, the call was made to our alumni sisters to step up, step in and offer support and give back to our alma mater.
Sisters, that is what we at Veritas Woman Alumni do, The committee consists of ladies who have day jobs, family and other commitments. Technology has made this a little easier, we can have virtual meetings (even though load shedding does put a spanner in the works at times).
PLEDGES ENABLE US TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
We could support the school during the pandemic with much needed PPE’s and even contributed towards the shortfall of SGB salaries.
In 2021 we were one of the 67 beneficiaries for Mandela Day. We have also received a few once off payments.
- Provide sandwiches daily to needy learners.
- Contribute towards weekly food hampers for needy learners and their families.
- Contribute towards transport cost for needy learners to and from school.
- Contribute towards uniform items for needy learners.
- Contribute towards paint to assist Art Club to beautify the school.
- Contribute towards leadership camp for RCL and Prefects.
- Contribute towards the upgrade of school camera.
- Contribute towards lighting in class rooms during load shedding.
- Present matrics with Veritas badges at their valedictory.
- We launched our website this year.
OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE THUS FAR BY ALUMNI:
- Financial support towards after school study for matric learners.
- Contribution towards notebooks and stationery packs for matrics at their valedictory.
- Donation of curtains for staff room.
- Donation towards beautifying the school foyer.
- Donation towards purchase of masks for learners.
- Donation from Year Groups who had their reunion.
- Donation of toiletries for learners.
- Contribution by The Period Project South Africa.
- First Essay Writing Competition, which will be an annual event.
THE FOLLOWING IS BEING PLANNED:
- Contribute towards the Repair of the photo gallery
- Establish a Mentoring programme
- Establish a Vegetable Garden
COMMITTEE
The input of every committee member is valued and appreciated. What was achieved in 5 YEARS is thanks to their good and solid team work and their steadfast and unwavering approach in reaching the end goal. Huge pat on the back to them.
The committee has done the best they can, with the time and resources available to them.
We only have 10 ladies who pledge monthly. I can only encourage you to pledge so that we can do so much more for our alma mater.
Our website will provide updates and information about the school.
Your presence here today is encouraging, please continue your support by stepping up, stepping in and offering your support to our alma mater.
I thank you.