Pretoria - Inspired by all the hard work displayed by learners, teachers and others at Kgatoentle Secondary School over the years, the school’s Grade 12 learners celebrated the end of the matric year last week amid much pomp and ceremony.
Community member Kgothatso Buthelezi organised the graduation day with help from her cousin, Bongani Maseko, and sponsors. And, she explained, she had a son in his matric year who was one of the top learners at the school, and she wanted to show her appreciation to him and the others for their academic excellence, hard work, and dedication.
She did not name her son, but said she wanted the class of 2022 to wear graduation gowns, some for the first time, since “some parents cannot afford graduations from crèche to primary school”.
She added: “These children deserve to wear graduation gowns before enrolling at university and feel that their hard work did not go unnoticed.”
Sponsors of the event included Avoir Corporate Healthcare and Thirsti.
Speaking at the matric graduation ceremony, Buthelezi said: “This day is special for me because my first son is leaving high school.
He is going to experience the real world soon. Our home will never be the same again, as I won’t see him every day like I used to. I am really happy for him, and I am going to miss him.”
The proud mother also said she appreciated the effort made by all to ensure the occasion was a success.
“During the preparations, I had anxiety and couldn’t sleep, because I wanted to make sure that this event was a success, and I’m glad it was.
“I can relax now because everyone made it, the pupils were fed, my anxiety is down, and I thank God for giving me this opportunity.”
During the ceremony, learners received certificates stating that they had successfully completed their National Senior Certificate exams and were now qualified. It was a blissful day, and learners were very happy, dancing all the way to collect their certificates.
Kgatoentle Secondary School principal Joshua Mpete said he was excited to host this first matric graduation held for learners at the school he has headed for 15 years. He expressed his appreciation to the teachers and learners for achieving high pass marks over the years.
He said this event marked the 12 years of the learners coming to school every year. “And now we want to say to them: ‘Farewell – the world is all yours!’
“It is important for them to understand that as educators we have been taking care of them for the past 12 years, and we actually want to say to them that they have to make the right decisions from now on, as life begins after Grade 12.”
He added that dedication from the teachers was what had maintained the high pass marks over the years.
“The diligence from the Grade 12 learners, who came to school every Saturday and Sunday, led to this wonderful day.”
The staff had arranged for the learners to be at school on Saturdays, when they had held their own in-house camps.
And, the principal said, the staff had done an excellent job of ensuring that learners understood what they needed to know for the exams.
“I have no doubt in my mind that all of them are excited because they were very ready for the examinations,” he said.
He added that the implementation of school policies was of the utmost importance at Kgatoentle Secondary School.
Parents, the student governing body and teachers communicated the policies to the learners, and they instilled values in them that were understood and followed. All this made it easier for teachers to control learners at the school.
Pretoria News