Dr Knak Primary School reserved 14 November for its best-performing learners who gave smiles to their parents and awe to their classmates.
Their performance will motivate the classmates to strive harder and set lofty goals for themselves to stride the podium at the next annual academic and sports prize-giving day.
The attending parents, teachers and 1 560 learners were delighted to watch as the awards were presented. This, confirming the results of the achievers’ commitment to schoolwork and affirming their steps towards their chosen career paths. The parents seemed to revel in glory of seeing their children probably living the dreams that they failed to achieve during their time. The teachers must have gained strength and affirmation of their importance in enlightening society.
Event coordinator and teacher Nomthandazo Ngidi lauded the occasion as a testimony of the good done by schools, that of changing lives from a young age. “It was a day reserved for the very best but also to motivate classmates who should discover and exploit their own potential as they are taught by the same teachers, in same conditions,” Ngidi said.
She urged them not to regard themselves as failures but strive to achieve and do better, in their own self-interest and of their families. “For some, the certificates are the first in many homes and make their parents proud of what they couldn’t achieve.”
Ngidi said it will be a source of excitement at the achievers’ homes. “It will also encourage their families not to lose hope but commit to their children’s education.”
Among the top achievers was Tsegofatso Mokgata, a Grade 5 from Hamashashane, Limpopo. She topped in English, Sepedi, mathematics and
social science. Speechless and breathless she whispered, “It was unexpected, I am happy and on my way to achieving my dream of being a businesswoman.”
Her sister Puleng was over the moon, hugging and kissing her and committed to a family party in Tsegofatso’s honour. “The family is proud of her, she is organised, knows her potential and has her life planned, which is key to her success and being a better person tomorrow,” Puleng said.
She urged the sibling and other achievers’ performances to be examples to others who should commit to school work. “It will open doors for them.”
Summing up on the event, school deputy principal Tebogo Matli urged other learners pained by their underachieving to be motivated by their mates. “Strive so that you can also have certificates which your parents can be proud of seeing hung at your home.”
This said as achievers in other grades also paraded their academic and sporting wares.
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