Classes at Dr Knak Primary School were temporarily halted on a chilly April morning for the school’s first term academic award ceremony.
The occasion is held every school term. Each grade had winners in good subject performance, best achiever, highest achiever and good behaviour categories.
The day belonged to Aviwe Nthotho (11) a Grade 5 pupil who was declared overall best achiever. She received awards for languages, social science, natural science, mathematics, life skills and overall performance. Accepting her award to deafening cheers and ululation from fellow pupils, teachers and parents, the self assured Aviwe said, “My priority is to conquer matric education and later to pursue law studies at university. I want to be a lawyer so that I can help people.”
Other achievers were Boikanyo Kgasi (5), Elsie Dikgale (5), Nqobile Khumalo (5), Hopewell Mashaba (9), Lindiwe Sebeta (13) and Mmalethabo Legkau (13).
Officiating the occasion, Grade 4 teacher Kate Pheza challenged other pupils to emulate their counterparts. “ You should study hard, compete fairly in class, be disciplined, respect teachers and also your parents so that you can also earn your awards in the second and third terms,” she urged.
Principal, John Shai said the ceremony was an important occasion and motivational strategy for pupils. “At the final year ceremony in October there will be district officials and speakers to motivate returning pupils to achieve better in 2015,” he said.
Another teacher Augusta Du Plessis asked parents to help the school in disciplining their children from an early age. “Without discipline the children are a danger to others and themselves,” she said. “Even at their very tender age some of them bring dangerous weapons to school. As parents you should search their bags regularly to ensure that they only associate themselves with weapons for education which are books, pencils, pens and rulers.”
