You can never acquire knowledge and skills from a life that is plain sailing and which poses no challenges.
This was the poetic advice from Alex High School principal, Zoleka Lebelo, who acknowledged the 145 matriculants’ improvements in last year’s matric results. The school which, for the third year in a row, came a close second to KwaBhekilanga Secondary School with an 89.13 percent pass mark, may be poised to challenge the competition for the top spot among five schools in the area if their plan and vision come to fruition.
Lebelo said there was an improved performance from 83.3 percent in 2014, which indicated progress, and she praised the students for their effort, which she said was encouraging. “You contributed to the legacy of the school by setting the bar higher for your successors who should maintain the upward progression,” she said.
Lebelo shared with the students some of the reasons for the improvement which included the study camps over the holidays and not giving in to pressure imposed on them. She said the progressive improvement had also drawn in support and visitors wanting to help the school which is gradually improving in infrastructure and equipment to support better teaching and learning.
She urged those who passed to rather seek entry at tertiary level and colleges than join the hordes in the unemployed ranks who soon gravitate to crime and other social ills. “Be our good role models and donate some of your uniforms to those in need,” she said.
The school is also poised to improve through its twinning arrangement with the well-resourced Sandton-based Sandown High School. Joseph Nkosi, chairperson of both schools’ governing bodies (SGB), said the arrangement will enable Alex High School to achieve the non-negotiable target of 100 percent this year.
“The school has already set a culture of steady improvement and the class of 2016 understands the school’s high expectation which include night studies and the collective desire for consistent improvement between the students, teachers and the SGB,” he said. Nkosi said the twinning will enable exchange programmes for students and teachers and Alex High’s access to better resources, including sports fields. Nkosi said Alex High was ready to kick-start their 2016 target.
“The classrooms are fully equipped as smart classes with tablets for all students and smartboards to support modern day teaching and learning,” he concluded.
