It was a night to remember for the prefects of Sunnyridge Primary School, last Friday, as the school held its second annual Mr and Miss Leadership evening.
The event, which was started in 2018, gives the school’s staff a chance to show their appreciation for their prefects, who displayed great leadership skills throughout the year, one last time before they head to high school.
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“It was a fabulous evening,” said Laurenzo Thomson, head of leaders at the school.
“It is always my aim as the head of leaders to groom these young lads and lasses to be responsible, to have respect and to be concerned about the well-being of others.
“This year we lessened the number of the awards being handed out, not because we wanted to reward fewer people, but because we wanted our winners to really appreciate what they received.
“Working with Hazel Smith, the school’s deputy principal, and Monique Kruger, the school’s head of department, to plan this year’s event has taught me so much.”
The children and their families dressed up for the occasion, which was held at the school, and Hazel could hardly believe how grown up everyone looked.
“It is quite rewarding to see how much the children have grown over the year from when we first appointed them as leaders in the beginning of the second term to now,” Hazel said.
“If you look at them now they are ready for high school, they really are young ladies and gentlemen.”
Monique agreed and added that she hoped that they would take away a sense of appreciation from the evening.
“I hope they will realise how much we appreciate what they have done for the school over the year,” Monique said.
“I also hope they will see themselves and each other in a different light after tonight, as this is probably the most formal event we have at the school.”
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During the evening Neo Khoanyane, the school’s head boy, won the title of Mr Leadership 2019.
“Neo also received a number of awards at the school’s recent prize-giving, including Most Promising Soccer Player of the Year, a class award, a perseverance trophy, the Deputy Principal’s Trophy and the Top One Leaders Award,” explained Laurenzo.
Miss Leadership 2019 was awarded to Tyler Garber, who dazzled in a blue dress. She also won the evening’s Enthusiastic Leadership Award.
“Tyler also shone at our recent school prize-giving, receiving a number of prizes, including the Eustice Trophy (a service above self award) and a class award, to name a few,” said Laurenzo.
Other awards on the night were awarded to:
• Bonolo Lamola was named first prince.
• Kearabetswe Thabethe was named first princess. She also won the evening’s Camaraderie Leadership Award.
• Devolan Naidoo, the school’s deputy head boy, was named second prince. He also won the evening’s Aspiring Leadership Award.
• Heather Shaw was named second princess.
• The Perseverance Leadership Award was awarded to Mohau Bengo.
• The Heart and Soul Award was awarded to Storm Kinnear.
“This year was a difficult and tough year and many of our students have struggled, but they overcame all their challenges,” said Laurenzo.
“I hope we have shown our leaders that they can do anything they set their minds to.”
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