THE matric pupils gathered in the Waterfall College’s hall one last time during the annual speech day ceremony recently.
The school’s principal, Jeanette van der Merwe, spoke about the phenomenal example set by the South African athlete, Wade van Niekerk and his 74-year-old coach, Anna Botha, at the Olympic Games in Rio this year. She likened the example to the disciplined approach needed by this year’s matric class as they get ready to write their final examinations. “Just as Wade was expected to tire in the final leg but ended up accelerating and breaking the world record, so the pupils should prepare to work with discipline through the challenges ahead to achieve their best and ultimately, achieve their dreams.”
The guest speaker at the event was Dr Carolyn Hancock, director of the DNA Project, chairman of Thembelihle Primary School and Angels Care Centre in Howick.
“At your age I certainly never planned my life this way, but I can say with absolute certainty that I have learnt two important lessons along the way.
“The first is that knowledge is power. Find something that fascinates you and learn as much as you can – you can never know enough.”
Her second piece of advice to the matriculants was to apply the knowledge they have learnt and to use their unique talents to do something they were passionate about. “If you do this with conviction, without compromise, a lot of hard work and definitely your fair share of heartache – you will achieve positive results.”
The Dux of School was awarded to Sidney Reed, proxime accessit to Dux was Laura Luciani and the principal’s award was shared by Michael Andre and Kayla Stacey.
