Learners from Siviwe School of Skills in Gugulethu were rewarded for their hard work throughout the current academic year on Thursday 31 October.
The school arranged a valedictory for their year four learners and rewarded those who achieved good results. The school works with children who cannot study at mainstream schools.
The learners were dressed in graduation regalia and entered the hall singing a graduation ceremony song.
The top achievers were awarded in different categories including sport, bricklaying, woodwork, clothe-making, welding, hospitality, mathematics, Xhosa, English and life skills.
School principal Yolanda Lupondo said they spent four years with the learners and they have done all they could to empower them. “We were preparing future minds using their hands,” she said.
She added that life is about choices, and as teachers they were there to guide the learners and help them to make the right decisions.
Lupondo said they prepare the learners for college or learnerships once they have completed their studies. She said they decided to celebrate their top achievers to show society that their learners were also capable of achieving great things in life.
“We want to show them that they are also important like learners from mainstream schools,” she said.
Guest speaker Nontuthuzelo Moloi told the learners that there is hope for them. She said there are opportunities and that they must continue using their skills to good effect.
After the day’s proceeding the year four learners lit a candle and passed it on to year three learners for next year’s academic performance.
Learner Thandinkosi Siyalana thanked the teachers for the way they treated them. He also encourage his year three peers to take their education serious.
“You must be here next year and I would like to encourage you to be like us,” he said.
