Usasazo High School scoops top award

Schools from various parts of Khayelitsha that scooped awards at the Matric and Grade 9 Systematic Awards held at Protea Heights Academy in Brackenfell last Thursday night.

Metro East Education District honoured hardworking schools, teachers and pupils at the 2020 Matric and Grade 9 Systemic Awards.

Hosted at the Protea Heights Academy in Brackenfell on Thursday February 27, the awards seek to “recognise outstanding teachers and pupils who have demonstrated an exceptional ability to teach and schools who have been consistent in their matric pass rate for the past five years and improvement in academic performance”.

The school must have achieved between 95% and 100% pass rates in all the subjects.

At last Thursday night’s event, schools from Vukani’s catchment area celebrated with the best schools in the district which had produced excellent results and improvement in their Grade 9 and 12, language and mathematics systemic tests in 2019.

Schools were acknowledged for initiatives implemented to help pupils to pass with excellence and Usasazo High School was named the district’s most exceptional school of 2019.

The school’s principal, Patrick Barnes, said he was delighted that the hard work and dedication of everyone at the school had been recognised. Although he tried to be modest about the school’s achievement, Mr Barnes urged schools to work hard and put a child’s future first.

“Eish, we’ve tried. But we are excited that our work has been recognised. Being named as the exceptional school is a huge achievement and testament to our school and the community,” he said.Other big winners included Esangweni, Siphamandla, Intlanganiso, Zola Business School, Masiyile, the ever present Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) led by principal Fadiela Cooper and Chris Hani High.

Addressing teachers and parents, Thorn Williams, of Fundi education finance said his organisation was ploughing back into communities for what many could not achieve – education.

Teachers who won awards were also excited to have their efforts acknowledged.

Masiyile teacher Samukelo Nombembe said teachers and schools took pride in their children’s education. She encouraged pupils to allow teachers to make a meaningful change in their lives.Circuit manager Cherie Meyer-Wiiliams congratulated all schools who received awards on the night. She said the district was proud of the school’s achievements and the teachers’ commitment to providing quality education for every child in every classroom in the metro.