MATRICS, PUSH YOURSELVES TO THE LIMITS – IN 2018 AND THEREAFTER
YOU ARE about to embark on another stepping stone in life. South Peninsula High School (SPHS) has always taught me that you can overcome any challenge that is placed in your path.
As a matric student, I was never really interested in conversations regarding the future.
Having not obtained a bachelor’s pass (by 1% in one subject), I experienced difficulties when I desired to change career streams.
Amid the confusion regarding which career stream to change to, the words of SPHS legend and the school’s longest-serving principal, Mr BB Isaacs, stuck in my head: “You’re able to achieve anything, and don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t.”
With these words, I knew that teaching was the path to follow. This, however, is not the reason for the letter.
Rather, its purpose is to encourage you, as matrics, to push yourself to new limits.
Despite not having achieved a bachelor’s pass at SPHS, I achieved a bachelor’s and an honours degree in education from the University of the Western Cape.
I took an extra year of my life to achieve this, but the sacrifice was well worthwhile.
I say to you, persevere during this period, not as learners, but as students – those who study through analytical methods and acquire knowledge.
At SPHS we embrace the term “students” because the school understands that we do not just learn, but as students, we are being groomed to think analytically.
Do not allow others to defeat you; be your own opponent. Challenge your marks from September; just as Mr Isaacs and his successor, Mr Z Baker, always encouraged students to do better.
If a student achieved a C aggregate, they would say “aim for a good B pass”. If a student achieved a B aggregate, they would say “aim for a good A pass”, and if a student achieved an A aggregate, they would say “aim for a better A pass”.
Aim for the sky and beyond. Never give up on what you want to become.
Never set goals that are less than those you wish to achieve.
Let hard work, dedication and determination be the core principles ingrained into your character – not only for the last leg of your schooling career, but for the journey ahead.
SPHS’s new principal Mr Z Baker has challenged matric students of SPHS to aim for a 100% pass rate and a 90% bachelor’s pass rate. I believe that when the results are released on January 4, you will make SPHS proud and that the words of Mr Baker will ring true.
Mr Isaacs instilled in generations of SPHS students that we do not see race but are all human beings. Thus, matrics, do not see race; see a society in which you are able to achieve your bachelor’s pass, aiming for70% and more.
Mohandas K Gandhi (better known as Mahatma Gandhi) once said: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Aim high to make South Africa better – socially, economically and academically – as students, not just as learners. MATTHEW JW PRINS
(SPHS ex-student and teacher)