This seemed to be the prevailing mood among students who had just completed their final matric exams at Minerva Secondary School recently.
While also showing some apprehension and anxiety of what was in store for them for the future, they were all joyful, and in the nature of children, destructive. They re-branded and redesigned their uniforms from white to psychedelic and sleeveless shirts, adding the names of friends from their high school days.
In spite of parents having to make huge sacrifices to afford their uniforms, some said they had sought permission from parents to do so, but others seemed unconcerned saying it was the culture and a sign of exiting high school.
A grandparent associated with the school who declined to be named, said he wished them well but hoped their celebratory mood signalled that they did well and would not be back next year with the extra financial burden on parents after having spoiled their uniforms.
Like others countrywide, students from this and the other four secondary schools in Alexandra will have to wait until 6 January for their results.
Education experts and psychologists advise children to moderate their outgoing behaviour as well as their anxiety in a bid to avoid traumatic experiences which include committing suicide – as others have in the past when results came out contrary to their expectations. Those who failed are advised to accept the results, not as reflecting their incapacity to learn, but as a challenge which they can overcome with extra effort and a change in attitude when attempting matric again.
