The Gauteng Department of Education recently held its annual Schools of Specialisation (SOS) Festival, showcasing the talents and achievements of 36 specialised schools across the province at the John Orr Engineering School of Specialisation in Milpark, Johannesburg.
The annual event had competitions in the engineering, sport, commerce and entrepreneurship, mathematics, science and information and communication technology and performing and creative arts categories.
Among the participating schools, the Oosrand Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation (Ocesos) shone the brightest, securing first place in the commerce and entrepreneurship category and claiming the overall winner.
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Principal Peter Arendse expressed pride in his learners’ accomplishments, stating, “It was a beautiful moment to witness.
“We are very humble about our achievements, especially considering that we started as a specialist school last year and have already been recognised for our potential.”
His words reflect the ethos of Ocesos, where dedication and hard work are at the forefront of the educational experience.
What made Ocesos’ victory even more impressive was that the school operated with limited funding.
Arendse emphasised this point, “We did it with limited funding, and it gives us great motivation. It is an honour to be crowned winners.”
The festival serves as a platform for schools to compete and learn from one another.
Arendse noted, “The SOS Festival is not just about winning. It’s about showcasing what we can do and learning from other schools.
“The collaboration and camaraderie among the participants make this event truly special.”
Arendse pointed out that the key to Ocesos’ success at the festival was the exceptional presentation skills of its learners.
“Their ability to effectively communicate their ideas and showcase their projects was crucial in impressing the judges.
“The way the children presented their work was outstanding. Their passion and dedication shone through, and it was a joy to see them take the stage confidently.”
As a result of their stellar performance, Ocesos received an impressive array of prizes. These included a TV, tablets, laptops, and a cash prize of R10 000 for their first place in the commerce and entrepreneurship category.
Additionally, the school won prizes worth R50 000 for claiming the overall first place across all categories.
“This victory is just the beginning for us. We are motivated to continue improving and expanding our programmes.
“We want to ensure our learners have every opportunity to succeed, academically and personally,” Arendse stated.
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