WATCH: Oos Rand awards Grade 12 top achievers
Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.
“If you don’t have a dream, if you don’t have a vision, and if you don’t have an ideal to live for and achieve, you might as well drop out right now.”
Reverend Samuel Muller shared these words, trying to motivate matriculants at the Oosrand Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation (Ocesos)’s valedictory ceremony for its Grade 12s.
During the annual event held at the Judah Ministries church on October 16, the school awarded the Grade 12 top achievers, acknowledging them for their academic performances and contributions to the school during 2024.
The event recognised dozens of learners in various subjects and some school projects.
School principal Peter Arendse, who has been with the school for 32 years and is a product of it, described the ceremony as a way to award outstanding performances and express good wishes as the learners are about to sit for their matric exams and, hopefully, exit the basic education system.
Delivering a valedictory speech, Arendse said the school was proud of the learners’ achievements and how they conducted themselves throughout the year.
“Today, we dedicate this service to our learners and staff because they are special to us. Parents place their children in the hands of our academic institutions from Grade One and expect the institutions to support, help and grow these learners through their lives and academic terms.
“They embark on this academic journey to learn and improve themselves to become better citizens eventually, but today, we have come to the end of our efforts as educators and school authorities. So, we present these learners back to you as parents to say, ‘Please help them continue this important academic journey’.
“I remember a university professor always used to say to us, ‘The academic road is the lonely road to success. It’s only you on that road, only your name that will go on that certificate on that degree or diploma. It is not the name of your parents, it is not the name of your friend, it will never be another name but yours. You have to take ownership of that and realise this academic road is a lonely one’.
“Our staff, thank you for the beautiful work. Despite all the difficulties, you stood firm against all the obstacles and went all-out to help the children improve their lives and become better citizens.”
He urged learners never to be mediocre about their performances on their academic journeys.
“Learners, it is possible for you to do well. It is possible for you to not merely pass Grade 12 but to pass Grade 12 with an academic achievement you can be proud of.
It is possible your results could also help you become one of those learners who also obtain the bursaries of R123 000 in one year. It is possible to get a learnership to get into an institution that will better your life.
“Always try to make your parents proud because these people work hard for you, sacrifice and pray for you every day so that you can be successful one day. Your teachers became your parents, but now we are giving you back to your parents also to guide you. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.”
Joseph’s Dreams
Reverend Muller is a former teacher and award-winning author with a passion for preaching, counselling and motivational speaking.
As part of his words of encouragement, he spoke about dreaming big and dreaming the impossible.
“The people who changed the world, including the country we live in today, were the biggest dreamers of them all,” said Muller, who complemented his topic with Joseph’s Dreams (Genesis 37:5).
The school choir’s excellent choral sound kept the good-sized audience well entertained.
Also Read: WATCH: Matric class of 2024 is raring to go
