Dainfern College recently celebrated its Class of 2020 who have excelled despite the challenges of lockdown.
The Grade 12 learners were able to write their preliminary examinations on campus at the end of Term 2. However, it was only with the move to Level 1 that staff were finally able to put arrangements in place for some of the important matric rites of passage.
The school organised three colours assemblies, hosted the Grade 12s at a relaxing matric retreat off campus, held a moving valediction service and staged a magnificent matric dance to ensure the Class of 2020 was able to end their high school career in a truly memorable way.
Principal Matthew Davies said, “Our Grade 12s have been incredibly brave and resilient throughout the challenges of lockdown and we were delighted to be able to celebrate them on campus as best we could while observing Covid-19 protocols.”
The valediction service was held on 9 October in the school’s multipurpose hall. Grade 12 learners and their parents attended this often-emotional service that recognised the achievements of the Grade 12s with subject prizes, values awards and a number of trophies.
The school offers both Independent Examinations Board (IEB) matric certificates and Cambridge A Levels, and this year the inaugural Cambridge Studies Dux Scholar was Xiaoya Huang.
Head boy Matthew Pretorius, who in his speech laughingly described his peers as the Grade 12s with the cleanest hands in the history of Dainfern College, was the IEB Dux Scholar as well as the recipient of the prestigious Arthur Dean Memorial Trophy.
The service ended with the traditional Walk of Honour as the learners made their way off campus one last time.
The walk was redesigned to ensure social distancing and the Grade 12s walked from Grade 0 to the Junior Prep, through the Senior Prep to the High School, and finally past the staff, cheered on their way by every learner and teacher.
The Grade 12s were visibly moved by this symbolic revisiting of their school journey and emotions were high as they hung their school ties on the tree before leaving campus.
Despite the challenges, frustrations and disappointments of the year, there was no doubt that for the Class of 2020, their school days at Dainfern College were indeed
the best of times.
