Thuto-Lesedi Secondary welcomes matric class of 2017

Thuto-Lesedi Secondary School held a special ceremony to welcome its matric class of 2017 on Tuesday, January 10.

The ceremony was held on the school premises with the aim of motivating the learners to do well. The school runs the ‘Bring the light’ programme, aimed at improving its results.

Joalane Molotsi, a teacher and one of the leaders of the programme, explained, “For the past few years we have been experiencing challenges when it comes to matric results. That was because of learner’s absenteeism and late-coming. Learners have been passing, but there was no quality that the school can be proud of.

“We used to be the best-performing school in the township. As a result our school was referred to as the ‘University of Volsoorus’. In order to bring back our reputation we had to sit down and come up with a plan. To start with we had to organise this event, whereby we had motivational speakers to motivate all stakeholders, including learners, parents and teachers.”

Molotsi added, “This event is happening for the first time in the school. We want these learners to know that they have a special place in the teachers’ hearts. We are very glad that we have principal Stewart Madi’s support.

“Plans to deal with late-coming and absenteeism are still in the pipeline. We hope teachers will work hand in hand with us in all this.”

One the motivational speakers, Zanele Tlhadikanelo, a circuit manager at Ekurhuleni West Cluster, had a message for parents and learners.

She said the department won’t tolerate latecomers and learners who absent themselves unnecessarily from school. Parents must play their part, she said.

“Learners who absent themselves unnecessarily and latecomers won’t be allowed to write exams in all the subjects they registered for, but just those we feel they will be able to write. The rest they will write the following year.”

Tlhadikanelo advised parents to support teachers.

“There is no way teachers will know the real reason behind learners being absent from school. But you as parents must never allow your child to be absent from school without a reason.

“The foundation for matric is built at Grade Eight. If you allow your child to be absent from school at lower grades you will regret it, because that child won’t have a good foundation. When they fail you are going to blame it on teachers.

“If your child fails during the first term, don’t keep quiet about it. Just go to the school. They will tell you the real reason and they can tell you how they can assist and also advise you on the part you have to play as a parent.

“Make sure that learners study before they go to sleep and that they always do their homework,” said Tlhadikanelo.

Vuyelwa Mbatha, who spoke on behalf of the class of 2017, said she feels very glad to be representing her classmates.

“Nothing is impossible in life. Even to pass all your seven subjects with distinction is highly possible. All we need to do is to decide now that we want to pass. We must choose to be wise.”

“This event needs to motivate us, as it is the first time it is happening in our school. Our teachers have already shown that we are special and that is motivation in itself,” said an enthusiastic Mbatha.

Mbatha also said every bad thing that happens in your life must motivate you to do better, not kill you.

“I was personally motivated to be what I am today because I failed my Grade 11 three times. Not because I was stupid but because I thought I was clever. My parents and my teachers told me not to give up,” concluded Mbatha.