It is confirmed. Hoërskool Roodepoort will offer parallel-medium teaching from January 2014.

Roodies was established in 1952 as a proud Afrikaans-medium school. Little did they know that the words of its first-ever principal, JWC Riekerts last words on a brochure will live on despite the challenges: Laat ons dus almal saam, positief na vore gaan, laat ons mekaar aanvul en nie probeer ondermyn nie, want dit word van ons verwag om ons deeltjie by te dra tot ons volk en ons land Suid-Afrika.

But even though they lost the battle, Roodies considers the major change as a new chapter in their history that they are looking forward to.

The fact that pupils will be offered education in either an English or Afrikaans class in future is also considered a good thing.

The schools numbers have received a massive boost already, considering entries for Grade 8s in 2014 are confirmed to be full.