The Gauteng Department of Education’s Johannesburg West District held their annual awards ceremony on February 5.
The event celebrated the achievements of the class of 2021, recognising the efforts of teachers, learners and administrators alike. Held at Hoërskool Roodepoort for the second successive year, dignitaries from across the District, proud teaching staff and former matrics wearing their school uniforms for possibly the last time received the individual accolades for each subject’s top achievers.
District Director, Lehlohonolo Ramokhoase gave the opening speech, breaking down an impressive 2021 in stats. The Johannesburg West District recorded the fourth best results across South Africa and was ranked second in Gauteng. The District passed 1 200 more candidates than the previous year, awarded 2 881 Bachelor passes, and had three learners represented at the national awards a few weeks prior.
“We are not bragging but out of the 81 Districts across the country, Johannesburg West is number four. It does not get much better than that,” said Director Ramokhoase, before declaring his intention of propelling the District to the top spot. The director thanked all the principals for their hard work and challenged them to increase the District’s 2021 pass rate of 86,54%.
Interspersed with musical numbers by the bands from Hoërskool Florida and PJ Simelane Secondary School, Chief Director, Dennis Macuacua gave his address. “The class of 2021 was short-changed by the Covid challenges. This group celebrating today had to put in twice the energy to achieve these results,” said the Chief Director, stating the 85% rate was now the benchmark and that the District should never dip below this in future.The individual awards began with recognising the best facilitators across each subject before acknowledging the best educators. The star learners were up next with several Roodepoort representatives handed their framed top-achiever certificates. Florida Park High School’s Caleb Steenkamp received his for Afrikaans First Additional Language, while Nyeleti Mushwana from Princess High School was top achiever in Tourism.
Hoërskool Florida had a night to remember with five learners taking home a combined seven awards. Jordan Labuschagne was top achiever in Music, Ciara Mostert shone in Graphics and Design, while Junandi Meyer excelled in French Second Additional Language. Klariska van Straten received two awards for both Visual Arts and Consumer Studies, with Kristi Lamprecht matching her with awards in English First Additional Language and Afrikaans Home Language.
In the overall schools sections, Hoërskool Florida and Lantern School would both have their moments in the spotlight. Lantern School was awarded top achieving LSEN school, while Florries were awarded top achieving town school as well as receiving the prestigious Overall Excellence in School award.
A delighted Florries principal, Julius Katzke said, “Myself as principal and every staff member are very blessed and humbled to be part of a school with these high standards. We also appreciate being part of our amazing District. The results in our District speak of excellent leadership and dedication of all stakeholders, of which Hoërskool Florida contribute but a meagre portion.”
