From left to right: Top academic Student in grade 11: Gabrielle Padiachy, Gwendoline Duganzich Trophy for diligence over 5 years: Kulani Ngoveni and Top Academic Student in grade 12: Jing Zhang.
One of the highlights of the St Andrew’s School for Girls’ calendar is the annual Senior School Speech Night, which was held on 17 October 2019.
Chairman of the school board, Dave Morris, discussed the construction of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) Centre, which is the biggest capital project at St Andrew’s to date. He also made mention of the opportunities for significant cost savings at the school, including those relating to electricity and water. Mr Morris reiterated how the care for the environment and the awareness of climate change is a topic of global activism among young people.
Executive Head, Ivanka Acquisto, reminded the school of our privilege and of the importance of using it for the greater good of others. She stressed that there is an even deeper call to ‘give back’ or ‘pay it forward’, particularly in education. We want to be that school that inspires hope.
Senior School Head, Gill Jeffrey, examined the spirit and essence of Ubuntu and the community. It is with these in mind that a school such as St Andrew’s sustains its relevance in the modern day. She illustrated how each and every person in the school has a purpose; and we are connected through an indelible thread that binds 117 years of girls’ education. It is this spirit, along with our relevant discussions and actions, that allows our community to grow, and in which we can all strive to become active participants in the wider South African community.
Our girls’ achievements for 2019 were officially recognized at the awards ceremony, which included a contribution from Head Girl, Njeri Kiambati, and her Deputy Head Girls, Pearl Dumbu and Georgina Tregoning. They reflected on the year through the eyes of the students, and injected humorous anecdotes from their experiences and adventures.