While the pageant winners and runner-ups have been crowned at the annual Rocklands High School variety concert, they now have to roll up their sleeves to be ambassadors for the school and give back to their school community.
Miss Rocklands, Kim-Lee Campher, 17, Mr Rocklands, Mogamad Za-eem Salie, 17, first and second princesses Kawthar van Wyk, 18, and Jody-Leigh Willemse, 16, and first and second princes Dean Hackley, 17, and Andrew Adams, 16, wowed the judges at their school’s variety concert on Friday August 19, sporting an opening act, evening and casual wear.
Kim-Lee, a Grade 12 pupil and prefect, told the Plainsman that they will be working on three projects, highlighting the young, old and needy.
On entering the competition, pupils were told of the added social responsibility component of the pageant they would have to fulfil when winning.
The group has not yet decided on specific projects but will be visiting and interacting with Beaconvale Community Frail Care Centre in Beacon Valley, Heaven’s Shelter House in Woodlands and is thinking of providing a cooked meal for the poor.
Kim-Lee, who enjoys community service, said they will have to host fund-raisers and plan wisely ahead of the matric final examinations next month.
She said the variety concert and pageant helped pupils to have fun, recognise other pupils’ talents and prepare for the outside world.
“We need to be responsible in managing our time ahead of the September examinations,” she said.
Mogamad Za-eem, who is also a Grade 12 pupil, said he is looking forward to improving the image of Rocklands High School by being a role model and ambassador.
“We are serious about what we want to do for our community and at the end of the day the teachers can say, ‘you did well’,” he said.
While the Grade 12 pupils finish their time at school this year, Grade 10 pupils Jody-Leigh and Andrew look forward to continuing the legacy started this year.
They said their new-found pride in their school comes from their new principal Nigel Pelston, who has tasked the matric class of 2016 to have a 100 percent pass rate.
Dean, a Grade 12 pupil, said the principal has been drilling them and no one is stepping out of line.
“Other schools should watch out – model C schools and schools outside of Mitchell’s Plain,” he said.
“Ultimately, we are looking forward to doing the school proud.” Teacher Irafaan Abrahams said they want to give pupils the platform to do things in their community.