Westridge High School held a thanksgiving ceremony to mark its 40th anniversary and pay tribute to those who have served the school and its community since 1977.
“We have so much to be grateful for,” said principal Wendy Vergotine at the ceremony on Wednesday January 25.
Thousands of pupils had been through the school and owed their success to the leadership, guidance and support from teachers.
“Today we have doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers and managers… the list is endless,” said Ms Vergotine.
“Today, we thank God for the opportunity we had and still have as an educational institution to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and moral values.
“We thank God for the patience and love of educators.
“We thank God for our people in the community for their support,” she said.
Ms Vergotine appealed to the school’s current pupils to value their education, treasure the time they spent at the school and always defend its honour.
Jovan Parenzee, from Hillsong Church, told the pupils their lives had greater purposes.
“I want to encourage you to make a difference for the next 40 years of Westridge High School and pray that the school goes from strength to strength,” he said.
He said pupils should choose their friends wisely and surround themselves with people they could listen to and look up to.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, but where you are heading,” he said.
Westridge High School will hold a Valentine’s Day dance at the school hall on Friday February 17, at 7.30pm. The Rockets will perform. Tickets cost R100 each. Call the school at 021 371 7400 for details.
There will be an interschool athletics meet on Monday February 20; a fun day for the pupils on Tuesday March 28; a colour run and food fair for the community, including Mr and Miss Westridge High School on Saturday July 1; and a spring banquet on Friday September 29. The Plainsman will be publishing a feature documenting the history of the school, accolades achieved and challenges the school has faced over the past four decades. Former pupils, who would like to share their memories, thanks and pay tribute to the school can send their stories to Plainsman reporter Fouzia van der Fort at fouzia.vanderfort@inl.co.za