WELCOME BACK
Welcome back at the start of 2012′s academic year. A special word of welcome to the new staff as well as to the Grade 8s, any new pupils and their parents. I trust that you will be happy with your choice of school for your child’s important secondary phase. We have so much to be grateful for. God has blessed us with the best results in our history and the Class of 2011 made us incredibly proud with the depth of their results. Although we lost our 100 % pass rate [99,3%] due to one child who failed, we upped our Bachelor’s access to 76,4 % and have a target of between 81 % and 88 % this year. I am less concerned [please do not read 'not concerned'] about the pass rate [despite caring deeply about every child and willing, pulling and fighting them to pass] and more interested in how many pupils who have Bachelor’s passes [a platform for success]. English, Mathematics, Accounting and Physical Sciences will continue to be the focus of most of our attention. Depth of passes is our number one priority. We have started the year with an enrollment of 920 pupils – up from 812 in 2010 and 602 in 2009!!! Within 3 years we will have 1200 pupils and will make even more of an impact on the province’s education system.
As a self-improving school we spend each day wondering how we can make the campus a better place for all who live the Henshilwood experience daily. I urge all parents to promote Brand Henshilwood by embracing everything the school has to offer and to ensure that they become Brand Ambassadors to the core!
Back to the matrics of 2011. Special mention must be made of Jodee Arendse, Keshini Pillay and Rosalind Stegmann who achieved 16 A’s between them. The Top 12 achieved just under 50 A’s between them. Henshilwood has been placed in the Top 22 best schools in the Western Cape based upon its performance – our first time in this position. The Staff, SGB, pupils and their parents are to be commended for the incredible feat. We wish them well as they embark on their careers at the top universities in the province [Stellenbosch, UWC and UCT]. I wish 2012′s Matrics God’s richest blessings – MAKE US PROUD and break into the TOP 15 schools in the province.
I wish to extend my gratitude to MSED education district for its support in partnering us to achieve this feat. Mr Daniels, the District Director, my bosses Rodney Theys and DV Naidoo and the entire support team are to be commended for their incredible support. They are always willing to walk the extra mile beyond the call of duty. We could not achieve it without their valued support.
I wish all pupils and parents a year in which “my deed becomes my destiny”. God’s word is clear when it says “You reap what you sow”. A reminder to all pupils that you are what your deep, driving desire is. As your deed is, so is your destiny. Have a super 2012. Make memories. Build better relationships. Matrics, have fun this year BUT work harder than you have before. It will pay off.
