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Bon Voyage Matrics of 2003!

The last day of school. For most students, a far away dream, for the Matrics of 2003, a reality. On Wednesday morning, the 8 October, troops of Matrics entered the school gates parading in bizarre outfits to celebrate their last “real” day of school with informal valedictory.

Every year, on the last day of school before they go off on study leave and to write their examinations, the matrics come to school very very early – for some as early as 6:30 – to provide a last breakfast for the matriculants of their year, and for the staff. This year, the responsibility fells on the shoulders of Haniefa Dalvie; Michelle Genricks; Fiona Gibson; Kristy-Lynne Hartje; Kerry Stuart; and Candice van Zyl. Early in the morning, they packed breakfast boxes for the breakfast, and set them out in the double classrom beneath the art studio which allows all to spill out into the Matric Quad.

After a convivial time of eating, drinking, photographing and filming, the teachers return to the staff room for a meeting, and the matrics race and roar around the school showing themselves off to the rest of the school.

This year we stood aghast as the matrics tore around the school full of cheer, shouts and shrieks fo delight. Oblivious of the fact that the bell had gone, we watched in wonder: there were fairies and princesses, skatergirls and ringmasters, a few Marilyn Manroes, a Michael Jackson and three blind mice. These were just a few of the brilliant and bizarre outfits.

But the fun wasn’t only in the dressing up. Two cars drove around packed with cheering matrics and the rest of the school was drenched in water as some Matrics unleashed their water guns.

Soon it penetrated our consciousness that bells had been ringing and that there was an all call for all grade elevens to eights to return to their classes for roll call...

And then, it was time for the actual informal valedictory assembly.

The Matrics entered the hall, flocking to the stage and after whooping with delight and screaming with joy, settled down to say a word of thanks to each of their teachers.

Each teacher in each Matric department was thanked personally as heartfelt thank-yous were imparted, memories narrated and a few tears spilt.

And then came the singing. First the Matrics sang “The Time of my Life” to the rest of the school, followed closely by the prefects’ song-message to the school. That was not all though: as the Grade Elevens serenaded the matrics with R.Kelly’s “The World’s Greatest”, as their person farewell to their seniors. The last song sung is traditionally sung by the teachers, and this year, they sang their own adaptation of Shrek’s, “I’m a Believer” to the Matrics.

Cheers, tears and shouts of joy soon erupted as the informal valedictory was soon over and the matrics changed from their extraordinary costumes back into their uniforms for their formal Valedictory.

Bon voyage Matrics of 2003!

Samah El Borai

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This page was last updated on 13 October 2003 04:14