Junior and Senior 
prizegiving 

1 December was a day of celebration at Wynberg Girls’ High School, as it marked the occasion of both the Junior and Senior prize givings. It was a day to celebrate academic achievements, and provided the school with an opportunity to honour those who had persevered throughout the year.

The Junior (Grades Eight and Nine) and Senior (Grades Ten and Eleven) prize givings – celebrated at different times - both began with the singing of ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’, which was exquisitely sung by Michelle Botha! Following this, of course, was proud singing of the National Anthem. Rebecca Baaitjies played Gypsy Dance, op. 84 no 4 by J Turina in the junior ceremony, and Lisa Sterne gave an unforgettable performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's haunting "Memory" from "Cats" in the senior section. 

When the audience was seated, Mrs Harding welcomed everyone and the guest speakers for each prize giving were introduced. For the Juniors, it was a past pupil Ms Tamara Wiley.She spoke to her audience of the importance of creating memories, and reminded us that without participating, no memories can be created. She talked of her experiences as Editor of Wicked Magazine and how extraordinarily lucky she was to have been afforded the opportunity to work on a teen magazine like that. In this position, she has met a significant number of rich, famous, glamorous and not so rich, famous and glamorous people - a common regret of some of these people was that they hadn't taken advantage of all of the opportunities that were offered to them during their schooling and reminded us of the importance of embracing all that is presented to us

Guest of honour, Ms Wendy Hanssen reminded the seniors of the extraordinary gift of life that we are given each day. She asked us to imagine what we would if if someone were to give us R86,400 each day. (Don't we all wish!!!) One of the conditions of receiving this money, she told us, was that we needed to spend it all in one day - anything that was not spent would be lost. Having got all of our attention with that possibility, she asked us to consider how we would spend the money. In imagining such extraordinary wealth... luck ... riches... we were reminded that we do in fact receive that number of seconds each day - and that each second wasted, is a second lost. In such a situation, the question she suggested we look at is no longer is do we spend the time; but how we are going to spend our quantity of time. 

And finally, the reason for the occasion arrived! Prizes were awarded in categories to the individual grades at the two ceremonies, the number of prizes ranging from one to ten certificates! Everyone who had achieved in any academic area was recognised, and later, when the trophies were awarded, sporting, literary and personal accomplishments were also recognised. 

Finally, it was time for photographs and congratulations from some very proud parents, as the two separate ceremonies ended after the singing of the school song. It was with enthusiasm and pride that the various prizewinners left the hall, and they must all be congratulated for their efforts – after all, Wynberg sets high standards, and it really is quite a challenge to meet them! 

Many thanks also to our teachers, without whose support, encouragement and endless patience would make our task significantly more difficult! And so, it was at the end of this eventful day that all students returned home, and – regardless of how many or how few prizes were wonl, everyone was happy about one thing: only one day remained until the holidays!