High Flyers

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the high performing students from Luderitz Secondary school, and their proud parents and teachers gathered in the Youth Centre hall to celebrate their successes. The afternoon was enlightening to say the least. We discovered that the students at the school have many hidden talents, in and out of the classroom.

The ceremony opened with the national anthem, followed by the school song to raise the spirits and set the mood for the event. The school’s talented choir also serenaded us with a few

songs, and were a fine example of how gifted some of the students are. The principal, Crystal Jantjies, gave an inspirational speech, explaining how the school are high in many league tables, but it’s not good enough, they’re not just going for gold-they’re going for platinum! This ceremony was a good way to keep the students motivated for their final exams, starting on October the 6th, by celebrating their success so far. There were certificates given in each subject area to scholars. If they had over 70%, and were the one of the top three in their subject they recieved a certificate. This is tight criteria and some students were getting over 90%. Many learners managed to get multiple certificates, for different subjects, and then continued to collect certificates over the course of the afternoon if they had achieved ‘A’ grades in any of their grade 10 exams, or were one of the top performers in the whole of their Grade.

In Grade 8, the awards for top performers went to: Dina-Lee Nel, Joseph Zitha and Shahieda Van Rooyen.

Grade 9’s best students are: Nicole Bester, Keenan Beukes and Hilma Shipanga.

Grade 10: Veruschka Eiman, Fanuel Mathias and Shiwaovanhi Kristof.

Grade 11: Vilencia Binga, Monica Nekwaya and Lee- Monique Anderson.

Grade12: Ivor Orlam, Naftali Kristof, Janine Gewers and Renee Kaingo.

The school had many group successes, including coming first at Karas Regional Science Fair, again, coming first place at the School, Clubs and Museums Exhibition where they did presentations on the history of our local Shark Island. The school also has a debate team and a thriving choir.

Many students also received trophies for their efforts during the school year. The Arthur Le Hanie Floating Shield was awarded to the sportsman and sportswoman of the year, being Wilbur Pickering and Thandi Malo. Prim Fishing Floating Shields were awarded to the top performers in Grade 8, Dina-Lee Nel, Grade9, Nicole Bester and Grade 12, Ivor Orlam. Veruschka Eiman was crowned the top grade 10 learner, and Ivor Orlam picked up another trophy, this time for being the top grade 12 learner in Science. Janine Gewers took away the trophy for being the top learner in Commerce. Grade 10 Life Science trophy was awarded to Disman Tobias, the trophy for grade 12 Afrikaans was given to Mary-Loe Hummel and Ivor Orlam collected yet more souvenirs for his mantelpiece when he won Grade 12 English, Grade 12 Accounting and Grade 12 Geography.

The main trophies awarded to students were the Seaflower Ambassadors Trophy, to Thandi Malo, the Director’s Trophy to Vilencia Binga and finally, the Dux Learners 2009 trophy to Ivor Orlam, who certainly had his hands full on his way home!

The awards ceremony proved how thriving and hard working Luderitz Secondary school is, it has

 

many extraordinarily talented students who deserve all the awards and praise they received. Best of luck to all students sitting exams in October. We hope the school really does aim for, and get platinum!