HECTOSPRUIT – Teachers and the School Governing Body (SGB) of Driekoppies Combined School went to celebrate their excellent academic victory. In 2009’s metric results the school beat all of the schools in Khulangwane circuit to be number one with an 85 percent pass rate.

The school organized a glamorous party at Hectorspruit’s Masigobe lodge for the teachers and the SGB to celebrate their glorious victory. Those who excelled in their hard work were awarded at the ceremony for their contributions.

From gardener to teachers and clerks, they were all awarded with certificates of appreciation. Teachers who earned higher pass rates were also given certificates and trophies.

According to the school’s principal, Mr. Andrew Mgwenya, well known as A.V., the ceremony was to show how much the school appreciates the results. They want to show parents and all of the role players how happy they are for the great improvement.

The school has only had metric for less than five years, but each year the pass rate has show improvement. Thulani Nhlapho, an educator at Driekoppies Combined, delivered the keynote address where he encouraged all of the teachers to work hard. “We managed to rise to the top in our circuit and for that there’s still more work ahead of us as the year is beginning.

Let’s work hard to achieve even more that 85 percent and by that we will know that we’ve worked,” said Nhlapho. Nhlapho also pleaded with parents to give necessary support to any iniative that the school will want to undergo.

He thanked the parents who let their children attend evening studies under a watchful eye of their teachers. At the awards, Busisiwe Mhlongo was awarded for best sports coach. Khumbudzo Bhimjee went home with the best teacher in music award. The most dedicated teacher award went to Manzini K.C. Lubisi P.P. was awarded for excellence in netball. Mshawane was awarded for best Geography teacher.

Mkhatshwa N.P. won for commercial subjects. Masite went home with best teacher in physical science. Ncumalo was awareded best English teacher, after getting an impressive 100 percent pass rate. The overall winner in languages was Masuku D.N. In the primary section, Busisiwe Mhlongo was awarded again as the best primary teacher. Luphoko M.R. went with the award for being the best general worker and Mathaba N.A. was the best admin clerk for the 2009 year.

Frank Sengwayo could not hide his joy when he was awarded the most punctual teacher, which was part of the principal’s special awards. Mathonsi C was named the most responsible teacher. Ngwenya told the teachers that the awards were to encourage the teachers.

 “Although the circuit is aiming to have such functions, we thought it was wise to start with our very own residents of the school and show them first that we are over the moon for the work they did in the previous year. We also encourage everyone to continue working hard as we are to rise again in 2010,” said Ngwenya.