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Diligence and resilience pave the road to success

Elnic Coetzee
Westside High School recently held its annual grade 11 and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level prize-giving and valedictory ceremony at school. It was well attended by many proud and excited learners, but the parents were prouder and even more excited.

On this day, the school not only bid farewell to the valedictorians of 2023, but also celebrated the achievements of learners as well as that of the beloved principal, Veneza Memory Rheeder. She received her master’s degree in English language teaching from Rhodes University in absentia on the same day.

She inspired and motivated the audience with her testimony and shared her story of resilience and how she attained success in spite of her circumstances, and coming from an impoverished background.

Dr Titus Haimbili, who holds a doctorate in business and is the director of the International University of Management, delivered a speech that focused on resilience, hard work, perseverance and a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Pastor Davon from CRC also shared a very powerful word from the Bible, saying: "All things are possible with God by your side and you should seize every opportunity that comes your way".

The learners received certificates, trophies and monetary prizes for their excellent academic achievements and also for their commitment toward their assigned duties, including scholar patrol, learners representative council (LRC), library prefects and editorial team.

Some of the main awards included: The photographic enterprises award, which is awarded to an individual that excels in commerce, shows potential in all aspects of their academic career and is versatile in academics. This was awarded to Lucia Heita in grade 12.

Carmen Brockerhoff was awarded the principal’s award for her outstanding leadership, exceptional maturity and commitment. The principal’s award is not based on academic performance, but an individual who embodies the characteristics of a Westside learner.

Franklin Coetzee was awarded the dux learner, which is the highest academic achievement.

A few valedictorians delivered speeches, sharing their high school experience, lessons learnt and encouraged fellow learners before saying their final goodbyes. They also blessed the audience with joyful singing and dancing.

The teachers expressed their pride and joy through gifting them with small presents. Ms. Fischer stated: ‘’ My heart is full of joy and I am proud, because I can see the hard work and effort every teacher puts into their learners pays off at the end of the day’’.

The day concluded with them singing the school anthem one last time with hearts full of pride and honour.

"We hope through hearing each individual’s story, it could motivate you to be resilient and remember the sky is the limit."

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-11

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Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 900.74/OZ DOWN -0.0059 | Copper US$ 4.56/lb DOWN -0.0208 | Zinc US$ 2 832.50/T DOWN -0.95% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 77.36/BBP UP +1.05% | Platinum US$ 1 024.40/OZ UP +0.00% Sport results: Weather: Katima Mulilo: 20° | 21° Rundu: 19° | 24° Eenhana: 20° | 26° Oshakati: 21° | 28° Ruacana: 20° | 25° Tsumeb: 20° | 26° Otjiwarongo: 19° | 29° Omaruru: 21° | 33° Windhoek: 20° | 31° Gobabis: 19° | 28° Henties Bay: 19° | 23° Wind speed: 18km/h, Wind direction: W, Low tide: 09:10, High tide: 03:10, Low Tide: 21:20, High tide: 15:22 Swakopmund: 18° | 19° Wind speed: 16km/h, Wind direction: W, Low tide: 09:08, High tide: 03:08, Low Tide: 21:18, High tide: 15:20 Walvis Bay: 18° | 22° Wind speed: 18km/h, Wind direction: NW, Low tide: 09:08, High tide: 03:07, Low Tide: 21:18, High tide: 15:19 Rehoboth: 22° | 32° Mariental: 26° | 36° Keetmanshoop: 27° | 37° Aranos: 23° | 35° Lüderitz: 15° | 26° Ariamsvlei: 28° | 40° Oranjemund: 16° | 23° Luanda: 26° | 28° Gaborone: 19° | 27° Lubumbashi: 17° | 21° Mbabane: 17° | 25° Maseru: 14° | 28° Antananarivo: 18° | 26° Lilongwe: 19° | 26° Maputo: 21° | 30° Windhoek: 20° | 31° Cape Town: 19° | 27° Durban: 20° | 28° Johannesburg: 15° | 25° Dar es Salaam: 26° | 32° Lusaka: 18° | 19° Harare: 17° | 23° Economic Indicators: Currency: GBP to NAD 22.88 | EUR to NAD 19.09 | CNY to NAD 2.52 | USD to NAD 18.45 | DZD to NAD 0.14 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.29 | EGP to NAD 0.36 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.65 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.19 | RUB to NAD 0.19 | INR to NAD 0.21 | USD to DZD 134.83 | USD to AOA 912 | USD to BWP 13.85 | USD to EGP 50.4 | USD to KES 129.22 | USD to NGN 1498.78 | USD to ZAR 18.46 | USD to ZMW 27.95 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index 87765.36 Up +0.33% | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1797.5 Down -0.12% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 16348.72 Up +0.14% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 29905.41 Down -0.36% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 900.74/OZ DOWN -0.0059 | Copper US$ 4.56/lb DOWN -0.0208 | Zinc US$ 2 832.50/T DOWN -0.95% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 77.36/BBP UP +1.05% | Platinum US$ 1 024.40/OZ UP +0.00%