Goodbye to the class of 2026

For Ella Du Plessis High School’s matric learners, Grade 12 has been a year of hard work, friendship and preparing for life beyond the school gates.
ester Haufiku
  • 1 Day Ago

School days are a special time to chase dreams, build friendships and make memories. As the year draws to a close, Ella du Plessis High School is celebrating its matric class and the legacy the learners will leave behind.

For the school’s AS Level learners, also known as Grade 12, the final year is one of the most important and challenging stages of their school journey. In keeping with the school motto, Per ardua astra – “through difficulties to the stars” – the year is about more than completing high school. It is a turning point as learners begin shaping their futures.

Grade 12 brings a mix of anticipation, pressure and self-discovery. For many learners, it is a bridge between the familiarity of the classroom and the wider world beyond the school gates.

Academic pressure also intensifies. Learners must balance final preparation for national examinations with applications to universities, colleges and other institutions. Time management becomes essential, while procrastination can quickly catch up with them.

Teachers often remind learners that consistent effort is important during this final year, as their results can help open the door to future opportunities.

Despite the pressure, Grade 12 is a milestone to be valued. While AS Level is not always easy, it can also be a rewarding experience – one that tests learners’ determination, patience and resilience.


A year of challenges and growth

Walteria Iipinge reflected on her experience as a Grade 12 learner.

“I am a proud Ella du Plessis High School learner, and I am grateful for the years I have spent at Ella. Some days, I felt like giving up, but thanks to the amazing leadership and support of our teachers, we kept on aiming high,” she said.

She also described the long nights and demanding workload that came with the final year.

“The clock struck midnight, and my desk was still buried under textbooks and notes. Grade 12 had turned my nights into marathons of studying and my days into a blur of deadlines. Yet, in the midst of the exhaustion, I knew this was the year that would help shape my future,” she said.

Other learners said they would miss the school and hoped to live up to the legacy they leave behind.

Teachers encouraged the matric class to remember where they came from and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

As they approach their final days at Ella du Plessis High School, learners are encouraged to enjoy the moment, make lasting memories and have some fun along the way.

For the Grade 12 class, the school gates may soon close behind them, but the lessons, friendships and memories built at Ella du Plessis will travel with them into whatever comes next.