On Friday 30 November, LIV School gathered for our final assembly and prize giving. It proved to be a morning of great celebration as we honoured the hard work of children and teachers, saying goodbye to our six matric learners as well as a few teachers leaving us.
The guest speaker of the day was Chief Sbonelo Mkhize. Heading up the AbaMbo Traditional Authority, Chief Mkhize provides guidance to many, makes development decisions and is also currently reading for a Master of Commerce in Local Economic Development. He captivated the attention of every learner and adult as he shared some of his story and offered wise words to our school leavers. He encouraged them to learn from failure and let it humble them, as well as to seek God as they encounter injustice around them, standing strong, remembering the people they come from and leading with a love for those around them.
Chief Mkhize addressing LIV School.
He then congratulated many children receiving prizes for hard work, excellent results, character and improvement in various disciplines. Our top matric achiever, Austin Moya, was gifted a new laptop and printer by Private Property, which will no doubt aid his further studies.
In addition to our guest speaker, we also heard from LIV School’s previous headmaster, Mark Emerson, who shared a word of encouragement to all learners and teachers. We are very sad to say goodbye to Mr Emerson as he and his wife, Moira, leave LIV. The Emersons will always be remembered for their servant leadership, kindness and love for each child and staff member, and have certainly left a legacy to bless many who will be involved at LIV School in the future.
We also said farewell to teachers Marcienne Koenig, and Sarah Neilon, as well as Luciano Adriaanse, Jordan and Bailey Collins and our psychologist, Charne Janse van Vuuren. Marci has been our foundation phase HOD this year and taught in the foundation phase for four years, alongside Sarah, who has taught our grade 1’s for just over two years. Luciano has taught Social science, technical drawing and Life Orientation for two years, as well as coaching our boys’ soccer team. Jordan has taught music and his wife, Bailey, has been a therapy support to children at school. Charne has given invaluable time to serve our children through educational assessments and psychological support. All of these staff members will be sorely missed, and we wish them the best as they move onto new and exciting endeavors.
The LIV School Choir
Adding wonderful life to the morning and ending off our prize giving was the LIV School Choir. Led by Ant and Des Govender, our choir performed some of their new repertoire, ending with a beautiful rendition of the Lords prayer, Baba Yethu. Overall the final assembly of the year proved an encouragement and time of celebration for all.
