Kingsridge High School for Girls was abuzz with excitement as pupils and staff celebrated its 150th anniversary last week.
Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube, who proudly claims Kingsridge High as her alma mater, attended the celebrations at the Qonce school.
Her attendance served as a testament to the school’s enduring legacy of producing accomplished individuals who go on to make a difference in society.
As the school community gathered to commemorate the milestone, the atmosphere was electrifying and filled with a sense of pride, nostalgia and joy.
The day’s festivities provided an opportunity for past and present pupils, teachers and staff to come together, share stories and celebrate the school’s rich heritage.
Events leading up to the Founder’s Day celebration included a birthday parade, musical evenings, hockey matches, an inter-house athletics day, pre-primary modelling show, old girls’ union evening, and the finale, a birthday assembly.
Guests on March 7 played a big role in the success of the assembly, which included old girls from as far back as 1965 to the class of 2015, which celebrated its 10-year reunion.
Kingsridge head girl Liyakhanya Ntlokwana said: “This year, Kingsridge High School for Girls turned 150 years old, which was a significant milestone.
“A lot of preparation went into making this year’s birthday a special one. There was a series of events that led to the official birthday assembly.”
She said great fun was had and it was truly a birthday to remember.
Throughout the day, guests were treated to a diverse range of activities as well as words of inspiration.
The school community looked to the future with renewed optimism and enthusiasm, inspired by the knowledge that they were part of a proud tradition of excellence that would continue to flourish for generations.
Gwarube said they gathered not just to commemorate the past but to reaffirm their dedication to the future.
“This school is more than just a building to me; it is a home of knowledge, a place where my dreams took flight, where my young mind was moulded, and where my character was built.”
She said over the past 150 years, Kingsridge High School had shaped girls into confident, capable and accomplished young women who had gone on to lead, inspire and break boundaries in every field imaginable.
“KHS has equipped us with knowledge, discipline, resilience and the courage to face the world head-on,” she said.
“It is a place where we are all taught not just the curriculum, but also the values of leadership, integrity and of service.
“Gender inequality continues to persist in many areas and it is our collective responsibility to change that reality.
“One of the most powerful ways to uplift women is through education and economic empowerment.”
She encouraged girls to boldly venture into industries that had long been considered the domain of men — science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and even the presidency.
“South Africa — and the world — needs more female engineers, doctors, AI innovators, coders, software engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs.
“We need young women like you to be at the forefront of shaping the digital future, building sustainable cities, discovering medical breakthroughs and leading industries that will define the next century,” Gwarube said.
Daily Dispatch
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