Challeges at Primery School

Respected headmaster, governing body members, educators, parents and most importantly: the graduating class of B.I.P 2012. I greet you with the universal greeting of islam: Asalaam…….
I am Miekaeel Govender, I started at B.I.P in 2001, grade 1, and was selected as a prefect in 2006 and in my final year, grade 7, I was honoured to be bestowed with the title of Headboy. My reign as headboy was a sweet success as I kept the following quote in mind: The roots of education is Bitter, but the fruit is sweet. We need to understand that, although we might despise the whole schooling career, this is an opportunity for you to realise your strengths, weaknesses, and to grow as an individual.
Yes, school can be boring sometimes regarding the homework and the never ending tests but those are just obstacles put in front of us in order to understand what life is all about. I recently completed my matric year at The Settlers High School and I have gained much experience throughout my 5 years. The best 5 years of my life.
Now grade 7’s: I’m sure your teachers and parents have already painted a gruesome image of what life outside primary school is all about. But as I said before, it is the best 5 years of your life. Yes things tend to get serious but just by looking back by what you have already been taught, you will get over it.
Now I’m not going to preach to you about drugs, sex and peer pressure because you should know by now what is right and what is wrong. Just remember that when making a decision, list the pros and cons.
It is very important to know your place next year. You are going from primary school where you guys owned this place and where you demanded respect from both teachers and lower grades but next year the food chain changes and you’ll find yourself right at the bottom again. Now im sure in grade 1 you had the utmost respect for fellow learners and educators so think of grade 8 as grade 1. If you want to make it out there just respect your teachers and older grades otherwise you are going to be labelled. And to be labelled in grade 8 already is not a pleasant thing.
Next, I want you to think of yourself as a tree, the trunk being you as a growing individual (spiritually, mentally and physically). The leaves and branches are your friends and acquaintances because branches break off, leaves fall off but new ones grow with every season replacing the bad ones. And finally I want you to think of the roots. The roots being your knowledge you have gained over the years, your parents and family and most of all: your dean.
Now without roots the tree isn’t anchored and it will fall and die. So grade 7’s; do not forget where you come from and do no forget your creator Allah(SWT) because without him you are nothing.
To end off im going to quote from Helen Keller:
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.