Speech Day is one of the most anticipated events on the Waterfall College calendar, where we reflect on the year and celebrate the matriculating class. On Friday, 11 October 2024, Waterfall College students, staff and parents gathered to bid farewell to the Class of 2024. This year’s theme was ‘choice’ and Waterfall Preparatory School’s headmaster, Mr Brad Cooper, spoke to the choices that we all make on a daily basis, urging our Matrics to make choices that will positively impact and benefit their future selves. Our guest speaker, Mrs Slindile Xhakaza, is a KwaZulu-Natal local who is a renowned public speaker, social justice activist and marketing manager. She encouraged our Matrics to ask themselves: “Who will I be in this world?” and to make choices that are true to their values, fulfilling the need for ethical leaders in our time.

Waterfall College’s principal, Mrs Bryony Green, reflected on the Class of 2024’s leadership, noting that they “took on their leadership roles with a sense of purpose and responsibility.” She said: “In all aspects of school life, they’ve not only set an example for the younger
grades but have also shaped the culture of the school with their vision, enthusiasm and ability to connect with others.” The school choir sang a melodious rendition of Ngikhokele, ushering in the prize giving segment of the proceedings. We celebrated with our Matrics as they received awards recognising them for various accomplishments and we’d like to congratulate all prizewinners, with special mention to Lolwetu Masango (Dux) and Roxanne Mundell (Proxime Accessit to Dux of School).

As we bid the Class of 2024 farewell, we want to remind them of God’s intentions for their lives. We share with them the scripture that was read to open the day’s proceedings and hope that they take these words into the next chapter of their lives: “The Lord your God will
make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground.

For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” – Deuteronomy 30: 9-10