Chronicle Editor
Lesley Chikudo, [email protected]
HAMILTON High School yesterday celebrated a major milestone which was its 65th anniversary and Annual Speech and Prize-Giving Day, recognising the success of its past students in various fields, including academics and sports.
The event, themed “Honouring Our Past, Shaping Our Future,” was graced by Engineer Sibusisiwe Ngwenya, who was Guest of Honour. The significant occasion marked 65 years of the school’s commitment to excellence. The celebration brought together students, teachers, alumni and distinguished guests who all came to honour the institution’s legacy.
The event exhibited outstanding student talent and recognised academic excellence, reaffirming Hamilton High School’s devotion to nurturing future leaders.
The event proceedings kicked off with the singing of the national anthem, uniting all attendees in a moment of patriotic pride. Following this, the audience recited the National School Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to excellence and integrity. Pastor Tawanda Masukume then led a heartfelt devotion, setting a reflective tone for the celebrations.
This was followed by captivating presentations from the singing group Sweet Melodies, traditional dance, and the poetry club, each showcasing the immense talent and creativity of Hamilton High School’s students. Their performances added vibrancy to the occasion, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the school community.
The school head, Mrs Doris Ngwenya, warmly welcomed the guests, students and staff to Hamilton High School’s 65th Anniversary and Annual Speech and Prize-Giving Day.
In her address, she proudly highlighted the school’s impressive track record of producing accomplished individuals who have made their mark in various fields.
“Notable alumni, such as Tererai Kujinga, who have gone on to achieve greatness both locally and internationally, are a testament to our school’s commitment to excellence,” Mrs Ngwenya remarked.
She emphasised that Hamilton High School’s heritage-based curriculum has yielded remarkable results, producing prominent figures in academia, sports and the arts.
“Our school’s focus on innovation, research, and academic rigour aligns perfectly with the Zimbabwe National Development Strategy 1,” said Mrs Ngwenya. She encouraged students to continue striving for excellence, embracing the school’s values and traditions.
In her address, she also highlighted the school’s remarkable achievements over the past 12 months from September last year. “Today I would like to highlight our achievements as a school. We have managed to acquire a 72-seater bus, which has been a major milestone for us. This bus now shuttles learners to and from school and transports them to various sporting events and educational tours, enriching their learning experiences beyond the classroom,” she said.
Mr Zidya Tavengwa, Ward 24 Councillor in Nketa, expressed his happiness to be back at his alma mater and mentioned some of his fellow alumni. “Today I’m deeply honoured to be standing here as one of you, celebrating the historic 65th anniversary, and I am thrilled to be back at my alma mater, Hamilton High School, a renowned institution that has produced exceptional talent, including sports personality Bruce Grobbelaar and renowned sports caster Thandazani Zimbwa,” said Mr Tavengwa.
He also commended the Government for introducing the visionary Education 5.0 and the heritage-based curriculum. “I would like to acknowledge the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s visionary policy, Education 5.0.
This innovative approach seeks to transform our education sector, fostering a learner-centred system driven by innovation, creativity and relevance. I commend the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that our education system is inclusive, equitable and leaves no one and no place behind.”
Clr Tavengwa said the heritage-based curriculum enables students to connect with their rich cultural heritage thereby fostering a sense of identity, pride and responsibility.
“This curriculum empowers students to become visionary leaders, innovative thinkers and responsible citizens,” he said. The guest of honour, Engineer Ngwenya, expressed delight at being invited to attend such a joyous celebration, calling it a privilege to reflect on the past as well as the future.
“It is a privilege to reflect on our past while looking forward to a bright future. Sixty-five years ago, Hamilton High School was founded with a mission to foster self-belief and determination, encapsulated in our motto: ‘Possunt quia posse videntur,’ meaning ‘We are able because we think we are able,” said Eng Ngwenya.
She emphasised that students and the community at large should remember the impact they have on the world and the need to preserve the school’s legacy.
“As we celebrate this milestone, let us remember the impact we can have on the world and also that the legacy we leave behind also matters,” she said.
Eng Ngwenya also named some of the well-known personalities who are alumni of Hamilton High School and said these should inspire students to also aim to do even better in life.
“Think of our distinguished alumni, like Saxon Logan, the British filmmaker, Bruce Grobbelaar, the iconic English footballer and former Zimbabwean goalkeeper and Milton Kamwendo, the motivational speaker and businessman. Each of them walked these halls, shaped by the values instilled at Hamilton High and they remind us that greatness awaits those who are intentional in their pursuits,” said Eng Ngwenya.
The grand finale of the event featured an inspiring speech from the outgoing head boy, John Mlanga. John’s speech highlighted his experiences, gratitude and accomplishments during his tenure as head boy.
He also shared words of wisdom, encouragement and advice to his fellow students as well as expressed his appreciation for the opportunities he had. John’s closing remarks emphasised the importance of leadership, teamwork and school spirit. He reflected on the past year’s achievements, challenges and lessons learned while also looking forward to the future and the new leadership team.
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