As the academic year comes to an end, I want to spare a thought to our senior year students on reflecting and mapping the way ahead.

To My SENIOR YEAR Students,

I’m truly thankful for all your smiles and hugs. I’m also grateful for all we have shared this academic year. Thanks for opening your hearts and letting me be part of your lives, but I’d especially like to thank you for helping me become a better educator. THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL THAT MY JOB IS NOT A JOB, BUT A PASSION.

Thanks to you, I love being a teacher more and more every day. Each of you has made a difference for me and I will never forget you.

This academic year, 2020-21:

*YOU have learned to use your voices to make positive changes as well as being leaders in your own unique way. I know this because you organized and took part in the debates and discussions.

* YOU have learned to care about justice and equality and I know this because you were inspired by the injustice and inequality you saw in our literature lessons: All My Sons, Of Mice And Men; Poetry; and the short stories we analysed.

* YOU have learned that there is more to this world than what exists inside of our school. I know this because of the way you have connected with other people and participating in many events around the school; as well as asking questions with an incredibly genuine interest to learn more about other parts of the world.

* YOU have learned to speak respectfully to people in power and still ask for things to change and I know this because you have written letters and sent them to the Administration – the people in charge of your education.

* YOU have learned to love books and I know this because I heard you excitedly whispering about them. We empathized with Larry and genuinely felt sorry for Lennie. Oh dear George – was it worth the effort to shoot your best mate?

* YOU have learned to see purpose and meaning in your writing and I know this because you asked me what we were going to do with every piece of writing for your exams. I replied to HUNDREDS of requests on different topics or needs.

* YOU have learned to be kind and I know this because you took such good care of each other. When someone was hurt, you made sure they are okay. When someone was sad, you went out of your way to make them smile. When someone was feeling excluded, you did whatever you could to let them know that they were welcome to join you.

* YOU have learned to be independent and I know this because you truly do not need me anymore.  You have so much strength, power, courage and brilliance inside of you and I know that you are more than ready to go out and change this world.

So, while I am not nearly ready to let you go, I know that it is TIME.  I thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for a most incredible year. I believe that I have learned more from all of you than you ever could have learned from me.

THANK YOU, CLASS OF 2021, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, FOR BEING MY TEACHERS THIS YEAR.  You all have earned a very special place in my heart.

Please keep reading with deep thinking.

Please keep writing with passion.

And please keep living your lives with the kindness, compassion and brilliance that you have displayed throughout this entire year, despite its challenges.

I will always consider myself to be your teacher. I hope you will stay in touch through the coming years to let me share in your success.

With fond memories of each one of you, I remain,

Gift Chimbizi

PS: Life is an adventure . . . enjoy the ride. I wish you much happiness as you travel down life’s highway and hope you have few bumps along the way, but, perhaps, some interesting detours.

Be EMPOWERED and EXCEL!!