When I look back at 2016 I can just say that the Lord was with Gansbaai Academia.
Now is the time to say thank you to all our friends, parents and learners who were involved in our education task ….and those who so generously supported Gansbaai Academia as the only High school in Gansbaai.
I used to say that the impact that Gansbaai Academia is going to have on the community of Gansbaai, should not be underestimated. After seven years as headmaster of this great school I still firmly believe in it.
Because of the involvement of our sponsors Gansbaai Academia, as a none- fee - school can compare itself with the best in the Overberg, although we sometimes lack the resources.
Our greatest challenge is still the fact that we do not have our own transport. This is a massive hindrance in our endeavours to have excellence in academics and sport.
This year we had to cancel two sport outings due to the fact that learners could not pay transport.
Next year will see our first interschool event against Eben Donges taking place in Gansbaai. This is an event we are looking forward to. We are still looking for a main sponsor to be involved.
After almost seven years into existence, Gansbaai Academia has a year to remember in both academic and on the sport field. Ruwaida Philips, Heibre Loff and Anecia Phillips received provincial colours in girls rugby. Mechin Fick and Christo Veldsman also received provincial colours in u/15 rugby. Ms Mona Matthews and her team of learners went to parliament and won the debating competition for schools in the Western Cape. Analo Yawa, our head boy of 2016, was the winner of the provincial speech competition in Cape Town.
Our marimbas received Cum Laude at the Overberg Marimba Eisteddfod for the second time in two years. Congratulations also to coaches Rialet Groenewald and Mervin Hess.
Our marimbas will compete next year in an international marimba festival in Gauteng.
On the leadership front we also made in routes. Izaan Newman and Jordan Linehan were elected as executive members of the Overstrand Junior Town Council for next year with Izaan Newman elected as deputy Mayor. They followed the footsteps of fellow Sharkies Johan van der Merwe and Analo Yawa who were Mayor and Deputy mayor of the Junior Town Council in 2015.
The cream of the crop was definitely our account learners, Jacques Prins (head boy 2017) Llewellyn Davids (deputy head boy 2017), Heinrich van der Merwe and Andre Laurens who came fifth in the JSE/Liberty National competition, competing against 400 schools and 800 learners. A commendable performance of the Shark boys! Congratulations also to their mentor, accounts teacher Mr Wilton Phillips.
Now we are awaiting the results of the 2016 NSC matric exams…
2016 was a great year; a year to remember and we believe that with the involvement of the community and businesses we can lift our great school to even higher levels. We have to stay positive.
We wish the communities of Gansbaai, Stanford, Buffeljags, die Damme, Baardskeerdersbos and Hermanus where our kids are coming from, all our friends and parents a Jesus filled Christmas and a wonderful and prosperous 2017.
