Past pupils must plough back - alumni group

• Author: Marsha Leitch marsha.leitch@inl.co.za
• Published date: 03 November 2021
• Publication title: Plainsman

The alumni group said former pupils had a critically important role to play by showing youth that their future can be bright if they are motivated and work hard to achieve their goals.

It was also important for former pupils to support the schools they attended, regardless of whether they still lived in Mitchell’s Plain or not, to ensure the next generation was cared for and to recognise excellence.

The alumni should also teach the current and future generations about their history, the struggles and victories through the years, said Juven Rittles, alumnus, community activist and deputy director at the Integrity Management Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The Beacon Hill High Alumni Society, launched in 2012 at a time when the school’s matric results had plunged to an all-time low. It worked alongside teachers by hosting extra classes over weekends and organised matric camps and raised funds to refurbish the school, he said.

The alumni society held its first Alumni Awards ceremony to honour and award two of the top pupils at Beacon Hill High School - head girl Azraa Kazi and head boy Alessio Marcus - on Saturday October 30. The event was held in Goodwood.

Mr Rittles said this is the first time that the Alumni Society had held an awards ceremony in addition to the school’s official valedictory and they planned to do so in future as well.

“We took a hard look at this and decided it is very important to recognise the achievements of these two pupils, to show that hard work pays off, and to show that in Azraa and Alessio we have examples of whom we are very proud. We are doing our best to support our school and we know that there are many former pupils who would love to contribute and to plough back. We want to appeal to all those who attended school in Mitchell’s Plain to find a way to give back, to make our schools and our communities better places for those following in our footsteps,” said Mr Rittles.

Alumnus, community activist and human resources and industrial relations specialist Ganief Nell said they took great pride in their school and wanted to ensure that they continued to play a positive role in shaping the school's legacy.

“When we became a Grade 12 pupil, we understood the importance of flying the school’s flag high by producing the best results possible,” he said.

“We kept ourselves focused, we’d help, respect and trust each other. It is very special to have an environment where you can produce your best - and we will continue...