WELTEVREDEN PARK – About 200 guests attended the gala dinner held in honour of Allen Glen High School’s 21st celebrations.
On 24 October, officials from the Gauteng Department of Education, past pupils who have achieved great success in their respective fields; principals from surrounding feeder schools; the founding staff members of the school – a few of whom still work at the school; past chairpersons of the School Governing Body (SGB); past head boys and girls and Learner Representative Council (LRC) chairpersons; the school’s management team and staff who have enjoyed more than a decade of unbroken service at the school attended the event.
Well-known public speaker and talk-show personality, Douglas Kruger (a past pupil of Allen Glen High), was Master of Ceremonies on the night while the school’s drama department provided entertainment in the form of excerpts from various musicals.
DA parliamentary leader, Mmusi Maimane (also a former pupil at the school) was one of the speakers. He amused the audience as he was recalling his memories of being a pupil at the school in its inauguration year. Maimane also expressed how he rooted great leadership skills from the school. “I was a prefect and also served on the school’s governing body where I learned how to lead and deal with the challenges that comes with leadership.” He also commended the teachers who were there when the school started. He said they were passionate and as pupils they were privileged to have such great teachers.
Another past pupil, Daniel Grant who is now a missionary working in Africa, invoked a blessing over the school, the staff and pupils. Chairperson of the SGB Chris Oppenshaw said, he was moved by the speeches delivered by former pupils of the school. “It goes to prove that the school has top class educators who give holistic education.” He said it shows that the seed sown by the Allen Glen staff was fruitful as most of the past pupils said in their speeches that they would never have been where they are today had it not been for the education they received at Allen Glen.
Oppenshaw also gave credit to the school principal, saying he has a good vision for the school. “Mr Wiehahn provides support and service to a diverse community.”
District Director of the Gauteng Department of Education Dennis Macuacua handed over a 21st memento to Allen Glen High principal Johan Wiehanhn. He also spoke about the school’s achievements, including the outstanding Grade 12 results they produce. A specially-designed key was also presented to the principal from his three deputies – Gill French, Jane Kruger and Terry Martin.
