Grade one learners welcomed with Guard of Honour at St George’s
Nestled in the mountains in central Windhoek lays St George's Diocesan School and the many traditions they practice. Yesterday, during the first assembly of the year, the grade one learners were welcomed into the school with a Guard of Honour and Bell Ringing Ceremony to officially inaugurate them as part of the school.
The ringing of the bell symbolises the Grade 1 learners becoming part of St George’s Diocesan School's more-than-100-year heritage and the school’s tradition of excellence.Berdine Beukes, Executive Head of St George’s, expressed her excitement during the welcoming assembly: “I am honoured to welcome each and every one of you to the beginning of a new school year at St George's.”
“Children, your laughter and chatter are most welcome this time of year. They indicate a new year, new challenges, and new rewards, but most importantly, they inspire all the adults with happiness and simplicity,” Beukes added.
The Guard of Honour started in 2010 as a ceremonial entrance for the grade one learners from the pre-primary section into the prep school. The rest of the prep school learners (grade two to five), the middle school learners (grade six to eight), and the college learners (grade nine to twelve) form a Guard of Honour for the new grade one learners from the school field to the school bell. They then guide their path to their classrooms to thoroughly become a part od the St George's family.
The Bell Ringing Ceremony started with the Guard of Honour. As the grade one learners move through the Guard of Honour, they stop at the school bell to ring it on their first day in grade one. When the learners leave the prep school to go to the middle school and later to the St George's college, they ring the bell again on their last day of each stage.
Beukes concluded: “Today is one of the most memorable days of your lives. We welcome you into our family. As a staff, we are here to support all of you by any means necessary.”