The Matric Class of 2022 - A Final Week of Fun and Celebration

The Matrics have entered the final phase of their schoolboy Marist journey this week as they prepare for their final IEB examinations and the school bids them farewell through key events that mark the closing of this chapter, and the opening the next. Over the course of the week, the Class of 2022 attended a Fun Day, Survivor's Tea for those that have attended St David's from Mini-Marist, Valedictory Mass, a final assembly, and a farewell breakfast, before the final event of Speech Evening where the reigns of leadership are formally handed over to the Class of 2023 and the St David's community says their last farewells to the Matrics of 2022.

The week started with a planned Fun Day on Monday for our Matrics, held on the College fields. The boys were able to run around and play various games with their peers and students from younger grades, giving them a chance for some childlike fun before the serious nature of the final IEB exams dawns. 

Activities included an inflatable obstacle course, slip-n-slide, and a velcro wall. The day's fun was rounded out by a bring and braai, which gave the matric class a chance to socialize as a group for one last time with good food under The Maristonian's jacarandas. 

37 of our Matric students attended a Survivor's Tea at Mini-Marist on Tuesday.  These young men began their Marist journey in 2009 as Grade 00s, and 13 years later they are invited back to complete the journey started all those years ago. The Matrics were given the opportunity to reflect on the foundations Mini-Marist built, and the lessons learnt that these young men will carry beyond our gates. The Matrics also had a chance to play with their younger brothers - having good-old fashioned fun before the final exams.

As part of the tea, each Matric was given a piece of art that they drew while at Mini-Marist, as well as a teddy bear. The Matrics were also treated to a special war-cry by the young boys of Mini-Marist, which warmed many hearts, before doing a College warcry with their youngest brothers of St David's. This tradition is always extremely special, as it affords an opportunity for our eldest students to reflect on their Marist journey thus far, as well as showing our youngest students the journey that lies ahead.

On Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th, the Matrics had the opportunity to attend their House Dinners, where they gathered with their tutors and peers over an evening of food, speeches, and wonderful conversation. The Dinners for Benedict, College, Daswa and Selima were held on Monday, and the Dinners for Jude, Osmond, Plaatje and The Bishops were on Tuesday. 

The class of 2022 has had the incredible privilege of leading St David's into a new phase with new traditions with our 8 house system. The Matrics have carried this responsibility with tremendous grace, and the atmosphere of the House Dinners was one of established brotherhood and unity within the new House system. The House Dinners highlighted the importance of our pastoral care system and it was evident to all who attended that each boy truly belongs to his House and is valued as a vital member of their House. 

The evenings were truly special as each House group bid farewell to their current leaders and sons of Inanda, displaying the family spirit and community that we are privileged to have across all 8 Houses.

On Wednesday morning, the final Matric Mass was held in the Chapel, with our Matriculants, their families, and staff gathering in the Chapel of Mary to bid farewell and reflect on the foundations of faith that have been built.

The College journey begins with a welcome Mass for our Grade 8s, and 4 years later we say goodbye to the men that have grown and prospered within our walls with a final Valedictory Mass. Its is also an opportunity to formally bless the students that are nearing the end of their journey at St David's, as they enter the wider world and take their Marist education and values beyond the gates of the Inanda campus, as active citizens that will make a positive impact on our society and country. 

We believe that the class of 2022 will build on the foundations of faith and Marist ethos that has been instilled in them throughout the College, and that the Chapel of Mary will always provide a space of quite reflection and a symbol of faith for these young gentlemen as they enter this new chapter of their Marist journey. 

Following Mass, the Matrics attended their final assembly as schoolboys with the entire College in the Champagnat Hall. As a continuation of celebrating and saying goodbye to the Class of 2022, this final assembly gives the younger gentlemen of Inanda an opportunity to honour their older Marist brothers, and the Matrics an opportunity to bid farewell to their younger peers. It is further an opportunity to commemorate the journey and important events that have taken place in the Champagnat Hall throughout their College careers.

Deputy Head Prefects, Paarth Bhatt and Katlego Mokgosi, addressed their school for a final time, sharing sentiments of thanks to the school, staff, and their peers, as well as highlight how their Marist journey has shaped them, and the Class of 2022, into gentlemen that are prepared to lead lives of significance and strength in service of others.

The Matric group then lead their school for the final time in a College war-cry. The Class of 2022 then exited the hall for the last time as schoolboys, walking through the Guard of Honour comprised of their younger peers and teachers, to the sounds of applause and cheering.

Following the formal events of Valedictory Mass and Final Assembly, the Matrics, their parents, and staff members gathered for an informal breakfast and chat in the Maristonian Garden. It was a wonderful chance for everyone to informally chat over snacks, and reflect on just how far these young gentlemen have come. 

Under the falling jacarandas, sounds of laughter, gratitude, and reminiscing were heard, and the chance to physically connect was deeply appreciated by all. 

Speech Evening was held on Thursday evening in the St David's quad, with the warm spring air, sounds of the city, and setting sun being the perfect setting to bid a final farewell to a group of young gentlemen that have prospered as leaders through the uncertainty of the pandemic and post-COVID society, and are now prepared to enter the world as active leaders and change makers. 

This event marks the final formal gathering of the Matrics -  a chance to celebrate and recognise the class of 2022 and their achievements. It is an opportunity for parents to say farewell to the school with their sons. This event also marks the end of the class of 2022's reign, as leadership is officially handed over to the class of 2023 with the announcement of the new leaders of the school. The assemblage was addressed by the Board Chairman, the Executive Headmaster, and the 2022 Head of School, along with a breathtaking performance by the College Chamber Choir, and a highly enjoyable musical item from our Omega Band. 

Chairman of The Board, Dr Mark Bussin, addressed the gathered community and this year's matriculating class. Dr Bussin shared a wealth of wisdom and congratulated the students as a robust group of young men, whose passion and energy aided in guiding the school, while epitomizing the Marist values we subscribe to.  

These sentiments were echoed in Executive Headmaster, Mr Mike Thiel's annual address, where he emphasized the foundations that have been lain over the College journey, and that these must be built upon and expanded by the exiting Matric class as they leave our campus and become active citizens of society. Mr Thiel highlighted the strength of the Class of 2022 - a strength that is evident across all aspects of school life, from the classroom to sporting grounds across the country. The Class of 2022 holds a record number of academic colours, and there are a number of students that have excelled beyond our gates - from international debating awards to representing South Africa on a global stage in various sporting codes. 

This excellence was accentuated by the awards handed out and the exceptional levels of achievement this Matric class has reached. 6 Matriculants received Full Colours for Academics and 3 new Honours Blazers were awarded. The following Matrics donned their Blue Blazers to the cheers of the St David's community:

• Aidan Krog (Academics, Leadership, Hockey).
• Devine Odiley (Academics, Leadership, Soccer).
• Yashvardhan Raghuvanshi (Academics, Leadership, Public Speaking).

The Speech and Awards evening provides an opportunity for the gentlemen of Inanda to thank their families for the support they have shown throughout this journey, with each Matriculant being called to collect a rose to present to their families.

The evening drew to a close with 2022 Head of School, Keegan Lambe, delivering an emotional speech of gratitude to the brotherhood and family of Inanda as his final act as Head of School, before handing the reins of leadership over to the class of 2023, and the new Head of School. 

The Matric Final Week provides opportunity for reflection and for remembering the journey that has been taken and those who walked with us. The Class of 2022 remembers Connor Croucher - a brother who walked the journey from Grade 8 until his untimely passing in 2020, but remains integral to the fabric of the Matric group and wider school, and is a continued and palpable member of the class and their journey that lies ahead .

Connor is remembered as a gentleman who valued family spirit and the Inanda brotherhood greatly His kindness and loyalty to his friends was an example to all. In his memory, a commemorative bench has been placed in the St David's quad as a place to find and foster friendships where one can more fully belong to the Marist brotherhood and family. 

The Connor Croucher Award for Family Spirit was introduced at Speech Evening. The award recognizes kindness, loyalty, and dedication to the Inanda brotherhood. It is awarded by peer vote to the Matric who most displays the values of true friendship, and who most actively built relationships and connections amongst his St David’s brothers. The inaugural award was bestowed on the Matric Class of 2022, for the brotherhood they have built and the kindness they have shown, which echoes Connor's spirit and keeps his memory alive and vibrant.