Foreword by the Class of 2022
This foreword was developed from individual submissions written by the Class of 2022 during a workshop in January 2022. The excerpts were pieced together using the students’ own words.
The year of the 120th anniversary of St Andrew’s – 2022 – is a weird and wonderful time to be alive. Life in this era has brought its fair share of difficulties. Being a St Andrew’s student in 2022 is worlds away from what it must have been like to be a pupil in 1902, but what hasn’t changed is St Andrew’s drive to educate women who will become part of a story that is bigger than themselves.
Beyond the historical buildings, modern facilities and prestigious uniform, lies a culture of powerful students eager to make a change and leave an impact.
St Andrew’s has definitely stood the test of time due to its flexibility. Over the last two years, our world has shifted in unimaginable ways, and our school has evolved and grown significantly.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a huge challenge to our education and way of life. Almost everyone has experienced some type of loss, whether through someone dying, by losing opportunities or in having to let go of life as they knew it before. We learnt about the importance of mental health in new ways and we had to rely on technology to help us continue learning and remain connected to one another. Living through a pandemic hasn’t been easy.
The school has also gone through a period where many students have felt frustrated and angry. The Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum in 2020, and it highlighted the need for our own St Andrew’s community to examine our history, assumptions and ways of relating.
Students were given a platform to voice their emotions and share the reality of their experiences at the school. The students’ courage and the staff’s willingness to listen and learn means that more voices are now being heard and important systemic changes are being made. The school isn’t perfect and there’s still lots of work to do, but things have changed for the better for sure.
One of our greatest goals as students is to achieve a community of diversity where school is not simply about fitting in but feeling a sense of belonging – where each of us can experience the comfort of existing fully in our own culture with pride and dignity.
St Andrew’s has taught us to be real, to take control of our future, and to be accountable for our lives. St Andrew’s has its shortcomings, and as a community we know this, but so does every family.
The school pushes its students to do our best in everything we are involved in. We have been given opportunities for growth and self-discovery. St Andrew’s has given us an education that has set us up for life, and skills that will help us to navigate the world, live fearlessly and uphold our values.
As the Matric Class of 2022, we hope that we have created an environment where students feel valued and supported. We hope that in the years to come, transformation and diversity will continue to be a priority and that a stronger sense of belonging is formed. Above all, we hope that St Andrew’s will be a safe space where students can feel part of something bigger than themselves.
To students still on their journey at the school, and for those who will be part of its community in future, know that there will always be someone to help and guide you – whether a teacher, a student in a grade above you, or a peer. Speak up and don’t be afraid to ask for help or fight for change.
The past 120 years of St Andrew’s School for Girls have produced women who are independent and strong thinkers. Long may it continue.
Alphabetical list of the Class of 2022 on the Matric Lawns
Pendo Andanje, Britney Baker, Danielle Bellis, Sharne Bennett, Shannon Berry, Kalia Borges, Michaela Bousfield, Alisha Calitz, Tyla Campbell, Jocelyn Chinniah, Shaela da Costa, Leyah Dadoo, Erin Esterhuizen, Khumo Finger, Kira-Marie Foster-Pedley, Tyla Frank, Sarah-Rose Friend, Dominique Griffiths, Kayla Grobler, Rachel Harrison, Tammy Ho, Ruby Holroyd, Jordan‑Lee Holtzhausen, Stephanie Jones, Zaria Kajee, Chabu Kambafwile, Shannen Kench, Keitumetse Carol Kitsa, Nile Lai, Tshegofatso Lamola, Reabetswe Letswalo, Jinting Lin, Savannah Lourens, Amelia Maistry, Mpho Makatu, Kgoka Manamela, Owami Maphosa, Georgia Marais, Ashtyn Matthee, Eryn Meiklejohn, Bali Mhlabeni, Emma Mitchell, Bianca Mkhize, Reagile Modiba, Mamkutu Monatisa, Lebogang Mothiba, Wandiswa Mthembu, Kudakwashe Mwarumba, Phila Mzileni, Owethu Mzinyane, Ariya Naidoo, Xiluva Nkhwashu, Jessica Otto, Shreya Patel, Asia Petersen, Tlakale Phaahla, Ntsana Pheko, Jaide Potgieter, Melissa Poynan, Azaria Ragbar, Dominique Randall, Hannah Robertson, Radiyyah Seedat, Neelo Sejane, Thabasile Sibanda, Masingita Skosana, Teehgan Somma, Caitlyn Stroud, Roxanne Symons, Morgan Taylor, Sydney Taylor, Katlego Thobejane, Tamra Thurston, Melissa van der Berg, Kayli van der Westhuizen, Alicia van Wyk, Jenna van Zyl, Donna Yates, Yuxin Zhang, Eva Zuo