Seven learners of Somerset West Primary School (SWPS) are celebrating the golden opportunity to embark on the next chapter of their schooling at the high schools of their dreams.

Leighton Hendricks, Solomon Nyashanu, Caleb Claasen, Marcel November, Kelsey Fanie, Emily Geswindt and Direll Levendal are recipients of bursaries to Hoërskool Stellenbosch, La Rochelle Girls’ High School in Paarl, Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch and SACS in Newlands, respectively.

While the learners are thrilled about this milestone, some admit to feeling nervous about leaving the comforts of Summies.

“This is the first time I’m going to be far from home,” shared Caleb Claasen, a member of Western Province primary schools’ athletics and cross-country teams. “It’s a little scary.”

Others are confident that the values instilled at Somerset West Primary will guide them in this next chapter.

“Summies taught me how to be a better person, because it instilled discipline in me,” said Direll Levendal, the school’s head girl and a Western Province under-13 netball and indoor netball player.

The learners expressed gratitude to their parents and teachers. “We just want to thank our parents and teachers who believed in us and helped us,” said Emily Geswindt, a Western Province under-13 hockey player.

SWPS deputy principal Herman Poole highlighted the school’s commitment to nurturing its learners. “It is a privilege to have these learners at our school and to help them achieve their goals,” he said. “We hope they understand the opportunities they have been given and grab them with both hands.”

As they prepare for high school, the learners carry the discipline and dedication cultivated during their time at SWPS along with them. The bursaries are not just a reward for their talents, but also a testament to the values the school has instilled.