Principal's Desk

To continue with our Class of 2025 celebrations, I had the privilege of being invited to the NSC Awards Ceremony held at Leeuwenhof on Thursday, 29 January.  This is the home of the premier of the Western Cape, Mr Alan Winde. 

Bergvliet High School was recognised as having the – Greatest increase in the percentage of candidates achieving access to Bachelor’s degree studies over the period 2023-2025.

What a humbling experience it was to witness the hard work and resilience of matriculants who had achieved the best possible results not only in the Western Cape but in some cases, also in the country. Amongst the recipients of some wonderful prizes were learners who had to overcome significant financial, physical and other personal struggles during their crucial matric year.  We are hopeful of many more such invitations to follow.

On Friday afternoon, 20 February, I again had the privilege of joining other principals at the MSED NSC Awards Ceremony, held at Mondale High School in Mitchell’s Plain.  I returned to school on Monday with 6 awards for Bergvliet High School.  The awards were as follows:

  • Greatest increase in the percentage of Bachelor’s degree attainment pass rates
  • Consistent pass rates of 95% and more over five years
  • Excellence in Academic Performance: NSC enrolment of 80 or more candidates
  • Nikita Harry – Achieving excellence in Tourism
  • Cassidy Jordan De Hahn – on achieving excellence as the Top Achiever at Bergvliet High School in the 2025 National Senior Certificate Examination

On the sporting and cultural front all our various codes are fully operational.  Being Term 1, the highlight is always Athletics.  Keeping with the winning streak of our Class of 2025, our athletics team won the B-Section, a first in the school’s history.  We are tremendously proud of our athletes, their coaches and managers.  Of equal importance is the support and encouragement they continue to receive from their parents who have spent countless hours transporting them to and from practices and events.  Thank you to everyone for the role you have played.

On Saturday, 21 February, approximately 63 athletes competed at the Zonal event in Green Point compared to 45 in 2025.  42 athletes have been selected to participate in the Champs of Champs event starting on 5 March and ending on 7 March.  An equal number of girls and boys.  Thank you Mrs Cloete for your unstoppable commitment and passion for Athletics.

Chess had a very long and busy weekend Friday, 6 to 8 February at Heathfield High School.   Two hundred chess players participating at the event.  Some highs and some lows but overall a wonderful weekend had by all.  Caylah Diedericks claiming 1st Place in the U15 Girls section.  Malesela (Owen) Moja had a perfect score of 6-0 and naturally placed 1st in the U17 category. Several of our winners will represent the district at the Metro’s.

In preparation for the start of the Grade 8 Admissions process this year, we held our annual Open Day on Thursday, 12 February.  Our learners and staff members went to great lengths to ensure that anyone who visited us on the day enjoyed a wonderful experience of seeing what Bergvliet High School has to offer.  Visitors got to witness live demos in the science and consumers labs.  Delicious freshly baked biscuits were on hand to curb any hunger pains.  All our sports and cultural codes were on display.  Our Cheerleaders. Dancers and the Music Department entertained everyone with their amazing talent.  I am grateful to everyone who participated in all the preparations, both learners and staff.

The Grade 10s had their anxiously awaited Blazer Ceremony on Thursday, 19 February.  Beautiful new blazers were removed from their plastic covers on the morning.  Once the other learners were seated in the main hall, the grade 10 learners proudly walked in to undergo the ritual of putting their blazers on for the first time.  Mrs Vossgatter reminded them that this milestone in their high school journey came with additional responsibilities as it set them apart from the juniors and officially crowned them as members of the BHS seniors.

Best wishes to everyone as we enter into the formal Term 1 Assessment Phase next week, not dismissing assessments already written to date.

Mrs P Demas

PRINCIPAL