Through the new Enrichment Programme, Fourways High School has once again taken the lead and proved that it can not only manage but also implement change effectively. Many learners identified these enrichment courses as an opportunity not to be missed, thus broadening their education beyond the confines of formal lessons. I believe that this programme will continue to grow in both popularity and diversity, forming an integral part of the holistic education offered at Fourways.

Our matric pupils continue to excel in the final examinations each year. We are committed to improving the quality of each learner's academic progress in every subject and in every grade, and not merely in maintaining standards.

Our achievements across the board in the cultural and sporting arenas are far too many to mention and are covered regularly in the newsletters and on the webpage.

Concerned stakeholders may question what role they can play in providing continued relevant education for our learners. The reality is that schools that take direct responsibility for their own development will prosper. The State does not have the capacity to so this for us. As I have said before, Fourways High School has positioned itself among the top state and private schools in the country. Staff morale is high and their is a firm belief among educators in district C5 that Fourways High School is a desirable place at which to teach.

Unfortunately the maintenance and improvement of sporting, cultural and academic standards comes at a cost. the continued success of Fourways High School will be largely determined by the capacity and will of the parents to pay their fees. The present strong financial support of current parents is cause for optimism in the future and I believe that all new parents will contribute so that we may continue to compete with the best in the market.

The social and emotional development of a learner is a function of both the home and the school. There is a direct link between the emotional maturity, development and success of a learner. On average in a year, learners spend only 15% of their time at school. This alone suggests that the home is the single most important foundation. Good parenting involves talking to our children and sharing experiences with them. Their exposure to the different forms of media has resulted in a distorted version of acceptable norms. Our Constitution is very liberal and caters for everyone's rights, but we need parents to assist us in enforcing accountability and explaining such concepts as "cause and effect". Parents must not abdicate their roles as disciplinarians, but rather work more closely with the teachers so that a high standard of discipline may be maintained at all times. What has become abundantly clear over the past few years is the close correlation between discipline and effective education. Without discipline, meaningful education cannot take place.

We are very fortunate to have excellent teachers at Fourways High Schools who are dedicated, loyal and hardworking, but not faultless. I appeal to parents to support their children's teachers, who suffer from a unique fatigue not experienced in many other occupations. Groups of learners are tiring to teach and  manage, taxing the mental, physical and emotional resources of even the most committed teachers. So when something goes wrong, as it is bound to occasionally, please lend a sympathetic ear but be assured that the staff have your child's best interests at heart.

Fourways High will remain a centre of outstanding education, and the pupils and teachers will continue to "Strive For Excellence".