Penny Heyns salutes Clarendon milestone

Clarendon High School celebrated its 115th anniversary during the Founder’s Day celebrations held at the school on Friday, with special guest Penny Heyns in attendance..

Clarendon Old Girls and current pupils gathered in a huge marquee on the lawn as part of the celebrations.

Principal Patricia Rose thanked the positive contributions made by staff and pupils in making Clarendon a school of excellence.

BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS: Clarendon High principal Patricia Rose at the Founder’s Day event Picture: AMANDA NANO

“Young ladies carry huge responsibilities ahead of them. They are a power of good and can change the world into a haven of peace,” said Rose.

Olympic swimmer Heyns was the guest speaker. Heyns made history at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, in the US, when she became the only woman in Olympic history to win both the 100m and 200m breaststroke events. She said students must realise that life was filled with both highs and lows.

“When I was in Nebraska, I hated every minute of it in the beginning.

“I was miserable, I wanted to go home. I soon realised that my mind was set on things I couldn’t control,” she said.

“You have to use your God-given talent, make the most of opportunities that come your way, make the right choices, take personal responsibility and run or swim your own race.”

The 115th anniversary also marked the end of an era, with principal Rose leaving the school at the end of the year.

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