Matric Legacy Tree Planting 2023

October 18, 2023 | Campus, Boys’ College, Girls’ College

On Thursday 5 October, as part of their farewell celebrationas and traditions, our 2023 Matric students from both Boys' and Girls' College came together enabling their legacy to take root at our school by planting 47 trees in a heart-warming joint ceremony. This cherished tradition allows our students to give back to the school which future Saints generations will be able to enjoy.

Trees occupy an important physical and symbolic space on our Campus, most notably in the stained glass windows at the Chapel. These windows, with their colorful fragments stemming from a single sphere, represent the parable of the mustard seed: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Our Matrics were left with this adapted South African Blessing created for them by our Head of Engilsh in the Boys' College and avid environmental warrior, Mr Courtney Watson who said: Our wish for our Matrics, as these trees take root and grow, may your footsteps leave a lasting impression in the soft sands of time:

May your footprints swell deep in soft sand,
May the wind breathe your migrations home.
May bushveld sunrises delight your days;
Thunderstorms bring life to your thirst.
And until we meet again,
May God's smile be reflected on your face.

We thank all of the Matric Class and their families who participated in this meaningful ceremony and are grateful to the many people that work in the background to ensure that this day is the success that it is. Special thanks go to Mrs Elana Shaw and Mr Courtney Watson for overseeing the event, the purchasing of trees and the logistics, to Janjties Masimula, Tshifhiwa Silala, Roger Hlongwane and the incredible Servest Team who ready the ground and assist our students with the planting and of course, Mrs Pauline Dickson, our Saints Gardener for all of her assistance, expertise and advice.