Participating in the "English is Lekker" program has been a transformative experience that truly elevated my communication skills and public speaking confidence. The program provided the perfect foundation for my debating journey, teaching me how to structure compelling arguments and think quickly on my feet. The ultimate testament to this growth came when I was selected as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the  2025 award ceremony. Standing before the audience, I felt completely in my element, using the articulation, poise, and dynamic expression I developed through the program to keep the crowd engaged and ensure the event ran smoothly. "English is Lekker" didn't just teach me language skills; it gave me the platform and the voice to lead with confidence on the big stage.

I feel like the Debate Club has helped me in many different ways such as building confidence, becoming a better public speaker and the importance of communication especially in group work. Even though I just started, I am very grateful to be there for the experience as it also contributes to better understanding of specific concepts and learning different skills. I have also met different people from other schools who I share the same interests with. So basically, this club spreads positive energy that I have been wanting to be apart of.

I was in the Writing Club and the Film Club. In the Writing Club I really learnt a lot about different styles and techniques of writing, and I can confidently say that my writing has improved since before I joined. FilmI had no idea about anything related, but it sounded interesting and the people in charge made it so easy to understand what they were teaching us. To me, the most fun thing about the program was the friends I made along the way. Socializing with people from other schools has been an experience, and one I'll forever remember. I'm glad I was able to join the club last year, even if I unfortunately won't be able to participate this year. I post a lot on Instagram nowadays, so the film techniques for making videos and taking pictures has come in handy in terms of upping my photography game. Writing too, the book I'm working on is a lot better off with the skills I've picked up. When it comes to recommending it to younger students, let me tell you this: People say you lose nothing from not participating in things, but missing out on this is like missing out on a future filled with riches. Not only will you learn useful skills (i.e. the Film and Debate Clubs), you'll also enhance your ability (i.e. the Writing and Reading Clubs) to think for yourself and be more independent in a world of people growing dependent on things like AI. I truly enjoyed my time here like no other, and I hope future generations can have that experience. My time here was a short 1 year, but it'll be my most memorable year in highschool.

~Sincerely, Jihaad Samsodien, former 1st place winner of the Writing Competition (2025) and 3rd for the Film Competition (2025).