GREAT ENGLISH ESSAYS 2021
TERM 1
Amorie Page
Grade 11
The last thing I saw…
I couldn’t BREATHE. It pinned me down. Hitting me wave after wave.
I couldn’t wait to get out of this horrid cage with wings, where the only
thing you could hear was the earth-shattering sound of a little devil
spawn crying (for absolutely no reason), and a grumpy old troll who was
snoring so loudly it sounded like someone was sawing wood. All I could
think of was how I wished I could afford first class. But I survived the
flight, my motivation being that this was going to be the best vacation
ever...
As soon as I stepped out of the airport, the humidity and salt water
aroma hit my senses. For a moment I was a tad overwhelmed. My Aunt
Sally picked me up on her little motorcycle because the traffic was
INSANE. We turned the corner and JUST OUR LUCK - a traffic jam. On
our left we saw three little children, playing with their little cars, not a
worry in the world, not knowing what was about to happen.
Then, as if a zoo was let free, we saw how hundreds of animals (mainly
birds) rushed inland. Everybody went still. All I could think was, “What
are they running FROM?”
The last thing I saw was those little children, before the monstrous wave
swallowed us. We were nothing more than specs of dust in its way...
1
Danae Hindmarsh-Russell
Grade 10
Lost.
Amanda looked out of the car window, staring at the setting sun. They
should have arrived at the place hours ago. She twisted in her seat,
looking at her best friend, Jeremy. “How far did you say the campground
was?” She asked, glancing at the deserted road.
“Not far. We’ll be there before you know it.” A smile graced his lips as he
looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Amanda looked back at the
road and a shiver ran down her spine.
The road ahead was dark and covered by a canopy of dead tree
branches. Amanda kept her eyes on the road as she spoke to Jeremy.
“Are you sure we’re on the right road?” The road looked even more
uninviting the further they went.
Before Jeremy had the chance to answer, a loud, piercing shriek filled
the air. Amanda’s head snapped towards Jeremy. “What was that?”
Panic filled her voice. The road was completely deserted, apart from
their car. A blinding white light filled the air as the wind howled and this
time the shriek came from Amanda. When the white light subsided, all
that was left was an empty car, idling on the dark, deserted road.
2
Hanco Stone
Grade 11
More to education than just a certificate.
Education is not just taught in the classroom! Apple inventor Steve Jobs
once replied, when asked where he studied, that it’s irrelevant because
he did not learn anything in the classroom, but rather in practice. I am
going to prove to you with the following key words- experience and
difference- that education is more than just a certificate.
Experience, what is experience? The Longman Dictionary defines it as
knowledge or skill you can gain from doing a job or activity. Thus, I feel
that I learn much more from my grandfather who has years of
experience in the world of business, than from a dusty old educational
textbook.
Everybody is different! According to stat51.com educational stats of
2019, only five out of every hundred people in America believe that
education after school is necessary to become successful. To elaborate,
for some it might be beneficial to have a certificate for proof that they are
educated, but for the overwhelming majority of others it is not relevant
whether you have a certificate or not.
To sum up what has been stated so far: No certificate can grant one the
right to be educated. Rather the experience you learn from others or
experiences you have been through. I leave you with the wise and witty
words of Albert Einstein: “I learned nothing from books, everything I
know I taught myself.”
3
Hano Roux
Grade 12
The art of colour
My life has been a rough one, years of school, all for naught. The only
joy I had then was knowing that it had only just begun. I stood by the
unassuming door of the Thirtysecond Street painters. I came here
whenever life seemed a bit less than it should. Ever since my bachelor
life began I thought of adding a symbol of peace to my tired apartment.
“Good to see you again Mr Becker.” said the soft voice of Layla, one of
the fine painters I had become acquainted with. As always, she said this
while showing me, her small hands smeared with paint.
“I see you have a new project. How is it going?” I said as I stepped
inside, staring ahead through the hallway. It could almost be called a
preview of the next room. “Oh, I just finished actually. Would you like to
take a look?” Her bright eyes met mine, though tired which I knew she
was, she always was excited to show her skills with a brush. I nodded
“You know if I like it, I just might take it off your hands.” I had intended on
getting one of Layla's works anyway and her being this excited about
one, it just might be right.
As we spoke she already had walked me through the hall all the way to
her painting. “Well, here it is! What do you think?” There it was among
the other pieces in the wonderous gallery. The light music that had been
playing faded away and an orchestra took its place. Red. This canvas
was filled with it. The colour of love, of hate. The colour of fire and blood.
With every stroke of the brush, emotion was shown. It was bursting out,
seeping into the surrounding area.
“You really do have a gift. I almost feel bad about asking the price.”
Smiling Layla replied, “Tell you what, come back tomorrow in a good suit
and we will discuss the price over dinner.”
4
Jana Baard
Grade 11
The Origin of Money
“Show me the money!” This is a famous quote from the movie Jerry
Maguire. We all know what money is, what the value of money is and we
all know that money talks. Though, some people might ask, “Where
does money come from?” I know the real origin of money.
A long time ago in the animal kingdom, all the animals had to exchange
leaves and flowers for the items that they wanted to buy. Their king, the
lion, noticed that this was a poor measure of payment, because they
rotted faster than day old sandwiches. Thus, he challenged all his
subjects to think of a better system.
The tiny woodpecker was one of the animals that took on the challenge.
The woodpecker began to peck a circular piece of wood as if he was
attacking it. When he finished, he called it a coin. He showed it to the
king and enlightened him on how it could work.
The king decided that the coin was going to be used. The woodpecker
made many more coins, each with the same pattern. One day a young
farm boy saw a dropped coin in the woods. He took it to his father and
they showed it to the king of their country.
From that day on the coin was passed on from generation to generation,
getting better each time. We still use this manner of payment today. It is
effective, easy and it has a great story of origin.
5
Jeandré Fenner
Grade 11
It was a season of spring
Everything is dark. The cloud cover tints everything: gloomy dark blue in
a world of absolute cold. This frosty world seems lifeless and frozen in
time; the trees’ tears seem like frozen, hanging icicles.
But then, a golden ray bursts from the heavens. Its warm embrace
scares the cold away. As more golden Jacobs Ladders appear from the
heavens, the cold gradually begins to dissipate. The earth begins to
clamber out of the wet softened snow and the trees begin to reach out
with small green hands trying to touch the rays. Agony is ending.
As the rays intensify, animals begin to emerge from their slumber. The
faint chirp of finches can be heard from the distance. Other animals
emerge, and to their delight, as they glance to the floor of the woods,
they see a reflection of the night sky. Dots, streaks and splashes of
green decorate the earth.
The fresh scent becomes more vivid as the rays grow stronger. The
animals skipping across this night sky, amazed, glance upwards and
notice the most awe-inspiring sight they have ever witnessed.
The trees above them reach as far as they can, and as they gain their
first touch of the loving rays, open their praying hand. They reveal their
gift to the heavens. Chromatic displays fill the air with more than all the
colours of the rainbow, an aroma of unbelievable sweetness fills the air.
Finally, joy is restored to the woods, as the rays embrace the woods
fully. Sorrows have been replaced with sparrows. The woods are
experiencing – The Season of Spring!
6
Kyle Grobler
(Grade 10)
The road ahead was…
There was a road and an infinite amount of it. I was tasked with paving
that crooked, hideous road. An incomprehensible creature accompanied
me. I called it Watcher, for its gigantic abdomen sported an all-seeing
eye. This was all I ever knew.
At some point, whilst paving the road, I had an idea. I thought of the
possibility that there might be something off to the side of the road. I took
a few steps towards the edge and saw nothing, just an empty void. At
the time it felt like seconds, but I suppose that I must have stared for
hours. I found it quite entertaining.
A horrid bellow awoke me from this trance. It seemed that Watcher
disapproved of my action and sought a fitting punishment. The beast
shattered the road with its own body and a deafening screech. The
paving, mu life’s work, gave way and I fell into the endless pit. It did not
take long for the road and Watcher to disappear from my sight.
Stuck in my current situation, I thought of a way out. I managed to grab
hold of a sharp shard of road. Surely what awaits me next is far better
than the absence of the road.
7
Megan van der Westhuysen
Grade 11
A Wirecar
Each time I see a wirecar, I am reminded of life. I am reminded of the
good, the bad, the happy and the sad.
Life is like a wirecar… It has structure, but it is up to you to keep it that
way. You have to make the right choices and take every opportunity you
get. If you don’t take risks, you won’t win. You will lose the structure of
your wirecar.
Life is like a wirecar… Painted and patched. We sometimes paint our
own lives to hide the ugly wires and show our good side. We don’t
always realize that the paint will eventually come off and the ugly wires
will show… and that is okay.
Life is like a wirecar… People will play with it. People will enjoy making
somersaults with you and think it is funny to crash you. If you are strong
enough and well structured, you will be able to get through it.
Life is like a wirecar… You will have to ride on a few rough roads. You
will have to pass a few obstructions and overcome a few speedbumps. If
you stay strong, focused and give your all, you will realize that you are a
lot bigger than those obstructions.
Life is like a wirecar, so sit back and enjoy the ride.
8
Natascha Noëth
Grade 11
It was a season of…
It is the season of cookies dunked in warm milk or families all together
for the first time in forever and a day. The season when smells of roast
chicken would make you feel like you are in heaven. The season that we
need to cherish most of all…
The festive season, when we play with the little monsters of our family or
spend time with those aunts and uncles who, let’s be honest, can be
irritating at times. We are like thieves in the night, stealing food right
from under Grandma’s nose, but think about it…has there ever been
anything else more worth stealing?
It’s the season of family and the love between us. The season of
becoming a little overweight, thanks to all the heavenly food sent from
the kitchen. The season when the crunching sounds of popcorn in front
of the TV are just a must.
The clacking and clinking of the teaspoons against bowls as everyone
devours a bowl of fresh malva pudding and custard. It’s the season
when hugs and kisses are a life essential.
The season when everyone wears matching pajamas on Christmas eve.
The season of an abundant amount of dishes and an ample amount of
people to help wash them.
It is the season sent straight to us from heaven. It is a season that
should be cherished, for we don’t know if it will return for us all again
next year.
9
Nicola Niewenhuizen
Grade 11
Mahatma Gandhi
“You cannot change how people treat you or what they say about you.
All you can do is change how you react to it.”
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world” – Mahatma Gandhi
I once read a book about Mahatma Gandhi. What a mind blowing man.
A true role model! A little background on Mahatma Gandhi; he was an
Indian lawyer; anti-colonial nationalist who employed nonviolent
resistance for independence. Through that he inspired movements for
civil rights and freedom. That’s my definition of bravery! I’m sure people
had a lot to say about Gandhi and treated him poorly, but he still chose
to go against all odds.
How do you change how you react? It’s quite ironic, the first thing you
say when you become a teenager is: “Who am I? How can I improve
myself?”
I am a strong believer that life is not always about you, you and you. The
middle, most important factor, (if you want to change how you react)
must be God. When you focus on who He is, the rest will automatically
follow. If you improve your relationship with Him, you will know the
values of life. My mother always says, “What your heart is full of; your
mouth will confess.”
When you have love in your heart; your life will be an example of that
which will definitely lead to reacting differently in a situation. Not out of
anger, but love.
My life’s advice; “Don’t listen to remarks; be a bright light for the world to
see the goodness of God.”
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
10
Olerato Brown
Grade 11
A bright man once said…
A bright man once said … An old man he was, Ghandi, with a lot of
passion. He was part of a great struggle and thus he knew more about a
person, a human being. So obviously he was the perfect person to go to
when you needed some life coaching. However, in these modern times,
can we still go back to Mahatma Ghandi’s quotes for advice?
Often on sports or school grounds we see and hear of children who fight.
So this gets me thinking very hard. This planet has had its ups and
downs. The human race has been exposed to so much trauma and
violence, and there are still people who want to be traumatizing and
violent towards other people, people who want to fight and argue things
out.
This has however been part of being human since the existence of
mankind, so there is no way that we can change that now. There is this
saying, “It takes two to tango”. For a fight, you will definitely need two
fighters and for an argument maybe more than two. I suggest that we
refuse to tango at all.
Always remember,
“You cannot change how people treat you or what they say about you.
All you can do is change how you react to it.” – Mahatma Ghandi.
Let us by all means try to be the bigger person.
11
Sean O’Donovan
Grade 11
Later can easily become never
Have you ever felt like none of your plans work out? Like you never
achieve anything significant? I was in exactly the same boat. My life felt
hopeless; pointless. That was until I troubleshooted my ways and
discovered the secret to success.
Like a dog digging out a bone, I dug into the reasons behind my failure …
Some time ago, I had this idea to build my own wooden desk. It never
happened, but when I asked myself why it never realised, I found that I
kept procrastinating. I was always lying around being lazy, telling myself:
“I'll do it later.” Later can easily become never.
My eyes opened for what was under my nose all this time. I started looking
for other examples, and found simple ones, like getting homework
demerits that could have been avoided if only I had not procrastinated.
I decided to test my theory; to force myself to take action the moment an
idea entered my head. It was not easy, but I just had to break through my
mental barrier of utter laziness. I did my homework directly after school. I
went to the workshop each day and I built that desk out of beautiful dark
oak.
I found that my school marks rocketed towards the sky. I started feeling
more content, and eventually this led to a happier, more fulfilling life. Later
can easily become never. Set your goals and stick to them.
12
Shamoné Mostert
(Grade 10)
In the air of New Orleans.
As darkness, splattered with glowing orbs, invaded the retreating
daytime, the exciting buzz of life began to vibrate underneath the streets
of New Orleans. People of all kinds increased in number. Soon they
would all be dancing along to the rhythm of the city’s fully awakened
breaths. All except one. A small, uncertain figure in quiet observation,
new in this strange place.
Cally Monet has been a lone soul all her life, despite being surrounded
by walls of family and friends. Walls they were because the caged her in,
restricting the growth of her youth into adulthood. Rock Hill is where
Cally was born and where she would die too if her parents had a say in
it. Cally knew they loved her, but it seemed as though they had sworn to
keep the girl in their nest for as long as they could. Even if it meant hey
would have to clip Cally’s wings.
Cally began to plot a desperate escape. An escape she hoped would
result in freedom. On her last official day of school, she had packed her
bags and left for New Orleans.
She felt bad for the worry she had caused at home, but now, drowning in
the noise of culture around her, she could feel the difference. It was in
the way she breathed, in the exciting beats of her heart. She thought to
herself, “I like calling this place home.”
13
Zachary Wangra
Grade 10
I am Jeff.
My home is getting hotter, almost as hot as my imaginary girlfriend,
smaller and much less pleasant to live in. These strange events are
destroying me, my kind and my surroundings.
I am Jeff, 24 years in age and my icy world is falling apart. I do not know
what is going on. It is a though my creator has forsaken me, has
forsaken us. Our town weirdo claim that all these disasters are caused
by unruly and horrid creatures. He refers to them as “Menschen” but we
all know he made something up to justify all of the disasters.
I am under a massive amount of pressure as my home is getting smaller
and I don’t have a place for my family to reside. A few nights ago, I lost
my sister to an unknown object which strangled her to death. In a way it
was better that way as food is disappearing and she was going to starve
to death.
I am Jeff, 24 years in age. My life is currently a disaster. My home is
melting, my family dying and there is no food. Uncertainty is all I am
experiencing nowadays. I am Jeff. Jeff the penguin.
14
Zoë Hecher
Grade 12
He did it again
It was a cold winter's morning and the brisk October wind howled like a
Coyote. This was the day Mr Shmitsz was to finally have a son not by
blood, but that did not phase him as much anymore. His wife standing
right beside him, obedient and well dressed as always, lifts her hand to
knock on the big wooden door. Before her hand reached the oak the
door, it swung open. The woman standing on the opposite side knew
what their business was. She called his name and like the good boy
Brahm was, he came immediately, knowing who the two people waiting
for him were his new parents.
Brahm's parents mysteriously died when he was only six years old. Not
having any other family, he was placed in an orphanage far from where
he grew up. Mr Shmitsz and his wife are German, so they also travelled
far to meet Brahm, their new son.
Days later the family of three arrived back in Munich. Brahm was put to
bed after being fed and washed. He could tell that his new parents would
just be like all the other ones he has had before. Even his biological
parents. Doctors and psychiatrists had found no fault in the anger and
violence the 10-year-old showed, but something had eaten him up with
hatred. Behind an innocent looking face hid a sinister mind filled with
dark thoughts.
Brahm decided that he did not like his new parents and that they would
also not suit what he expected his family to be …
Brahm walked as quietly as a mouse down the long dark hallway. By the
time he reached the master bedroom, his features became completely
dark and evil. Covered in liquid as red as light through closed eyes, the
sinister boy emerged from the crime scene that came from his own little
hands. He then walked to the phone downstairs to call Mrs Johnson, the
orphanage administrator and only mother he ever loved, to tell her that
he had done it all again.
15