St Cyprian's School celebrates birthday with auction

Proceeds were donated towards the completion of St Cyprian's School's revamped Science and Innovation Centre, which forms part of its 'Creating Future Leaders' project. This project comprises an extensive upgrading of the school's facilities by Noero Wolff architects. It also includes the refurbishment and careful preservation of some of its historical buildings on the school campus of the Nooitgedacht estate in Oranjezicht, one of the original Cape farms at the foot of Table Mountain.

Ferocious bidding at the auction led to the top lot, a three-night family safari for four people at Singita Sabi Sand, achieving R65 000. This was followed by the second highest lot, a signed John Meyer South Easter 3 print and an original Paul du Toit Abstract Face painting, which sold for R40 000 and R35 000 respectively.

Naming rights, one of the highlights

The auction was 100% sold with lots including holidays in the Seychelles, Switzerland and the West Coast in high demand too. One of the many highlights of the auction was the naming rights to the St Cyprian's School Parents Association Floating Trophy 2011, which will be presented to the Grade 7 girl who best epitomises the values of the school during her time at the Preparatory School.

Principal of St Cyprian's School, Sue Redelinghuys, says that at R535 000, proceeds of the auction more than doubled pre-sale expectations, and were further enhanced by pledges to the value of R199 500. "We are thrilled with the fund-raising results which stand at R734 500 for the night, and are eternally grateful to auctioneer Ariella Kuper who set the scene for this very exciting event. I would like to extend our gratitude to Ariella personally for donating her service on a complimentary basis, and thank her for making such a meaningful contribution to our school, where we set out to provide our girls with a cutting edge, world-class education, creating future leaders through the development of the individual and the intellect, and with a strong focus on creative growth."