■ Madame Dominique Williams, head of the French department at Rustenburg Girls’ High School for the past 17 years, received the prestigious Ordre des Palmes academiques (Order of Academic Palms) at a ceremony held at Alliance Francaise in the CBD on Wednesday September 19. This is a national order of France, which was introduced by Emperor Napoleon, to honour eminent members of academia in the world of culture and education. Pictured, from left are Susan Schnetler, acting principal of Rustenburg Girls’ High School; Madame Dominique Williams and the French Ambassador, Madame Elisabeth Barbier.