Schools, community link in focus week
2006-08-24
LOCAL learners have opened their hearts to their communities and upgraded their surroundings this week during the first ever Community Schools Focus Week, a highlight of the six-week Learning Cape Festival (LCF).
Learners adopted a taxi rank, repaired vandalised buildings, spruced up environmental spaces, staged clean-up operations, and uncovered scores of children older than six, who were not enrolled at school.
Learners at Dalubuhle Primary School near Franschhoek uncovered a staggering 46 children between the ages of six and 12 in the nearby Langrug squatter area, who had never been enrolled for school.
Once discovered and interviewed for their particulars, the 46 unregistered children were invited to the school for an afternoon of learning, fun and activities designed to encourage enrolment.
Pauw Gedenk Primary in Wellington was visited by Drakenstein mayor Charmaine Manuel. As part of their Community Schools Focus Week’s activities, some of the grade 3 learners were chosen to introduce Manuel to the entire staff.
With their teachers, these busy bees regularly clean the town’s main taxi rank opposite their school.
“Because we look straight at the rank from our school, it became an eyesore. We started a mini clean up, which turned into a regular activity," teacher Shaneill Davids said.
Afire prevention and safety demonstration was part of Groenheuwel Primary’s programme. After spending several hours building a shack, slack-jawed young learners watched a fire destroy it in mere minutes.
All this was part of the Drakenstein Fire Department’s demonstration of how quickly fire ravages an informal settlement.
Teachers at Orleansvale Primary in Paarl were treated to a special surprise when parents showed up at school with gifts. Teachers were also served tea by the elderly from the Chicago Centre for the Aged while youngsters were regaled on stories of the past and were involved in reading lessons with the visitors.
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