The experience of Grade Ones heading to “big school” for the first time culminated into a display of emotions experienced by the like of both the children and the parents.
Twins Erin-Mia (left) and Calib McGinn ‘jump’ into the day with fellow twins Thando and Mbali Mkhize at Rynfield Primary School.
2019 Grade One learners at Tom Newby Primary, Benoni Christian School, Laerskool Brentwood Park and Laerskool Northmead were ready to start the first of a 12-year school journey on January 9.
Dad Tshepo Mokone and mom Dineo excited to be leaving little Nokkuthula Mzizi (6) at her first day at Tom Newby School.
Malande Gauada (6) is clearly not impressed with his mom, Selina Gauada, giving him a kiss in front of all his new classmates at Tom Newby School.
Reign Gordan (6) was walked in by her family on her first day at Tom Newby. From left: Randall, Reign and Raquel Gordon.
Darian Barnabas (6) gives his little sister, Amber Rae Barnabas (3), a big hug before he takes his seat in class at Tom Newby School.
Tom Newby learners wasted no time making friends. From left: Madalitso Masina (6), Althea Rostoll (7), Anita Mayarga (6) and Tanaka Chirikure (6).
Chimoné de Beer (6), of Brentwood Park, loving her new school dress and excited to start her first year at Laerskool Brentwood Park.
Etwatwa residents accompanying their son to class are (back, from left): Yonela, Basisipho (seven months) and, in front, Benoni Christian School Grade One star of the show, learner Boitumelo Montshiwa (7).
Leandi Brits accompanied her daughter, Chanté Brits, to her class at Laerskool Northmead.
Ms Osman, from Benoni Christian School, explaining all the school rules to her Grade One learners.
Grade One teacher at Laerskool Northmead Yolande Burr-Dixan making sure her learners have settled in nicely.
Rorisang Maphatsoe (6,) from Northmead, gives his mom, Khutso Maphatsoe, a goodbye kiss before she leaves him to start his first day at Tom Newby School.
Six-year-old Juanré Rieckert, of Brentwood Park, raring to go on his first day at Laerskool Brentwood Park.
An emotional moment for mom Marcelle Schoeman having to leave her son, Carlisle (6), at Tom Newby for his first day of Grade One.
Teacher Young, from Benoni Christian School, wasted no time teaching her Grade One learners the alphabet.
Skye James (6), of Benoni CBD, seated and ready to learn at Tom Newby.
Rossow Nieuwoudt (6) brought his whole family to see him off on his first day at Laerskool Northmead. From left: Yolandi (mom), André (dad), Viné (8) and Muller Nieuwoudt (eight months), wishing him well.
Uthman(6) and Uzair Ahmed(6) (Lakefield residents) ready to take on Grade One
Paige(6) and Kaitly Hales(6) from Northmead seen holding hands ready to take on the new challenge together.
Many youngsters at public schools in Benoni experienced their first day of Grade One and the City Times was there to capture this big moment in the midst of the back-to-school chaos. These schools included Ashbury College, Crystal Park Primary and Noorderlig Gekombineerde Skool
Crystal Park Primary Grade One learner Tebog Eze (6) couldn’t wait to get to class and start learning.
Grade One learners of Asbury College were welcomed to the school by the matriculants.
Ashbury College youngsters excited on the first day of school are Lonwabo Mgqwashu (left, Grade R), Nkateko Mabaso (Grade One), Akani Mabaso (Grade R) and Ntsaku Mabaso (Grade 4).
The whole family accompanied little Swazi (7) to Ashbury College – aunt Dumisile (left), mom Tumi Nkosi and brother Malesela.
Noorderlig Gekombineerde Skool Grade One teacher Ermie Krause helps new learner Chloe Killian (6) colour a picture.
Proud parents Tokelo (left) and Nontozakhe Raphadu were excited to see their daughter Bonolo (6) start school at Ashbury College.
Grade One learner at Crystal Park Primary Bokang Mashiteng (6) stayed close to his big sister, Olitinne (12), who said she is happy to have her brother with her in school now.
Noorderlig Gekombineerde Skool Grade One learners with their teacher, Ermie Krause (front), and her assistant, Juanita Joubert.
Abigail Kachelhoffer (6), of Noorderlig Gekombineerde Skool, was welcomed by her teacher, Ermie Krause.
Bokang Langa (6) was accompanied by mom Busisiwe (left) and her sister, Kamogelo Langa, to school at Crystal Park Primary.
Proud mother Thandekile gives her daughter Sinethemba Mkhomazi (6) a good-luck kiss on her first day at Noorderlig Gekombineerde Skool.
Noorderlig Gekombineerde Skool Grade One teacher Tienvie Pretorius welcomes her new learners.
Little ones from Ashton International College preparatory, Arbor Primary School, Rynfield Primary School and Laerskool Rynfield were excited to heed the call of putting on a uniform, making new friends and journeying through the day.
Double the trouble or double the fun for Laerksool Rynfield twins, Zané (left) and Amoré Jonker.
The Barrett twins, James (left) and Benjamin are Grade Ones at Ashton International College preparatory.
Lené Fensham (left, 6) and Gelene Steyn (6) from Laerksool Rynfield were ready to take on the day.
Twins Jenelle (left) and Jenay kiss their mom, Elinore Hattingh, before going into class at Laerskool Rynfield.
Ethan Black (7) and Nonkayezi Dlamini (6) were excited for their first day at Arbor Primary School.
Nothing beats a hug from your grandmother on the first day of school. Veronica Watson proudly hugs grandson Jonathan Lass (6) at Laerskool Rynfield.
Christian van der Merwe (left), Sibahle Tshabalala and Keri-Mia Roux making friends on the ramp of the jungle gym at Ashton International College preparatory.
Arbor Primary learners Keenan Smith and Xi-Yun Lin.
Thoriso and Nothemba bid farewell to their son, Rorisang Maduna, at Arbor Primary School.
Rynfield Primary School learners Khanyisile Nkosi (left) and Ethan Bowie already have their noses in their books.
Zoey Elipoulos (sitting) and Caleb van Niekerk are ready to conquer the day at Rynfield Primary School.
Laerksool Rynfield Grade One learners Stéfan van der Merwe (left) and Arno Coetzee.
Adele Wright, Foundation Phase Department Head at Arbor Primary School, speaks to her Grade One class.
Ashton International College preparatory learners Kyla Erian (6) and Dylan Verster (7).
Caren and Ronnie Pullinger were proud of their big boy, Kayson Pullinger (6) who started Grade One at Arbor Primary School.
Caleb Roets (6) is a learner at Laerskool Rynfield.
Pioneer Primary, Benoni Junior, St Francis Preparatory and Actonville Primary were abuzz with an atmosphere of delight, wonder, nervousness and more so, excitement.
Aviwe and Aphiwe Nyamate (6) were all smiles after a fun-filled first day.
Ready to experience a year of education and adventure at Pioneer Primary is the school’s three sets of twins (back from left) Sumaya and Saniya Mtenje (6), Mohammed Ayan and Mohammed Rayhaan Sabir (6) and Kabelo and Karabo Khumalo (6).
Doing the final checks before the first school bell at St Francis Preparatory are Bophelo Mohloba (6) and mom Elizabeth.
Arriving at St Francis bright and early, mom Reabetswe Makhubedu was very proud of her son Kutlwano (6) for starting a brand new journey.
Beginning their first lesson at “big school” these Pioneer Primary learners paid careful attention to their teacher Deepa Ramjee.
Principal Vanessa Moodley recites the school’s five values with one of her Grade One classes.
Smiling broadly at the chance to make new friends, St Francis Prep Grade Ones Sanele Sibiya (6), Omolemo Kotu (6), Bulumko Thulare (6) and Lesedi Nkosi (6) were eager for the first day to get underway.
Elehle Songwe (6) was elated to begin her first day at Actonville Primary. She is seen here with mom Sindisiwe.
Little Sameeha Bhoola from Pioneer Primary (6) was all smiles on her first day.
Grade One Benoni Junior teacher Francis Oliver explained the concept of homework to her class.
St Francis Preparatory School Principal Jenny Rees-Gibbs was greeted with smiles by her learners. She is seen here with Tebogo Phokobye (7).
