STAFF and children at Open Air School celebrated the school’s 96 years of existence on 9 February with a special assembly in the morning, as well as the school’s first Skype chat with an overseas school.
Principal, Noel Moodley, said as a Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Durban Bay, he and the club president, Marion Spence, hosted a Rotarian from the UK, Alan Peats who had loved the ethos of Open Air School and proposed the twinning of the school with Felixstowe Academy in Suffolk, UK.
“We got in touch with the liaison at the school, the Chaplain, Joshua Hunt, and the principal, Anthony Williams, via email, and decided to host a Skype chat with the staff and a few learners on our 96th birthday, as part of the celebration. This was the first contact we had with the school and it was interesting to hear a bit more about the school and how the school system works in the UK,” said Noel.
During the Skype session, Noel and the head girl, Mbali Dube, had the opportunity to speak with members of staff at Felixstowe Academy, as well as a few of the learners, who were very interested in Open Air School. They enquired about the school and its learners, and enjoyed a rendition of the school song, sung by matric learners who attended the Skype chat.
“It was exciting to be able to be in contact with the school via Skype, as this is a novelty for us. We had a very special day at the school, and through our assembly, we received a donation of astroturf for our foundation phase and the whole school was treated to breyani and cooldrinks. We’re going to have to do something even bigger for our 100th birthday!” said Noel.
