Learners at Chartwell got to spend the day with those who protect and serve the community for Casual Day on September 2.
Unity College and Douglasdale Police Station together with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) had a fun-filled day with various sporting activities to enjoy.
Douglasdale police spokesperson Captain Mpho Tshetlhane said the police had chosen Unity College to support not only for Casual Day, but as part of community engagement for the future.
“Casual Day stickers were bought to support children with special needs. We as Douglasdale police wanted to celebrate the day with Unity College as the school helps learners with special needs.
“We are working well with the community, and these children are a special part of the community. They are our friends, our children, and we love and care about them.”
The school and police had a late Spring Day celebration in which four aloe trees were planted by the entrance of the school.
“The trees were to showcase the connection between the police and the aloe trees. The aloes can survive under any kind of environment, be it hot, cold or raining, it will still survive.
“The police are the same in that we can survive anywhere, and we can conquer whatever comes our way.”
Principal Jeanine Kerr said the atmosphere at the school had been electric with all the activities on offer alongside the police and CPF.
She further explained how important it is for the learners to see how the police support them.
“There’s an African proverb that says ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. And this is part of that village. It’s important for the police to see and understand our children. Some of our learners are non-verbal, and the police may come across a child who is unable to express themselves.
“For us, the involvement of the community is just so vital. Children are vulnerable, and our children are more vulnerable than others. ”
Activities throughout the morning included netball, football, and tug-o-war. Douglasdale police were also joined by Honeydew police where they battled in a friendly but fierce football game. Honeydew won the match 4 – 3 to take home bragging rights.
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