Tree-planting ceremony symbolises growth for nursery school learners

The lesson of the day for learners at Beaulieu Nursey School is the symbolism of trees as they planted an olive tree to celebrate their 10th birthday.

March 15, 2023

Khomotso Makgabutlane 1 minute read

Beaulieu Nursery School Grade 0 teacher Salomé Higgins helps plant the olive tree. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Beaulieu Nursery School (Bens) celebrated its 10th birthday with a tree-planting ceremony.

Principal of the nursery school, Tracy Newman addresses the learners and parents for the celebration of Beaulieu Nursery School’s 10th birthday. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The school held a small ceremony in celebration of its 10 years of teaching and growing.
Principal Tracy Newman welcomed special guests, parents and learners to the ceremony. In its first three years, the school was housed at Beaulieu College, then moved next to Beaulieu Preparatory School.

Newman said the milestone is incredibly special. “Planting a tree is very symbolic. Our tenth birthday has lots of symbolism behind it. Trees are represented in all the major religions around the world,” she said.

Parent Emily Bezuidenhout gets assistance from Beaulieu Preparatory School art teacher, Donovan Williams to finger paint the mural to celebrate Beaulieu Nursery School’s 10th birthday. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Nursery school principal Tracy Newman with alumna Ginny Holl and her daughter Luna attend the tree-planting ceremony. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“For example, in the bible, when Noah was out on his ark and sent a dove to see if it could find land. The dove came back with an olive twig in its beak. The olive tree has come to be recognised as a symbol of peace, and that’s something we want Bens to be known by; that we create peace in our world.”

Beaulieu Preparatory School art teacher Donovan Williams shovels sand into the hole for the new tree. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The olive tree was donated by a Grade 0 teacher at the school, Salomé Higgins. Newman also mentioned the tree’s symbolism in Islam, Hindu and Judaism.
The principal explained the stages of a tree are similar to the stages of a learner: toddlers are the small seeds, Grade 000s are the sprouts, Grade 00s are the saplings, and Grade 0s are the mature trees ready to start their prep school journey.

Principal of Beaulieu Nursery School, Tracy Newman and teacher Jenay Bernstein lead the leaners in their welcome song and dance. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

At the end of the ceremony, a mural was painted by the school’s Donovan Williams in the shape of a tree without leaves – and then decorated by parents and staff with finger painting.