The new Grade 1 class at Reddam House Waterfall have rung in a new phase of their lives.
On 16 January – the day the 126 Grade 1s had their first day at ‘big school’ – Reddam started a brand-new tradition.
During a special ‘ringing of the bell’ procession held in the school auditorium in the morning, each Grade 1 (accompanied by a ‘buddy’ learner from Grade 6) rang a specially-installed bell.
Watched by their families, the next time the children ring the bell will be when they leave school.
“Today we started a tradition, a right of passage, and we are the only school to do this,” said Quinton Pascoe, the school principal.
“They’ll ring it again when they leave, hopefully at the end of Grade 6 [the highest grade in Reddam’s junior preparatory] but even if they leave before that too.
“We decided to let these children know that they matter to us, and this tradition is so that they know they are embraced as they start their schooling journey.”
Pascoe also praised the Reddam community, saying that the teachers were an absolute gift and that parents were incredibly supportive.
Many of the children who started Grade 1 on the day were previously part of the early learning centre at Reddam, and
the air was full of excitement and a few nerves before the school day got officially underway. Parents were hopeful about their children’s future and had wishes for their educational journey.
“It was a big change from nursery school,” said Gareth de Villiers, father to Logan in Grade 3 and Sebastian who just started Grade 1 and who attended the ceremony with wife Taryn.
“I hope he learns to be independent and confident, and that they teach him how to handle this fast-pasted world.”
Emotional well-being was another important matter to parents. “Her first day has been really exciting and she didn’t even cry at drop-off,” said Karabo Tlale, mother to little Rorisang.
“She’s a bubbly child, and she had been counting down the days to her first day this week!
“My hope for her years in school is that she grows, becomes emotionally stable, matures and progresses.”
In total, Reddam currently has 126 Grade 1s in six classes.
ALSO READ: All smiles for St Peter’s College as they celebrate their matric results
