It was back to school last Wednesday for the city’s children.
The corridors at schools across Germiston were once again filled with laughter and children’s voices and the majority of schools had a good start to the year.
The GCN spoke to a number of schools to find out how their first day went.
The principal of Ithembelihle Lsen School, Leonor Ngozi, in Primrose East told the GCN that they started registering all the children last Monday and Tuesday to alleviate stress on Wednesday.
“Everything went fine and it is all systems go,” she said.
“Everyone is working and we are looking forward to the new school year.”
The new Grade R and Grade One learners were excited to be starting “big school” and were ready to tackle their school work.
Though the first day of school was both exciting and scary for the little ones at Laerskool Die President, they settled down quickly and were eager to start learning.
Among the Grade Ones were three sets of twins, namely Lwazi and Fezile Mntambo, Tyron and Dylan Morgan and Different and Difficult Makgale.
Principal Sybrand van Dyk could hardly contain his excitement as he welcomed old and new students to the school for another year.
“It has been an exciting day filled with promise and purpose,” he said.
“Being entrusted with 170 new young and inquisitive minds is a privilege.
“The day ran smoothly from the onset though we did have a lot of crying moms and stoic dads.”
Hawk Academy in Primrose was in full swing on Wednesday welcoming old and new learners to the school for the new academic year.
Children were already settled in their classes and ready to start work by 9am.
“It has been smooth sailing for us as most of our students were registered last year and only needed to be placed in their classes this morning.
“We also noted a huge improvement from last year in the readiness of our learners.
“This is because parents were more prepared and helped to get their children ready for the new year of learning,” said Agnes Mkhonto, the deputy principal.
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Germiston South Primary School also had a good start to the year.
The principal of the school, Lanette Fouché, was pleased with the operations set in place to have a productive first day.
“Everything ran smoothly this year.
“We had parents paying for book fees on one side, learners being placed in classes on the other side (in the hall) and some parents made it to orientation so they knew the procedure for them and their children.”
Fouché also spoke about how proud she was to see her teachers being on the ball on such an auspicious day.
Primrose Hill Primary School got off to a smooth start on Wednesday as children flocked to the school to start the new academic year.
Principal Lucken Maniram told the GCN that even though they experienced a big influx of new Grade One learners, within half an hour the learners were settled in class and ready to learn.
“Everything went very well and all grades are working and everything is running smoothly,” he said.
Learners from Laerskool Delville were all geared up and ready for their first day at school.
During their break time, some had already made new friends and seemed to have settled in very well.
When speaking to Louise van Vuuren, teacher and head of department for the Grade Ones, about her experiences over the years with the first day of school, she said, “In recent years, we’ve seen fewer tears on the faces of most Grade One learners.
“I think this is because most of them come from pre-school, so they are less nervous and more at ease about their first day at big school.”
Renee Goosen, the acting principal of Germiston High School, said the school’s first day went very well.
“We started with a formal assembly where the new Grade Eights, their parents, the matric class of 2018 and all the remaining grades and staff were welcomed by myself and the school as a whole.
“All learners were allocated timetables and classes, and day one of our eight-day cycle started without any hitches.
“Our school grounds are maintained and attractive, and our full staff complement is energised and motivated for 2018 – our 101st year in existence.
“All stakeholders are wished well for the year,” she said.
Afrikaanse Hoërskool Germiston principal Retha du Toit said, “Everything is going great.
“We had a few more learners than we expected but we are coping and everything is falling into place for the new year.”
Assumption Convent School principal Neville Workman was in high spirits on Wednesday.
“Our day is going great and it all systems go for the year ahead.
“The grounds and school are ready and we already hosted several sports camps the week before school started and our orientation was held the Tuesday before school started.
“Lessons began first thing Wednesday morning and we are looking forward to a great year.”
“School of Achievement welcomed leaners from Grade One to matric to the school today,” said principal Tinus du Preez and added that the school had had a wonderful start to the year.
“All of our enrolments were done last year and our staff were ready and prepared so we were able to sort everyone into their classes and get the year started.
“So we really have had a wonderful day.”
It was smooth sailing at Hoërskool Goudrif according to principal Marius Mills.
“Everything is going well,” he said.
“All the students who registered arrived and were able to start the year well.”
Primrose High School was abuzz with activity as they welcomed their new Grade Eight learners.
“All of the learners were dressed correctly which got the day off to a great start,” said principal Andre Grobler.
“Everything is running smoothly and I am very pleased with how the year has started.”
Hoërskool Vryburger High School principal Ian Olivier was also pleased with how the year started.
“Everything is up and running,” he told the GCN.
“Our learners are in class following our first assembly of the year, which was attended by some of our Grade Eight parents.
“Our staff and learners are very ready to tackle the new year,” he said.
St Catherine’s School welcomed a record number of new pupils in 2018, with 63 Grade One learners starting their primary school careers and 52 Grade Eights starting their high school careers.
“We also added six new teachers to our staff and have 34 matric learners this year.
“We look forward to an exciting and successful year,” said Jacqui Powell, the marketing assistant.
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