Noordwyk Secondary School mourns the deaths of two Grade 11 learners in one week
MIDRAND –Noordwyk Secondary School loses two learners of the same class in one week, in two similar incidents.
Noordwyk Secondary School is mourning the death of two learners. Both died in a similar manner in the same week.
Two Grade 11 learners passed on at their homes. A girl (17) was found dead on 2 September at her home in Carlswald North while another learner, an 18-year-old boy, was also discovered to be dead at his home on 5 September.
Midrand Police Station spokesperson, Sergeant Matome Tlamela confirmed the incidents. “Yes, inquest dockets have been opened for both incidents. The police are busy investigating the incident of a girl who was found hanging. The incident took place in Carlswald between 3pm and 6pm.
“There was another inquest docket opened – the incident happened on 5 September and was recorded at the Plantation Road open veld.”
Tlamela said police received a complaint on 5 September and when they responded, a young man was found hanging. Upon investigation, they noticed he was wearing a Noordwyk Secondary School uniform. “Circumstances of the deaths are still unknown but investigations are being conducted.”
The Midrand Reporter visited the school on 6 September and spoke to the principal, Alex Tau.
He described the two learners as well-disciplined and said they did well in their school work. “I have been at this school for more than three and a half years and 23 years with the Department of Education.
“It is the first that I have experienced something like this and it is horrific, very bad and it saddens me because the incidents happened in a space of two days. You can’t lose two children in one week, it is very sad.
“The girl’s incident came to our attention on Tuesday. We had a memorial service for her on Thursday. Then after the girl’s memorial, the boy’s incident took place.”
Tau said they were busy with counselling, especially for the class the two learners were in – the Grade 11 class. “We have already started with intensive counselling sessions. We have invited several pastors and the district office is also assisting with social workers. We are really just tackling the issue from all angles.”
The Gauteng MEC for Education and Youth Development MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, released a media statement on 6 September, after being unable to go to the school, wherein he expressed shock and concern over the death of two learners. “It is unfortunate and regrettable that learners took their own lives in this manner.
“We take this time to send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the school community, during this time of grief.
“No words are enough to express our sorrow at the loss of a child. We hope that the families will find comfort in the knowledge that we too share their loss.
“We further appeal to our learners to focus on their education and refrain from other things that may have a negative impact on their studies. Learners are also urged to utilise support programmes availed to them if they experience any challenges.”
Lesufi said a psycho-social unit has been dispatched to the school to provide necessary intervention, including debriefing and counselling to the learners. “We are finalising arrangements with LifeLine on a suicide prevention programme to be provided to the school and neighbouring schools.
“This is to call upon parents and learners to utilise the LifeLine Call Centre on 0861 322 322 for assistance when required.”
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