It's a tug-of-war between parents and the staff committee members.
The children of Tree Tops Montessori learnt to play and make friends at their school’s sports day on 28 May.
“They are too young to be taught to be too competitive at this stage,” said Jenny de Kock, the school’s principal.
“There’s no pressure or stress put on them today. They all got medals today for participation.”
Vagen Mathew, a parent of two of the children at the school, said he came to support his children and he participated in the Dad’s race. “I think that the military fashion of educating children has resulted in these rigid adults,” said Mathew as he showed his appreciation for the school’s interactive and hands-on learning approach to teaching. The montessori educational method puts emphasis on independence, freedom within limits and social development.
He said he enjoyed the positive energy to learning that was brought by the sports day. “It was also pretty nice to get to know some of the parents and to compete against each other.”
Okuhle Ntilkithi balances on two small buckets as one of the challenges at the Tree Tops Montessori sports day.
The yellow team is certainly not mellow at the Tree Tops Montessori school sports day.
Nikeira Mathew and Kimaya Bheemsingh have a blast at the Tree Tops Montessori school sports day.
The fathers of the children of Tree Tops Montessori show them what they’ve got in the Dad’s race.
Kgatoentle Moemise and Jamal Chisembwere race against each other.
Adults get in on the action at the Tree Tops Montessori sports day. Corinne Young, aftercare supervisor; Karin Kelly, Grade R teacher; Magreth Molefe, teacher’s assistant; and Terence de Kock, maintenance manager and joint owner of the school, race to the finish.
The ‘Elephants’ chant their war cry as their competitors and parents listen.
Children of Tree Tops Montessori talk among themselves about their performance at their sports day on 28 May,
Mafoko Moeketsi, Kajan Ramiah and Wakhile Mabuza race with bean bags on their heads while their teacher, Prerna Kalyan, looks on.
