SCHOOLS: St Dominic’s purple day for charity

Purple Day is a worldwide effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy, and this year the staff and learners at St Dominic’s held a two-day-long fundraising campaign, where five rand fine allowed the learners to wear purple on the day.

February 18, 2018

F.C. Pelser 1 minute read

A kidnapping occurred early Friday morning (February 9) at St Dominic’s Academy in Newcastle, as Grade 4,5 and 6 teacher, Miss Swanepoel was held hostage in front of her learners.

The abductors demanded a ransom be paid before their beloved teacher could be set free, with the abduction being orchestrated by the teachers of St Dominic’s, as part of the school’s Purple Day initiative.

Purple Day is a worldwide effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy, and this year the staff and learners at St Dominic’s held a two-day-long fundraising campaign, where five rand fine allowed the learners to wear purple on the day.

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In anticipation of the day St Dominic’s school grounds was transformed into a purple paradise, with the teachers also joining in the fun, dressing in outlandish purple wigs and costumes so as to lead by example and share the message of caring.

According to St Dominic’s Academy Headmaster, Bryn Thomas, the children were very excited about the day. “It is always good for children to learn to give back, they are the leaders of tomorrow and it important to teach them to become servant leaders, and always put people before anything else,” he emphasised.

As the children and teachers joined hands to support Epilepsy South Africa, the love and mutual respect at St Dominic’s could clearly be felt.

During the day of colourful fun, the school’s staff and learners not only enjoyed a day with friends, but they had the chance to make a difference to a problem effecting many people today.

“This project is a passion project for the school, because there are a couple of learners and teachers at St Dom’s who suffer from epilepsy. It is important for us to support the cause especially since it hits so close to home,” concluded Thomas.