The King’s School West Rand Grade 7’s tested how many children they could squeeze onto a queen-size mattress.
The exercise was part of a competition set up by Hirsch’s, in conjunction with Rest Assured and Cloud 9, as part of World Sleep Day, celebrated on 17 March.
Each Hirsch’s branch had to pick a school with which to do the exercise. The branch that managed to fit the most people on a mattress, and have them hold their position for 30 seconds, wins.
The branch will then donate 10 mattresses on the school’s behalf to a worthy organisation.
Last year, Hirsch’s Strubens Valley partnered with Maragon Private Schools Ruimsig and managed to fit 37 children on a queen-sized mattress.
Chief operations officer of Hirsch’s, Margaret Hirsch said, “Sleep is such an important part of our lives, particularly for young children. What we have found, when we visit underprivileged pre-schools in the areas where we operate, is that sometimes the children don’t have anywhere to sleep during their lunch breaks. Most stay on until the evening when their parents pick them up, and that midday sleep is vital for them.
“Cloud 9 and Rest Assured have come on board with us to donate sponge mattresses for a pre-school of our choice. The school in the Hirsch branch catchment area that clocks up the most bodies on a bed are the winners and they get to nominate the pre-school to donate the sponge mattresses to.”
The Strubens Valley branch hoped to beat last year’s record with the children of The King’s School.
Marketing manager of the school, Michelle Dos Ramos said, “King’s School West Rand is glad to be involved in such a great initiative and to give back to the community.”
Grade 12s, high school head of department Conrad Botha and teacher Wynand Theunissen managed the children and counted them.
The results of each Gauteng branch and winners will only be released once all the schools have participated in the event.
Learners were rewarded with lollipops and chocolate for participating during their break time.
