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15 January was a big day for many six and seven-year-olds in Roodepoort. It was their first official day of ‘big school.’
The front office of Ridgevale Primary School was packed with parents and children waiting to sign forms, and be taken to the Grade 1 classrooms. Hopeful young learners smiled as they met their new teachers and classmates on the Wednesday morning.
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While everything was being sorted out in the office, and learners were steadily being brought into the classrooms, the Grade 1s who had already completed their formalities showed off their artistic skills by drawing beautiful pictures on A3 paper.
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The friendly teachers and secretarial staff flashed bright and welcoming smiles at every learner and parent that walked through the school’s doors. While some learners weren’t as excited as others, a hopeful atmosphere filled the air as all the young children familiarised themselves with the place that would teach them so many valuable lessons over the next seven years.