Local school hosts Science and Technology Expo to showcase children’s talents
Arthur Matthews Primary School held a Science and Technology Expo to encourage learners’ creative abilities. The occasion also marked the end of an era for Annelie de Klerk, facilitator for Gauteng Department of Education as she is retiring after 42 years in education. Hermanus Blignaut, a teacher at the school, explained the exhibit involved a …
Arthur Matthews Primary School held a Science and Technology Expo to encourage learners’ creative abilities. The occasion also marked the end of an era for Annelie de Klerk, facilitator for Gauteng Department of Education as she is retiring after 42 years in education.
Hermanus Blignaut, a teacher at the school, explained the exhibit involved a practical task assigned to the learners from grades four to six. The grade fours were tasked with building a musical instrument to teach them about sound and energy. The grade five and six learners were tasked with building an electrical circuit or a car with wheels to show energy and movement. Further, everything had to be made using recyclable materials and they encouraged the parent’s involvement.
“We are teaching the children to be creative in their minds and helping the environment in the process,” said Blignaut.
He continued that the improvement in the children’s creativity is visible through the detail as they get to grade six. He added this creative ability is important to instill in a child, to form the entire child, ‘not simply the cognitive or mental part of a child, but also the practical part of a child’.
“To build brings out the initiative and creativity within every child and allows them to show what each one of them can do. In some cases, a child may not be highly intelligent, but they have various other talents, such as building. This way we are developing the entire spectrum of children we have at the school,” he added.
About the projects Blignaut stated, “I think it is fantastic. Numerous students handed in simple projects, but you can see time was put in with a lot of the projects and that is amazing to see.”
The fair also marked an important occasion for De Klerk, as the school bid her farewell.
“I think this is a wonderful initiative for them to make an effort to exhibit the children’s work. I hope they will also keep it here, so the parents will be able to see what the children do collectively. It isn’t just about the academia of a child, but also their skills, to see what they are capable of. In general, the children enjoy this practical work a lot, it is a different facet of their being they can live out,” she said.
She noted at the end of the day that the improvement in the children’s work from grade to grade is incredible as well as seeing what the children do and the creativity they have.
About retiring she stated she has an ambivalent feeling about it, she is excited but also nervous as she doesn’t know what lies ahead. She stated that 42 years in education is a long time and she was involved in everything from academia to sports. She continued she does however look forward to spending more time with her grandchildren,
“There’s a time to come and a time to go and I am very thankful for what I’ve learned from my time as an educator. I met so many people who enriched my life. I am retiring with absolute gratitude,” she added.
To those who are still educating, she advised, “At the end of the day it is all about good planning when you are standing in front of the class. Always be positive. Work hard as it is always rewarded. Keep your integrity and your values, this is very important. There are so many negative things around us, but if you look at the children in your class, there is something beautiful; something precious you can take with you for the rest of your life. Every day is a day full of grace.”
She concluded that education is all about the child, educating the child and looking at the world from the child’s view, further, every child is an individual. It taught her more about being human, humility, and always supporting others, ‘education really enriches your life’.
Acting principal Desiree Phillips shared her view on the exhibition.
“I think it is really heartwarming. This is what I love about Arthur Matthews, the way the teachers go the extra mile to make every child feel valued and supported. At the same time for them to take the time to involve their facilitator, just to say thank you for all the support and encouragement she has given them throughout the ten years as their facilitator. It is just amazing, it blows my mind to think this is the extent to which people can prove their commitment, service and dedication to the school.”
She concluded she wishes the parents could see the length the adults they entrust their children to go and she wishes they could honour these teachers the same way the teachers honour the learners and the facilitator.
