Headmistress of Parktown High School for Girls Tracey Megom said that despite a difficult year, she is proud of how the school community pulled together to overcome the many challenges they faced.
“Our teachers and learners had to adapt to a new environment, literally overnight, and they did so with such determination, resilience and mostly success,” said Megom.
“Those enormous challenges were converted into learning opportunities for all and that is what education is all about. The skills we have all learnt since the onset of this pandemic and the conversion of our face-to-face teaching into an online model, including our academic, physical education and extracurricular offerings, has been nothing short of remarkable.”
Megom said girls learned to be independent, self-disciplined and self-motivated which will stand them in good stead going forward.
“They may only realise the benefits of what they have been through in years to come, but I have no doubt the rewards will become apparent and we will have a generation of young people who are kind, compassionate, resilient and able to deal with whatever is thrown at them.”
Megom said that transitioning to online learning was challenging for both teachers and learners.
“Not having them at school every day and being able to see their facial expressions and emotions made teaching them effectively difficult.”
She said the greatest challenge was to ensure that no girl was left behind. Lack of access to data and devices was a problem for a few girls. The school approached the Old Girls and larger community for funding which provided access for many who would otherwise not have been able to access learning.
Megom offered condolences to community members who lost loved ones over this year.
“We would also like to thank the Parkview and surrounding community for all the support they have given the school over the course of 2020.”
“Our school is embedded in the centre of this incredible community and we are doing our best to add value. Thank you to everyone who has assisted in some way to help us do that; and during this year in particular. We would also like to wish all community members a blessed and peaceful festive season. Stay safe and healthy.”
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https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/349287/parktown-girls-tackle-the-gbv-pandemic/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/345856/parktown-girls-make-impressive-coin-creations/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/200451/parktown-high-school-for-girls-celebrates-its-93rd-birthday/
