New Grade 0s were welcomed in style at Johannesburg Girls’ Preparatory School (JGPS) in Berea, with parents also being informed of the dos and don’ts in the school.
All Gauteng public schools opened on 17 January with a number of youngsters starting a new chapter of their lives – schooling.
At the preparatory school, about 1 200 Grade 0 children were welcomed on the day, some of them shedding tears while others showed signs of being comfortable with their new setup.
Parents were inducted on how their children need to look, dress and behave, as well their attitude as schoolchildren.
“Children are not supposed to have braids and their hair needs to be neat and clean at all times,” said Grade 0 teacher Kearabetswe Motswagole.
“Also, children are not supposed to bring sweets, chips, juice and cakes for lunch because they tend to make them hyperactive. Imagine you have 45 children in your classroom and they’re all hyper-active …they will not be able to concentrate.”
Children can bring water or milk from Monday to Thursday and on Friday, which is a special day according to the school, children can then bring juice or sweets, added Motswagole.
There is a feeding scheme and parents who might not be able to pack a lunch box for their children, were told that they can give their children empty lunch boxes and the school will provide a healthy meal for them.
The school offers an aftercare programme, which the teacher said operates until 5pm, for parents who might need to work late.
Principal Melanie Hassim said they are satisfied with the way their first day of school started, adding that it was on a great note. “I’m very much satisfied and happy that all our children have settled in very well.
“As from next week, we will then issue them their stationery and begin with their main programme which is teaching and learning.”
There are some classes that still have about 37 children instead of their usual 40 and Hassim said if the Department of Education needs space for other children, they would e happy to assist.
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