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We’re please to have enrolled 27 children at Matjana Preschool this year. But very sorry that teacher Swane will no longer be with us and a bit shocked about all the boys. Usually we have roughly even numbers, or a few extra girls, but the 2019 class so far includes eighteen boys and only nine girls. Regardless, the teachers are enjoying all the fun that the first months of children’s learning at preschool involves.
“It is more funny to have a new class,” Teacher Londi said, “because you really notice the different characters of the children while you are still getting used to them. The most amazing part is when you teach them to write, others write zig zag while others do their best but can’t quite get it, and that’s how it starts until eventually they know how to write.
“It’s also a nice time of year because everything is so new and the children are so excited to have a place to go every day where they can meet with their friends. They love eating school lunch together during break time and gorge themselves with pap and beans. When they have finished with their food they usually tell their mythical stories and others go to play on swings.
“They also get excited about the activities we do in class which are all new to them. This year the kids really love singing a counting song “ten little monkeys jumping on the bed”. It is a very thrilling experience for us as teacher to have this group. We are very grateful for having extremely good and enthusiastic children and who are always punctual,” Londi said.
NOMINATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 2019
The preschool mothers have also nominated a committee for 2019. The meeting was on Monday February 4. It was scheduled to commence at 10am and by around 9am parents were already waiting around the school premises. This year they have elected both males and females to make some changes in the school. While we said farewell our old Chairperson, Make Thabile Gamedze, we are pleased to welcome Make Celiwe Gamedze back into the role of chairperson.
Other members of the committee are Make Cindy Mkhaliphi Vice Chairperson Qiniso Vilakati our teacher and Secretary, Desmond Nxumalo Vice Secretary, and general members are Make Simelane, Make Nelsiwe Tsabedze and Make Manama. The committee hope to make monthly meetings to keep an eye on the teachers and solve any school problems.
The leader of the house teacher Londiwe Dlamini, who will be taking over from Swane in the role of head teacher, emphasised the importance of the school at the committee meeting. She elaborated on the different roles played by different members of the school community, saying, “The role of parents is to care and give psychosocial support to their children. The role of teachers is to give education to the children and care for them. And the roll of children is to learn and respect and to have a brighter future.”
Farewell and good luck Teacher Swane
We began this year with two teachers Qiniso and Londi. We were three in 2018. Unfortunately teacher Swane left the school.
It was a great pleasure to have teacher Swane as part of our school’s staff. It wasn’t an easy thing to accept a kind and generous teacher like her leaving. We still don’t believe that she is gone.
Swane loved playing with kids. She was a kind and caring teacher who always went the extra mile to ensure the Matjana kids got a quality education and had fun in the process. In addition to teaching she dedicated her time to completing a Diploma and commencing a Bachelors degree while working at the preschool. We saw the results in our school. These formal studies helped Swane develop confidence and new ideas to add to our teaching program. Despite her busy schedule, she always had time to enjoy the antics of preschool. Swane was talented at cracking jokes and ensuring the house was covered with laughter.
We miss teacher Swane big time, already. We believe she will be a great asset to her new school and continue to excel in every thing she does. Wherever she ends up, we which her the best of luck and look forward to her visiting Matjana Preschool when she returns home.
