Teachers said they are ready and excited to welcome learners back.
“The children bring the energy to the school,” said Chris van der Schyff, a teacher at Hoërskool Dinamika.
Prepared for everything
In the two odd weeks that teachers arrived before their learners, they have been hard at work to prepare themselves, the school and their curriculum for the new year.
“Our teachers are already teaching on various platforms,” said Martie Huystek, principal of Hoërskool Marais Viljoen High School.
“The learners were also provided with their books for the year with several schools adopting either a drive-through method or staggered days of collecting.
Lizelle de Bruin from Alberton High said: “The teachers were hard at work. With everything that needs to be done teachers are carrying a heavy load.”
Amidst the hours of preparation, teachers and management teams ensured that the teachers had ample time to prepare themselves as well.
“We had daily speakers at the school addressing us on topics ranging from regulations, life stories and adaptability,” said Karen van Zyl, a teacher from Laerskool Randhart.
A year to look forward to
Following a year of uncertainty brought on by the lockdown the teachers of Alberton are optimistic about the year to come.
“We are excited as we have the largest number of Grade Eight admissions in the history of the school,” said Tommy Stoltz, principal of Parklands High School.
For learners, the year is exciting in its way, with new methods of teaching in place.
The teachers say that they have learnt a lot last year and the use of technology to reach children at home not only provides options for the learners to learn remotely but offers a platform for effective revision and the opportunity to hear everything a second time.
“Learners will have the opportunity to experience comfort and a sense of self this year,” said Marcus Pretorius from Hoërskool Alberton.
“Learners can expect that everything will be done with passion but that a lot of discipline will be required.”
Keep working hard
The teachers of Alberton are calling on learners to be diligent and work hard within the support framework offered by their teachers, parents and community.
“You have to focus on your future,” said Natasha le Grange from Alberton High.
Chris van der Schyff added to this idea likening school to the flight simulator of a pilot. “This is where you prepare for the challenges of adult life,” he said.
One advantage that the teachers claimed of the current situation is that it prepares them very well for what they will experience at university.
To parents
The schools have called on parents to be calm and don’t make rash decisions. “We couldn’t be more prepared,” said Marlene Gerber, principal of Laerskool Randhart.
“Parents have the responsibility to motivate all learners positively,” said Andre McMaster from Laerskool President Steyn. “It falls on us to teach them the correct values to make a difference in the lives of others.”
