Creative Kidz School celebrates 10th anniversary with new mascot

Creative Kidz School learners on March 13 were in for a delightful surprise as they entered the school premises to meet the school’s new mascot, Mr Griffin.

The excitement among the students and staff was palpable. The energy soared when they engaged with their mascot, dancing a special routine to Mr Griffin’s theme song.

The introduction of Mr Griffin marks a significant milestone for the school, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

A fun and creative celebration

Creative Kidz School decided to celebrate this milestone uniquely by introducing a mascot that embodies the school’s creativity and spirit.

Leandra Otto, founder of Creative Kidz School, said, “Mascots build school spirit and represent the values and creativity of an institution. We wanted our learners to feel represented in a creative and fun way through the mascot,” said Otto.

The school ran a competition where students could design the mascot, and one Grade Seven learner’s design stood out as the winner.

The chosen design was of a gryphon, a mythical creature, reimagined for the school’s purposes.

Leandra explained the minor changes to the design, stating, “The original design had a beard on the gryphon, but because we felt it would be too messy in real life, we left that out.”

The story behind Mr Griffin

Mr Griffin is more than just a fun addition to the school – he carries a meaningful message.

According to Otto, Mr Griffin represents the learners at Creative Kidz School who may face learning barriers but persevere and overcome them, just like the mythical gryphon.

“He motivates our learners with his famous words: ‘Griffin’s here – Have no fear! Let’s learn, grow, and give a cheer,” Otto explained.

Mr Griffin will be a central figure at school events, and his presence is expected to boost student engagement and create a sense of unity and inclusion. Leandra emphasised the mascot’s role will go beyond appearances, actively encouraging participation and making school events more memorable.

Community involvement in the mascot design

The process of creating Mr Griffin was collaborative and inclusive.

All learners who participated in the mascot design competition had to submit a story alongside their design, explaining how it reflected the school’s values.

To make the process more interactive, they posted the mascot finalists on social media, where the community could vote for their favourite design. Ultimately, Mr Griffin was the clear winner.

To integrate the mascot into the school’s traditions, Creative Kidz School plans to develop new customs around Mr Griffin, ensuring his legacy strengthens the school’s spirit for years to come.

Reflecting on the school’s growth

Otto also took a moment to reflect on the school’s journey from humble beginnings to its present success.
The school started with Otto as the principal, and only five learners.

Today, Creative Kidz School offers basic remedial classes with 16 learners per class, special remedial classes with 12 learners per class, an occupational therapy room, speech therapy, and psychological services.

The school also operates two campuses, one in Pretoria, which has been running for four years, and another in Alberton.

“Ten years ago, I was sitting in my office in private practice when a woman came in saying she felt God led her to speak with me. She told me she needed to sell her property, which is now Creative Kidz School. The property previously had been an aftercare centre, and before that, a nursery school.

“She kept telling me the same thing, and after praying about it, I felt it was the right path. One day in church, a pastor called me to the front and told me, ‘You know what you need to do. God wants you to do it, and you need to do it‘”, Otto shared.

The school faced numerous challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, but Leandra credits God’s provision for their success.

“I do not know how we made it through, but God made a way,” she said

The power of school spirit

Introducing Mr Griffin is expected to bring excitement to the school environment.

Nkosinathi Shandu, a member of the Department of Education, expressed support for the initiative.

“There is nothing wrong with the school having a mascot. It will bring hype and excitement into the school environment,” Shandu said.

With Mr Griffin leading the way, Creative Kidz School is not only celebrating its 10th anniversary but also reinforcing the sense of community, creativity, and resilience that defines the school.