Bertrams Junior shows gratitude
“I would love to thank our local newspaper, the EXPRESS, for shining a light on our school. We were unknown, but now people know where we are and what we are about. For so long we were forgotten, sitting in our little corner, but now the community is aware of us,” said Twala.
Bertrams Junior School had a thanksgiving breakfast on November 13 at the school.
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The breakfast was for friends of the school who have been supporting them.
“It has been an eventful year for the school. Turning 100 years has brought so much joy. We are more in touch with the community than we have ever been,” said principal Khanyi Twala.
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“We are receiving support from people we never thought would visit our small school. We are grateful for the friends we have made along the way this year.
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“People have taken time to help us plan our celebration and share ideas on how we can uplift the school,” said Twala.
She expressed the school’s appreciation to the guests and asked them to continue supporting the school.
The school celebrated its centenary year with the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga.
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“We are a disadvantaged school that has challenges, but through the support we have received we are hopeful and believe we will overcome all our challenges,” she said.
She thanked parliamentary constituency office members Joan Fubbs, Mpapa Kanyane, Sandiso Mgengwana and Thandeka Sithole, who have adopted the school and shined a light on its issues.
She thanked the Boys and Girls Club for helping their learners with homework, the knitting group for inspiring the children to learn a skill, Touch the Mind for bringing different positive programmes to the school, community members who are always available to offer support where it’s needed and Jeppe SAPS for always attending to safety issues and for always being willing to assist the school. She also thanked PR Clr Alison Roberts for her support.
She gave a special thanks to Laura Wegener and Chris Lister-Janes. They walked the long journey to improve the school and address the challenges they have. They also raised funds to achieve the dream of being a primary school.
“I would love to thank our local newspaper, the EXPRESS, for shining a light on our school. We were unknown, but now people know where we are and what we are about. For so long we were forgotten, sitting in our little corner, but now the community is aware of us,” said Twala.
She said as a school they feel special that past learners and teachers still visit the school.
“Sandi van Tonder, Peter Mbimala and Simphiwe Hadebe, thank you for coming to your school and still offering your support. We love and appreciate your contributions. To see products of the school being valuable members of society is wonderful,” said Twala.
Friends of the school had the opportunity to meet and mingle and to share the love they have for the school.
“As we celebrate old and new friends, we hope this is a new beginning for bigger and better things. We celebrated this year, but the real work will start next year and we hope to share that journey with you. As the African proverb says, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ We are raising future leaders, and with your support we will raise great leaders,” said Twala.
