THE library at Laerskool Kemptonpark was a hive of activity last week Thursday as teachers and learners waited in anticipation of the launch of The Reading Hive.
The newly launched media and learning centre is situated in the library which had been out of use for about seven years. With the generosity of sponsor, Kintetsu World Express, the school was able to buy new books worth R10 000, paint the library with fun and colourful murals as well as upgrade the computers with the Britannica encyclopaedia.
As the school is a full service school, meaning it caters for learners with learning disabilities as well, the learning material from the education department is kept in the centre where the therapists and teachers can book them out and use in classes.
The principal, André Page, explained that through the generosity of Kintetsu World Express, they are able to not only use the library again but also have added features in the space.
“The upgrade means that learners and teachers will have access to other material that the school did not have before, which make both learning and teaching a more enjoyable experience,” said Page.
At the helm of the project were the school’s occupational therapist, Adoree Louw, speech therapist, Elzahn Krause, and Tessa van Vuuren, the nurse who on a daily basis deals with learners with learning disabilities.
“Unlike our colleagues, we have a bit more flexibility in our schedules and we were able to approached several companies for funding. When Kintetsu contacted us saying they would be willing to sponsor us, we were overjoyed,” said Louw.
The planning took a month and the three women, with the help and support of their colleagues and families, worked to getting the centre up and running in time for the launch. They presented a comprehensive plan with what they were going to do with every rand and Kintestu was more than happy to support this initiative.
“The three of us spent hours sorting books which were mostly outdated and we had to also sort the new books which came through into the correct categories. We were also able to add a disabled toilet, purchase a wheelchair for one of our learners, Tumisho Mukolo, and upgrade other facilities in the school,” she added.
The learners walked excitedly into the newly revamped room and could not wait to take out books and begin reading them. Each learner pays a membership fee and can take out books which they keep in a special Reading Hive carry bag.
“We asked each learner and parents to sign a membership contract and pay a fee so that they learn from an early age what responsibilities come with privileges. The upgrade will do so much for them – it will not only give them an opportunity to read but will expose them to a world of infinite possibilities found between the pages of the storybooks,” she smiled.
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