Schools enter a year of celebrations
Last week both Hoërskool Rob Ferreira and Flamboyant School celebrated milestone birthdays by sending dozens of balloons into the air.
Rob Ferreira celebrates 60 years of excellence and is planning a huge celebration in April. On Monday two days after the school’s inception date, a small commemoration ceremony was held.
Former headmasters, Mr Jack Janse van Rensburg and Mr Johan Coetzer were invited to attend. Janse van Rensburg was principal for just over 19 years, while Coetzer officiated for 10. Both men were very grateful for the opportunity to address the pupils and encouraged them to look to God for help and guidance in troubled times.
White River SPAR donated 850 cupcakes and the leaders had great fun arranging them to spell ROB 60. The pupils each received a cupcake after singing a few traditional Robbies’ songs to the former heads, much to their amusement.
The two guests of honour, Coetzer’s wife, Elsie, and current headmaster Mr Dawie Oberholzer, then sent 60 orange balloons into the air.
The school’s major celebrations will consist of a parade through town, huge water park on the hockey fields, mechanical skateboard park, market with various stalls and performance by Joe Niemand. The Robbie Alumni Club (Oud-Robbieklub) will also be launched during a gala event on the evening of the market.
On January 15 Flamboyant School celebrated its 30th birthday and this time, it was the pupils who sent blue balloons into the Lowveld sky.
Flamboyant was the brainchild of a group of parents, therapists and doctors who felt there was a need for a remedial school in White River.
Despite difficulties, the school was opened on January 15, 1985 in the Methodist Church Hall with a total of six pupils. By the end of the year, there were over 20 and the school was officially registered with the Department of Education.
By March 1987 there were 50 pupils and the school made the move to its current location – the original Themba Swedish Mission Hospital buildings. Flamboyant currently offers parallel medium English and Afrikaans education for pupils from grades 1 to 9, who experience barriers to effective learning.
Because the school follows the main-stream curriculum, pupils can return to a mainstream school when they have overcome their difficulties.
The school also ensures the pupils have a balanced education by offering a sport programme. Culturally inclined pupils can join clubs for art, singing or chess and take part in music or drama classes.
Headmaster Ms Gail van der Riet says the school will continue to serve the community and believes that many successful years lie ahead.
