Roosevelt High School is in mourning after the devastating news that three of their former learners, sisters Storm, Connor, and Cassidy Moodley, were involved in a serious motor vehicle accident on September 14.

Connor, a member of the Class of 2018, and Cassidy, Class of 2020, tragically lost their lives in the crash. The Moodley family confirmed with the publication that Storm, one of the survivors, is currently at home recovering with family.

Read more: Officials demand safe transport measures following accident in Montgomery Park

On Monday, Roosevelt High held a moment of silence during its assembly, giving learners and staff a chance to honour the sisters.

Principal Cristel Venter described the tragedy as a profound loss not only for the Moodley family but for the entire school community. “All the staff remember the Moodley family. It was three daughters and a mum, and they were always one. You saw them as a unit. It wasn’t four separate people — it was one person. The closest family that I’ve seen in a long time.”

Venter shared how the loss had personally affected staff and former classmates. One teacher, who had been Connor’s close friend since their matric year together, was sent home on Monday morning, unable to cope with the grief.

Also read: Tragic accidents highlight urgent need for road safety on West Park Road

“All the staff have the memories of the Moodley girls, because they were amazing,” Venter said. “They were just sunshine in human form. You could not have a bad day with one of those three girls around you.”

She remembered Connor in particular for her vibrant spirit. “Connor was the loudest, the outspoken one,” she recalled. “In my matric class, I was a business studies teacher, and she could not sit still. She used to cut out pictures, and there’s still one of them on my cupboard door, even though she’s been gone from the school for years.”

Venter also recalled the giant ball of elastic bands Connor had made during her time at school — a memory that still lives on in her classroom. “That ball is still there. No one is allowed to touch it,” she said softly.

Despite their individual personalities, the Moodley sisters were united in their kindness, hard work, and care for others. “They made teaching worthwhile,” Venter reflected. “These are the kids that you remember. And it feels so unfair that their lives were cut short because they were good kids. They made a positive impact. They always cared about other people, always checking up, always helping, always assisting.”

“I carry a piece of them in my heart forever. “And maybe that’s why my heart feels so heavy. Because I carry these pieces of them with me. It’s unfair that they were taken away.”

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