On May 10, Orion College in Randpark Ridge hosted its annual Mother and Child tea event, a cherished tradition in celebration of Mother’s Day. The event brought together mothers and their children for a morning of warmth, appreciation, and bonding.
Sylvia Murray, the Foundation Phase head of department at Orion College, expressed the significance of the event. “We are having this assembly for our foundation phase to celebrate moms and Mother’s Day. We’re also going to recognise that not everyone still has their moms and that moms can be a dad, an aunt, an uncle, a brother or a sister even in today’s time.”
Mothers were invited to the assembly where they were treated to heartfelt poems and a touching PowerPoint presentation featuring images of moms and their children. Murray elaborated on the activities planned for the day. “One of the activities was a checklist of things that you can find in mom’s handbags. The children went to their moms with a pencil and they ticked off and got points for everything that their mom had in their handbag.”
The inclusive nature of the event ensured that all children felt included, with teachers stepping in to support those who may not have had someone to bring. Murray said, “We have teachers that were with the children who don’t have anyone to bring because teachers are also moms. If not, the children were allowed to do the activities with a friend and their mom. But everyone was involved in the assembly.”
Reflecting on the importance of honouring mothers, Murray said, “I think it’s important for them [the learners]. The meaning behind the day is that we should recognise moms at all times. To set aside one day but to make it extra special because we don’t make mom’s day every day extra special.”
As a mother herself, Murray shared her perspective on the significance of the event. “I think it’s beautiful because as a mom, I think of the special times, the little things and to me, the little things count.”
Murray explained the role parents play at the school, “At Orion College, we recognise that we work in a triangle. It’s the parents, it’s the school, and it’s the child. And if one of them doesn’t work together it’s like a broken telephone. So, it’s important that parents feel comfortable to come in and join in whatever activities we’re doing to be part of what their children are doing.”
The event provided a precious opportunity for children to connect with their mothers in a world filled with busy schedules and digital distractions. “If you think of children today, they go home, they sit on their computer and the parents do their work or they work late hours. So, this tea was all about the contact time with mom that they probably don’t always get during the week.”
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