Athwood Primary celebrated their pupils who have done well in cultural, sport and educational competitions, with the aim to inspire others to reach beyond their circumstances, at a special ceremony on Thursday September 22.
Poverty and gang violence, among others, make teaching and learning at this Hanover Park school particularly challenging, hence the school felt it apt to celebrate their pupils’ success stories over the past month.
Among those who were honoured was Grade 6 pupil, Wade Solomons, who plays for Athlone A’s, and who represented South Africa at the baseball under-15 world cup in Mexico in August. The school’s under-12 netball team made it to the top three teams at an inter-school tournament. Their Grade 7 pupils also took third position in the quiz at the Reading and Writing Solutions Spelling Bee and Newspaper Quiz, supported by the Athlone News.
Grade 5 pupil, Shaylin Daniels, also won third place at a Western Cape Education Department (WCED) creative writing competition.
School secretary Christine Adams said a total of 20 pupils were acknowledged and celebrated at the special assembly hosted in their honour.
Natasha Pedro, WCED circuit manager, said the department knows the challenges pupils and teachers experience at the school.
“We are proud to celebrate with you. Well done. It takes a lot of people to ensure one person’s success. This also shows us that anything is possible, as long as we work together, work hard and we keep our eye on the goal,” Ms Pedro told the pupils at the ceremony.
Athwood Primary principal, Evan Petersen, said he is beyond proud of his pupils.
“Our learners come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and to achieve on so many fields is amazing,” he said.
Ward councillor Antonio van der Rheede said by celebrating the community’s successes, they are “slowly changing the (negative) narrative”.
Speaking at the assembly, he added: “Thank you to all who support the school. It is really a wow moment when a child from Hanover Park goes to Mexico. I have the greatest respect for teachers who teach in areas like Hanover Park – that in itself needs to be celebrated. What you have achieved here is beyond brilliant. Well done to Mr Petersen and his team.”