The artwork and poetry of Sonderend Road Primary School pupils will have pride of place when it will be displayed at Groote Schuur Hospital, in celebration of the hospital’s 80th anniversary and International Nurses’ Day (which is on Saturday May 12).
The Manenberg school participated in an art and poetry competition, initiated by the nursing staff. On Thursday May 3, the staff had a difficult decision to make when they had to select the winning entries submitted by the pupils.
In the end, the poem written by Zintle Ntsizi, Grade 7, who also happens to be the head girl, tugged at the judges’ hearts and was awarded first place.
The artwork of Cobin Saayman, Grade 4, came in second place and a piece by Tyrese Monikanie, Grade 5, was placed third.
Sister Madenia Hoosain, the deputy director of Nursing at Groote Schuur Hospital, is the former school nurse for the area, and she approached Sonderend Road Primary to take part in the competition. Ms Hoosain had worked as a school nurse for 19 years.
Although only three winners were selected, all the artwork and poetry entered will be on display today (May 9), when the hospital’s 80th anniversary celebrations will take place.
Principal Ruwayda Achmat, said her school is privileged to be part of this event. “I am really proud of our pupils. They put in a lot of effort. We do have creative arts at the school, and it forms part of life skills. We are also very happy that our ballroom dancers will show off their skills and will also be part of the celebrations,” Ms Achmat said.
Aghmat Mohamed, the director of nursing, encouraged pupils to complete their schooling and to study at tertiary level, during the prize-giving ceremony,
Mr Mohamed and Ms Hoosain were joined by their colleagues, Serene Wessels, Chantel Badenhuizen and Carmen Miller. The latter three made up the judging panel.
The Grade 1 class also presented the nursing team with a special “pot plant” artwork that they created, in honour of all nurses.
