Dutch Students Visit Aberdeen Primary

(fltr) Robin, Malinde, Kirsten & Marianne

Four students from a teacher training college in The Netherlands have been on an educational visit to Aberdeen recently. As part of their studies, the students are required to spend two weeks researching language education in another country. While most of their classmates took the easy option and visited neighbouring European countries, these four enterprising young ladies made the trip all the way to South Africa!
When asked why they chose South Africa - and Aberdeen in particular - their reply was unanimous: a desire to see another part of the world and experience a different culture. Aberdeen was chosen as Marianne’s aunt lives in the area and the girls have been fortunate to stay in the beautiful tranquility of the Kriegershoek Nature Reserve.
They were welcomed by the principal of Aberdeen Primary, Mr Minnaar, and have been very impressed by both the teachers and learners at the school. They have found the children to be well-behaved , showing a commendable respect for their teachers – this is unfortunately not always the case in European schools!
Just before they left home, Holland had had a lot of snow, so the hot and dry Karoo took some getting used to! All the students commented on the beauty of the landscape, the wide open spaces, and the friendliness of the people, and hope to visit Aberdeen again. The ladies would like to thank Aberdeen Primary for their willingness to have four visitors in the classrooms at what is a very busy time of year and also Arpana and Bert of Kriegershoek for their wonderful hospitality.

Article By: Sue Shaw

First Week At Big School 2011!

The three Aberdeen primary schools welcomed a total of 181 new learners in Grade 8 last week.

Luxolo’s Grade 1 teacher, Mrs SL Vaster, was firmly in control of her 40 little ones – no easy task! – and they were carefully colouring in pictures. This is the largest Grade 1 class in Aberdeen but Mrs Vaster, with over 20 years experience of teaching Grade 1's, took it all in her stride.

At Camdeboo Primary there are three Grade 1 classes, with a total of 97 children. Mrs de Jager’s class proudly displayed their names for the photographs, Mrs Minnaar quickly rearranged her classroom and Mrs Heinz’s large class of 36 were swiftly and efficiently organized.

Aberdeen Primary has 44 little ones, and they are fortunate to be able to have them divided into two classes. Mrs Adonis’ class, 1B, were ready with huge smiles and a great big “cheese” for the photographs while being very neatly dressed. Mrs Basson’s class, 1A, are fortunate to have two students from the Netherlands helping, and they were in neat lines of boys and girls in very quick time! Mrs Basson was also able to leave them waiting in absolute silence for her return!
All the new Grade1’s and their parents are wished a happy, productive and successful year ahead.

Article By: Sue Shaw

Soccer Clubs Give Back to the Community

On a hot summer’s day at the end of December, close to 60 young soccer players were up at 5am – not to play soccer, but to give something back to the community. These youngsters are all involved in the community development projects coordinated by Luvo Jacobs, and greatly enjoy playing in the soccer tournaments which are organized over the holiday periods. They decided that they would like to say thank you to the community for supporting and sponsoring them, in particular those businesses and individuals who sponsored the Mloza Soccer Tournament in December.

This "thank you" took the form of community work, and, after much discussion, the officials decided that their project for December would be to clean up the cemetery in Lotusville. The players worked very hard, and were justifiably proud of their hard work at the end of a long and tiring day. They are to be commended for their initiative and enthusiasm, and their willingness to “give something back” – a refreshing change from the all-too-common expectations of “everything-for-nothing”!

Mr Jacobs would particularly like to thank Standathu Skosana, who has been involved in the community projects from the beginning and continues to support the initiatives. On this occasion he sponsored refreshments for the hard-working youngsters, which was greatly appreciated.

The next project the players would like to tackle is the tidying up of the Aberdeen town cemetery, as they have seen for themselves the dreadful state it is in. The organisers would like to get more members of the community involved in their clean-up projects and perhaps the municipality as well. Anyone who would like to help can contact Luvo on 079-057-8997.

Well done guys - the organisers and the town is proud of you!

Article By: Luvo Jacobs / Sue Shaw