I popped into St Agnes twice this week, once of Valentine's day for a lovely tea being hosted by the school for all the Shine volunteers, and once this morning to observe the Wordswork parent workshop which was being conducted by several members of staff. This school is a jewel. Mr Louw leads his team with confidence and direction, and the love of learning and enthusiasm from the staff, children and parents is palpable.
The workshop that is being run over seven weeks is in the very capable and loving hands of Merle Rolleston, one of my favourite teachers ever. I wish I had gone to school with her! She brings such wisdom, warmth and enthusiasm into everything she does, and her sense of humour is contagious. She had the 25 odd parents and me rolling with laughter this morning. She told of the story of a little boy she taught last year who, when she asked him what he wanted to be wen he grew up, said he wanted to be a Gaartjie, one of the guys who hangs out of the taxis, looking for fares. When she asked him why he wanted to do that, and commenting that she thought he could be a little more ambitious that this, he replied that he had always wanted a job where he could shout out the window of a cab, yelling "Mowbray, Claremont, Wynnnnbeeerg!' This story has a very particular Cape Town flavour, and tickled us all. The more serious point of this story, when I reflect, is that it is schools like St Agnes, with the help of dedicated staff like Merle, Mr Louw, Lynette and Inshaaf in the library, who will ensure the children of St Agnes will go on to lead successful and fulfilled lives, with more choices in life than they realise. The key to learning is unlocked at the school, and it is a beacon of good practice for all to see.
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| lynette, school librarian, and Mr Louw, the principal |
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| Merle Rolleston, HOD |
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| Wordworks Parent workshop, Feb 2012 |
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| Arnold, the caretaker of the school |
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| Inshaaf Eyssen( Library assistant) & Merle Rolleston, Head of Foundation Phase |
