Author: Hilary Harker

There were a number of changes that welcomed everyone back to school in January this year. The classroom has been moved to a cooler room in the house and focusses on educational instruction and games, storybooks and creative artwork. Teachers have also created separate play areas in other rooms; a place to have fun with toy cars and trucks; a quiet corner to enjoy a peaceful picnic using the miniature ceramic tea set; and of course a space for washing up after mealtimes.  We also discovered changes outside the school. On the first day back we were able to fill a bowl with shiny ripe tomatoes picked from the vegetable garden and some of the sunflowers were taller than the kids! A wonderful donation of musical instruments has given us the chance to introduce a weekly music session.  Juliet, our school helper currently runs the music class which the children thoroughly enjoy. They bring their own natural rhythm and enthusiasm to this last class of the week, making sure that we always end on a high note.

Our school year ended on a high note with teachers, learners, moms and siblings enjoying a lovely picnic in the park. Relaxing under the trees gave moms and teachers some time to share what had been learnt in the classroom and also what shifts had been observed in the children. Before going home each child received a gift bag filled with toys as well as practical items and three of the learners also received journals in recognition of good attendance. As an expression of thanks to their moms the children then presented each mother with a decorated pine cone that they had created in class. We ended our picnic to the joyful sound of the children singing their favourite song “Jesus’s love is like a circle, a circle big and round, big and round….”

As an initial phase of the school we have commenced with six children aged 4 to 6 years. The children reside in an informal settlement known as Vygieskraal which is situated on wetlands in Cape Town. Vygieskraal comprises of informal housing (shacks) where residents have access to communal water, electricity and ablution facilities.

The school provides daily transport and meals for the children. The aim is to create a safe space for them to ‘be’, to play and explore, thereby enabling them to learn and live out their true and highest potential. The morning ring is a quiet time when we all sit together and welcome the day. The children know that this is a safe space where they are given time to process external sensory stressors and express themselves.

Devi Harker

The Children of Light School Open Day on 30 September was a warm and wonderful event creating a sense of excitement at No 105, 1st Avenue, Rondebosch East, in Cape Town! Councillor Mark Kleinschmidt was our guest speaker and with his many years of experience as an educator and headmaster had some inspiring words to pass on to us as we welcome our first group of children to the school. Six children from Vygieskraal, an informal settlement on the Cape Flats, will start on 17th October. These 4 – 5 year old children who have missed out on any kind of foundation phase education now have access to an early childhood development program at the Children of Light School. This education program is child-centred and supports and enhances the physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual aspects of the child.

Working closely with the Vygieskraal community leaders we hope to strengthen connections between educators, parents, children and the community. Healthy personal attitudes and relationships make for happy families and children; but even more importantly, a healthy and harmonious society.

Devi Harker