Three pupils from Levana Primary earned their school a quarter of a million rand worth of educational equipment when they won first prize in a literacy competition.
Sidney Felix, 10, Jordan Davidson, 11, and Ibrahiem Lawrence, 12, also won bursaries for themselves, to go to any high school of their choice, as well as their own wishlist of goodies such as laptops, bikes, tablets, PlayStations, cellphones and educational equipment.
The Growsmart literacy competition, an initiative by Growthpoint properties, started in April this year and the finals were held on Saturday September 3.
Over 160 schools all over Cape Town took part in the competition, including Battswood NGK, Hyde Park, De Duine, Buck Road, Hillwood, Montagu’s Gift, Delta, Ottery Road, Plantation Road, Prince George Drive, Floreat, St Clement’s, St Mary’s, Steenberg, Sullivan, Thomas Wildschutt Senior and Zerilda Park primary schools.
Levana Primary School principal Andre Lamprecht said it was a proud moment for the school when the three pupils won the competition.
“It was a proud Levana feeling. There’s so much doom and gloom in Lavender Hill but it shows that with dedication and commitment our children can achieve successes that are beyond their expectations. Our children are alive with possibility because through all the circumstances in which they find themselves, they excel,” said Mr Lamprecht.
Grade 5 teacher and mentor to the winners, Cheryl Staggie, is proud of the pupils.
“I am very excited and happy for them because they worked hard and we spent a lot of time revising. They offered up their time and now they have R20 000 bursaries to go to good schools – they have a better future now,” she said.
Ms Staggie thanked the parents and pupils for their time and commitment.
“The children were eager and disciplined so I worked very well with them and the parents were phenomenal because they were just as dedicated,” she said.
Mr Lamprecht thanked Ms Staggie and the pupils as well as Growthsmart for the iPad lab that the school won.
“We’re always talking about the 21st century pupil but we don’t have the equipment and the teachers aren’t all that clued up to teach the 21st century generation. The teachers will, however, receive training and our pupils will benefit greatly from the different curricular programmes. It’s a game-changer,” he said.
Grade 4 pupil Sidney said she was overwhelmed with emotion when they were announced as winners.
“I was very nervous but Ms Staggie helped us to stay calm. I am very proud of myself and our performance. It wasn’t difficult at all because we spent a lot of time revising and that helped a lot,” she said.
The boys, Ibrahiem and Jordan, were excited about the digital gifts they were going to receive.
“We are very happy that we won. We want to thank Ms Staggie for helping us and encouraging us and our parents for supporting us as well,” said Ibrahiem.
Floreat Primary School in Steenberg came in second place and won R50 000 for their school.
The three pupils who competed are Kaydey Quickfall, Timeeca Hyde and Jordan van Neel under the mentorship of Grade 5 teacher, Mercia Mentor.