Pinelands North Primary school, commonly referred to as PNPS or the Red School have had a busy and exciting term. Our staff and pupils have worked hard to continue to build each other up and focus on moving forward in a positive manner.

Gees Days

At PNPS we love having our families involved. Due to COVID, a lot of our family events were cancelled and many of our annual activities put on hold. When the regulations were eased, we decided that it may be time to have our parents once again involved in activities. We have started with having each Grade hosted their own event. These included events like the Grade 7 Amazing Race, Grade 6 1950s Day, Grade 5 Trivia Night, Grade 4 Around the School in 40 Questions, Grade 3 Hint Hunt, Grade 2 A taste of Grade 2, Grade 1 Family fun teaching one another. Our parents absolutely loved these events, which lead to us thinking about having a day whereby everyone can come together.

Ultimate Gees Day

On 9^th June, we brought all grades along with a family member together. This was our Ultimate Gees Day. Tents were erected, each Grade hosted their own activity under the tents, these included: Mindfulness Colouring, Temporary SA Flag Tattoos, Rock Painting, Doughnut Decorating, Colouring Elmer, a Photobooth and more.

We invited special guests such as Professor Jonathan Jansen, Ron Addinall and Pieter Dirk Uys to name a few, to join in on our Ultimate Gees Day as well as to hear the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT that was pending.

Our Community Support Coordinator, Joanne Peers, prepared a special message which spoke about our challenges during COVID and how proud she was of how much we, as a school, have overcome. Joanne also spoke about Youth Day and how PNPS has strived for change as well in the manner in which we, as a school, are making changes in how we address pupils. At PNPS, we have gender neutral bathrooms and all pupils wear the same uniform, there is no gender specific uniforms nor sports at school. We, as PNPS, strive for inclusion in all areas of school life.

Our pupils sang the school song, the choir sang “This is me” from the Soundtrack of The Greatest Showman, we had food trucks and a special performance by Keanu Harker of his original “I believe in me” and of course the buzz in the air in and around the tents. This was turning out to be an amazing day and then came the time we had been anticipating.

The Big Announcement

Premier Alan Winde arrived at our school in good spirits, along with David Maynier, the new Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education. When Premier Alan Winde stood up to make his announcement, the audience waited, excitement bubbling within. In his speech, the Premier mentioned that PNPS was partaking in a competition, that has been entered into by 3million schools over 190 countries. The competition is for the World’s Best School, which has five different categories.
Our staff, pupils, parents and broader community are extremely delighted that we have been shortlisted as one of the TOP 10 in the WORLD’S BEST SCHOOLS Competition under the category Overcoming Adversity. The ethos of PNPS centres on building relationships within the school’s community and breaking down barriers. Creating an inclusive environment allows for a sense of belonging for families who don’t fit a traditional and normative family structure and with this in mind we cannot be more excited to be going forward in this competition.

Comments from our PNPS family

PNPS’ principal, Ann Morton, expressed thanks to all pupils and staff that have contributed to her 26-year journey as principal as they are the ones who have made this achievement possible.

“Well deserved! Couldn’t think of a better school to be acknowledged this way! Well done everyone!” commented by Taryn Rae.

“Absolutely fantastic! Such wonderful news! So proud to be an ex pupil and to have worked at such a brilliant school! Well done everyone!” commented by Lauren Abraham.

Yumnah Christian Ebrahim commented: “I’m proud to say that all three my kids attended this amazing school, with the most amazing principal, teachers and staff! Well done Red School!”

“Many congratulations! So grateful for the time my son had at PNPS. I see its positive influence on him still.” commented by Deirdre Byrne.

Overall, the school community is proud of this achievement. Only two schools in South Africa are finalists, and both of them are in the Western Cape. Congratulations to West End Primary School in Mitchells Plain who is also representing the country.

#PNPS #PNPSforWorldsBestSchool #PNPSOvercomingAdversity

Next Steps

If PNPS were to win the World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity we would use the funds to expand our online school and buy a property close to the school’s premises so it can create a hybrid programme. This would allow an additional 100 students from across all communities to have a vibrant school experience, participating in sporting activities and other extra curriculars.

Article written by Shanique Adamson.

PNPS Moms

Shanique Adamson