{"id":176993,"date":"2018-04-25T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/176993\/school-regathers-and-regroups-after-shocking-break-in\/"},"modified":"2018-04-30T13:09:30","modified_gmt":"2018-04-30T11:09:30","slug":"school-regathers-and-regroups-after-shocking-break-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/04\/25\/school-regathers-and-regroups-after-shocking-break-in\/","title":{"rendered":"School regathers and regroups after shocking break-in"},"content":{"rendered":"

The corridors, classrooms and fields of Laerskool Die President, in Fishers\u2019 Hill, were left eerily quiet after a break-in and theft at the school.<\/p>\n

The children and teachers were sent home, last Monday, for a week as thieves made off with copper piping, taps and flushmasters, last Sunday night.<\/p>

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\u201cLast Sunday evening at around 7pm an unknown number of suspects entered the school premises, kicked down bathroom doors and virtually destroyed the bathrooms while they were removing copper piping, taps and flushmasters,\u201d explained a somber Sybrand van Dyk, principal of Laerskool Die President.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe damages are estimated at R60 000, which the school just doesn\u2019t have.\u201d<\/p>

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ALSO READ:\u00a0Hijacked vehicle traced to Katlehong<\/a><\/h4>\n

A case of business robbery was opened with the Primrose police, who confirmed they have begun their investigation but have not made any arrests to date.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all, the children included, shocked and we feel devastated because we take pride in and love our school,\u201d said van Dyk sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe strive to create a safe haven for all our children, a place they enjoy coming to and for many, this bubble has been popped.<\/p>\n

\u201cPopped by people who have no interest in academic performance, they did it purely for their personal gain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though an urgent message was sent out to parents asking them to please keep their children at home, many still had to be turned away at the gates last Monday morning.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Dangerous weapons confiscated from local tavern<\/a><\/h4>\n

\u201cDue to health and safety concerns we cannot have the children here until we have bathrooms available for them to use,\u201d said van Dyk.<\/p>\n

The school contacted the Gauteng Department of Education\u2019s district office soon after the incident informing them that they had been forced to close the school.<\/p>\n

\u201cContractors from the department visited the school and an order was signed stating that the repairs will be done.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe department is treating the repairs as urgent,\u201d van Dyk explained.<\/p>\n

The plan going forward was that contractors would perform emergency repairs so that the school can welcome back its children as soon as possible, thereafter more long-term repairs would be done.<\/p>\n

On Friday repairs had still not been done and the school remained closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the contractors do not arrive we will have to make a plan as a school to do the emergency repairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur plan is to reopen on Monday,\u201d said van Dyk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe academic implications of keeping the children away is a great concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think that the children have an hour of maths each day they have already missed out on five hours of maths, which will need to be caught up and that is a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to the academic concerns, the 102 children catered for by the school\u2019s feeding scheme have missed out on five days.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about them when school is closed?\u201d asked van Dyk.<\/p>\n

Van Dyk appealed to the community and businesses to help the school get back on their feet by donating.<\/p>\n

All donations, big or small, are welcome.<\/p>\n

If you would like more information on how you can get involved call van Dyk at the school on 010 597 4154 or donate directly to the school\u2019s bank account.<\/p>\n

Banking details:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Absa Primrose<\/p>\n

Account Number: 250650035<\/p>\n

Branch Code: 334542<\/p>\n

Reference: Emergency repair fund<\/p>\n

The school will also be hosting a fund-raiser at the school, located in Astronomy Road, Fishers\u2019 Hill, on Saturday May 5.<\/p>\n

The fun-filled day will include various food stands, jumping castles, singers and a sokkie in the evening.<\/p>\n

Gates will open at 10am with the festivities continuing until 4pm.<\/p>\n

To get involved or for more information about the event call Henddrina Cilliers on 073 435 1430 or send an email to hendrina@barsan.co.za or alternatively call Charlene Stewart on 063 157 5014 or send an email to charlene@barsan.co.za<\/p>\n