Grade Ones, although nervous, were thrilled to be at \u2018big school\u2019 and couldn\u2019t wait to start learning.<\/p>\n
The GCN spoke to a number of schools to find out how their first day went.<\/p>
\u201cEverything is running fine,\u201d said principal of Afrikaanse Ho\u00ebrskool Retha du Toit.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have 240 new Grade Eight learners and also a few more in other grades.<\/p>\n \u201cWe started off with almost 100 more learners than last year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a bit of a struggle to get enough desks in all the classes, but we are winning and are fortunate that we still have the same staff as last year with the addition of two new teachers.\u201d<\/p>\n Retha expects a very busy year ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope to create as many opportunities for learners to take part and excel as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are all positive that by the grace of God, this will be a good and blessed year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n At Ho\u00ebrskool Vryburger High School things were also plain sailing.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything went well for the first day.<\/p>\n \u201cWe welcomed 112 Grade Eight learners to the school but we still expect some more learners join the ranks,\u201d said Ian Olivier, principal of Ho\u00ebrskool Vryburger High school.<\/p>\n Laerskool Die President also saw a good start to the year.<\/p>\n \u201cI am happy to report that everything went smoothly and all children were working hard on day one,\u201d said Laerskool Die President principal Sybrand van Dyk.<\/p>\n \u201cWe welcomed a total of 120 bright-eyed little ones to our school who trust us with their futures.\u201d<\/p>\n Galway Primary School welcomed 195 Grade One learners.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first day went very well I think,\u201d said Galway Primary School principal Koos Pretorius.<\/p>\n \u201cWe started out day at 7.30am and by 8am all of our learners were in class.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only hiccup we had was that two learners were unaccounted for but it was soon discovered they had simply joined the wrong class.\u201d<\/p>\n It was all smiles at Wychwood Primary School last Wednesday as learners flocked to the school.<\/p>\n Linda van Schalkwyk, the principal of the school, said that they had a good start to the year.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were many parents who didn\u2019t want to leave their children,\u201d said Linda.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of the children were happy for them to go and we only had a few tears.\u201d<\/p>\n The school has two Grade One classes.<\/p>\n Linda added that they are looking forward to the year ahead and have lots of work, sport and fun activities planned for the children.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new academic year got off with a bang,\u201d said Lanette Fouch\u00e9, the principal of Germiston South Primary School.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are excited and it is going to be a good year.\u201d<\/p>\n Lanette said the day went smoothly as the preparation was done at the end of last year.<\/p>\n The school boasted a new Grade R class bringing the total to four classes and there are five Grade One classes filled with eager learners.<\/p>\n Lanette added that all learners were already working hard and the first day saw the school rules being explained to them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was hectic at collection time on Wednesday so we have put some measures in place which will help alleviate the traffic congestion outside the school,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Colin Mann Primary School welcomed a group of cheery first-time school-goers last Wednesday morning during the back to school mania.<\/p>\n The carefree children filled the corridors and designated classrooms, eager to get the ball rolling on learning.<\/p>\n The school currently has four Grade One classes and each accommodates a maximum of 35 children.<\/p>\n Though admission and settling down was easy for the teachers and children, the front office still housed a number of parents who had to be turned away or placed on the school\u2019s waiting list due to lack of space.<\/p>\n \u201cOur school\u2019s infrastructure is old and the classrooms were designed for smaller numbers,\u201d said Nicky Shortt, the acting principal.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a lack of classroom space and limited space on the school grounds, the school has only been able to accommodate 35 learners in each class in the foundation phase.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the senior phase, we currently operate on a one to 40 ratio.\u201d<\/p>\n In the past, the school could only accommodate 25 learners per class and has made some strides in accepting more applicants.<\/p>\n As the school year begins, Nicky has advised all teachers to take it one day at a time, in order to succeed.<\/p>\n At Hawk Academy, as children happily ran from their parents and into their classrooms, a number of other learners were still in long admission queues with an uncertain future.<\/p>\n The school opened its doors to 85 registered Grade One learners.<\/p>\n Judging by the number of people waiting to be assisted outside the administration office, the school\u2019s principal, Agnes Mkhonto, feared they would have to turn many of them away due to an influx of applications and limited space.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Jordin ready for Grade R<\/a><\/p>\n Tapiwa rises from tragedy to the top<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We have three Grade One classes that can hold up to 40 learners each,\u201d said Agnes.<\/p>\n \u201cThough we only have 85 learners in total at the moment, we are looking to accommodate 35 in each class and if needs be, a maximum of 40.\u201d<\/p>\n The school, which ended with Grade Eight classes in the past, has introduced a Grade Nine class this year.<\/p>\n The GCN endeavoured to contact all the city\u2019s schools to get feedback on the first day of school.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n 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