Golden Grove primary hosts wellness campaign for pupils

Staff Reporter|Published 2 years ago

Golden Grove Primary School pupils on a peace march on the sports field.

Golden Grove Primary School held a range of activities during the past two weeks to put the spotlight on the pupils’ wellness.

The Rondebosch school held a “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” peace march on Wednesday September 21.

Deputy principal Vanessa Thaver says over 800 pupils dressed in cultural clothes to acknowledge their pride for their heritage. Members of Claremont and Athlone police joined the march.

“The pupils displayed their unity by chanting their peace day slogan, ‘Be a Buddy, Not a Bully’, says Ms Thaver.

Last Wednesday, representatives from the South African Police Service dog unit displayed the intelligence of their dogs in sniffing out drugs and assisting in the alleviation of crime. The City’s traffic officers also did a talk on road safety.

On Thursday, the school’s wellness awareness campaign continued when a social worker from the Metro Central Education District delivered a workshop titled “Abuse no more” and representatives from Safe Schools empowered the pupils with their drug awareness programmes.

Ms Thaver says the purpose of the pupil’s wellness awareness campaign was to send a strong message to pupils that disrespect and hurting of oneself and others, is never the answer to managing one's personal trauma and stresses. “We all have the power within to make wise, healthy choices to protect ourselves.”

Ms Thaver says if pupils should endure any unfortunate situation that made them feel unsafe or violated, there will be a whole community with a range of processes to help them heal and stand up for their rights.

Sergeant Jerome Temmors from the South African Police Service Dog Unit with narcotics dog, Max, doing a demonstration for the Golden Grove pupils.

At the substance abuse talk, from left, are Sergeant Alain Petersen from the South African Police Service dog unit, Sergeant Zita Norman from Athlone Police, Golden Grove Primary School principal Dawn Petersen, traffic officer Anthea Daniels and Safe Schools fieldworker, Samuel Swiegers.