Pinelands North Primary School has made the top three in the World’s Best School Prize in the category of “overcoming adversity”.
Principal Ann Morton made the announcement at an assembly last Thursday, September 22. Overjoyed parents were also in attendance.
Premier Alan Winde and Education MEC David Maynier congratulated the school in a pre-recorded messaged.
Earlier this year, Pinelands North Primary School and West End Primary School in Mitchell’s Plain were nominated in the top 10 category for World’s Best School in the overcoming adversity category. It is part of the competition launched by T4 Education in partnership with Templeton World Charity Foundation, Accenture and American Express (“Pinelands North nominated for global school prize,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, June 16).
Pinelands North Primary School will now go up against schools from Uganda and Brazil for the $50 000 (R903 630) prize.
Ms Morton said she was excited to share this news with the school. “I am elated by this recognition, I knew about this for a while, though it was really special sharing this wonderful news with this school community.”
Ms Morton, who has been at the helm since 1997, says their journey of experiencing overcoming adversity has been shared by many, which includes parents, teachers, pupils and the governing body.
Ms Morton said the school had striven to create an inclusive environment, welcoming pupils and teachers from different cultural backgrounds as well as transgender children (the school has gender-neutral bathrooms); installing ramps for children with disabilities; helping teachers and pupils with special needs; encouraging children to care for animals; and offering sign language as a subject in Grade 2 and woodwork and needlework classes to all genders.
Ms Morton said parents played a big part in the school community. “If parents are concerned about our teaching, they are allowed to sit in our classes to see how it is going.”
If they are successful Ms Morton says they would like to extend their school to accommodate another 100 pupils. “We would like to spend the money on a room, on more staffing, to create a hybrid schooling system where pupils can learn online and can come also have a space to come to school on certain days,” she says.
Mr Winde says he is thrilled that two of their schools made the shortlist, and even more thrilled that Pinelands North Primary School made it to the top three. “Pinelands North is blazing a trail in delivering quality, inclusivity and that feeling of hope we all aspire to, and I am very proud that we can call them a part of ‘Team Western Cape’,” he said.
Mr Maynier says Pinelands North’s inclusive environment, and recognition of their pupils unique needs and potential, caught the attention of the T4 Education judges. “They have competed against schools in countries around the world, and have made it to the very last stage!”
Members of the public have until Sunday October 2 to vote for Pinelands North Primary School as the World’s best school in overcoming adversity by following the link at https://worldsbestschool.us.launchpad6.com/2022/entry/820 or visit www.worldsbestschool.org for more information.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday October 19 at World Education Week.
