PRIMARY SCHOOL
Piet: Primary school was some of the best years of my life. I gained a lot of knowledge as well as life lessons and it enhanced my creativity. I actually liked going to school. My primary school was established and sponsored by a famous golfer, Gary Player. If I look back, we were spoilt. I can say it is almost like Oprah’s school for girls. My primary school, Blair Atholl, was a place of hope and joy and every kid was treated the same whether well off or not. If I’m not mistaken, I believe the goal of Gary Player for our school was for all types of kids to experience what it means to have luxuries. He also created a place of unity for the “have and have nots”. It was a place to dream and a place to learn.
I was one of the brightest kids in school. I loved being in the classroom. I was tiny and the only one with dimples. And also I had long eyelashes so I looked like a girl. Luckily, this means I was handsome! Every Friday was movie day at school! It was a fundraiser, so we had to pay 20 cents. Since I didn’t have a TV at home, I looked forward to watching TV shows and movies that the other kids talked about. We watched MacGyver, Karate Kid, Three Ninjas and things like that. I can remember so clearly imitating the scenes from the movies after they were over. Usually, one of us would get hurt from punching or kicking one another. We were typical boys!!
I also really looked forward to soccer, golf, and music lessons. I was in the choir and played violin in the orchestra. I also played cricket. I loved having the opportunity to engage in those activities. Even though I had to walk for more than an hour in the mornings, it made it all worth it.
I remember the first time I touched a computer. They were in our library and were donated by some company. They were IBM computers with DOS, before Microsoft. The game I often played was where it would give you a word to type and if you didn’t spell it right or you didn’t spell it fast enough, a gorilla would get you. We were supposed to read a couple of books a week and one of my favorite books was Tin-Tin, but I eventually stopped reading to play this spelling game.
Of course I had my challenging moments in primary school. One time while playing soccer, I took off my shoes and placed them in the grass. They burned the grass in order for new grass to grow and my shoes got destroyed. It was winter at that time and the ground was frozen, so I had to walk all the way home with cardboard wrapped around my feet.
I’m still looking for Mr. Gary Player. I’d really like to thank him for the foundation he gave me and I know I’m not the only one. One day I hope to meet him and shake his hand. I’m smiling as I recall all the happy moments and blessings of my primary school.
Leah: I have a few memories here and there of my days at primary (elementary) school. Of course being a public school we did not wear uniforms. I can remember most of my teacher’s names, the principal, walking to the science lab, lining up outside of the classroom before the school day began, recess, hot lunch in the cafeteria, the yard duties, assemblies, collecting and playing pogs, and finally achieving my rite of passage onto middle school.
One of my favorite memories is learning art. It was so freeing to be able to draw and create. We were lucky to have so many resources right at our fingertips. And of course the classroom always looked so bright and beautiful after our creations were displayed in the classroom.
I also loved going to the assembly in the multipurpose room. I think we had it once or twice a week. After 20 years I can still remember some of the songs we sang: “I am a Pizza” and “The World is a Rainbow” are the first to come to mind. One of the teachers at our school was a sign language teacher so I remember doing a few songs in sign language as well.
An embarrassing memory I have about primary school was when I was in first grade. I had to use the bathroom so badly. I remember feeling like I couldn’t hold it any longer! Being so young, I hadn’t yet perfected the art of self-control. So, I peed right there in my chair. I remember that for the rest of the day I walked with my back to the wall so no one would see. I felt so ashamed.
In general, I loved school. My teachers were great and I loved learning. I have very positive memories of my primary school. My fifth grade year was probably my favorite. At the beginning of the year when I heard who my teacher was going to be, I cried! The rumors I heard about Mr. Hubbard were that he was mean and such a hard teacher. But I definitely learned the most from him. He taught me respect and my multiplication tables. Thanks Mr. Hubbard.
Let me end here with our school anthem:
We are the Smith School Cougars and we’re really proud
We stand out in any crowd
When we get home we have some fun
Then we get our homework done.
Smith School, you are the best
Smith School, you are better than the rest
Go cougars go, Go cougars go
We make a lot of friends and do the best is our goal.
Go cougars, Go cougars, Go cougars,
Go! Go! Go!
Piet: Primary school was some of the best years of my life. I gained a lot of knowledge as well as life lessons and it enhanced my creativity. I actually liked going to school. My primary school was established and sponsored by a famous golfer, Gary Player. If I look back, we were spoilt. I can say it is almost like Oprah’s school for girls. My primary school, Blair Atholl, was a place of hope and joy and every kid was treated the same whether well off or not. If I’m not mistaken, I believe the goal of Gary Player for our school was for all types of kids to experience what it means to have luxuries. He also created a place of unity for the “have and have nots”. It was a place to dream and a place to learn.
I was one of the brightest kids in school. I loved being in the classroom. I was tiny and the only one with dimples. And also I had long eyelashes so I looked like a girl. Luckily, this means I was handsome! Every Friday was movie day at school! It was a fundraiser, so we had to pay 20 cents. Since I didn’t have a TV at home, I looked forward to watching TV shows and movies that the other kids talked about. We watched MacGyver, Karate Kid, Three Ninjas and things like that. I can remember so clearly imitating the scenes from the movies after they were over. Usually, one of us would get hurt from punching or kicking one another. We were typical boys!!
I also really looked forward to soccer, golf, and music lessons. I was in the choir and played violin in the orchestra. I also played cricket. I loved having the opportunity to engage in those activities. Even though I had to walk for more than an hour in the mornings, it made it all worth it.
I remember the first time I touched a computer. They were in our library and were donated by some company. They were IBM computers with DOS, before Microsoft. The game I often played was where it would give you a word to type and if you didn’t spell it right or you didn’t spell it fast enough, a gorilla would get you. We were supposed to read a couple of books a week and one of my favorite books was Tin-Tin, but I eventually stopped reading to play this spelling game.
Of course I had my challenging moments in primary school. One time while playing soccer, I took off my shoes and placed them in the grass. They burned the grass in order for new grass to grow and my shoes got destroyed. It was winter at that time and the ground was frozen, so I had to walk all the way home with cardboard wrapped around my feet.
I’m still looking for Mr. Gary Player. I’d really like to thank him for the foundation he gave me and I know I’m not the only one. One day I hope to meet him and shake his hand. I’m smiling as I recall all the happy moments and blessings of my primary school.
Leah: I have a few memories here and there of my days at primary (elementary) school. Of course being a public school we did not wear uniforms. I can remember most of my teacher’s names, the principal, walking to the science lab, lining up outside of the classroom before the school day began, recess, hot lunch in the cafeteria, the yard duties, assemblies, collecting and playing pogs, and finally achieving my rite of passage onto middle school.
One of my favorite memories is learning art. It was so freeing to be able to draw and create. We were lucky to have so many resources right at our fingertips. And of course the classroom always looked so bright and beautiful after our creations were displayed in the classroom.
I also loved going to the assembly in the multipurpose room. I think we had it once or twice a week. After 20 years I can still remember some of the songs we sang: “I am a Pizza” and “The World is a Rainbow” are the first to come to mind. One of the teachers at our school was a sign language teacher so I remember doing a few songs in sign language as well.
An embarrassing memory I have about primary school was when I was in first grade. I had to use the bathroom so badly. I remember feeling like I couldn’t hold it any longer! Being so young, I hadn’t yet perfected the art of self-control. So, I peed right there in my chair. I remember that for the rest of the day I walked with my back to the wall so no one would see. I felt so ashamed.
In general, I loved school. My teachers were great and I loved learning. I have very positive memories of my primary school. My fifth grade year was probably my favorite. At the beginning of the year when I heard who my teacher was going to be, I cried! The rumors I heard about Mr. Hubbard were that he was mean and such a hard teacher. But I definitely learned the most from him. He taught me respect and my multiplication tables. Thanks Mr. Hubbard.
Let me end here with our school anthem:
We are the Smith School Cougars and we’re really proud
We stand out in any crowd
When we get home we have some fun
Then we get our homework done.
Smith School, you are the best
Smith School, you are better than the rest
Go cougars go, Go cougars go
We make a lot of friends and do the best is our goal.
Go cougars, Go cougars, Go cougars,
Go! Go! Go!