Pictured at the back is Grade 7 pupil Nawaar Ruiters. In front, from left, are Skylar Hoppe, Cathlyn Canfield, Zeenat Abrahams, Ismaaeel Adams, Cristiano Medillon, Amieral Gafieldien, teacher Shamiel Brink and acting principal Ryan Crouse.
Lantana Primary School will remain a school for the community, where pupils are safe, taught to serve and encouraged to flourish, says acting principal Ryan Crouse.
The Lentegeur school celebrated its 40th anniversary with a fun day at the end of last month, and Mr Crouse says it is the tenacious team spirit of its staff that will see the no-fee school weather any future storms.
“With limited resources, we try to inspire and assist our pupils to reach their potential,” he said.
Mr Crouse said the school would one day like to have its own sports field because sport was key to keeping pupils occupied. Pupils currently use the school’s lawn and quad to play cricket, netball, rugby, athletics and soccer.
Last year, the school’s girls’ under-14 volleyball team won the inaugural Metro South Education District championship.
“There is poverty, gangsterism and crime in and around our school, but we have not been directly affected,” Mr Crouse said.
“Many of the gang leaders’ children are at the school. Some of the parents are on drugs, but they have not neglected their children completely.”
Honesty between teachers and parents was key to facing challenges head-on, he said. “We have professional relationships to ensure the child is central in setting goals.”
He said he wanted to see the school become a “holistic developmental node” where pupils could be involved in arts, culture, drama and sport.
“Together with technology and parental support, we are able to achieve great success.”