Mitchell's Plain Primary School celebrates grandparents with heartwarming tea party
Weedad Abrams, left, addresses seniors while her colleagues, Norma Desani and Natalie Appolis, look on.
Image: Phiri Cawe
The team behind the luncheon for elderly citizens aims to make it an annual event.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Senior citizens of Mitchell’s Plain enjoy a three-course meal served by their children and grandchildren at Westridge High.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Teachers at Mitchell’s Plain Primary School hosted a special grandparents’ tea to celebrate the roles grandparents play in their families and the school community.
The event took place on Friday, August 1, at the Westridge High School hall, where the grandparents were treated to a three-course meal and entertainment provided by the primary school children.
The tea formed part of the school’s outreach programme, which focuses on giving back to the community. Other activities in the programme include gardening, serving soup and bread, and painting classrooms.
Teachers spent the morning serving refreshments and spending time with the seniors. The event also provided an opportunity for grandparents to connect with the school staff in a relaxed, social setting.
Weedad Abrams, the project coordinator, said the initiative is part of the school's broader campaign to support local communities.
"We started the Mitchell's Plain Outreach Committee in 2023, with a core focus on providing food parcels to learners at the end of each term and throughout the year, ensuring they have food during the holidays," she said.
Now in its second year of hosting grandparents' day, the committee looks forward to many more years of service and community engagement, she said, adding that selecting attendees for the event is straightforward: They choose the caregivers of the pupils.
"It has always been our passion to create something special for our seniors. This is our way of expressing gratitude for their support over the years. Our gesture is a small token of appreciation for the grandparents who play such a vital role in their grandchildren's lives," she said.
"We want to ensure they never feel neglected or hopeless, which is why we strive to give them hope."
Actress Theresa Sendras said: "Let us give our grandchildren love. They trust us when they know we love them. We must stop fighting amongst ourselves and embrace one another. Let us be grandparents who love, love, love."
The grandmothers took centre stage, showcasing their dancing skills and entertaining the younger generations.
Emile Arnold, a member of the school governing body, praised the outreach committee's efforts and encouraged them to continue their good work in the community. He also expressed gratitude to the grandparents for entrusting their grandchildren to the school.