The NG Kerk Gemeente in Betty's Bay generously allowed us to use their facilities and their staff even helped us set up, though it was a Sunday, for the children's performance of the Nativity Scene on the Monday evening.
It was as always a proud and happy evening for parents and friends of the school sitting in the audience watching the story unfold in the voices and actions of our own confident children. The concert ended with a moving rendition of Silent Night sung in their clear, sweet voices.
After the interval, there was a little ceremony to say farewell to the Pikkewyntjies who will be going to school next year. All five received a school uniform and a stationery pack so they arrive on the first day properly equipped in every way.
Then Zaan, our principal, called each staff member onto the stage to thank them publicly for making the school what it is with their tireless dedication to the children's welfare. Finally she asked Sandra Taljaard, Chairlady of the Board and Gloria Lange, Manager of the Second Hand Shop in the Village Centre, to join her on stage. These two ladies give hours of their time to the school and make an incalculable contribution to keeping the doors open. Zaan presented them each with a bouquet with thanks from the bottom of her heart.
There was one morerichly-deserved thank you to be said, by Sandra to Zaan, our never-say-die principal, teacher, bus driver, fund raiser, social worker, gardener, nurse and counsellor.
Then, all of us happy after, in Zaan's words an 'awesome' evening, we made our way home, already looking forward to next year's performance.