GEORGE NEWS - School attendance resumed at Life Christian Academy like many other schools on Monday 8 June, but the coronavirus effect was noticeable. The mood among the little ones was somewhat subdued; the usual energetic excitement and school-ground buzz lacking.

It is a whole new way of going to school.

Only half of the Grade 3s and Grade 4s were in class. Principal Chrisna du Preez said each grade has been divided into two groups that will attend class on different days. 

"One group will come to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the second on Tuesday and Thursday. Next week they will swap around, so that every two weeks they get a full week's tuition while we can also practise social distancing."

Sylvino Jullies, a sterling Grade 4 pupil at Life Christian Academy, was keen to show off his work to George Herald on the first day in class during lockdown. Photos: Alida de Beer

In two weeks' time the Grade 1s and Grade 2s will also return to school. "We wanted to see how it's going under the current circumstances before letting all the children come back. The parents and children are all very committed, but uncertain. We are all uncertain, but we are not stressed about getting through the curriculum. 

"Our teachers have come with their lessons worked out for the rest of the year. The most important thing is for us to ensure our pupils are relaxed, motivated and positive so they can enjoy being back at school."

Strict social distancing and hygiene protocols are in place, with sanitisers at hand and the school having received two face masks for each pupil. Every day they wash the mask they had been wearing and hang it on the back of their chairs before they receive the other, clean mask to take home, said Du Preez.

LCA is an independent school founded by Life Community Services in 2018.

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