GEORGE NEWS - Bianca Smith is no ordinary schoolteacher. She starts her day as bus driver, picking learners up in a borrowed minibus so they don’t miss school.
She teaches multiple grades in two languages interchangeably, does the school’s administration and regularly chases baboons off the playground. Yet she wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“From the moment I started here as a teaching assistant in 2017, during my studies, I knew Herold Primary was more than a school. The children, community and staff are just different. Anyone who has ever spent significant time here will tell you, it is a haven for children and staff, a space where you can be yourself, laugh and cry together, where you give and receive love,” said Smith.
When she graduated, the then newlywed Smith started working at Vorentoe Primary School in Great Brak River to earn a ‘proper salary’. However, her heart remained in Herold for which she still did fundraisers. “I even remained on the teachers’ Whatsapp group and knew exactly what was happening on that side of the mountain.
“When I heard about a government contract position at Herold, I jumped at the opportunity, despite not knowing if it would be permanent - and here I am still!”
Bianca is also the school’s acting principal and leads a committed and dynamic staff of six, which includes teachers, two teaching assistants and a cook/cleaner.
The three teachers instruct 44 learners, ages four to thirteen, in multi-grade classes (a class each for Grades RRR, RR and R; Grades 1 to 3; and Grades 4 to 7) in English and Afrikaans concurrently.
Limited funds for upkeep
The 4th-quentile school is subsidised by the Western Cape Education Department but the budget for infrastructure upkeep is limited, and inadequate for nice-to-haves such as story books and educational toys.
“We have the same expenses as any other school, but we are situated in a rural farm community, and our focus must be on essentials. The children also get two meals at school every day,” she said.
“The upkeep of a 121-year-old school building in a remote rural village is challenging for many reasons, which is why we are so grateful for NPOs such as Empower who recognise how special and important our school is - for reasons far beyond education.”
Established in 1905, Herold Primary School has been serving farming communities surrounding George and Oudtshoorn. It is one of only a few schools in the province that still teaches multiple grades and concurrent dual medium in one class. It operates in its original buildings, which includes three classrooms, a tiny kitchen area and small office. The school has no fence or gate, which makes it vulnerable to theft, vandalism and baboons.
Empowered by Empower
The extraordinary school and its vibrant staff have caught the eye of George-based non-profit organisation Empower, which connects schools and businesses to worthy causes. One such connection is Abrie von Wielligh, co-owner of the George-based, high-end furniture design brand Meyer von Wielligh, whose children had played netball matches at the school.
“The little school captured my heart, and I had such a desire to see their tattered netball court restored. It is the kind of thing that would never feature on a tiny farm school’s priority list. While it was not the school’s greatest need, upgrading the netball court was about giving hope, a tangible representation of potential and care,” said von Wielligh.
Empower NPO was initiated in 2022 to create a space for communities to connect and unlock human potential.
David May, co-founder of Empower, said it wanted to honour champions such as Smith by supporting their passions and projects.
“We were so impressed that this young and vibrant woman chose to work at a tiny farm school with little resources over well-funded city schools. Her passion is infectious and it shows in how the school is operated and supported. Herold Primary is a special and deserving school with which we will continue to partner to fulfil ongoing needs,” said May.
Empower intentionally involves learners from George-based schools, including their own children, to promote awareness of the circumstances of peers.
“We want to raise a generation that will be sensitive to the needs of others. Instead of being entitled, we hope that exposure to schools such as Herold Primary will grow appreciation for the benefits of their own situations and that they will use their privileged positions to raise funds and participate in empowerment of peers who need it,” said May.
Empower invites other schools, organisations and individuals to connect with the organisation to help fulfil needs at Herold Primary School as well as other farm schools and township creches.
Herold’s immediate needs include secure fencing, a motorised gate, sanding and heavy-duty varnishing of wooden floors, as well as toys, educational toys and books - fiction and non-fiction - for ages four to 14 in English and Afrikaans.
The old court was in dire need of attention.
Contact
Contact David May of Empower at [email protected] or 074 889 7956 to arrange for drop-off or collection of books and toys and for funding, volunteer and other co-working opportunities.
Contact Bianca Smith for Herold Primary School at [email protected] and [email protected] and 071 422 4899.
Bianca Smith with some of Herold Primary’s learners on the newly renovated netball court. Photos: Supplied
Learners enjoy physical education classes outside on the netball court.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
