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www.thevillagenews.co.za
9 September 2020
MY SCHOOL
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Teachers in Tekkies raise funds for Hermanus High Writer Hedda Mittner Photographer Taylum Meyer
H
ermanus High School’s Teachers in Tekkies fundraiser, with the hashtag #saveourteachers, kicked off on Friday morning and provided much amusement during these stressful times. The event – a marathon relay run by the teachers on the school’s athletics track – was launched in aid of the 23 teachers whose salaries are subsidised by the School Governing Body (SGB). These posts are crucial in keeping classes small and ensuring the high quality education offered by the school. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the extended lockdown period when schools remained closed, Hermanus High’s income dwindled due to non-payment of school fees and the fact that the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which has been one of the school’s greatest support systems, was unable to raise funds as per normal during the lockdown. “The response to this fundraiser
has been mind-blowing, to say the least,” said Nanette Ras, the marketing manager of Hermanus High. “FinGlobal came on board immediately as our anchor sponsor and each of the teachers who participated in the relay was sponsored either by a local business or private individuals. Others sponsored one of the three teams – white, green and blue – per lap.” Another fun element of this enjoyable day was the Challenge a Teacher event, which was held during break so that the learners could join in encouraging and cheering on their teachers, who had accepted individual challenges ranging from doing a lap backwards to running while dodging water balloons. At the end of the day, it was Mr Emile Pieterse (circle) who completed the most laps – 82 in total – and won the Tekkies 2020 trophy. He was
sponsored by ProActive Fitness and walked an impressive 33 km. Besides the Tekkies trophy, Mr Pieterse also received a voucher from De Jagers as the winning prize. The blue team came out tops after completing 568 laps, followed by the green team on 508 and the white team on 319. An impressive R120 055.10 was raised for the school. “If you add up the kilometres, our amazing teachers covered a distance from Hermanus to Port Elizabeth!” laughed Nanette. After the relay was completed at 17:00, the fab moms and dads of the PTA hosted the school’s first drivethrough event as part of the fundraising day, selling delicious ready-made meals of curry and rice, with a roti and salsa. Those who had placed their orders and paid were able to simply drive through and pick up their meal(s) to take home. It was the perfect end to a heart-warming day.
1. Mikki Milne and Francois Hooneberg were challenged to walk around the field in their Liverpool supporters' kit with their legs tied together while 'You'll never walk alone' played. 2. Jaco Schoeman represented the green team who placed second just a few laps behind the winning blue team. 3. A new store in Hermanus, Foodeez, challenged Liza Thorpe to balance a can of tinned food on her head while doing her lap. 4. Albert Peter completed his lap while 'air guitaring.' 5. Elsa Nel was sponsored by Seeff and had to push a trolley around the field. 6. Milton Prodehl hopscotched his way around the track. 7. Nico Grobler (dressed as a fairy princess) had to wheel one of his senior students around the field once in a trolley. 8. Funky Elenoré Wilson was sponsored by Wonderland Lifestyle Nursery. 9. Jaco Schoeman and his son Stiaan went around the field as the Gemaskerde Virusvegters. 10. Maryke Henn and Liandri Malan (pictured here in white) were challenged to a race against Emile Pieterse... with him setting off from the start line and the two ladies setting off 300m ahead of him. Several students tried to hamper the ladies' progress in order to give Emile a chance to catch up to them. 11 & 12. Jacques Mangiagalli was challenged to do bollemakiesies once around the field. He made it to the last stretch before some of his students had to roll him across the finish line. 13. Almarie Slazus enjoyed her lap of skipping and blowing bubbles. 14. Maryke, Jacques and Nico keeping up the social distancing! 15. The blue team won the gold tekkie trophy after completing 568 laps.
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