Pinelands school on world top three finalist shortlist
AS A leading institution for fostering inclusivity in education, Pinelands North Primary School was yesterday announced as a Top 3 finalist for the World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity.
The five World’s Best School Prizes – for Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives – celebrate schools everywhere for the pivotal role they play in developing the next generation of learners and for their enormous contribution to society’s progress, especially in the wake of Covid.
The Prizes were founded by T4 Education in collaboration with Templeton World Charity Foundation, Accenture, American Express, Yayasan Hasanah, the Lemann Foundation, D2L, Mellby Gård, and Universidad Camilo José Cela.
Winners will be announced on October 19, with each category winner receiving US$50,000 (more than R879 000).
Pinelands North Primary Principal Ann Morton said the school was excited to be selected, particularly in light of the adversity the country is overcoming currently.
“This whole community of parents, children, and staff has worked for years to create this positive learning environment.
“We all have special needs at different times in our lives so let’s celebrate who we really are and how we can change the world, one person at a time,” she said.
At Pinelands North, all pupils, male or female, wear the same uniforms – shorts and T-shirts – which are designed to be less traditional and more comfortable.
The school has brought in gender-neutral bathrooms and everyone, including teachers, is addressed by their first name.
From Grade 2, pupils are taught sign language.
When the school accepted its first transgender pupil, it provided guidance for families about gender identities and trained staff through workshops on how to guide parents to adapt to the school’s new policies.
In the wake of the pandemic, Pinelands North’s governing body quickly implemented a fund to assist families who were struggling financially, had all staff participate in bereavement and trauma training to better support pupils and parents during Covid and opened an online school for pupils who could no longer attend classes in person.
Education MEC David Maynier said they were proud of Pinelands North Primary School for making it into the top three.
“The school’s inclusive environment, and recognition of its learners’ unique needs and potential, caught the attention of the T4 Education judges. We also congratulate West End Primary School for making the Top 10 in the same category.
“While they are not in the top three, we recognise them as a school that is truly showing what it means to reach out to their community.”
Premier Alan Winde said Pinelands North was blazing a trail in delivering quality, inclusivity, and that feeling of hope they all aspire to.
The public has until October 2 to vote for the top three finalists using the link: http://worldsbestschool.org/