Klein Nederburg Secondary a safe haven for pupils

Arlin Matthys – Grade 12 – Deputy Head Girl THE biggest obstacle I face in my community is getting to school safely in the morning and to home in the afternoon.

We have big problem with gang violence in the Las Vegas area and we fear for our lives as soon as we step out of our school premises. Getting to school in the morning without incident is a blessing.

In my opinion there are not many youth programmes other than what our school and churches offer to keep the youth off the streets and out of the grips of a life of crime.

However, there are many positives in our area. The people in the community care for each other and look out for each other’s children. We still have the “your child is my child policy”. Even the teachers go out of their way to look out for us – our school is our safe haven. Alexander Bosch – Grade 12 Deputy Head Boy We have learners from different areas in Paarl. It is difficult for me to comprehend what some of the learners have to go through to get to school due to violence in the community as this is not an obstacle we really face in Bloomsbury.

I do however think that as a broader community everyone can bring their part to keep learners safe.

Our neighbourhood watches and safer schools representatives should work together with police and have more patrols in the area especially before and after school. I think we should also invest in support groups so that we understand what the other learners are going through and so that we can discuss solutions. Jade Maarman – Grade 12 Head Girl I face much the same obstacles as Arlin with gang violence being the main issue that we face and fearing for our lives on a daily basis. I can, however, say that we are a caring community – we share our hopes, dreams and aspirations and help each other prosper.

I aim to use my leadership position at the school to set an example for other youth, to say that I am not my circumstances and will rise above it. Kids should be supported by their parents, but in our area parents are not really involved in their children’s lives and I think this could be the reason for them falling into the wrong crowds and getting mixed up with drugs and gangsterism. Curtly Jacobs – Grade 12 Head Boy Our school doesn’t have the best resources when compared with others in the area, but we make do with what we have and we receive good quality education here.

I use my education to overcome my obstacles, to rise above the situation that I find myself in. We can’t keep using our circumstances as excuses – this way we will never find a solution.

I aspire to become an accountant and give back to my community in some way when I reach my goals.