Store celebrates 50th, with gift to school
NEW toilets are set to be installed at Chapel Street Primary School in Woodstock, courtesy of a donation from Clicks as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Clicks Group chief executive, David Kneale, joined the school’s principal, Karriem Gabriels, at the school yesterday, as the store announced their surprise gift to the school which has been Clicks Headquarters’ neighbours for 35 years.
The renovation cost stands at about R200 000 with Clicks donating all the funds. Scheduled for the December holidays, the toilet blocks will be redesigned so that more light enters, says governing body treasurer, Cassiem Mohamed.
Sanitary disposal bins will be provided in girls toilets. Security will be increased to prevent thieves from stealing copper pipes.
Kneale said: “The company has a tradition of working with the community and after spending a number of years with Chapel Street as our neighbours, we’ve formed a close relationship with the school.”
Chapel Street Primary, a school with over 100 years of history, is embroiled in the nationwide battle against funding shortages within education.
The school caters for about 580 pupils from Grades 4 to 7 , which greatly exceeds the number of pupils the school was originally designed for, Gabriels revealed.
About 95% of learners travel to the school from townships, and the school prides itself on providing the highest quality of education, as well as creating a safe environment so the children can thrive.
“Often there are children that are here until5pm or 6pm,” said Gabriels.
“We always make sure as teachers we don’t go home until all of the children have been picked up.”
With the refurbishment expected to be finalised in time for the start of the January term, children will benefit from the new facilities in the near future.