Little Strivers 20 years strong
- Ford’s pre-school centre celebrates its 20-year anniversary
- Alumni achieving successes two decades on
- Ford staff Go Further to make reunion a success
PRETORIA, South Africa, 5 June, 2013- Little Strivers Pre-school centre celebrated its 20-year reunion this autumn. Formally known as the Ford International Pre-school centre, Little Strivers opened its doors in 1993 born out of a need for a safe, friendly and loving environment for the children of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s (FMCSA) plant workers.
The school was established on site in the sports and recreation centre inside the street gates of FMCSA Silverton Assembly plant.
“Initially the school was established to cater for employees children but as the need for education in the surrounding communities grew, the school opened its doors to the wider community,” said Andorette Janse van Rensburg, Principal of Little Strivers Pre-school Centre.
The school grew to an average of 125 children with students joining the school from the age of one and continuing their education until Grade R.
The reunion enjoyed a strong turn out with many of the school’s alumni returning to give praise to the teachers that provided their educational foundation.
Tshepiso Mashigo together with his parents Zaqcharya and Jacobeth were honoured guests at the event. Tshepiso was the very first child enrolled at the school in 1993, now 23-years old he addressed attendees, telling them about life after Little Strivers.
Other success stories included many learners who went on to be selected as prefects in their primary and high-school days as well as one pupil who was named the Head Girl of Pretoria Girls High School.
Little Strivers prides itself in delivering a daily programme in English that prepares the children for further primary school studies. Vocabulary, mathematics, social skills, creative work, sports coaching and computer skills all form part of the curriculum.
The learners are provided with balanced meals and snacks during the day to ensure stable energy and highest levels of concentration. Schools hours are from 6:00 am until 17:00 pm with the school open year-round to ensure the learners are in a safe environment while their parents work.
“Because the school was established to cater for FMCSA staff we had to take into account the working hours of parents. During school holidays a holiday programme is adopted ensuring parents have stability and peace of mind all year round,” added Janse van Rensburg.
In order to make the reunion a success the greater FMCSA community stepped up to aid in the preparation. The maintenance team built braai stands, the wellness team collected toys and other donated items, even the fire team assisted in the set-up preparation for the event.
“At Ford we have a culture of coming together and going the extra mile for the good of not only the company and our customers but also our fellow colleagues. We call it ‘Go Further’ and at the Little Strivers reunion staff really embraced this philosophy,” concluded Peter Lawson, Vice President of Operations, FMCSA.
