Sonderend Road Primary School: a happy place for kids with the new wellness hub
Sonderend Road Primary School in Manenberg is among 16 schools in the Western Cape piloting a new initiative called the Wellness Hub, set to officially launch on 1 October.
The hub forms part of the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) Heart Haven Wellness Hub project, which aims to promote mental, social and emotional wellness for learners, staff and the wider school community.
In the lead-up to the launch, the school has been running a series of Wellness Weeks that place learners, parents and teachers at the heart of the programme.
The first week focused on learners, with activities designed to boost confidence, encourage good hygiene and promote healthy lifestyle habits.
Selected pupils were treated to professional hair washes and blowouts through a partnership with Manenberg School of Skills, while members of the School Governing Body added a personal touch by plaiting the girls hair.
Families were also included, with a parent workshop providing practical wellness tools to help strengthen connections at home. Elders in the community enjoyed a special lunch during a Glammy Glam Day, sponsored by Next Level Living, while staff from Heideveld Day Hospital offered free health checks.
Teachers, too, were celebrated. After taking part in a development session on workplace wellness, they were treated to a Pamper Day in recognition of their commitment to learners.
The school has acknowledged the support of its partners and staff in helping bring the Wellness Hub vision to life.
Educator Joel Wilson explained the importance of the hub: “As a teacher from Sonderend and someone who lives in the Manenberg community, I see the hardships the children and their parents endure. Many of our children witness traumatic events in the community.
“The children and the parents don’t have access to psycho social services. The Wellness hub will serve as a beacon of hope for the learners and parents of our school to receive the necessary support services which they so desperately need. I look forward to the launch of the hub and to see different services providing aid to support our school.”
With the launch fast approaching, Sonderend Road Primary is preparing to embed wellness as a lasting legacy for its learners, families and community creating a space where care, growth and learning go hand in hand.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za