BRING &Boeka

A’othoo billahie minashaytaan nier ragiem. Bismillah hier rahmaan nier raghiem.

ASA and good evening to each and every one who has joined us here this evening.

For many who are here who don’t know me, I am Rafieqah, Shazia’s mom and a past student at St Cyprian’s School. Forever a girl in blue!

I have been asked to say a few words and will try to keep it short. I’ll start by thanking the parent who decided to present this idea to our principal, Shelley Frayne and to say thanks to Shelley for whole-heartedly jumping on board with it. It is indeed an honour that we sit here once again, our second Bring and Boeka event on the hockey field as I know it.

Ramadaan is a month of spiritual growth. It’s a month where Muslims fast, perform extra prayers and supplications to the Almighty. It also gives us a chance to reflect on our blessings and to extend charity to those less fortunate. It is also the month in which our holy book, the Quran was revealed to our prophet Muhammad, peace be upon Him.

Years ago, my experience observing Ramadaan at St Cyprian’s was entirely different. My dad was called into the office because my sister was fasting the whole day and a teacher deemed it unnecessary. She could not understand why my sister was fasting at such a young age. My dad had a firm stance which he held and after engaging with the school, the teacher agreed to allow the fast to continue. Today, it’s quite different. All our girls who choose to fast are supported and encouraged by their wonderful teachers in their endeavour to accomplish this important rite of Ramadaan.

In my school career, there were very few Muslim girls at St Cyp’s. To put this into perspective, there had only ever been one other Muslim girl in my grade from my pre-prep days right through to matric. This also wasn’t constant as at one stage, I was the lone Muslim student for some years. Nowadays, as I look at my daughter’s grade, it’s steadily changed as she numbers one of six Muslim children.

Today, 21 years on since I matriculated, our daughters now have the chance to embrace all the opportunities that St Cyprian’s has to offer. A school that is striving to become more inclusive and working to nurture a sense of being and belonging for each one of our girls. I am confident, that in years to come, the school will continue to embrace all girls and their families irrespective of faith and denominations, and through celebrations and events such as we have this evening, recognizing and celebrating our differences together.

Last year, when we all received our invitations to the very first Bring and Boeka, I found it rather endearing that we would have our first Iftar event at the school in the same year it celebrated its 150th birthday. How times have changed! I would like to thank St Cyprian’s School for hosting us this evening. A special thanks to Shelley, Carol and Sulochnee as well as the teachers, support and administrative staff joining us this evening. I hope you all enjoy breaking fast and on behalf of myself and family, I would like to wish you all a happy, joyous. and peaceful Eid Mubarak. Thank you.

Wassalaamu alykum wa raghmatullah hie wa barakatu.

St Cyprian’s School has exposed me to a new world. It has allowed me to grow individually and as a music teacher. Being thrown into the deep end and coming out transformed into a better version of myself is testimony that there’s always something new to learn, every day at St Cyprian’s. I have learned to leverage the experience and skills of the people around me, which has made me realise that you can overcome anything especially when you have a supportive team behind you. Through the challenges that I have faced and overcome, I have gained more confidence in myself and as a teacher. The best part of being at St Cyprian’s is the culture and the staff and students which make the school what it is.

Caitlyn Petersen

My first year as an intern at St Cyprian’s has truly been the epitome of growth. The staff members and students were very welcoming and understanding. This experience was much more than I expected - from its cultural, sport and academic pillarsone is strongly guided and destined for greatness. With a staff that is willing to take leaps with me to find my feet and allow me the chance to experience all opportunities to grow I can enthusiastically say that St Cyp’s is more than a workplace.