Reflections

Diatile Mokhoathi

The year 2020 has been very tough for most of us and this year 2021 brought some light and hope that things are going to be better and that we can all get back to our “normal” life again. This year 2021, I joined St Cyprian’s School as an intern teacher. I had an amazing time/experience at St Cyprian’s School, a very welcoming school full of hospitality. Mrs Frayne and the whole staff were always showing care and made sure that I had a wonderful time and learning as much as I can while in this journey of completing my PGCE. I have learned a lot this year, from the negatives and the positives, and I would like to thank my two wonderful, amazing, and supportive mentors (Jenny van LoggerenbergScience and Laura Winfield - Mathematics) who were always there to guide and share valuable advice and supporting me in my training. I would like to thank Shelley and the entire school for the support and for the amazing experience I had.

Mugisha Hakizimana

The year I’ve spent at St Cyprian’s as a boarding house intern has been a beautiful learning and teaching experience that I will cherish forever. Being an old girl who was on scholarship and in boarding, I felt a personal commitment to making each of the junior students’ transitions into this space as comfortable as possible. Navigating around a hostel and the school during COVID19 and trying to make the best of this situation has taught me resilience and I have learnt an invaluable amount. The people in this school offer a wealth of knowledge and perspectives in their own right. Experienced teachers offered me a wealth of wisdom and my fellow interns provided me with a sense of community and with some, even sisterhood. My time spent here as an intern at St Cyprian’s has only solidified this statement, “I want to teach”.

To say it’s been good, would be an understatement. Being one of the members of St Cyp’s feels like home. I have found myself in a well-rounded structure, where I have met mothers, friends, and sisters. I always wondered how I would be able to build a bridge that separates home in the boarding house and transitioning to become a teacher in the classroom. Little did I know that the values of respect and professionalism exist in the core of these young minds. I have not eaten this much cake in my entire life, the numerous celebrations in the school leave no room for down times. I am amazed at how far an individual can go from one voice that has faith in them. I am excited about the opportunity of building my career here, I cannot wait to tap into another division of the school, being the preparatory school next year. I’ve experienced growth and an amazing spirit of generosity.