August 2024

A Magical Afternoon at the Bitou Spelling Stars 2024 Award Ceremony!

What an unforgettable afternoon we had at the Bitou Spelling Stars 2024 Award Ceremony, held on 29 August at the Formosa Primary School Hall! The atmosphere was electric with excitement, pride, and the pure joy of celebrating our incredible young spellers! 

A huge thank you to Lindy van Rooyen, Bitou 10 Foundation's Communication Officer, who stepped up as the Mistress of Ceremonies with grace and energy, filling in for Mr. Spies as he recovers from surgery. You truly set the tone for this fantastic event! 

The ceremony kicked off with a warm welcome from Douglas Baartman, our Bitou 10 Foundation Chairperson, who reminded us of the importance of supporting our young learners. We were also honoured to have Suzette de Villers, WCED Circuit 4 Manager, as our Guest Speaker. She delivered an inspiring address, praising the event as a vital part of ensuring our learners receive the literacy support they need for long-term academic success. Her words on the importance of individual attention and making children feel seen and acknowledged, really resonated with everyone in the room. 

The highlight of the afternoon was, of course, seeing the joy on the children's faces as they were called up to receive their certificates and medals. Their smiles lit up the hall, and the excitement reached new heights when the winning schools were awarded their trophies! The pride and accomplishment felt by these young stars were truly contagious! 

A heartfelt vote of thanks was delivered by Vijay Moodley, B10F Director and Head Librarian at Bitou Municipality, who expressed our collective gratitude to everyone who made this event possible. Your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed! 

We ended the event on a sweet note, with snacks and cold drinks enjoyed by the children and guests, providing the perfect opportunity to reflect on the success of the event and the bright futures ahead for these young learners.  

Thank you to everyone who joined us and supported this wonderful event. Together, we’re building a brighter future for our children, one word at a time!  

Donors of the event, Adrian Speight & Dianne Kloka-Speight, as well as Mrs Suzette de Villiers from the WCED, handed over the trophies to the winning schools in each category: 

· English (HL) Gr. 2-7 Category: SASFIN Trophy 

 Plettenberg Bay Primary School

· English (FAL) Gr. 8-9 Category: Speight Trophy 

  Murray High School

· Afrikaans (HL) Gr.1-7 Category: Speight Trophy 

  Kranshoek Primary School

· Afrikaans (HL) Gr. 8-9 Category: J. Maree Trophy 

  Wittedrift High School

· IsiXhosa (HL) Gr. 2-7 Category: SASFIN Trophy 

  Phakamisani Primary School

· Winning school of Internal School Challenge: R2 000 voucher

 Wittedrift Primary School

The voucher was presented by Zaki Cassim, owner of Park Avenue Stationers, and his daughter

 A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Incredible Donors, Partners, and Sponsors of the Bitou Spelling Stars 2024 Competition! 

As we reflect on the amazing journey of the Bitou Spelling Stars 2024 Competition, we are filled with immense gratitude for the generosity and support of our donors, partners, and sponsors. This event would not have been possible without you, and we want to extend our deepest thanks for your unwavering commitment to our cause. 

To our Donors:

A huge thank you to SASFIN https://sasfin.com/ for your continuous support in 2023 and 2024—your contributions have made such a positive impact on our young learners. We are also incredibly grateful to Johan Maree, Adrian Speight, and Dianne Kloka-Speight for sponsoring the beautiful trophies that our winners proudly took home. Your kindness has added so much value to our competition! 

To the WCED:

We are so thankful for the collaboration and support of the WCED Circuit 4 Manager, Suzette de Villiers, and Janette Jooste, Foundation Phase Curriculum Advisor. Your partnership has been invaluable in helping us make a difference in the Bitou WCED schools. Together, we are building a brighter future for our learners! 

To Mr. Wildeman and Staff:

A special thank you to Mr. Wildeman and the staff for graciously allowing us to use the school hall and for setting it up so beautifully. Your efforts ensured that the event was a success, and we are truly grateful! 

To Ruby’s Kiss:

We are incredibly appreciative of Ruby’s Kiss for sponsoring the stunning flower arrangements that added so much beauty to our event. Your generosity brought an extra touch of elegance to the celebration! 

To Ingrid and Bruce Mclaren:

A huge shoutout to Ingrid and Bruce Mclaren for preparing all the lunch packs during the challenges for our learners and staff. Your delicious baked treats, muffins, and special brownies were a true highlight, making the competition days even sweeter for everyone involved! 

To Park Avenue Stationers:

Last but not least, thank you to Zaki Cassim from Park Avenue Stationers for sponsoring the Internal School Challenge voucher. Your support helped motivate and reward our learners, and we are so grateful for your contribution! 

To everyone who has played a part in the success of the Bitou Spelling Stars 2024 Competition, we say a heartfelt THANK YOU. Your generosity, time, and dedication have made a lasting impact on our community, and we are so fortunate to have you by our side. Together, we are empowering the next generation, one word at a time!