A Day of Joy and Wellness: Celebrating Our Grandparents at Sgodiphola Secondary School
It has always been in the hearts of many of our students to do something meaningful for the elderly in our community. This term, our focus shifted towards giving back to the grandparents of the learners we work with at Sgodiphola Secondary School, in Cosmo City. Often, these grandparents play a vital role in raising and supporting their families, yet their sacrifices can go unnoticed. We wanted to create a day that reminded them that they are valued, appreciated, and deeply loved.
In preparation for the event, invitations were carefully organised and sent out through the school. The Community Engagement Parents’ Committee played an incredible role in ensuring that the day would be special. Many parents dedicated their time to knitting scarves, baking treats, donating towels, and assisting with the planning and preparation of gift bags. Back at school, our students also eagerly signed up to bake, excited to contribute to what promised to be a heartwarming wellness celebration.
This past Saturday, approximately sixty students travelled to Sgodiphola Secondary School, including around twenty Sports Science students, who played a key role in leading the wellness activities. Upon arrival, students immediately got to work and were divided into different teams. One group focused on preparing the gift bags, carefully packing bottles, scarves, and water into drawstring bags. Another team worked tirelessly in the kitchen, preparing lunch packs filled with sandwiches, fruit, energade, and baked goodies.
As the morning progressed, grandparents slowly began arriving at the school, walking through the scorching heat. Some arrived with walking sticks, while others came with curious expressions, unsure of why they had been invited to attend. Many entered the school hall cautiously, and it was clear that some were unsure of what the day would involve. You can imagine their surprise, and even slight disappointment, when they discovered that the programme included exercise! However, this quickly changed as they were warmly welcomed by our students, who greeted them with smiles, fruit, and juice.
Before the formal programme began, the hall filled with laughter and music as students interacted with the grandparents, chatting with them, and even dancing while waiting for more guests to arrive. Slowly, the atmosphere began to shift. What started as uncertainty turned into excitement and joy as the grandparents began to relax and feel at home.
The Sports Science students then took the lead, dividing the grandparents into groups. Each Matric student, supported by Grade 10 and 11 students, guided their group through light exercises designed to be fun, safe, and accessible. The school hall soon came alive with energy, becoming a vibrant and lively space filled with movement, encouragement, and cheerful conversation.
In one corner, a group was doing one-minute jumping jacks, while another group focused on stretching and gentle mobility exercises. Other groups danced, moved their arms and legs, and participated in fun balloon activities, tossing them between one another while laughing like children. It was truly beautiful to witness.
To support the session, the Sports Science students had prepared wellness brochures to guide each group through the exercises. These brochures were also given to the grandparents to take home so that they could continue practising the stretches and movements in their own time. Understanding the needs of the community, the brochures were thoughtfully translated into English, isiZulu, and Sesotho, ensuring that everyone could participate fully and confidently.
After the exercise session, the grandparents were given a short break to rest and hydrate. Soon after, Mr Ngobeni, who served as our MC for the day, gathered #OneAndAll, grandparents, students, staff, and parents, onto the dance floor. The music began playing, with classics such as Weekend Special and songs by the legendary Miriam Makeba filling the hall. The atmosphere became one of celebration and togetherness as everyone danced, clapped, and smiled.
Following the dancing, the grandparents were seated and served a meal prepared with love by our students and a parent from the Community Engagement Committee. As they enjoyed their lunch, they were treated to performances by two of our students, adding a special touch of entertainment and warmth to the day.
Later, the kitchen team arrived with Woolworths bags filled with extra food, drinks, and fruit for the grandparents to take home. The care and attention to detail shown by the catering team was remarkable, ensuring that each grandparent left not only with a full stomach, but also with something to share with their families.
By the end of the day, it was clear that something truly special had taken place. Many grandparents who initially seemed hesitant about exercising ended up dancing enthusiastically, laughing freely, and even joining in on popular dance challenges like Zep Zep, which they were proudly taught by our students. Their joy was contagious, and their appreciation was deeply moving. Many expressed how much fun they had, how much they enjoyed learning about stretching and movement, and how grateful they were for the opportunity to feel included and celebrated.
Most importantly, this day gave our grandparents something far more valuable than gifts or food, it gave them a sense of being seen. It reminded them that they matter, that they are loved, and that their presence in the community is cherished. For many, it may have been one of the few moments where they felt honoured simply for being who they are.
Our students were outstanding throughout the day. They were hands-on, respectful, enthusiastic, and compassionate. They served with patience, kindness, and genuine joy, creating a welcoming environment that made every grandparent feel special. The teamwork shown, particularly by the kitchen and catering group, ensured that everything ran smoothly and that every guest was cared for.
As the day came to an end, students left feeling fulfilled, tired, and proud of what had been achieved. Some even enjoyed a well-deserved kota on the way home, a small treat after a day of running around, jumping, serving, and giving their all to ensure the event was a success.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the following contributors who made this day possible:
- The Community Engagement Parents’ Committee for their donations, baking, knitting, and assistance in organising gifts for the grandparents and for their presence on the day of the event.
- The Sherbet Agency for generously providing the drawstring bags.
- Biogen for the donation of bottles.
- Prudence from P and M Fresh Produce for the fruit sponsorship and support.
This Grandparents Wellness Day was a beautiful reminder that service is not only about giving, but about connecting. It was a day filled with laughter, movement, music, and love, a celebration of the grandparents who give so much of themselves every day. We are grateful to have shared such a meaningful experience with them, and we look forward to continuing to create moments that uplift and strengthen our community.
#SaintsJourney#OneLegacy#InspiringExcellence#MakingAWorldOfDifference#FamiyOfSchools#SchoolForFamily#HappyFulfilment
