KNYSNA NEWS - Teachers from 16 greater Knysna schools traded their classrooms for the bush last Saturday when more than 100 of them gathered at the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve for a day of relaxation and appreciation, hosted by the Knysna Initiative for Learning and Teaching (Kilt).
The annual Teacher's Day Celebration was held at Belle Balance Bush Hideout, where the educators could unwind, connect with their colleagues and recharge ahead of the year-end exams period.
The day began in Knysna with barista coffees and muffins provided by Seattle Coffee Garden Route's Hein and Benjamin Giliomee, before some coaches transported the group to the reserve. The activities included game drives, a nature talk and time around the boma fire, allowing the teachers to step away from classroom pressures and enjoy their surroundings.
"Great education starts and ends with teachers, but they need care and support too. Every day, our educators carry the hopes, emotional weight and daily realities of thousands of children. They give so much of themselves that their own well-being often takes a back seat. This day was our love letter to them. It wasn't about professional development or ticking performance boxes; it was an authentic vote of confidence, a chance to press pause, laugh together and be truly spoiled. When we care for our teachers, we strengthen the heart of our entire community," said Sandy Ueckermann, Kilt's managing director.
She described the celebration as an opportunity to recognise educators' contribution to children and their communities, giving them a chance to relax without the demands of professional development or performance assessments.
Pretty Cheba of Thembelitsha Primary said spending time in nature offered restorative benefits for the mind, particularly when dealing with daily classroom pressures.
The afternoon programme included lunch, an impromptu sing-along led by Kilt counsellor Natalie Mentoor, and spot prizes donated by local businesses. The guests enjoyed a traditional potjie and dessert, while prizes included accommodation, restaurant vouchers and gelato treats.
According to Kilt, the organisation works across 16 public schools, serving more than 14 000 learners and 400 teachers, and has also helped reduce the average learner-to-teacher ratio from 39:1 to 33:1.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
