I have never before been in a position when I had been so angry that I felt the need to write a comment to the press over the disgusting behaviour of the Glenvista High learner and his classmates on the attack of a member of staff.
Does this youth realise just how lucky he and his classmates are to attend a school with the quality facilities that they enjoy. Is he also aware that those facilities are there for the class of 2013 to enjoy because of the hard work and dedication of past pupils, parents, teachers and Mr Adams the first Head of School. The playing fields hand planted with grass, a swimming pool installed, media centre, all with funds raised and hard work by people who wanted a school which all in our area could be proud of.
My two sons attend Glenvista High along with many friends, they had pride in being pupils and also respect for the staff, their parents and themselves. The school had a code of dress, discipline, respect and honour. In 1966 the first overseas rugby tour took place, with 32 pupils and three masters. It took many months of hard work by the boys, staff and parents to raise the funds. Dances, dinners, auctions, club nights, staff and parents willingly gave up time and committed to ensure this tour would be a success .
President Mandela signed copies of the Long Walk To Freedom, these books taken and presented to the schools who hosted the team in, France, England, Wales and Scotland. This is the Glenvista High at which my sons received their education, a community which took pride in their school, pupils and educators.
Today I see daily a total lack of respect not only by pupils but also many parents, try driving on True North and The Broads when school finishes at lunch time. Parents park in all directions, causing blockages of The Broads, double parking and take off without signalling, pupils cross the road and expect the drivers to stop for them. They do not use the correct crossing and if one tries to point this out to them you are faced with verbal abuse and the middle finger. No surprise because the example they receive from parents who have no respect for the basic traffic laws and consider it their right to drive onto people grass verges, park in a way that blocks the road and makes it difficult to exit other streets because they block the view of oncoming traffic. I guess when an accident does happen a huge uproar will result and if it is one of these unthinking parents involved or a child killed it will be the fault of others not theirs.
It seems to be indicative of the way our once proud suburbs are going, litter at every intersection, filth dumped all over, infestations of rats, invasions of the nature reserves and vagrants living in the veld. Lack of up keep of parks, traffic islands etc. It is time people started accepting responsibility for their actions and that of their offspring.
Many ex pupils of Glenvista High have expressed disgust at this incident, a once proud school brought into disrepute by a youth who does not know how lucky he is to attend a school with all the learning aids available and a dedicated staff who have committed themselves to educate for our future. Perhaps it is time to return to the original values on which Glenvista High was established, discipline, respect and pride in the school and oneself.
M Roebuck, Mulbarton
