UNSUNG HEROES

Rustenburg – As parents, we always work towards giving our children the best we possibly can. We want them to have good health, a great education and to be happy. Sometimes, without warning, life takes an unexpected turn. 

This story is about a sunny and warm-hearted girl who received the overwhelming attention and care of teachers when she most needed it.

Bianca Henning’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia with associated complications. She was in grade 10 at the time she was diagnosed. 

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes agonising pain all over the body. This disease caused Bianca to have epileptic episodes which interrupted her school work. 

The school she was attending at the time suggested home-schooling as an option. Christo and Magda Henning, Bianca’s parents, then enrolled her for home-schooling. They were informed that Bianca would be able to complete her matric in a period of two years. This did not sit well with Bianca, a go-getter by nature. 

When they heard about Bianca’s plight, Heidi Lowe, principal at Selly Park Secondary School contacted her. 

Much to Christo, Magda and Bianca’s amazement, she was offered an opportunity to join the grade 12 classes at Selly Park Secondary School. With arms wide open the staff and students welcomed Bianca as a part of the school. Bianca attended all classes of subjects she had chosen, going the extra mile to translate what she had learned from English into Afrikaans. 

The highlight of the year for Bianca was the surprise invitation to join the matric farewell. This gesture made her feel that she was truly a part of the Selly Park matriculants class of 2017. 

All Bianca’s hard work and dedication, along with the support from Selly Park, paid off when Bianca received her matric results with university exemption (endorsement to study at university).

“It was a privilege for us here at Selly Park to have Bianca as one of our students. She excelled at school and was a pleasure to have and to help. We wish her and her family the very best for the future,” said Lowe.

 “Thank you, Selly Park! “I was flabbergasted by the love and understanding the school demonstrated to my daughter. I did not expect the amount of guidance and support I received from a school I had no previous association with. They took Bianca in and made her feel right at home. Thank you, Selly Park!” said Christo Henning, dealer principal at Leon’s Rustenburg.”

A thank you letter from Bianca

In January 2017, I began my matric year with home-schooling. This means I had no teachers, tutors or even proper guidelines. 

The principal at Selly Park Secondary School, Heidi Lowe, heard about my plight. I remember the phone call I received from the principal, telling me that she had to see me urgently. 

Much to my delight, I was welcomed into the school as one of their own. As an Afrikaans student, I joined every class and received lessons in English. 

The other students were wonderful about sharing the timetable with me and showing me around the school and the teachers all welcomed me with open arms. 

I had the privilege to meet the following people; Mr Kanda, an awesome Life Sciences teacher, who would go to the trouble of stopping a lesson to help a student with a problem. He would always walk the extra mile. Mrs Monokwe, the Hospitality teacher, would share the best recipes with her students. Mr Dunning, the English teacher, made it a pleasure to learn English… Mrs Potgieter and Mrs Muratzi, the Maths Literacy teacher, who would stop at nothing to help a student who is lagging behind and encourage them to keep on. 

Each and every teacher supported and encouraged me throughout the year. They helped me through the difficult times. Through this experience, I acquired self-confidence. Thank you for not giving up on me despite my medical condition. 

I was even invited to the matric farewell as one of the Selly Park’s students. They took an 18-year old girl who they knew from nowhere, in and treated me with love and kindness. 

Mrs Lowe and Mrs O’Brian – thank you for the wonderful experience. Thank you for your support and patience. With your help I passed matric with university admission. I thank you!

Bianca Henning