Cape Town – A Grade R teacher, Sinead Majiet, at Yellowwood Primary in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, was praised for her quick thinking during a nearby shooting.
While gunfire erupted outside, she followed the school’s safety protocol by locking the classroom, moving her pupils away from windows, and having them lie flat on the floor.
To calm the five- and six-year-olds, she played a piano instrumental of How Far I’ll Go from Moana.
@user76077961118628Our small babies had to all lay flat on the ground😢😢😢Thank you teacher keeping them calm♬ original sound – zulaiga leeman
Speaking during an interview with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, Majiet emphasised the importance of staying calm, noting that many of her pupils are already familiar with community violence.
“On September 12 at 11.30am the emergency protocol I took was a code 39 when the shooting happened just behind my classroom,” she said.
“Immediately I locked the door, moved my kids away from the window and instructed them to lay flat on the mat. My mini speaker was connected to my phone because we were busy with story time so I quickly put on calm music for them to relax and listen,” said Majiet.
Majiet believes music helps children remain peaceful and receptive to instructions.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
