M*A*D is the Heartbeat of Clarendon Park Primary School

M*A*D is an acronym for “Making A Difference”. This is the heart beat of Clarendon Park.  This aspect of our school helps us to instil core values in our children, ensuring that they grow into adults who make a positive difference in the world.  It is our hope that by attending Clarendon Park, each child will learn to make a positive difference in some or other way.

Each year we choose a theme that is incorporated into our general classroom discussions, passage decorations and assemblies, as well as in many academic lessons. This year our theme is ‘It Starts With Me’.

Each term, we will focus on a different area of personal growth.

• Term 1 – I am enough
• Term 2 – Move From Caring to Doing
• Term 3 – Pay it Forward
• Term 4 – Do EXTRA to be extraordinary

Each week, our pupils donate small change towards our Loaves and Fishes programme. Through this, we are able to support various charities in and around our community. Every Thursday, our pupils are encouraged to bring a ‘love sandwich’ to school. On a weekly basis, we donate approximately 350 sandwiches to the needy.  Another facet of our M.A.D programme is the Blood Drive. We have donated over 1000 units of blood to the SANBS (South African National Blood Service) on an annual basis, for the last decade.

This year, we are very excited to be partnering with OLLI (One Land, Love It). Clarendon Park is collaborating with Collegiate, Grey, Westering and Woodridge and, together with OLLI, we aim to make a real difference to Rhino Poaching this year. During the launch event of this collaboration, Mr Adrian Gardiner reminded us of the important role Game Reserves play in South Africa’s economy. It is essential that we educate local communities so that they realise how necessary it is to stop poaching of all forms. Our focus will not only be on Rhino Poaching. We have already donated teaching resources and school shoes to schools that surround Game Reserves.

Our pupils make an M.A.D promise a few times during their primary school career. This oath reminds them to be a positive influence in the world.