Why should we live our lives with the idea of leaving a legacy for generations to come?
Simply because others can benefit from what we have left behind for them.
When I started building my playschool I started with this idea of leaving a legacy in mind. I wanted to know that the children I have had the privilege of teaching would always be a part of Bella Bee Playschool, long after they had left and gone on to their new adventures. Should they visit any time in the future they will feel welcome and still a part of our playschool.
How is this possible you may ask? If you look at many of the items and equipment that surround me in the class room there is a child’s name connected to each one of them. Every day, looking at these items has kept every child in my mind and
my heart, and that will last forever. The many adventures, the memories, photos, their stories, the essence of who they are, are often shared with the new children.
My love for bees came after I started my playschool and before I even knew that my great grandfather was a beekeeper. How amazing is that? I often think of bees when I think of a legacy. These creative little insects without knowing pass down their legacy to other bees. They are such tiny insects. How could they leave a
lasting legacy for all of us here on earth, but they do? Their bright yellow colour stands out on the black. The constant buzzing sound makes us know they are there. Their constant busy
actions that pollinate and produce honey that not only benefits them, but us too, is
beautiful, thoughtful and kind.
Bees are the only insects that do not harm any other insect. They are the pollinators,
which keeps our planet producing food as well as keeping beautiful flowers for us to enjoy. Bees are helpful and generous in sharing their honey with us. Honey is so sweet. A bee must visit a 1000 flowers to produce 1 teaspoon of honey and yet honey is abundant. I always think of bees as happiness with wings just spreading the joy and inspiration around as they go from flower to flower. I love the idea that they do a waggle dance to tell other bees where the flowers are in abundance. Bees are about community, helping others and sharing. They share these great values so we can learn from them.
Bees certainly leave a wonderful legacy. They are goodness with two wings. Bees have taught me a great deal about life and values.
Today I would like to share my legacy list with all of you. I would also like to thank all the parents and children for their generous love and kindness through the years that have made Bella Bee Playschool a very special place to be. Your love and kindness lives on every day
and has made a significant difference to many of the children that have attended Bella Bee and those who in the future will attend our playschool. Thank you from all my heart.
Legacy List: (not in any order)
Our Beautiful Garden (every year we do spring planting of flowers to keep it beautiful)
Our Notice Board – Howard and Gracie (2009)
Our Class Room Door – Hendry and Ruben (2007)
Our Storyboard – A Friend Leadri (2017)
Our Weather Chart – Howard and Grace (2008)
Our Yellow Curtains – Barbara and Emma (2019)
Our Black Board – Johan, Jonathan and Matthew (2008)
Our Shelves and lockers for the kiddies – Dr Leon and Alida (2006)
Our Window boxes for toys- Grace (2013)
Our Table – Grace (2002) and restored by Dennis and Finley and Harper (2021)
Our wooden boxes – A Friend Brunhild (2004)
Our Cupboards – Christine, Daniel, Eva and Grace (2002 & 2012)
Our Mirror in our Classroom – Elzanne and Jan Bernard (2015)
Our Quote – Chantelle and Chante (2017)
Our Art Work – Christa one of our kiddies (2018)
Our Cardboard Storage Boxes – Barbara and Emma (2019)
Our Bee Emblems – Joshua, Chloe, Daniel and Declan (2020 & 2021)
Our Jungle Gym – Paul (2002)
Our Water Table – Niels and Grace (2004)
Our Toilet Step – Johan, Jobert and Mirka (2005)
Our Black Board Frame – Karel and Emma (2019)
Our Nappy Change mattress- Seema and Brandon (2012)
Our Black Board Duster- Esna and Clarissa (2007)
Our Dvd Player – Emma, William, Zach, Jenny (2007)
Our new Dvd Player- Grace (2012)
Our Clamber Club Dvd -Suzaane (2012)
Our Playschool Umbrella – Stanley, Janine and George (2008)
Our Christmas Tree – 1st Cathy, Carmen (2003)
Our Christmas Tree – 2nd Arista, Ersnt and Elske (2015)
Our Class mattresses – Christine, David and Thomas (2016)
Our Alphabet Puzzle – Claudine, Cameron and Jenson (2005)
Our Storage boxes – Elzanne and Daniel (2016)
Our Tree House – Alison, Zacc, Clinton and Lionel (2010)
Our Wendy house – Kiddies (2015)
Our Dress-up Clothes- Arista, Elske and Gracie (2012)
Our Sign Board- 1st Grace (2004) 2nd Grace (2016)
Our Wendy house Furniture – Alisha and Haley (2015)
Our Flat Screen TV – Magda, Emma and Katie (2017)
Our Photocopy machine -1st Celia, Quinton, Phillip & Zander (2010)
Our New Photo Copy Machine – Fund raiser (2015)
Our Desktop sharpener – Grace (2018)
Our Sandpit – Grace and Elzanne (2001, 2019 & 2021)
Our Sand – Merle, Kaylyn, Wendy and Andria (2003-2021)
Our Sandpit trucks – Elzanne and Lohan (2018)
Our Barrel – Frikkie, Emma and Katie (2017)
Our Chickens – Minette, Vihaan, Karoo and Arend
Our Plastic animals – Zacc (2010)
Our Barbies – Bianca & Robert (2012)
Our Cutlery, tea set and flask for events – Anelle, Isabel & Alida (2007)
Our Playschool brass bell and rotary cutter – Kevin & Maggie (2021)
Our Collage of Memories – Jaco, Adel & Christa Steenkamp (2021)
If I have missed anyone or anything on the list I apologise. I also want to thank all the moms and dads that have given their time, inspiration and support in so many other ways over the years. This cannot be measured in tangible items but are measured by the heart and in memories. Once again thank you all for making Bella Bee Playschool a legacy for many others to enjoy in the future and for your love and kindness.
It means so much to me.
