The Carissa Times

For a long time, the dream was simple: every classroom at Carissa Primary connected to the world. Every learner with access to digital tools that could spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and make learning something more than a chalkboard and a textbook. That dream is now becoming a plan — and the plan is becoming a reality.

Carissa Primary School has officially launched its E-Learning Integration Initiative, a carefully phased strategy to bring technology into the heart of teaching and learning across all grades, from Grade R right through to Grade 7.

What Is Actually Happening?

The initiative covers several key areas. Projectors and interactive tools are being sourced for classrooms. Internet connectivity is being arranged — LTE as an interim solution while a fibre application is being processed. Subscriptions to quality teaching platforms like Twinkl are being set up for educators, and a dedicated school website has been built at carissaprimary.co.za, with a teacher e-learning dashboard and digital resources already going up.

The Computer Lab, under the guidance of Ma'am Lerato, is at the centre of it all. From resource creation to digital literacy lessons, the computer room is becoming the engine room of Carissa's technology journey.

Why Does This Matter?

South African schools face real challenges when it comes to digital access — and a school in Emalahleni is no different. But the conversation is shifting. We are not waiting for someone to hand us a solution. Carissa is building one, piece by piece, with the people and resources we have. Budget has been allocated. Plans have been made. And the first steps are already underway.

For learners, this means something genuinely exciting: lessons that can include video, interactive content, and digital tasks. For teachers, it means better tools to plan, teach, and share. For the whole school community, it means Carissa Primary is facing the future — not hiding from it.

Watch this space. The Times will be following every step of this journey, and we look forward to reporting back as each milestone is reached.

Every year, World Reading Day rolls around and most schools put up a display, hand out a bookmark, and call it a day. Not Carissa. On this campus, reading is taken personally — and this year's celebration proved, once again, that when this school decides to do something, it does it with heart.

The day was brought to life by none other than our very own Book Fairy, Ms. Dee — a name that every learner at Carissa knows and loves. Ms. Dee has a way of making books feel like the most exciting thing in the room, and on World Reading Day, she was exactly that: magic in human form, moving through classrooms and spreading the kind of reading energy that makes children forget they ever thought books were boring.

Our School Mascot Joins the Fun

And of course, a Carissa celebration would not be complete without our beloved school mascot, who made a special appearance to remind learners that even the greatest adventurers started with a good story. The mascot's appearance drew cheers, laughter, and — most importantly — children scrambling to grab books and find a corner to read.

Classrooms were buzzing. Corridors had that quiet hum that only happens when a lot of people are reading at the same time. It was one of those days where you look around the school and feel genuinely proud of where you are.

Why Reading Still Matters

In a world of short videos, voice notes, and quick scrolling, it might feel old-fashioned to stop and celebrate books. But the research is clear, and so is the experience of every good teacher: children who read widely do better — at school, and in life. Reading builds vocabulary, imagination, empathy, and focus. It is, put simply, one of the most powerful things a child can do.

Carissa Primary does not take that lightly. And with people like Ms. Dee in our corner, our learners are in very good hands indeed.

Watch the video above to relive all the magic — and if the footage makes you want to go find a book, that is entirely the point.

Something exciting is taking shape at Carissa Primary, and we want you to be part of it. The Carissa Times — our school's very own e-newspaper — is officially looking for student journalists from Grades 5, 6, and 7 who are ready to tell stories, ask questions, and help our school community stay connected.

What Will You Actually Do?

As a Carissa Times journalist, you will write articles about things happening at our school — events, achievements, interesting people, new developments. You will learn how to write for a real audience, how to find a good story, and how to put your words together in a way that makes people actually want to read them. Your writing will go live on this page, where parents, teachers, and fellow learners will see it.

Who Can Join?

If you are in Grade 5, 6, or 7 and you enjoy writing, reading, or just paying attention to what goes on around you — you qualify. You do not need to be the best writer in your class. You just need to be curious and willing to try. Three of your classmates have already signed up, and they are already excited. There is still space for a few more.

How Do You Sign Up?

Simple. Come find Ma'am Lerato in the Computer Class during break or after school. Tell her you want to join the Times. That is it. No forms, no tests — just a conversation and a willingness to get started.

This is a chance to do something real, something that matters, and something that will still be on this website long after you have moved on to high school. We hope to see you soon.