In 1977, a year following the establishment of our school, parents, alongside the inaugural Headmaster, Mr. Jack van Renen, embarked on a journey to embody the spirit of our school’s motto, “We Give.” This initiative gave rise to an event where students purchased tickets to partake in various games held within the school premises. From classic challenges like Steady Hands and Ping Pong balls to attaching a tail to a life-sized cardboard horse, the event offered a plethora of entertainment. Let’s not overlook the excitement of the Tombola, where participants could select prizes from shelves adorned with toys and other treasures. This tradition has endured through the years, with the exception of 2020 and 2021.
Initially dubbed the Tickey Evening (2,5c), attendees would acquire tickets worth 2.5 cents to enjoy the assortment of traditional games set up across 25 to 30 stalls within the school hall. As time progressed, the Tickey Evening evolved, transitioning to a 5-cent, then a 10-cent, and eventually a 1 Rand affair. Presently, participants contribute R 2.00 per ticket to partake in the festivities, now known as the Damus Evening.
But what exactly is DAMUS? It encapsulates our school’s ethos of giving. In recognition of the privilege our learners enjoy, the Damus Evening serves as a collective effort within the school community—students, educators, and supporters—to raise funds, enabling us to give back to the community. Beneficiaries of this fundraiser are organizations dedicated to the well-being of children. Traditionally held on the last Thursday of August, this evening serves as a testament to our commitment to altruism.
Furthermore, the school upholds the principle that charity begins at home. A portion of the proceeds from the Damus Evening is reinvested into our student body, supporting services such as occupational therapy. Through the Damus Evening, students not only embrace the value of generosity but also learn to embody our school’s motto in their daily lives.
Hosting a Damus Evening at our school not only fosters a sense of community but also instills in our students the importance of giving back—a lesson they carry with them long after their school days are over.
In 1977, ‘n jaar nadat die Laerskool Eversdal sy deure geopen het, het die eerste skoolhoof, mnr. Jack van Renen, saam met die ouers, besluit om ‘n geleentheid te skep waartydens leerders die skool se leuse, Ons Gee, kan uitleef. Tydens hierdie geleentheid het leerders kaartjies gekoop om tradisionele speletjies binne-in die skoolsaal te speel – speletjies soos Perd se Stert, gooi van tafeltennisballetjies in bekertjies, visvang, ens. Moet ook nie van die Tombolatafel vergeet nie, want daar kan jy iets kies van die rakke wat oorlaai is met speelgoed! Hierdie tradisie word jaarliks herhaal – slegs in 2020 en 2021 het dit nie plaasgevind nie.
Aanvanklik het die aand bekend gestaan as ‘n Tiekieaand (2,5c) – elke kaartjie was 2,5c werd. Hierdie kaartjies is dan gebruik om tradisionele speletjies in die saal te speel. Tussen 25-30 verskillende stalletjies is opgestel waar elkeen kon gaan speel.
In latere jare is die Tiekieaand vervang – eers met ‘n 5c Aand, daarna ‘n 10c Aand en later jare het jy R 1,00 betaal om te kan speel. Vir die afgelope paar jaar betaal die leerders R 2,00 vir ‘n kaartjie om te kan speel. Die aand staan nou as die Damusaand bekend.
Wat is DAMUS? Ons skool se leuse, DAMUS, beteken, Ons Gee. As meer bevoorregte leerders van die skool, is dit ‘n manier waarop die skoolgemeenskap, saam met die leerders en opvoeders, van hul tyd en energie gee om geld in te samel , wat weer gedeeltelik weggegee word. Die skool poog om te gee aan organisasies wat kindgerig is en waarby hierdie kinders die voordeel kan ontvang. Tradisioneel vind hierdie aand op die laaste Donderdagaand in Augustus plaas.
Die skool handhaaf ook die beginsel van omgee wat by jou eie huis begin. Van die fondse wat geïn word met die Damusaand, word aangewend tot die voordeel van ons eie leerders, byvoorbeeld om te betaal vir dienste wat deur arbeidsterapeute, ensovoorts gelewer word.
Deur die Damusaand leer ons Evers om die skool se leuse uit te leef.