Stellenbosch triplets’ big steps into ‘big’ school

Triple the excitement entered the doors of AF Louw Primary School yesterday on Wednesday (18 January) as the Slade triplets from Cloetesville made their way to their Grade R class to start their formal schooling journey.

The Slade triplets from Cloetesville started their formal schooling journey at AF Louw Primary School on Wednesday (18 January) with great enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn. Here five-year-old Amelia, in reading mode, gets stuck into an interesting story about dinosaurs along with sisters Bayleigh and Sidney, who are both enjoying the attention of the cameras.

Eikestadnuus Angelo Julies

Five-year-olds Amelia, Bayleigh and Sidney climbed the stairs of their new school with pride and joy as they embarked on this new and exciting adventure.

Proud mother Venessa Adriaanse said her bubbly daughters had been asking to go to school throughout the summer holidays. “They are extremely excited and have been pestering me to go to ‘big’ school. They are very inquisitive children and always want to learn something new. They are very keen to start school,” she shared.

Their father, Noel Slade, said the girls are very close, always together and uncomfortable when apart. “For this reason, we requested they be in the same class to make it easier to adjust to the new environment,” he explained.

Sharing more insight into her daughters’ personalities, Adriaanse said: “Bayleigh is the youngest, but the motherly figure of the three. She will always make sure her sisters are taken care of and everything is in order.”

Adriaanse recalled her pregnancy with the triplets was a huge surprise for the couple, but they quickly got used to the idea. “They were delivered at seven months and incubated for a month after birth, because one cannot carry triplets full-term. They shared the same placenta, which was really amazing to me. Today, they are perfectly healthy and normal.”

Asked what they wanted to be when they grow up, each girl delivered a firm answer. “A doctor,” said Amelia, while Sidney hopes to own a shop one day and Bayleigh wished to be a restaurateur.

The Slade triplets are ready and eager to start their schooling journey at AF Louw Primary School. Welcomed by their teacher Alice la Grange (left) and Principal Anne Tarr, the triplets, Amelia, Sidney and Bayleigh, taking their first steps in education.Photo: Angelo Julies

Eikestadnuus Angelo Julies

“We are happy to have Amelia, Bayleigh and Sidney with us and we know we are going to have a lot of fun with them at the school,” said Anne Tarr, principal at AF Louw Primary.

The triplets’ new teacher, Alice la Grange is excited about being part of the girls’ schooling careers this year. “I have met with them previously and know we will have a great year together,” she declared.