Latest news with #StJohn's
Daily Maverick
17 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
‘He died in pain, but not in vain' — mom transforms personal loss into a fight to protect SA's children
When Teresa Mordoh's son, Julio, died by suicide after allegedly being sexually assaulted by a teacher at St John's College, her world was shattered. But in the depths of grief, Mordoh found a new purpose: to ensure that no other child or family would suffer in silence. She founded an organisation dedicated to child protection and systemic change in South African schools. 'The one and only promise I made to my son at the funeral was that he died in pain, but not in vain. I didn't know what that meant at the time, I just knew that it couldn't just end there. There are too many children suffering, and I just felt that I needed to do something.' These were the words of a tearful Teresa Mordoh as she sat down for an interview with Daily Maverick to discuss what inspired her to start STOPS (Stop Trauma of Pupils in School), an NGO dedicated to child protection and systemic change in South African schools. Teresa is the mother of Julio Mordoh, who tragically took his life after years of suffering from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following alleged sexual abuse by a former teacher at St John's College in Johannesburg. Julio's story: Grooming, abuse and systemic blindness Julio's ordeal began in 2011 when he transitioned from pre-prep to prep school. 'He was groomed from the time that he moved from the pre-prep into the prep,' Teresa said. The teacher, who also ran the school's rock-climbing club, allegedly targeted vulnerable boys – often those facing family difficulties or perceived as outsiders. Soon after the alleged abuse Julio became withdrawn and started showing signs of anxiety and depression when he was 12 years old. 'We tried everything in our power to get Julio help. He was such a bright, loving and happy boy, then all of a sudden he just became so anxious and depressed when he was in Grade 6. We knew something was wrong, but the last thing that would have occurred to me was sexual abuse,' Teresa said. It was only in 2021, when St John's disclosed that a pupil had come forward to allege that the teacher had sexually assaulted him, that the Mordoh family finally learnt the cause of Julio's pain. 'I remember reading the letter from St John's… Julio said, 'I didn't know there were other boys. I thought I was the only one',' Teresa said. Even in a family where open discussion was encouraged, the shame and silence imposed by abuse were overwhelming. 'He was so ashamed. He just couldn't bring himself to talk about it,' Mordoh says, highlighting how even supportive environments can't always break through the barriers of trauma and stigma. The details of how much St John's knew about the abuse before the accused was eventually forced to resign, following complaints from staff members, remain unclear. However, Teresa says the prestigious boys' school received a number of complaints from concerned teachers against the accused, which St John's allegedly ignored and failed to properly investigate while the former teacher was still employed at the school. St John's has claimed that it only became aware of the allegations in 2021, following which the school undertook an independent investigation and laid criminal charges with the police after the investigation was concluded. Julio's inability to speak out about his abuse and the alleged lack of transparency from the school led Teresa to found STOPS. How Julio's story shapes STOPS' mission Julio's tragic experience is at the heart of STOPS' work. Mordoh's advocacy is driven by the lessons learnt from her son's suffering and the systemic failures that compounded his trauma. STOPS focuses on: Creating safe reporting channels: Recognising that children rarely disclose abuse to parents or authority figures, STOPS is working to establish confidential avenues for pupils to report concerns, so that no child feels alone or unheard; Mandatory reporting and accountability: Mordoh campaigns for strict enforcement of mandatory reporting laws and for holding schools legally accountable when they fail to protect children. She stresses that a Form 22 report is not an accusation, but a necessary trigger for investigation; Specialised children's courts: After experiencing repeated delays and a lack of expertise in the justice system, Mordoh is calling for dedicated children's courts with trained professionals, private rooms and psychological support, ensuring cases are handled with the sensitivity and urgency they deserve; and Community education and breaking the silence: STOPS runs awareness campaigns to educate parents, teachers and students about grooming, abuse and the importance of listening to children. Mordoh believes that 'we fail children not by what we do, but by what we don't do. We don't listen to children.' Mordoh said that creating safe reporting channels is one of STOPS' most important initiatives. The NGO has partnered with Lyra Southern Africa to create a platform, independent from schools and parents, where young people can report abuse and depression, offering them round-the-clock, confidential counselling and support from registered clinicians. Mordoh is consulting with schools to roll out the platform to children. The next step is to engage the Department of Education to ensure that all South African children have access to the platform. 'This is about putting power back in the hands of young people, so they can feel in control of whatever it is that they are going through,' she said. Looking forward For Mordoh, the true heroes of child protection are the children themselves, who show courage in the face of unimaginable adversity. She urges adults to reclaim their humanity by caring enough to notice, to ask questions and to act when something is wrong. 'All we need to be as adults is human. I'm not a hero, I'm just human. The real unsung heroes are the children. If we could just find our humanity as a community and start caring for children, that would go a long way in addressing this crisis,' she said. As Child Protection Week shines a spotlight on unsung heroes, Mordoh's message is clear: systemic change is possible, but it requires honesty, accountability and collective action. Through STOPS, she continues to fight for a future where every child is safe, heard and protected – a legacy that ensures Julio did not die in vain. DM
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Six Irish-made reusable bags to pack as Penneys introduces paper bag charge
Penneys stores across the country are set to introduce a new charge for paper bags in a bid to reduce single-use waste. The Irish retailer confirmed that customers will be charged for paper bags from next week and explained that the change is being introduced to clamp down on single-use waste. A statement on the Penneys website read: 'Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day. And while our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we want to reduce single-use paper waste in our business. 'Like most retailers, from the 12th May 2025, we will have a small charge for our paper bags. Reducing single-use paper is one small step we and our customers can take to reduce waste. We hope this encourages more shoppers to switch to re-usable bags.' And for those on the hunt for a sustainable option when it comes to sturdy tote bags to bring the weekly shop home in, here are some options: Costelloe + Costelloe, Dublin and online Costelloe + Costelloe is a family-run vintage shop based on Chatham Street in Dublin offering a range of styles and colours in fashion accessories, including wraps, scarves, hats, clutches… and they're famous cotton tote bags. The tote bags, which come in a range of different patterned designs, went viral on social media and have been a huge hit ever since. The bags are practical and stylish, lightweight and machine washable. The tote measurements are 37cm tall x 45cm wide. Shop here. Lucia Moreno Illustration, Cork and online Born in la Mancha, Spain, Lucia, who grew up doodling, graduated from nursing school before leaving for the US for one year and then moving to Ireland, where she said 'things got real'. An illustration graduate of St John's in Cork, Lucia runs an online shop where she sells her artwork as prints and on t-shirts and tote bags. The 'Cois Farraige Maxi Tote', which is the perfect size for taking home the shopping or for those beach day essentials, is sustainably made with 80% recycled cotton and 20% recycled polyester. The 'Irish Essentials Tote Bag' - perfect for your Aldi dates - features all of the essentials found in an Irish household, including Derrygold butter, Taytos, Brennans bread, Batchelorsa bakes beans, Dairy Milk and Barry's Tea, and is made from 100% cotton. Shop the bags here. St Luke's, Cork and online Founded by a Parisian with a love for all things home and a fondness for Cork, St Luke's brings together a fusion of European inspiration and local flair. The store's 'Mo Mhála Mór' and 'Bonjour' oversized cotton tote bags are designed with both style and practicality in mind and are perfect for shopping trips, beach outings, or daily use. The first-ever product exclusively designed by and manufactured for St Luke's, the bags are made from 100% high-quality cotton and are 73cm x 44cm in size. Shop the tote bags here. Simone Walsh, Wexford and online Simone Walsh sells her original paintings and prints on her online store and runs her gallery in Bridgetown in Wexford. She offers tote bags featuring illustrations of a range of different towns across Ireland, including Dingle, Galway, Westport, Killarney, Ballina, Limerick, Wexford, as well as universities such as University College Dublin and University of Limerick. The bags are 100% coated cotton and rainproof and can be purchased here. Flying Fig, online Flying Fig is a female-owned business based in Birr selling prints, mugs, cards, cushions, notebooks and bags. The 'Irish Nostalgia Tote Bag' features 90s nostalgia illustrations, including Dustin the Turkey, the Child of Prague, red lemonade, and the Late Late Toy Show. The tote is plastic-free, and Flying Fig products are packaged and sent in recyclable packaging. The bag can be purchased here. Pear Shaped Studio, Cork and online Pear Shaped Studio was founded in 2016 by illustrator Fiona Foley during her year studying graphic design and illustration at Cork College of FET and has since grown into a full-time, small creative business. The illustration on Fiona's 'Cork City Circle Tote Bag' tells the story of the River Lee as it splits in two for a short distance, forming an Island, the heart of the city, and features Cork city's most well-loved buildings and landmarks, as well as Cork's iconic bridges. Printed double-sided on cotton fabric, the bag is lightweight and big enough to fit the daily essentials or a small food shop. Shop the tote bag here. Read More Bring joy into your life this summer through the art of dressing
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Roodepoort Record
St John's, St Stithians and KES festivals return this Easter as flagship events in Gauteng's sporting calendar. Johannesburg is set to host its most-anticipated school sports weekend of the year, with the 2025 editions of the St John's Easter Sports Festival, St Stithians Sports Festival and King Edward VII School (KES) Easter Festival. These events have become cornerstones in Gauteng's school sporting calendar, drawing large crowds and showcasing top-tier schools' talent. St John's College Easter Rugby Festival This festival attracts leading schools from across the nation, celebrating the best in schoolboy rugby. A new addition to the Easter Rugby Festival this year is the U16 fixtures on Easter Monday. Saints SportsFest Celebrating over four decades, the Saints Sports Festival has evolved into a comprehensive showcase, including rugby, hockey, netball, squash, and tennis. The 2024 festival welcomed over 1 100 participants from more than 85 schools. The 2025 edition promises to continue this tradition, offering thrilling matchups across multiple disciplines. KES Easter Festival Renowned for its competitive rugby and hockey fixtures, the KES Easter Festival continues to showcase high-calibre performances.
The Citizen
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
African Reporter
St John's, St Stithians and KES festivals return this Easter as flagship events in Gauteng's sporting calendar. Johannesburg is set to host its most-anticipated school sports weekend of the year, with the 2025 editions of the St John's Easter Sports Festival, St Stithians Sports Festival and King Edward VII School (KES) Easter Festival. These events have become cornerstones in Gauteng's school sporting calendar, drawing large crowds and showcasing top-tier schools' talent. St John's College Easter Rugby Festival This festival attracts leading schools from across the nation, celebrating the best in schoolboy rugby. A new addition to the Easter Rugby Festival this year is the U16 fixtures on Easter Monday. Saints SportsFest Celebrating over four decades, the Saints Sports Festival has evolved into a comprehensive showcase, including rugby, hockey, netball, squash, and tennis. The 2024 festival welcomed over 1 100 participants from more than 85 schools. The 2025 edition promises to continue this tradition, offering thrilling matchups across multiple disciplines. KES Easter Festival Renowned for its competitive rugby and hockey fixtures, the KES Easter Festival continues to showcase high-calibre performances.
The Citizen
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sandton Chronicle
St John's, St Stithians and KES festivals return this Easter as flagship events in Gauteng's sporting calendar. Johannesburg is set to host its most-anticipated school sports weekend of the year, with the 2025 editions of the St John's Easter Sports Festival, St Stithians Sports Festival and King Edward VII School (KES) Easter Festival. These events have become cornerstones in Gauteng's school sporting calendar, drawing large crowds and showcasing top-tier schools' talent. St John's College Easter Rugby Festival This festival attracts leading schools from across the nation, celebrating the best in schoolboy rugby. A new addition to the Easter Rugby Festival this year is the U16 fixtures on Easter Monday. Saints SportsFest Celebrating over four decades, the Saints Sports Festival has evolved into a comprehensive showcase, including rugby, hockey, netball, squash, and tennis. The 2024 festival welcomed over 1 100 participants from more than 85 schools. The 2025 edition promises to continue this tradition, offering thrilling matchups across multiple disciplines. KES Easter Festival Renowned for its competitive rugby and hockey fixtures, the KES Easter Festival continues to showcase high-calibre performances.
