Grade 1 Viyaan's Incredible 3D Model of His School Earns Praise

Photo Credit: St John’s College

Grade 1 St John’s College learner, Viyaan, has taken school pride to a whole new level!

Makhanda, South Africa (15 October 2026) – St John’s College learners in Grade 1 were asked to design and build a model of any building for their Art programme. Young Viyaan knew, right off the bat, that he wanted to recreate his school in miniature.

“As part of their Art programme with Mrs Taylor-Parkins in the Pre-Prep, our Grade 1 boys were asked to design and build a model of any building they liked. For Viyaan, there was only one choice: his school, and in particular the David Quad at the heart of the College.” shares the school on Facebook.

Still with his entire schooling career ahead, Viyaan already shows incredible pride in his college – a space where he gets to learn and feel like he belongs.

School pride actually runs in the family. Viyaan’s father, Yudeshan Naidoo, is an Old Johannian himself.

Over the holidays, Viyaan teamed up with his grandfather for a wonderful bonding project. Together they carefully built the miniature corridors and arches of the exact same space his grandfather had once walked through alongside Viyaan’s father.

“It was such a special experience helping Viyaan with this project,” shared his grandfather. “We are very proud of him, and I’m grateful that I could be part of something that means so much to him and his school.”

When Viyaan proudly brought his finished creation into the real David Quad, both boys and staff gathered around to admire the incredible job he had done!

The School Museum immediately took notice and showed interest in displaying it, and Viyaan had the chance to share the heart-warming story behind his masterpiece with Executive Headmaster Dale Jackson.

One of the most touching moments came when Mr Seautlweng, the dedicated gardener who cares for the quad every single day, stopped by to take a look!

“Mr Jacob Seautlweng, one of the gardeners who tends the Quad every day, stopped to look at the model and was clearly moved to see the space he knows so well captured in such detail. There stood the boy who had recreated the Quad, beside the man who helps bring the real one to life.”

St John’s expressed great pride in return for little Viyaan, recognising his deep sense of belonging in the school.

“We are incredibly privileged to have boys whose connection to this school runs deep, with blue running through their veins from their earliest days in the Pre-Prep,” said Ms Noluthando Nkuna, Pre-Preparatory Headmistress.