Is it fair to steal from ourselves?

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Is it fair to steal from others? Is it fair to steal from our ourselves? How do we teach people to respect their own property and the property of others. The battle goes on.....

Can Chris Hani Secondary School do it?

Despite a number of challenges at the school, educators are still trying to breathe new life into the school to get it going again. While changing hands so many times, the school has gone through a rocky patch.

As a number of things are still being sorted out, Mr Fass the maths

HOD and the accounting educator

were preparing to use the interactive white boards. Mr Fass

was about to take the grade 11 learners for Linear programming and the Accounting educator was going to revise some question papers with learners. In these pictures both educators were busy familiarizing themselves with how to proceed through their respective lessons.

Both educators were quite optimistic about using the boards and it is hoped the learners will also engage with their educators in a new way of learning.

Pre-planning to EAIWB training @ UQPS

The 3x EAIWB are installed @ Umnqophiso PS and the school is ready to start with smart. As a team, we sat down and did a pre-planning session on EAIWB training before the first physical practical applications are done with the staff.

Mr Thembile Galata, Mrs Connie Qavane, Mrs Gloria Tshaka and Albie Smith (Facilitator) sat around a table doing the pre-planning stages. Dates were determined and 5x sessions will take place next week and the following week. The last 3x sessions will be done early next year 2010 !

The principal, Mrs Momba, HOD Mr T Galata, staff and learners are eagerly awaiting the new technology.

ALBIE

Esangweni moving ahead

Recently three interactive white boards were installed at Esangweni High School. After the laptops arrived, training was arranged. Educators were quite eager to get going. With the assistance of Faeeza and Mark the educators have gone through the basics. During the next few days the laptops will be booked out and the practicing will start. During next week a second session has been arranged so that educators know how the features of the board work. As part our the training references will be made to how the board can be used to deliver dynamic lessons.

Thinking linearly

Denver Ahgoo, a first year Maths educator at Sinako, was eager to try out some new skills on the Smart Board. Here he is seen teaching learners Linear Programming which is considered to be a more challenging section of work. The methods used to solve problems were quickly scribbled across the board with blue and green pens. Of course, the learners wanted to try the board too. A brave soul, ventured to the board for the first time making sure she did not disappoint her fellow learners. Mr Aghoo moved between using Word and Master Maths. In many instances the problems he showed which were typed in Word aligned with some Mastermaths modules available on the laptop.

We hope to see good things coming from Sinako (Khayelitsha no1) Secondary School soon.

2nd Theft / Burglary @ Loreto PS - when will it STOP ???

During 2009, Loreto PS wat hit 2x in a row with theft / burglary incidents within months !!!!! Fortunately, the bulk of ICT equipment (like laptops) are now locked away in the safe behind a thick METAL DOOR after normal school hours to secure "availability" the next day to be utilized to progress with normal educational activities to equip the already "poverty-stricken learners" with knowledge and skills.

Despite these measures, schools are constantly the target of THEFT !! When will communities / thiefs / robbers / "psychological disturbed people" realise that schools are institutions were LEARNING should take place and that young innocent LEARNERS are being equipped with skills to be prospective future citizens TO CONTRIBUTE to the well-being of ALL in an economical productive environment after them, eventually ?

Despite tight security measures, one laptop was stolen from the classroom during DAYLIGHT school hours earlier this year. Again during ALMOST daylight, robbery occured when a data projector was FORCEFULLY removed form the classroom.

Despite the proactive measures taken to secure equipment like INSURANCE, ALARMS, data projectors and EIAWB that are firmly mounted in the classrooms, behind "small burglar bars", certain "society members" DESPISE these measures to gain access and "destroy" their "own" learners / children from a future - "HOW NAIVE CAN SOME OF US BECOME" - Brutus said to Caesar !!!

Albie without a future @ ALL !!

Manzomthombo Secondary

On Monday, 19 October 2009, The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra which is Africa’s most active and versatile symphony orchestra visited the school to play various pieces to get learners interested in classical music. After each session, the conductor explained each piece of music and how to listen to it. He also explained where each instrument is located and why. It was fascinating to see learners listening quietly absorbing each note. All photos taken and presented on this blog were taken by a club of the school. During break the orchestra and learners interacted with each other sharing some light refreshments.

New LAB for Bellville PS !!!

Bellville PS in Bellville got their LAB after waiting almost 10 years !

Mr Danie Bester Principal @ BPS is delighted about the new LAB and the latest technology. He said that he, the staff, the learners and school in general are waiting anxiously to get INTO the LAB to start with ICT.

Altogether 25x ws + teacherws and server with aircon and other peripherals were installed. BPS did provide the classroom to be converted into a LAB and the school did the neccessary layout, planning and preparation of the classroom to be ready i.e. painting walls + varnished the floor + got security measures like burglars bars in place. All that still need be done is the final finish and touches re the hardware in the LAB.

Next step is the loading of the software - CAMI and then the training of 3x educators re LAN 1 + 2. They are Mr D Bester, Elsabe Botha and Elmien Pieterse - they are looking forward to be equipped with the advanced ICT skills.

Mr Danie Bester expressed his gratitude towards Khanya for the LAB. He said that the staff is very excited to get training. Most of the educators don't even have a computer @ home, and this is the opportunity to get themselves equipped with ICT skills !! They are very happy with the project @ their school !!

Albie

Projects @ Macassar PS

Mr Rass, acting Principal of MPS informed me about the numerous projects @ the school for the parents, educators, learners and community. From the Vegetable Garden (every grade got a part to look after e.g. to remove the weed), Pigeon Club, (70 learners actively involve for caring, food, cleaning and general maintenance), Community ICT Classes during the week on Tuesday and Thursdays by Dexter Fischer (SNA), the Help2Read by 9x mothers to the Somerset College CAMI Maths Support Group is an indication of the principal, educators and school’ commitment to assist the Macassar Learner with skills development. This full program caters to improve the total commitment of the learner, his and her reading and maths skills @ MPS – thus a community effort to uplift the LITNUM @ MPS.

Keep it up Macassar PS !!

Albie

Somerset College @ Macassar PS

As part of a community project, altogether 17 Grade 11 learners form Somerset College under the leadership of Suné Bothma, is doing some wonderful work @ Macassar PS. The Somerset College learners together with 4 mothers (who also assisted with the CAMI maths training session at MPS) are: Elmien Bothma, Tracey Spiller, Phillipa Patior and Liesel Oberholzer.

The training session for the Grade 6 learners is divided into 2 groups – one session in the staffroom with pen and paper, and the other in the LAB with technology and fingers ! This is an activity that takes place every Wednesday from 8 am to 9:00 am. The focus of the project is mainly numeracy with the the CAMI Maths software.
Thank you Macassar Primary School for opening the door of shared learning to SC. Thank you Somerset College for walking through the door and rendering this vital community support to MPS learners.

Albie