Archive for July, 2007

A training weekend for technology took place on 20/21 July.  An interesting report has been received from ORT-Tech for Terms 1 and 2 and is available in the office should any trustee like to see this.  While ORT-Tech is generally very pleased with the progress of this project, concern has been expressed regarding the intensity of the training and lack of classroom-based support to ensure the implementation of this training in the classroom. Loël and I have submitted project proposals to potential funders to enable us to provide classroom-based support for technology from the beginning of 2008.

An additional training weekend has been scheduled for the 27/28 July to make up for time lost during the strike.  The facilitators have taken a lot of trouble to bring teachers who have been absent from training up to speed.

EQUIP wraps up their three years in Hermanus:  The Exit Ceremony was a gala event in the Municipal Auditorium.  Brian O’Connell, Vice-Rector of the University of the Western Cape, gave the keynote address.  This set the tone for an evening to be remembered. A video had been made of the programme which was presented to the seven schools involved. The Marimbas and the Steel Pan Band entertained the audience and our relationship with EQUIP ended on a very high note.
 
Any additional support interventions will not be EQUIP interventions but Johan Ryk Consulting interventions. 

Seen at the function:
Backrow L to R:  Mr M Hull, Principal of Mount Pleasant Primary School; Mr I Adams, Acting Principal of Hawston Secondary School; Mr M Tshabalala, Principal of Lukhanyo Primary School; Mr W ladewig, Principal of Hermanus High School; Mr B O'Connell, Vice Rector, University of the Western Cape; Mr B Cilliers, Principal of Hermanus Primary School; Mrs Star Geldenhuis, Acting Principal of Qhayiya Secondary School; Mrs Marie van Tonder, School Advisor, EMDC, Worcester; Mr T Swartz, Deputy Principal, Hawston Secondary School.
Front row L to R.  Mr T Beyleveldt, Mayor Overstrand Municipality; Ms Sindi Shayi, Chief Director Rural Schools, Western Cape Education Department; Adv
Henri Kuiper, Chairman, Enlighten Education Trust.

The 4th Junior Town Council was inaugurated on 26th July.   The function was slick and the calibre of the new councillors impressive. 

We believe that we are getting better at this project each year! 

The Orientation Camp is becoming more focused and the training more appropriate, support from Area Managers and Mentors is improving and we are enjoying this project more and more.

A surprising number of learners turned up for the Winter School at Qhayiya during the last week of the holidays.  Tutors were generally very pleased with the turnout and commitment shown by the learners.  Sessions were provided for English, maths, accounting and history and an additional day was added to the programme on the last Friday of the holiday.

The school was opened for use promptly each day and locked at the end of the day by the school caretaker.

Much appreciation was expressed for the sandwiches/hotdogs/fruit juice provided for the learners mid-morning.

Sixteen Construction trainees registered for a ten-week site training programme at the Overberg Training Centre in Grabouw.  This was a daily programme and the first three modules are in Bricklaying, Plastering and Painting.  The two modules which follow are Plumbing and Electrical. 

Reports from the instructor in Grabouw are that the OTI trainees were disciplined, punctual and dedicated to the tasks set for them.  This has been ascribed to the initial lifeskills training which trainees underwent and OTI has been asked to provide their lifeskills programme to the Grabouw Centre for use with their own trainees.  One trainee was identified for training as a trainer and/or for site supervision. 

Trainees will be able to be used for both conventional building methods as well as light steel construction.

All Stars Domestic Services is in the process of finding an office administrator who will assist Grace Buyile with the daily financial matters and general office duties.  

Photowise has been provided with funding for a digital camera from two anonymous sponsors.  A contract has been drawn up and they have been assisted with getting costing and monthly management reports in hand.  A payment schedule has been drawn up to repay the loan.  The two partners have been put in touch with the photographic club so as to hone their skills and training begins shortly.  A letter of thanks from the Photowise partners appeared in last week’s Hermanus Times.

Madoda and Partners Butchery have put together their business plan for application for funding from Red Door.  A refrigerated container has been sourced and local companies have been visited to find the correct stainless steel butchery equipment.  The client is in the process of getting proforma invoices in order to work out what the initial capital outlay will be.  Once funds are available, stock and equipment will be purchased.

Andrew, maker of quality bead products, who won first prize at last year’s Whale Festival, needs assistance in marketing and identifying market trends in order to broaden his range.  A Johannesburg visitor, Mrs Claasen, also a bead maker, has been working with him and will help in finding markets in Gauteng.

RDP site: 
Paul Buckley made a donation of R5 000 to the RDP to improve the premises.  In the process, a vegetable garden was established.  Nico and Cliff have assisted Motsarella, a local lady, to take over the garden and make it her business.  She is already selling lettuce and other items.

Elim: 
More and more requests are coming to the business developers through Brian Prins who has the responsibility of developing the communities affected by the Bredasdorp/Gansbaai road. 
Maureen Barends has a contract for manufacturing protective clothing for the construction firm, not only for this road construction, but for the country as a whole.  She is being assisted through the Enlighten business developers in terms of cashflow and accessing second-hand industrial machines.