Archive for August, 2008

Betsie and Lois have both been adjudged “competent” (as opposed to “not yet competent”!) by the ETDPSETA as Assessors and are being registered on the national database as such.  Together with Frank and Shelley, we now have four Assessors on the staff.  Both Frank and Shelley have expressed an interest in doing the Moderator’s training and we will follow this up next year.

The literacy/numeracy laboratory has been established. It is now kitted out with the computer system itself and the necessary software for literacy, numeracy and perceptual skills. The software is currently being evaluated.

On the 19th August, Lois attended a conference on “Whole School Development – Myth or Reality” at Arabella.  This was a most inspiring and motivating day. 

Educational experts voiced their considerable concerns about the state of education openly and honestly.  

At long last there is also concern being expressed about the lack of content knowledge which teachers show, the extraordinary amounts of money which have been spent on training without any translation into classroom practice, the way in which incompetency has been allowed to continue etc. There were many really good speakers and it was extremely refreshing to get the realities of education on the table for discussion and debate.  Interestingly, there appeared to be consensus that the new curriculum is fine but OBE methodology cannot be implemented at this stage.

All in all, a very worthwhile day – for local networking too.

marimba band received A+ and the steelpans received A+.  Well done to the facilitators and to the learners.  The steelpans were invited to perform at Artscape on the 28th August.

Both Betsie and Joanie are thrilled with the results of the Choir section.  Between them they were responsible for five choir entries – Betsie’s three choirs received  2 Cum Laude and 1 A+, and Joanie’s choirs received A+ and A.  The baby choir from Hawston Primary which had never performed before received the A+.  These are extraordinary results.

Marina’s dance pupils have also done extremely well at the Eisteddfod. 

Art exhibition – Mt Pleasant Primary entered  "Clowns" done in oil pastels from their Grade 4 class and Masakhane Primary  "Hands" done in coloured pencil by Grade 5 learners.

The inauguration of the Junior Town Council on the 31st July went well. Feedback from several individuals who were present at this event was extremely positive – many people expressed their sense of hope for the future after seeing the integration of youngsters across race, school, geographical area, social class etc, and the way in which they interacted.

The inauguration was followed by a junior council training session on the 21st August.  The focus was on service delivery, communication and public speaking.