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The Importance of STREAM Education in Primary Schools with the Integration of Religion

In recent years, education systems worldwide have witnessed a growing emphasis on STEAM education, an interdisciplinary approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. At Loreto School Queenswood we have added the R for Religion to the mix. We feel that this approach has proven to be highly beneficial, nurturing critical skills and fostering holistic development in students from Grades RRR to Grades 7. Moreover, integrating religion into STEAM education can enhance its impact, providing additional advantages that go beyond the academic realm. Importance of STREAM Education in our Pre-primary and Primary school: Holistic Skill Development: Encourages students to explore and apply their knowledge across various disciplines. By engaging in hands-on projects, students develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity skills. Early exposure to STREAM concepts lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and prepares students for future challenges. Real-world Relevance: Emphasizes practical application and relevance to real-world scenarios. By connecting classroom learning to everyday life, students can better understand the significance of scientific discoveries, technological innovations, engineering solutions, mathematical principles, and artistic expressions. Fostering Innovation: Nurturing a spirit of innovation from a young age is essential for fostering a generation of creative thinkers and problem solvers. STREAM education allows students to explore ideas, take risks, and learn from failures, ultimately fostering a growth mindset that is crucial in navigating an ever-changing world. Enhancing Collaboration: Projects often involve teamwork, encouraging students to collaborate, communicate effectively, and respect diverse perspectives. These skills are vital not only in academic settings but also in future professional environments. Understanding Cultural Diversity: Integrating religion into STEAM education allows students to understand and respect the diverse beliefs and customs prevalent in our globalized world. This fosters a sense of cultural awareness and helps build bridges of understanding between different communities. By incorporating religious narratives into STREAM subjects, students can explore how scientific, technological, engineering, artistic, and mathematical advancements have shaped the beliefs and practices of different cultures throughout history. This interdisciplinary approach enriches their understanding of both science and religion. STREAM education offers a well-rounded approach to primary schooling, fostering essential skills and nurturing young minds for the future. By integrating religion into this educational framework, we provide students with a broader perspective on the world and encourage the development of moral and ethical values. This synergy empowers students to become responsible, compassionate, and culturally aware individuals, ready to contribute positively to society and tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Which in turn makes our goal of “Growing Children For Life” even more possible. Article by Nthabiseng Nyamane For Loreto School Queenswood

August 18, 2023

MARKS LEAVING A LOT TO BE DESIRED? HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO

Life has its own plans; sometimes, things do not work out as we hoped. Some high school students and parents are currently finding themselves amid a relatively stressful time, having to come to terms with June exam results that were not at the standard they expected. Perhaps some red lights are going off for you as a parent, with the prospect that your child might need serious academic intervention. The good news is that it is never too late to re-evaluate and make the necessary changes to reach the desired outcome. Suppose you are keen to pursue Tertiary studies. In that case, it is essential to ensure that you are ready from the get-go and that you can successfully apply without creating additional stress and anxiety. If you take action now, this is doable even if you didn’t perform at your best in the mid-year exams. Here are some tips to assist you on your academic journey: 1. Setting goals Ensure that you set measurable goals for yourself, both academically and personally. Measure this timeously and regularly, and reward yourself for reaching goals. Remember to review and revise your goals continuously! A good idea would be to write them down and keep them somewhere visible at all times. 2. Are you in the right school? Make sure that your schooling environment supports your needs. At Abbotts College, for example, we issue 7 academic report cards throughout the year, which assists you in setting up reasonable goals. We also offer after-hour academic support, where you can contact your subject teachers to get academic support until 20:00. During our Homework lesson, students can consult on a one-on-one basis with any of their subject teachers. Parents often think they should only move students at the beginning of the year, we have found that students that move now have the benefit of adapting before the start of the new year. 3. Softer skills are important The softer skills such as effective time management, planning study times and schedules, and self-management skills are critical. It is vital to balance academics and free time to exercise and spend quality time away from the books with family and friends. Click here to download a template that can support your needs. 4. Plan your future Do the necessary research at different Tertiary institutions. Note the entry requirements, AP scores and subject choice combinations which are required to apply. Measure your current results to these requirements. If you do not currently meet them, put goals in place to ensure sufficient improvement to be able to apply. Two or three options is a safe space, as life does not always go according to our own plans. If you are still unsure, consult an educational psychologist who can assist you with aptitude tests. If you are uncertain about educational psychologists, contact your closest Abbotts College, which can assist you with a referral. Not all schools are the same, and you must ensure that your chosen school is the best fit for your child and their academic needs. Do not hesitate to consider a school such as Abbotts College that might be less traditional yet more focused on academic processes, allowing it to go the extra mile to facilitate academic success for our students. The right environment combined with the right approach can make all the difference. In closing, remember a negative mind will never give you a positive outcome. Good luck for the remainder of the academic year. By Izak Stander: Principal of Abbotts College Northcliff

August 14, 2023

Unlocking literacy: 5 simple strategies parents can use to give pre-schoolers a head start

South Africa faces a significant literacy crisis in children under the age of 10. Despite efforts to improve educational outcomes, a new report from the 2030 Reading Panel has found that most children leave grade one without knowing the alphabet, while 82% of children cannot read for meaning by the time they reach Grade 4. While teachers are essential in imparting knowledge and nurturing academic skills, parents possess a unique advantage of being intimately involved in their child’s day-to-day life. By actively working on literacy with their children, parents can create a supportive learning environment that complements the efforts of teachers. “The first five years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring the speech and language skills necessary for literacy later in life. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. It is for this reason that pre-school forms such a crucial part of your child’s developmental journey. But it is not the responsibility of teachers alone to help children develop these skills,” says Mampho Langa, Head of Schools at Future Nation Schools (FNS), “parents play a crucial role in this too. In this article, we share some of practical steps, inspired by ta combination of project-based learning, learn-to-play and Montessori pre-school teaching methodologies we use here at FNS, that parents can use to boost literacy rates during the pre-school years and set their children up for lifelong academic and personal success.” 1. Nurture your child’s curiosity Project-based learning (PBL) promotes curiosity and prompts learners to gather information, analyse it and arrive at conclusions based on evidence. This makes it an effective approach to engage children in meaningful, hands-on activities that promote literacy buy encouraging your child to explore topics that they are interested in and create projects around them. For example, if your child loves animals, you can help them research different animal species, create a mini zoo with toy animals, ask them questions that prompt them to think about animals differently (like why zebras have stripes) and then read books to them that answer those questions. In so doing, these PBL techniques will develop your child’s comprehension skills while nurturing their curiosity and creativity. 2. Make learning tangible and multisensory PBL emphasises a child-centred approach to education that empowers children to take an active role in their learning journey. One of the key ways this is done at a pre-school level is by incorporating a wide range of materials that promote language development. For instance, use textured materials for tracing letters, engage in sensory play with letter-shaped sand, or encourage your child to write words in shaving cream. These multisensory experiences reinforce letter recognition, fine motor skills and memory recall, making the learning process more engaging and effective. 3. Foster a love for independent reading Independent exploration and self-directed learning is a key component of project-based learning. By simply engaging with books, your child embarks on a journey of appreciating literature and narratives, igniting their imagination and nurturing their curiosity. Encourage your child to engage in independent reading by creating a literacy-friendly environment. Set up a cosy reading nook with a bookshelf containing a variety of age-appropriate books. Encourage your child to choose their own books in order to foster their independence and personal preferences. Describing pictures in the book, explaining the meaning of the story and encouraging the child to talk about what has been read to them and to ask questions will not only improve their understanding of the world and their social skills but it will enhance their literacy skills as well. 4. Encourage collaboration and language development: Collaboration and effective communication are essential skills emphasised in PBL education. Encourage your child to engage in group activities that promote language development and social interaction. Set up playdates with peers, engage in shared storytelling sessions, or organize mini-group projects where children work together to create a story or a book. Collaboration enhances language skills, vocabulary development and critical thinking abilities. 5. Connect literacy with real-life experiences PBL education emphasise the importance of connecting learning with real-life experiences. Help your child make meaningful connections between literacy skills and their everyday life. For example, while grocery shopping, ask your child to help you find items on a shopping list or read labels to you. Encourage them to illustrate their own recipes or create a menu for a pretend restaurant. By linking literacy to practical experiences, children develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for reading and writing. “There you have it”, concludes Langa, “five simple ways that you can incorporate aspects of project-based learning, learn-to-play and Montessori pre-school teaching into your child’s day-to-day activities that can greatly enhance their child’s literacy skills during the preschool years. By embracing hands-on projects, promoting independent reading, utilising multisensory approaches, fostering collaboration, and connecting literacy with real-life experiences, you can create a vital foundation for your child’s lifelong love of reading and learning.” Literacy skills are one of the five areas that schools test for when assessing whether a pre-school child is ready to go to primary school. At 6pm on 29 August 2023, Future Nation Schools will be hosting a free virtual talk about School Readiness Assessments for parents and guardians interested in finding out more about this vital step in their child’s education journey. Book your seat for this talk here. About Future Nation Schools Founded in 2017 by Sizwe Nxasana and Dr Judy Dlamini, Future Nation Schools are a network of independent schools that aim to lead the African Education Revolution through relevant, futuristic, Africa-focused and technology-enabled education. Future Nation Schools, which has campuses in Fleurhof and Lyndhurst, offers quality, affordable, African-centred education for Pre-School, Primary and High School. The curriculum comprises an enhanced National CAPS curriculum, delivered through Project Based Learning, and an IEB examination in Grade 12.

August 9, 2023

Staying strong and focused during Matric studies

Join SACAP’s free Study Hack Webinar or Campus Watch Party This time of preparing for and writing Matric exams is much like facing a high-stakes endurance challenge. You want to be mentally and physically top of your game so that you can perform at your best, but the circumstances are full of tension and stress. A certain amount of stress can be useful to keep us focused, but too much can lead to crippling exam anxiety. It helps to have a plan for tackling your Matric studies that includes factoring in your physical and mental health. Developing good study habits helps you to get through your workload more efficiently while maintaining your resilience and well-being. If you’re not sure how to get organised for your upcoming studies and final exams, it’s important to get advice from experts rather than trying to muddle through on your own. SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology) will be hosting its annual SACAP Matric Student Study Hack webinar on Saturday, 12 August 2022 from 10:00. If you don’t want to sit at home and watch alone, join a SACAP Study Hack Watch Party at a SACAP Campus in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria or Durban. This year, the SACAP Study Hack panel is made up of four experts sharing top hacks that can help you improve concentration and focus through nutrition, keep physically active while you are studying, take control of your stress and anxiety and approach all your subjects using tried and tested study focus methods. Ziyanda Khumalo, a Student Support and Development Advisor at SACAP’s Johannesburg Campus, will share her expertise on how to identify and minimise distractions that impair focus or invite procrastination. She emphasises the importance of setting goals, developing a study schedule, and managing your time. Ziyanda says, “While students do have unique study preferences, there are certain focus methods that are effective as a foundation in a variety of academic areas. Productive focus techniques help students get organised and identify their priorities. Students need to reflect on their study environment and identify their distractions – is it an uncomfortable chair that makes them fidget and get up? Is it the constant pinging of their device? Are there younger siblings demanding attention? You need to first set yourself up for success in your environment, and then work towards your goals. You need to include regular and consistent breaks, and then manage your time precisely so that you don’t get caught up in other activities around the house. Tracking your progress helps to ensure focus and avoids the stress that comes with falling behind on your studies.” According to Educational and Research Psychologist, Dr Diana De Sousa, exam anxiety is a common experience for Matric students. She says, “It helps to understand the science behind this. Exam anxiety is caused by the body’s natural stress response triggered by the amygdala in the brain. This response perceives exams as a threat to a student’s self-esteem, future goals, or academic standing, causing increased levels of cortisol in the body.” You can recognise exam anxiety if you are troubled by negative thought patterns, self-doubt, and fear of failure. Dr De Sousa says, “This mental noise can impair concentration, memory recall, and decision-making during study time and while writing your exams. However, coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and positive reinforcement can help manage and mitigate the effects of exam anxiety.” At the SACAP Matric Student Study Hack webinar Dr De Sousa will be highlighting practical mindfulness techniques to handle stress and anxiety effectively. One of the best to manage mental stress is by getting the body moving. Unfortunately, during long bouts of studying, getting up and out into the fresh air for some exercise too often falls by the wayside. It’s important to include time for being physically active in your daily study schedule. Happiness Mesi, a sports and pilates conditioner joins the SACAP panel to discuss how mental well-being can be boosted through exercise. Happiness says, “Exercise results in the release of mood-enhancing endorphins which combat stress, anxiety and depression. While you might not be able to take the time out for a long cycle or play a soccer game during your studies, you will find that you can take a break and simply go for a brisk walk in your neighbourhood. This refreshes the brain and releases a good amount of dopamine which will shift you into a more positive mindset. In addition, regular stretching helps a great deal during study time to make you more physically comfortable and resilient.” Too often when we have big demands on our time and attention, we forget about how important it is to eat and sleep well. Poor diet and lack of sleep amplify stress and anxiety, making it harder for us to perform well. SACAP panellist Nelile Nxumalo, a Registered Dietician will discuss what your body needs to maintain high energy levels and what foods can help to improve your concentration. She says, “During study and exam periods, the brain and nervous system work overtime and need to be fuelled by healthy foods to function optimally. Eating well-balanced meals feeds the brain with the right nutrients and this helps to improve memory and alertness.” Nelile will be presenting simple meal and snack hacks to help you use nutrition to boost your exam performance. Dr De Sousa concludes, “It’s normal to experience exam stress, and it’s crucial to be kind to yourself during this challenging period. Don’t skip out on the short breaks that you need to rest and recharge. Take a flexible approach to your study schedule and make adjustments if necessary. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it is important to reach out for support from teachers, family or friends. Keep your perspective clear and remember that the results of one exam doesn’t define your worth or potential.” Join the conversation, SACAP’s Matric Student Hack webinar on Saturday, 12 August 2023 from 10h00 to 11h30. Registration is free and you can RSVP on Zoom

August 8, 2023

FAIRY TALES – More than just entertainment

Albert Einstein is believed to have once said “”If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” Could it be possible that the beloved fairy tales of childhood can have more value over and above delightful entertainment? We at Kumon have considered why it is important for you to tell and read fairy tales to your child. Help develop a range of academic skills As a young listener your child will observe your storytelling skills and learn to mimic these as their own reading ability develops. They will learn how to captivate an audience using tone, accents, acting, dramatic pauses etc., as well as the components of effective storytelling like chronology and attention to detail. In listening to you reading fairy tales and then learning to read from the books themselves, a child will develop strong memory skills; I’m sure as an adult you can still recall the details of your favourite fairy tales. From the actual fairy tale plots they will develop in critical thinking skills, as they will follow the actions of the characters carefully and see the consequences of these actions, boosting their understanding of the world. Through any sort of fictional reading a child will develop in creativity, but the fantasy, myth and magic of fairy tales offers even greater scope for them to think outside of the box. Fairy tales are full of fantastic adventures, enchanting lands and exotic creatures, all of which fuel their imagination beyond the ordinary and every day. Teach important life lessons Of course the primary function of fairy tales is to be entertaining, but they also contain valuable and moral lessons for a child to learn. According to The Telegraph, Goddard Blythe, director of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology in Chester, said: “Fairy tales help to teach children an understanding of right and wrong, not through direct teaching, but through implication.”1 Certainly the real world isn’t a fairy tale but a child can take the over-arching messages of these tales and apply them to their own lives, for example fairy tales teach great lessons in friendship and kindness as well in individuality and staying true to oneself. Encourage emotional development Usually you would tell or read your child a fairy tale before bed to settle them into a peaceful slumber; this is important as it creates intimacy, routine, and a bonding experience between you and your child. The majority of fairy tale plots and the messages they convey can resonate directly with a child and can help them to deal with an anxiety they can’t yet fully explain. Fairy tales can teach them how to better handle and deal with their emotions. Professor Yvonne Kelly of UCL said the following about reading to children: “It’s not just the flow of information of the written text that’s in the book, it’s the degree of intimacy associated with telling stories and reading stories with and to young children… we find very, very strong correlations between reading to children and their own reading scores and their own maths scores and all markers of cognitive performance as well as to their behaviours“2 However, in closing, putting the research and studies aside, fairy tales are simply a wonderful way to add a bit of extra sparkle to your child’s day and encourage their love of reading. This article is courtesy of the Kumon UK website* * https://www.kumon.co.uk/blog/if-you-want-your-children-to-be-intelligent-read-them-fairy-tales-if-you-want-them-to-be-more-intelligent-read-them-more-fairy-tales-albert-einstein/ 1 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8378975/Parents-who-shun-fairytales-miss-chance-to-teach-children-morality.html 2 https://studylib.net/doc/13839263/a-good-start-in-life-icls-occasional-paper-12-yvonne-kelly

July 28, 2023

DO CHILDREN STILL NEED STRONG MENTAL AGILITY WHEN THEY CAN RELY ON TECHNOLOGY?

With calculators, spell-checkers and predictive text now being a common feature on computers and mobile phones, will today’s children still need strong mental skills to get by? Using technological software may be quick and easy, but there are real disadvantages that come when a child is so dependent on online assistance; namely, they will lack mental agility, fluency and accuracy, and they probably won’t be using their brain to its full capacity. Everyday tasks as simple as checking they’ve received the right change, or working out ratios of ingredients when preparing meals, require mental calculations which a child reliant on technology could struggle with. A student who looks to spell-checker to ensure the accuracy of their work will struggle when completing it offline; they’ll be marked down for inaccuracy during handwritten exams, or perhaps they know an answer but their poor spelling lets them down because the examiner is unable to understand their intention. Looking to the future, strong mental arithmetic and literacy skills are important in whatever career a child chooses to pursue, and are still noticed and sought after by most employers. A child who has these abilities will feel more confident and at ease in the workplace. In addition to all of the above, reading and writing, and solving mathematical calculations exercises the brain and keeps it healthy. The brain is a muscle, and like the other muscles in the body, it needs to be exercised and stimulated regularly to stay healthy and keep functioning at its optimum. Dr Ryuta Kawashima is a professor at Tohoku University in Japan and he is a leader in the field of Brain Imaging in Japan. He has conducted numerous experiments and research to discover what activities activate and stimulate the brain and what activities don’t. One activity that Dr Kawashima discovered that is excellent for stimulating the brain is performing mathematical calculations regularly, even simple ones. He conducted research to find out which activity exercised the brain more: playing very complex video games, or solving mathematical calculations of adding one digit numbers to each other e.g. 1 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 6 etc. Although at the outset he was sure that the video games would activate the brain more, when he measured activity using MRI scans, he saw that video games actually stimulated the brain very little, but that the arithmetical calculations had the brain firing on all cylinders. This surprising finding urged Dr Kawashima into further research and he has shown that mathematical calculations stimulate the brain, help to lay down neural pathways and keep the brain from degenerating. Dr Kawashima has this to say, “The prefrontal cortex, the area for thinking and learning, of both hemispheres [of the brain] is active during simple calculation. Dealing with numbers is an important and sophisticated activity for human beings. … From primary school to college, simple calculation triggers brain activity. … Calculation is extremely helpful in training and developing your brain.” (p.34). Another activity that is vital for the brain is reading, especially reading out loud. Through his research, Dr Kawashima has found that when reading, many parts of both sides of the brain, as well as the prefrontal cortex (the most important place in the brain for thinking and learning) are activated. (p.26). Reading out loud activates the brain even more than reading silently. This can be a useful tip when it comes to studying. Reading work out loud can help a learner to remember it better. Mental agility skills do take time to develop and improve but through practice they will make all the difference! How can you encourage the development of these skills in your child? Turn everyday experiences into learning opportunities – when shopping, ask your child to work out how much your bill will cost before you get to the checkout, and have them look at the receipt afterwards to check it’s correct. Have a weekly spelling bee at home or a times tables challenge – competitions and rewards are good incentives to encourage children to learn and make learning fun. When reading with your child, ensure they are familiar with all the words on the page and get them to write and spell out new words. Encourage your child to write regularly as this offers opportunities to spell. Through this, you’ll be able to see spellings they struggle with, and employ tracing, mnemonics and/or other strategies to help them improve. At Kumon, we aim to foster independent learners through our maths and English programmes. Our students do not rely on calculators, dictionaries or coping strategies to advance through their study; instead they are encouraged to become self-learners who develop in academic ability and skill with each worksheet they complete. Through daily practice our students develop in understanding, fluency and pace, allowing them to advance to more complexed work. If you’re interested in enrolling your child to Kumon, visit our website www.kumon.co.za to find your nearest study centre and contact your local Instructor for more information. Sources for this article: https://www.kumon.co.uk/blog/do-children-still-need-strong-mental-agility-when-then-can-rely-on-technology/ Kawashima, R. 2003. Train Your Brain. Kumon Publishing Co, Ltd. Tokyo, Japan Kawashima, R. and Koizumi, H. ed. 2003. Learning Therapy. Tohoku University Press. Sendai, Japan

June 26, 2023

Solving SA’s literacy crisis with a unique approach to teaching and learning

Literacy rates in South Africa are going backwards. That is the finding of the 2023 Reading Panel background report, written by education economist Nic Spaull on behalf of a panel of specialists convened by former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. The report, published earlier this month, reveals that a shocking 82% of grade 4 children cannot read for meaning. This is a deeply troubling statistic. Without the ability to decipher the meaning behind the words they read on a page, learners battle to answer questions related to what they have read and, in time, this affects their ability to follow instructions, solve problems and think critically. “The root cause of this crisis,” says Sizwe Nxasana, founder of Future Nation Schools “lies in the problem with South Africa’s language policy, particularly the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) in schools. This, like so many things in our culturally rich country, is a complex issue.” According to South Africa’s CAPS curriculum, the purpose of ‘English Home Language’ as a subject is to “acquire the language skills required for academic learning across the curriculum”, with the parallel purpose for English First Additional Language to “use their Additional Language for academic learning across the curriculum.” Yet take a closer look at our country’s demographics and you will quickly see where the problem lies. Demographically, 80% of teachers and learners do not use English as their home or native language yet we expect teachers to teach our children English – not just for pronunciation, but for meaning. This, the first key contributing factor to the low levels of English proficiency amongst learners, has a significant impact on the quality of learning and teaching in our country. The second, and equally important, factor is dictated by our country’s Language in Education Policy, which requires that learners’ mother tongue is maintained, developed and used as the LoLT for the first three years of primary school (known as the Foundation Phase). Thereafter, the policy recommends that the LoLT be English. This sudden change presents enormous challenges especially in Grade 4 as teachers and learners must now negotiate the transition from an indigenous language like isiZulu as their first language to English. “Research shows that children who are introduced to learning and teaching in their mother tongue develop a firmer grasp of the concepts they are being taught than those who do not. Thus,” explains Nxasana, “the premature and inconsistent change to English as a LoLT from Grade 4, at a stage when learners are not proficient in English, results in many schools with predominantly native language speakers code-switching between English and the predominant indigenous language in that school. This results in low levels of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English and any other indigenous language which is used as LoLT.” So how do we overcome this barrier? One way, says Nxasana, is to teach differently. And not just language, but all subjects. While this might sound like a lofty idea, at Future Nation Schools, Nxasana and his teachers are putting this into action by use Project-Based Learning (PBL) as the schools’ tool for teaching the CAPS curriculum. Put simply, “PBL is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. By bringing prior knowledge and the indigenous context, working on a project over an extended period of time and across multiple disciplines and subjects, learners actively engage with the topic in a very real, very tangible way to develop deep content knowledge about the topic of their project as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication skills,” Nxasana discloses. “From a language literacy development perspective, there are a myriad of skills that learners improve when they connect with concepts through PBL. Each project starts with a driving question – right now grade 3s at Future Nation Schools, for example, are working on the question: ‘Why are dinosaurs extinct?’ – learners are tasked with solving this driving question through research, interviews and a variety of other forms of investigation – all of which involves critical reading and careful listening. This approach turns them from passive participants in the curriculum to active inquirers.” PBL ‘works out’ learners’ literacy skills. Because PBL encourages learners to self-discover, self-explore and investigate concepts independently, their interaction with these concepts is not restricted to one language of instruction. Instead learners are able to use the languages they are most comfortable with. What this means is that a learner’s home language acts as a support to English. And thus, as learners switch codes throughout their interaction with the driving question, it deepens concepts’ meaning and enables better understanding of language. Towards the end of a project’s duration, learners must also take their new-found knowledge and use it to support their claims via a public presentation that answers the driving question. These presentations expose learners to the opposing views of their peers, thus enabling them to critique and evaluate different lines of thinking to the same question. In so doing, PBL enhances learners’ vocabulary, increases their reading fluency, develops their comprehension skills and also helps them to think critically and learn to make deductions. All of which are extremely key to the learning of a language and the understanding of the meaning of written text. Reading is the cornerstone of education. Developing literacy at an early age is key to ensuring learners’ success in life. “PBL turns learners into active participants in their own education. These leaners are able to retain the content longer and have a deeper understanding of it – regardless of the content, whether math, language, or indeed a subject like history, biology or geography – thus taking the benefits of PBL far beyond the classroom walls,” concludes Nxasana.

June 26, 2023

The Great Eye-Hand Link; The Importance of Eye-Hand Coordination for Children

Eye-hand coordination, also known as hand-eye coordination, refers to the smooth, controlled and coordinated movements of the hand and eye together in order to reach a specific goal. While this may appear to be a fairly simple process to an observer, it is in fact an immensely complicated process that is dependent on your eyes ability to see, your brains ability to process, interpret and understand what is being seen by the eye and then based on that information plan and execute a smooth, coordinated, appropriate motor response. In the case of eye-hand coordination, the motor response relates to the use of the hands in order to achieve a particular objective. Fine motor control refers to the ability of small groups of muscles found in the hands, fingers and eyes working together in a coordinated manner. Good fine motor skills develop from good gross motor skills in children. This means that providing a young child with opportunities to move the large muscle groups in their bodies through engaging in activities such as climbing, jumping, running and crawling develops body awareness. This in turn enables the child to better understand where their bodies are in relation to their environment and other objects. This understanding of their bodies in terms of large movements will then also translate in to an understanding of their bodies in terms of small movements or fine motor skills should the child be provided with sufficient gross motor input. Kelly Westerman, Clamber Club franchisee and Occupational Therapist says, “It is very important to understand that our child’s eye-hand coordination is intimately linked to their fine motor control and both the importance of the eyes and the hands must be understood and acknowledged as being key role players in eye-hand coordination.” The role of the eyes is to see, follow moving objects, focus near and far, judge distances, observe details of objects and importantly, navigate the movement of the hands. The role of the hands is to feel textures, shapes, temperatures and weight. The hand will hold and manipulate objects, push and pull, catch and throw, clap, rub, grip, squeeze and point. All of which might be meaningless without the guidance of the eyes; thereby creating the eye-hand coordination. “If we consider how many of the things we do on a daily basis require the use of our eyes and hands, we realise how important it is that this process works effectively and efficiently,” adds Westerman. Fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination begin to develop from the time a child is born. An infant tracking a moving object with their eyes and then attempting to swipe at it, reaching for objects and moving those objects to their mouths as well as grasping and releasing objects are all the early activities that develop these skills. As the child gets older good eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills contributes to a child’s ability to learn essential self-care skills such as dressing and undressing, brushing their teeth and feeding themselves. In the school-going child, proficiency in these skills results in improved classroom performance as these skills are involved with a learner’s ability to write, cut, copy work from a board and read. “In light of the importance of eye-hand coordination, parents should ensure that they create opportunities for their children to learn and master these skills form as early as possible,” comments Occupational Therapist and founder of Clamber Club, Liz Senior. “We aim to provide children with comprehensive eye-hand coordination experiences in our classes, using equipment that is beneficial, and at the same time fun, while promoting the skills required to get their hands, fingers and eyes working together in a coordinated manner.” Clamber Club has put together these top activities and games that can help your baby develop their eye-hand coordination: Encourage your baby to follow moving objects or person with their eyes Provide opportunities for your little one to reach and grasp at objects Give your baby a variety of objects to hold so that they can practice difference grips and grasps. Watch as your little one transfers objects from one hand to another. This is a very important skill that they learn, so parents should watch out for it! Your baby will also play with their hands. This is a wonderful way for them to learn more about their hands, so make sure that there are times when their hands are free of objects and they can explore with their hands at their midlines Do not discourage your little one from bringing objects to their mouths; this is an important skill and by mouthing objects your little one learns about certain features of that object Provide opportunities for your little one to explore objects with their eyes. This can be done through suspending objects from frames that your baby lies under

June 20, 2023

AI’s impact on education: Why parents and teachers need to leverage AI for our children’s sake

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industry in unprecedented knots. Education is no exception. And while the use of AI technologies like ChatGPT has the potential to improve the quality of learning, increase teaching efficiencies and provide personalised experiences for students in the classroom, it is vital that parents and teachers learn to navigate what AI can and cannot do, as well as the potential benefits and challenges associated with its implementation, says Sizwe Nxasana, Founder and CEO of Future Nation Schools (FNS). “With the rise of AI, we’re finding that students are increasingly utilising these tools to streamline and enhance their learning experience. From automating tasks to accessing personalised study resources and even writing essays and helping with homework, AI is empowering students to tackle schoolwork and homework with greater efficiency and effectiveness. As AI continues to evolve, students will have even greater opportunities to leverage its capabilities and that means parents and teachers need to stay ahead to ensure that learners are assimilating and demonstrating knowledge in the way that they should.” From a teacher perspective, AI can solve many of the everyday pain points and challenges that they experience. Teachers can use AI to fast track tedious tasks such as lesson planning and classroom management, so that they can spend more time on skills that humans perform better in such as teaching creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as providing emotional support and building relationships with students. For example, one of the areas where AI really excels is pattern matching, explains Xoliswa Mahlangu, Head of Digital Learning and Technology at FNS. “This is a great innovation for teachers as pattern matching can assist with tasks such as the marking of assessments as well as providing immediate and meaningful feedback to students.” “AI can also be used for adaptive learning, where students receive guided instruction based on their current skill level. Test preparation, plagiarism detection and exam integrity checks are some of the other potential uses that teachers can benefit from when it comes to adding AI into their daily practices.” However, like with all things, the use of AI in education must be guided by very specific objectives to ensure that its potential is harnessed effectively. It is vital that teachers work to strike a balance between the legitimate use of AI tools in the classroom as well as helping their students achieve the desirable educational goals. With the very real risk that students may become over reliant on AI systems to provide answers without fully comprehending the underlying concepts, teachers must mitigate this by spending more time on tasks that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the classroom. By encouraging more creativity and collaboration in the classroom, teachers are also able to enhance education beyond AI’s ability to ensure that students are truly learning. Parents, similarly, need to get a grasp on the way their children use these technologies. Parents, for example, should be cautious of excessive reliance on AI technologies, as they may inadvertently hinder the development of important social skills, empathy and emotional intelligence in their children. Parents must also encourage a balanced approach where their children know how to leverage the power of AI tools, but do not rely on them as the sole source of learning. Ultimately, what this translates to is that both teachers and parents need to come to adopt new teaching and learning pedagogies as the world of education shifts into the realm of AI. One pedagogy leading the pack in this regard is project-based learning (PBL). “PBL offers a powerful counterbalance to AI’s challenges because it fosters essential skills and qualities that go beyond what AI can offer and empowers students with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-driven world,” explains Nxasana. “By emphasising critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, adaptability and ethical awareness, PBL offers a holistic approach that transcends the limitations of AI. Through PBL, teachers can ensure that students are both prepared to leverage AI as a tool and harness their uniquely human abilities to innovate, problem-solve and make meaningful contributions in an ever-evolving technological landscape.” At 6pm on 28 June 2023, FNS will hold an online discussion on “The impact of AI on education and the world of work,” where Dr Joshua Tshifhiwa Maumela, Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Vodacom and FNS’s Xoliswa Mahlangu will equip parents, students and teachers for success. Register here for this complimentary FutureTalk webinar.

June 13, 2023

Why Choose Loreto education for your child?

Our small class sizes enable us to foster a wonderful interaction between learners and educators. Loreto School Queenswood is the ideal place for parents who are looking for a place where learners will be loved and challenged, rather than getting lost in the crowd. The atmosphere at Loreto School Queenswood is Christ-centred and life giving. Learners are challenged to grow both intellectually and spiritually. Learners sense a balance between high standards and grace and are encouraged to love their studies and find delight in God’s creation and all who live in it. Our motto is “We Grow Children for Life.” This is done by instilling our core values of “Joy, Freedom, Sincerity, Verity, and Justice” combined to that each is given an opportunity to grow into the best version of themselves through trying out different sports and cultural activities and interacting educationally with a variety of subjects such as robotics, art, music, technology, and science. We offer a holistic and person-centred education in developing their faith and educating them for wisdom. At Loreto School Queenswood we encourage participation and celebration, leadership development and formation and inclusivity. We embrace all. We encourage our learners to strive for personal excellence and instil in them a commitment to being “Agents of Social Change”. Loreto School Queenswood has been “GROWING CHILDREN FOR LIFE” since 1972. ~~Mr. Marcello Pallozzi~ Head Of School

April 6, 2023

COMMON DISEASES CHILDREN CAN CONTRACT AT SCHOOL

According to Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality healthcare, it is important for parents to be aware of the common diseases and health ailments that can be transmitted in a school setting and to take necessary precautions to protect their children’s health. “It is not uncommon for children to contract illnesses while at school. With close proximity to their peers, the sharing of germs is inevitable,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “Read on to find out the most common illnesses children contract in school and ways to keep your little ones happy and healthy.” The Flu One of the most common illnesses contracted at school is the flu. The flu is a viral infection that can cause symptoms such as fever, body aches, and fatigue. The flu is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. To reduce the risk of contracting the flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends ensuring your child gets a flu vaccine and practices good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently and covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. The Common Cold Another common illness contracted at school is the common cold. The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract and is characterised by symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. Like the flu, the common cold is spread through respiratory droplets. To reduce the risk of contracting the common cold, it is important to practice good hygiene and avoid close contact with infected individuals. Strep Throat Other common illnesses that can be contracted at school include strep throat, which is a bacterial infection of the throat and is characterised by sore throat, fever, and swollen tonsils. Antibiotics are usually required to treat strep throat. Most children can return to school and play within a few days with proper medical care and plenty of rest and fluids. To prevent strep throat, teach your children to cover their mouths with an elbow or tissue when they cough or sneeze and not to share drinking cups or eating utensils with their classmates. Pink Eye Pink eye, otherwise known as conjunctivitis, is an infection of the eye and is characterised by redness, itching, and discharge. Many of the bacteria and viruses that cause colds and other infections, such as ear infections, sinus infections, and sore throats, can cause infectious pinkeye (the kind that spreads to others). Although generally not serious, if your child shows signs of pinkeye, it’s important to see a doctor. Some kinds of pinkeye go away on their own, but others need treatment. A Word On Head Lice While not an “illness”, head lice can be problematic and sometimes challenging to treat, resulting in days absent from school. Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and cause itching and sores. They are transmitted through direct head-to-head contact or by sharing hats, brushes, or other personal items. As such, it’s difficult to prevent the spread of head lice among children in childcare facilities and schools because there is so much close contact. It’s important to note that having head lice isn’t a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean living environment. Head lice don’t carry bacterial or viral diseases. If you suspect your child has head lice, or your child’s school has notified you that your child has lice, there are several over-the-counter shampoos (often used in conjunction with wide-tooth combs) available to kill lice and end the louse life cycle. Conclusion It is important for parents to keep their children home if they are experiencing any of the above conditions to prevent the spread to others. It is also important for parents to encourage their children to practice good hygiene. “One of the best – and proven – ways of stopping the spread of childhood diseases is washing hands frequently,” adds Hewlett. “Encourage your child to wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and water when their hands appear dirty, before eating, and after blowing their nose, sneezing, or coughing.”

April 5, 2023

If hugs were a school shoe

Hush Puppies has introduced a school shoes range and it’s first-class comfort Ask any podiatrist, physiotherapist or sports enthusiast: it’s worth investing in good shoes. In young children that are still developing, a good shoe offers quality support and protection, allowing them to focus on what’s important. What’s more, a good shoe investment means you’re less likely to have to head to the shops in the middle of the year because of broken or damaged shoes. At Hush Puppies, they make it their mission to ensure first-class comfort from classroom to playground. Their quality school shoes are fitted with all of the essential features for a full day of class and play: Premium quality leather uppers A memory foam footbed for all-day comfort and support Highly durable outsoles Direct attach construction, which ensures that the sole and upper remain intact Their shoes contain no pigskin The range includes various styles – with or without laces, as well as trainers in both black and white. Prices range between R429 and R599. Go to their site to see the range and shop online.

March 7, 2023

Back to School Shoe Care with Toughees by Bata

School shoes are an essential part of the uniform kit – protecting your child’s feet while they run and play on the school grounds, and keeping them comfortable while they sit at their desks. With varying brands and costs on the market, parents purchase the best pair they can afford, and in order to reap maximum use of the school shoes, the onus lies on children, and parents, to take care of their shoes. Michael Sithambaram, Manager of Schools Division at Bata South Africa, manufacturer of the country’s most loved school shoes, Bata Toughees, said caring for your school shoes is essential. Bata South Africa produces over 4 million of the country’s school shoes every year. “We all eagerly look forward to back to school. Many parents will remember their very first back to school responsibility – polishing their school shoes at the start of the new week. With great attention to detail, this simple act not only taught children responsibility, but to protect the items they own against wear and tear. Parents have trusted Toughees for generations to craft a pair of good quality, comfortable and enduring shoes for their children, but thereafter it lies in their hands to properly care for shoes,” he said. Here are the top points from Toughees to help teach and encourage children to take care of their shoes: Clean shoes with a soft cloth – wipe across the top of the shoe Brush the underneath of the shoe daily to clear any grit or mud caught underneath Polish the shoe with a matching polish colour to take away scratches or marks Buff with a soft cloth for shine Do not store in a box, as the box can contain fungus and mould that could catch on the shoe. If the shoe gets wet, stuff with a ball of paper to absorb any moisture and allow to air dry. Invest in shoes that have durable features such as genuine leather uppers, guarantees on fair wear and tear, have odour protection, and are less susceptible to discolouration and deterioration of fibre structure. “Back to school can be full of excitement for children, eager to see their friends, and run and play on the school grounds. This is how they learn. We know that parents invest in the best pair of shoes they can afford for their children, and with a few simple steps each week, both parents and children can lengthen the lifespan of a shoe and get maximum use of it without sacrificing on comfort,” said Sithambaram. Submitted your entry yet for the Toughees “It’s your time to shine” Back to School campaign? The competition is open to learners of all ages, as well as parents, to win one of ten R30 000 cash prizes that can help you to “shine”. To enter Think about how winning a share of R300 000 will help you “shine” and what you would do with your prize. Submit your short motivation to Toughees in one of three ways: www.toughees.co.za/pages/itsyourtime, or Send a WhatsApp to +27 57 814 5994, or Scan this QR code (links to WhatsApp)

February 3, 2023

Bata Toughees puts up R300 000 cash prize in “It’s your time to shine” Back to School campaign

Back to School just got better! SA’s favourite and trusted school shoe since 1954, Bata Toughees, has launched one of its biggest Back to School campaigns – putting up a cash pool of R300 000 in the “It’s your time to shine” campaign. Understanding that learners have had to overcome several obstacles in their learning journey in recent years – from school closures and a disrupted schooling calendar, to learning to navigate online learning, not having the right technical equipment, or watching their parents and guardians bear the impact of reduced salaries or losing jobs – Bata South Africa, which owns the Toughees brand, said “It’s time to shine”. The back-to-school campaign urges learners, and parents, to enter the competition by stating how winning a share of R300 000 will help them “shine”. Bata Country Manager Michael Wyatt said: “Bata, as a global company, believes in supporting and uplifting children. Undeniably, the past few years have taken a toll not just on adults in the workforce, and the health and safety industries, but on our children as well. They’ve equally had to learn very quickly to adapt to being at home, being confined, learning online, or not learning at all due to having no computer or internet access, and witnessed their parents taking on stress and worrying about the impact of the pandemic on their livelihoods. But slowly, we are beginning to see things get better. We are optimistic and we are confident about the future. Bata Toughees wants to play a part in this good story and enter the New Year with excitement and hope. We want to give a boost to learners and parents that’ll help them reach their dreams, goals, or aspirations in an incredible way. We are saying that it’s your time to shine.” The competition is open to learners of all ages, as well as parents, to win one of ten R30 000 cash prizes. To stand a chance of winning, entrants need to describe how winning a share of R300 000 will help them shine. “It can be being able to buy a laptop, so that online learning is easier, or maybe parents would use it towards paying school fees to ease the financial burden, or it could be using the money to take up extra coding classes to equip your child with digital skills. We would like to know how this will help you in your aim to shine and be the best you can be,” said Wyatt. Michael Sithambaram, Manager of Schools Division at Bata South Africa, said back to school was their busiest period on the calendar. “We all eagerly look forward to back to school. Months of planning and forecasting lead to parents buying a pair of Toughees because they trust us to craft a pair of good quality, comfortable and enduring shoes for their children. It’s a small part to play in helping children reach their dreams. We look forward to hearing the aspirations of children as the next generation’s leaders,” he said. To enter Think about how winning a share of R300 000 will help you “shine” and what you would do with your prize. Submit your short motivation to Bata in one of three ways: www.toughees.co.za/pages/itsyourtime, or Send a WhatsApp to +27 57 814 5994, or Scan this QR code (links to WhatsApp) Please note: The website link and QR code will only be active between the campaign period of 28 December 2022 to 15 February 2023. Ends.

January 17, 2023

How we are rethinking education at Treverton College

The realisation that the traditional school classroom, curriculum content, and examination style are not perfectly suited to real-life learning and the acquisition of skills is not a new one. Many schools recognize this, but may not have the flexibility, time, energy or resources to do something about it. The pressure to teach to the exam and prepare students for the end-goal of the matric examinations places a significant pressure on schools to stick to more ‘traditional’ ways of teaching. The basic way in which Education takes place has been the same since the Industrial Revolution. Despite significant changes to society and an increased understanding of how we learn best, the way that teaching and learning takes place in most schools remains the same year after year. At Treverton, we are using a three-pronged approach to try to mitigate this situation as much as possible. The key areas we are trying to address are: The practical application of the theory we teach in class. The teaching of real-life, practical skills that are relevant to daily life. Imparting an understanding an appreciation of the need for sustainable practices in all areas of life and learning. We have introduced ‘Wacky Wednesdays’, ‘Unplugged Days’ and ‘Stewardship’ lessons to address these three areas. Wacky Wednesdays We are living in the 4th Industrial revolution where knowledge is freely and easily accessible. Our current schooling system requires students to have the knowledge embedded in their memories and then regurgitate it in a formal setting within a certain time constraint. The only benefit to this is learning to work under pressure. We are trying to find ways to stimulate thought and encourage problem-solving, rather than merely encouraging vast content knowledge. ‘Wacky Wednesday’ is one of our initiatives designed to move students into a realm where they take the tools learnt in the classroom and use them in a problem-solving, real-life situation. Our aim is to create regular opportunities for our students to apply, in a practical way, the theory that they have learned in a particular section of work. Whilst demonstrating how the various subject areas integrate in real life, we want to encourage creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. What does a ‘Wacky Wednesday’ experience look like in real life? Students arrive on the day without any prior preparation other than the content knowledge of what they have been doing in their various subjects in recent weeks. They know that they will be faced with a series of problems and challenges that will require the practical application of that knowledge. For example, our Grade 9s are working with Arduino, which is a programmable chip. They have created a water level sensor in class and this sensor was used in an activity at our School Dam during Wacky Wednesday. We invented our own currency for the day calledTrevi Bucks and students could spend their Trevi Bucks on either a spoon, a cup with holes in it, or a sponge. The sponge was the most expensive item and cost the most Trevi Bucks, whilst the spoon was the least expensive. Each item would test the student’s ability to determine value as they compared the cost of the item to its effectiveness for the task. Students had to set up the water level sensor in an opaque container so that they could not see the water level rising. The water level sensor indicated on a digital circuit once the water reached a particular level. Students would collect water from the dam using the item that they bought and fill up the container until it reached the particular level that set off the digital circuit. At the life sciences station, students built a net and went into the Treverton Wildlife Area to capture various insects. They then went through the proper process of preserving the insect. Back in the classroom after Wacky Wednesday, they labelled it, talked about it, and had to make a presentation about the insect to the class. The Accountancy aspect of the Wacky Wednesday required students to be accountable for the good use of their Trevi Bucks. Preparing a budget, controlling the actual spending on the day, and then the doing a post mortem after the day were all part of the task. Approximately sixty-five percent of students currently in grade 8 and 9 will work in jobs that are not even in existence yet . So, as educators we cannot prepare a student for a career that does not exist yet if our focus is on content only. However, what we can do is to teach students to think and adapt. The World Economic Forum puts out a predictive list of top ten skills for the workplace in 10 years’ time. As educators keeping up to date with what those are, we can adapt what we are doing in the classroom so that our students are ready for the world into which they graduate. Throughout the history of education there seems to have been an assumption that people naturally know how to think. This is not the case – certainly when it comes to thinking critically. Students need to be taught how to think critically. We can do this by giving them problems to think through and the strategies required to do this effectively. We have moved out of the era where the student is seen as an empty vessel that the teacher fills with knowledge. We recognize now that the student must be an active participant in their own learning process. For example: instead of an educator simply showing an algorithm and explaining the process of solving it, we would rather approach it by presenting the problem to the students, going through what we currently know together, and then guiding them to apply that knowledge as they struggle and ‘explore’ their way through. We would stand back and acknowledge new inventive and creative ways to solve the problem rather than intervene to try to enforce obvious or traditional solutions. A day like wacky Wednesday stimulates

November 16, 2022

FINAL EXAMS: HOW TO BEAT YEAR-END FATIGUE AND FINISH STRONG

It’s that time of the year when students experience what is called ‘year-end fatigue’ – whether they be Matrics getting ready for the most important exams of their school career, senior high students aiming to perform at their best as they progress towards Grade 12, or graduate students at universities preparing for their end-of-year assessments. For all of these students, the coming weeks are going to be a test of their focus, strength and endurance as they aim for top marks. Yet at the same time, they have to contend with the fatigue that has most likely set in after all their hard work during the past year. But by reframing their mindset and ensuring they stick to some tried and tested guidelines, they can all dive into the last quarter of 2022 with renewed enthusiasm to ensure they finish the year strong, an education expert says. “Signs of year-end fatigue include low energy levels, a feeling of being unable to keep up, a lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, being unable to sleep, and low levels of concentration while possibly feeling anxious,” says Dr Rufaro Audrey Mavunga, Senior Head of Programme in the Faculty of Law at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s leading private higher education provider. She says this situation may lead students to start slacking when they can least afford to, for instance by bunking classes, not participating in school or university activities, procrastinating and putting off revision they planned hoping that they might feel more motivated to tackle tasks later, and by checking out of their circumstances by sleeping too much or watching too much television. “If you are feeling like this, rest assured that it is normal to feel tired and overwhelmed and that you are not alone. However, you should also know that it is possible and important to overcome these feelings so that you can finish strong, and that it is within your ability to do so if you act decisively right now. There is still enough time to make sure you can get a handle on things again and get on top of your academic work to the best of your ability.” Dr Mavunga advises students as follows: Take some time off This may sound counter-productive, but it can help to take a day or two to regain your focus without feeling guilty. In these days, you can catch up on sleep, get out in nature for some relaxation, and remind yourself about the why and the how of what you are doing right now. Get your mind in the right place, and resolve to start the final stretch with vigour. Also use this time to lay out your schedule and plans for the coming weeks, right until you’ve put down your pen on your last exam. Revisit your study timetable and manage your time efficiently To finish strong, you need to continue with regular study sessions every week till the end of your exams. Do not count on doing an all-nighter just before you write an assessment. You should revisit your study timetable and ensure that you have set up fixed hours for study every day. Plan for enough time to study each module and add your study sessions to your calendar like any other commitments. This guarantees that you keep in mind that this is time set aside exclusively for studying. Bear in mind a study plan works best when it is followed consistently. It is imperative that you stick to your plan, as this will ease tension and anxiety if you can see your consistent progress. Maintain a healthy lifestyle Exercise has many benefits, but it has been proven that exercise releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and reduce stress levels. Fatigue and tiredness could also be an effect of a lack of proper nutrition. Make healthy meal selections wherever possible and consume lots of water. Make sure you factor enough sleep into your schedule and don’t use that time to endlessly and mindlessly browse social media. Stay away from activities that are going to tire you out for days to come and keep a single-minded focus on your priorities right now. This too shall pass, and you’ll be happy you stayed true to yourself when results day comes. Get help if you need it Sometimes one feels so helpless and it may feel like you are stuck in a deep dark hole with no way of coming out. Give attention to the positives you encounter and embrace them. Consult school or campus support staff to gain different perspectives on how to ease the fatigue and to get over negative feelings you may have. If you need additional assistance with the academic side of things, approach a teacher or a lecturer for guidance. If you need additional emotional support, ask trusted adults at home or at your institution to assist in getting the support you need. Keep your eye on the end goal Commit to finishing strong. In your downtime, look at your path ahead – what dreams and aspirations will become accessible if you perform well during this stage of your academic journey? What avenues of study may open up for you? What possibilities and opportunities may arise? “At this time of year, it’s easy to get lost in the fog of studying and worrying, and it’s easy to lose perspective about the bigger world out there and the fact that all of this is part of life’s journey. The end of this year will soon come around, and your effort will be rewarded if you know that you gave it your all on the road to making your dreams a reality,” says Dr Mavunga.

November 9, 2022

MATRIC PARENTS: HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD THROUGHOUT THE EXAMS AND BEYOND

The Matric final exams represent the ultimate test at the end of one’s school career, and while it is an exciting milestone, almost all students find this period a test of their strength, endurance, focus, mental and physical fortitude and resilience. And while it’s a tough time for the Grade 12s, it is also hard for their parents, who know that there is only so much they can do to support their almost adult child, but who still want to do whatever they can to assist and smooth the road wherever possible. “Our thoughts are always with the Matriculants facing one of the toughest assessment periods they have so far faced, but we should also spare a thought for parents of Matrics, who are faced with the anxiety of their children, while also hoping that they perform well enough to set them up to pursue their goals and dreams after school,” says Peter Kriel, General Manager at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s leading private higher education provider. Kriel says while parents often don’t know how they can support their children during this time, there are a few things they can do – and also a few things they should NOT do – to make things easier. KEEP A CLOSE EYE One of the most important ways a parent can support a child without being overbearing and too much in their space is to keep a close eye on the student. Leave them to get on with their studies, but look out for behaviours that could be cause for concern. For instance, get insight into their study schedule and, if procrastination is getting out of hand and can’t be reconciled with what the parent knows the student had planned for revision, gently suggest that you look at the schedule again together to see how the student can get back on track before falling too far behind. Empowerment trumps chastisement in these circumstances. Keeping ahead of the game is key, as it is almost always possible to get back on track if things are not left too late. On the physical wellness side, parents can help remind their child to get some sleep if they have been hitting the books for too long, too late at night. They can also ensure that students eat as healthy as possible while drinking plenty of water and getting exercise so that fatigue doesn’t impact their ability to study. GET HELP TIMEOUSLY IF WARNING SIGNS ARISE Unfortunately, some Matrics – even top performers – struggle during this time to such a degree that they may need additional or even professional support. If parents suspect that their child is struggling emotionally to deal with the increased pressure and stress, seek guidance from a mental health professional or a counsellor at school. While Matric exam results are undoubtedly very important, it is just as important to keep a sense of perspective, which sometimes becomes hard to do for students in the thick of it, who could potentially start catastrophising about results and their future. Matric exams are only one part of one’s life – which will soon pass – and there will always be options available, even if those options follow a different path from the initial vision. STAY CALM AND KEEP PERSPECTIVE Just as it is important for students to try their best while keeping a sense of perspective, parents can do their part by keeping calm as well. Be a pillar of support when needed, but don’t pass your own anxiety on to your child. Fear about the future and concerns about how well prepared a child is are all factors that impact on the emotional state of parents, so they should therefore also take good care of themselves during this time so that they can regulate their own emotions and not contribute to heightened tensions and anxiety in the house. Anxiety around final exams arises as a result of the belief that it is the final watershed assessment opportunity for young people. This fallacy arises because too many parents don’t understand the options available to learners should things not go as well as expected, and many don’t even know that there are options at all. Speaking to education professionals either at school or at a good institution of higher education about the myriad of options out there will provide a sense of perspective in terms of outcomes, and will allow parents to calibrate their own emotions. HAVE A PLAN (AND A PLAN B) FOR NEXT YEAR Once exams are over, allow students to take some time off to just enjoy themselves and blow off steam. However, don’t wait for Matric results before deciding about further study – by then it will likely be too late to gain entry into one’s choice of institution and qualification. Sit down and have a brainstorm reflecting on the student’s expectations about how they performed during their final exams. If there is a possibility that they performed better than they initially thought they would, and that they may possibly qualify for further study or even a more specialised degree, start investigating options as soon as possible. Here it is particularly helpful to approach reputable higher education institutions, private or public, directly to speak to a student advisor about the student’s options. Equally, if there is a possibility that a student may not have performed well enough to gain access to the institution or qualification of choice, student advisors will be able to assist with information about alternative routes to success. Having a Plan A as well as a Plan B in place even before results day means that regardless of what happens, students and parents will know that they have a clear path ahead – irrespective of their performance or in the case of them performing better than expected – and that they won’t suddenly be confronted with a wasted year ahead.

November 4, 2022

Grade Ten Subject Choices: How The Considerations Have Changed

The transition from Grade Nine to Grade Ten marks an important and eventful time in a student’s educational trajectory. One of the critical aspects of this transition is characterised by the selection of subject streams – coming up for all Grade Nines in the next few weeks – that essentially determine future study and career options, as well as a student’s performance in Matric. But unlike previous years, factors that influence this decision have evolved post-pandemic, says education expert Philip Hlatshwayo, Head of Programme at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider. THINK LIKE A PROJECT MANAGER “Self-management is the one attribute or skill that has always been critical in a student’s academic journey. However, the need for this attribute intensified during the Covid19 pandemic, sparked by the sudden need for increased independence in academic work. The skills you gained during that time can now be harnessed when choosing subjects,” Hlatshwayo says. Similar to a company project, subject choice selection needs to be treated as a project, he notes. “A project generally requires a project management plan to be drawn up in order to ensure the success of the project. The critical aspects considered in any project are skills required, the knowledge required and strategies/techniques. “Subjects are no different and work in a similar model. That is, for each subject, a student needs to ask themself what skills am I required to have for this subject? The skills required for studying Physical Sciences will be different from the skills required for studying History. Self-introspection will therefore help you understand the skills you possess and can potentially develop.” What prior knowledge is critical for this subject? “There have been instances where students choose a subject such as Mathematics for which they lack basic knowledge and understanding that were supposed to be developed in the earlier phases. This leads to frustrations because of the requirements cast on the students once they get to Grade 10. “A critical reflection of the past grades and how you have handled the demands of a subject similar to the one you are choosing will save you a lot of time and stressful moments. But it should also be remembered that there is still time to develop competency in a core subject – with focus and hard work – if you are determined.” What studying strategies and techniques are necessary for this subject and do these strategies complement my learning capabilities? Hlatshwayo says students must consider the strategies and techniques needed to be successful in studying a particular subject. “For one student, thinking about various algebraic strategies in a Mathematics subject may come easy, for another, reading large quantities of History material may be preferred. There are areas in which we can excel and unleash our full potential if we think carefully about it.” Answering the questions above will be the first step towards understanding your starting point in this project of choosing the right subjects to support your future dreams. ACADEMIC SUPPORT Academic support involves various stakeholders such as your teacher, peers, family members, mentors and student support services at higher education institutions, who can help you in your journey. “As much as your teacher may help you with critical subject-related issues, you may at times need your mentor to help you establish the value of pursuing certain things in your academic journey and seeing the big picture,” says Hlatshwayo. “Student advisors at higher education institutions can further help you match your prospective subject choices to fields of study and career prospects. They are also able to guide you in terms of how the world of work has changed, and which skills will be in high demand by the time you finish your qualification. Using that information, you can work your way back to see which subjects you have to select now.” HIGH PERFORMANCE STRATEGY Armed with the information and approach as above, students should choose subjects that will both 1) leave them with a wide range of options and 2) allow them to perform to the best of their ability in their Matric exams. “Your subject choice should allow for gateway subjects such as core Maths and Science which will help you to keep your options open,” says Hlatshwayo. “If you struggle in these subjects, at least retain one of them and focus your efforts. Even if you are not yet confident, remember that you have three years to work hard and get a solid grounding – it’s not too late to rise to the challenge.” Students should also consider what makes them happy, he says. “Select one or two subjects which interest you and throw yourself into the pursuit of mastery. If you ‘are able to find your feet and enjoyment in a particular area, that bodes well for your future career and self-actualisation.” And finally, students should choose some subjects that will help them boost their final results. “Admission to higher education is performance-based, so having some subjects in the bag where you know you can shoot the lights out if you work hard, will very likely improve your chances of success when applying for further study after Matric.” To learn more from our teachers and educational experts, read one of our other blogs. To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, visit the rest of our website. To learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey, read more about our non-traditional approach. Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators. ’ individuality.

October 27, 2022

How to evaluate the quality of a school’s Edtech offering

Parents need to ensure that they get a solid understanding of what is required from a high quality As more and more South African schools work towards improving their tech offering in response to the need to prepare students for the future of work, parents should ensure they get a solid understanding of what is required from a high quality, holistic EdTech programme, an academic education expert says. “While we may realise the importance of preparing children to navigate their future digital world, understanding what factors inform a programme which is based on academic excellence, and which incorporates the newest technologies while also focusing on digital citizenship, is crucial. Parents therefore need to view their school’s offering and promise of digital skills with a discerning eye,” says Nadia Dal Lago Nell, Academic Advisor: EdTech and Innovation (Schools Division) at ADvTECH, Africa’s largest private education provider. Nell says it is very important for schools to seek to provide an enhanced educational journey by investing in their students through the integration of technology into the curriculum, as opposed to tech being a standalone educational unit. “The result of technological integration into the curriculum is a more efficient and engaging educational experience. The need for digital literacy and the discerning use of technology by students is essential for them to continue to advance in their education and be equipped with relevant skills for their future workplace,” she says. Schools which can give students the educational edge will have several of the following on offer: programmable robots, interactive coding platforms, Minecraft, 3D printers, iPads, laser cutters and even indoor drones. “Ideally, schools should have dedicated EdTech spaces designed to suit their unique approach to technology and incorporate a variety of devices with a strong emphasis on collaboration. A practical EdTech Framework should also be central to the technology foundation that students are guided through.” One question to ask your child’s prospective school, is whether they are aligned with ISTE standards, advises Nell. ISTE (The International Society for Technology in Education) standards have been formulated by the world’s foremost organisation in teaching technology in the classroom, and comprise the following principles: The Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, and Global Collaborator. “An EdTech focused school will introduce the elements of the framework in their context as early as Grade 000 and follow through with this focus until the end of Grade 9, whereafter students will be well-versed in real-world tech-proficiencies. Some schools take this a step further and offer tech-based extracurricular activities, including for instance Robotics clubs.” Nell says EdTech lessons equip students with future-focused, transferable global skills that are necessary for success in all areas of life. “The central skills here are creativity and problem-solving which are taught through open-ended activities and emphasising the possibility of multiple solutions for any given problem. This provides students with a space for both collaboration and individual growth.” An additional element of the EdTech Framework is Digital Citizenship. “This engages students and shows them how to connect with one another, in an empathetic and safe way through digital tools, platforms and devices. Negative digital habits such as cyberbullying, irresponsible social media usage and unsafe use of the Internet are explained and strongly discouraged. “Students’ safety, growth and well-being when exploring the world of technology must be emphasised at all times. Fortunately, most of the requirements to be a good Digital Citizen can be taught in the classroom and reinforced at home. Digital Citizenship is intended to give students a clear understanding of the interconnection between tech-life and real-life citizenship skills with the aim of creating knowledgeable, responsible, and mindful online interaction. A sound and well thought-out EdTech programme will prepare a student to face the digital world of tomorrow.” To learn more from our teachers and educational experts, read one of our other blogs. To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, visit the rest of our website. To learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey, read more about our non-traditional approach. Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators.

October 20, 2022

Mental barriers to studying

Studying is tough and many learners see it as one of the worst aspects of their lives. Most learners have the potential to excel at school, but most do not because of how unpleasant they find studying. For this reason, it is not enough to equip your child with the resources they need to study, but to also identify and address their state of mind. Below are three common psychological barriers that a learner may face. They are presented in the order that they are likely to unfold. Lacking Focus “I struggle to get my child to sit down and study.” This is very common and very natural. The benefits of studying and doing well at school are still a long way off from their point of view, or not even apparent. Socialising and entertainment are typically more appealing for a high school teenager. How this becomes an issue is not that they won’t start studying, but rather that they become discouraged easily. Often the phrase, “I’m bored of this”, is actually covering up, “I don’t know how to do this, so I’d rather be doing something else.” At this point, they will quickly turn to something that they know they will enjoy. To mitigate this, you need to have a plan in place to help your child each time they get stuck. This could include hiring a private tutor or using Paper Video. Feeling lost “My child doesn’t know where to start, they are so lost.” This is a common feeling of hopelessness in learners. The feeling that so much has rushed past them that there is no hope left for a recovery. I recall feeling this many times when I was in school and university, and you may as well. The truth is that they are never as lost as what they think they are. The reality is that it is not about finding a starting point but committing to daily revision over the course of months, not 2 weeks before the final exams. Then, your child must not start off by trying to go through whole past papers. This will only worsen the situation. What they must do is start out by identifying the topic that they are most familiar with and start working on easy questions under this topic. The Paper Video platform allows your child to search on a topic name and set the difficulty of question they want to practice. Once they are confident in that section, they can move to the next most familiar section. It is a slow and steady process, but it works. It is like the saying goes; how do you eat an elephant?… One bite at a time. Giving up “My child has given up because they are too far behind.” This is not an easy situation to deal with as it comes with a spectrum of severity. The worst-case scenario is that they need to repeat a year. However, while a high percentage of children feel this way, only a very small percentage are actually this far behind. More often, immediate daily revision can turn this situation around within a month (daily intensive revision is not sustainable in the long run but is required over a few weeks to turn a bad situation around). The challenge now, however, is where to start? The best approach is to start with easy practice questions within each section. Divide past exam papers up into their different sections and spend one day on each section doing the easy questions. On Paper Video, this can be done via our search functionality and by selecting the difficulty level 1 filter. The next step might sound counter-intuitive, but after your child has gone through all sections, get them to spend some more time on the section for which they felt strongest. However, this time they should attempt difficulty level 2 questions. The reason for this is to build confidence as quickly as possible. Once your child is confident taking on level 2 questions in one section, they will have a strong foundation for that section and feel more confident to head into more uncertain territory. They should now move on to their next strongest section and repeat. As this process continues, they should not worry about moving up to difficulty level 3 questions. These represent a relatively small portion of the exam and are best practiced once your child feels like they have mastered most of the subject. Each one of these barriers is challenging to overcome. There is a good chance that your child may have to overcome all three before regaining control of their studying. This in itself will be exhausting for them and adds a fourth ‘meta-barrier’ to the process. Speak to your child about these barriers, preparing them for each sinking feeling they may encounter, and what to do. Reassure them that if they stick to a consistent studying routine, they will get on top of their work. The reward for them mastering their studies goes beyond good grades, it will develop their confidence to face seemingly insurmountable challenges. This achievement will stay with them for life.

September 29, 2022

How do I choose a high school for my child?

Many parents find the process of finding the right school for their child rather daunting, there are, however, preliminary question they need to consider and answer in order to make an informed decision “What do I need to look for?” “What questions do I need to ask?” “How will I know a particular school is the right choice for my child?” A few things to consider when choosing a school for you child are: Are you looking for a private or public school? If you are looking for a public school, the choice of schools is largely determined by your online application and the fact that the Department of Education determines where your child will be placed based on availability and proximity to the nearest school. If you are looking for a private school, you have a wider selection of schools to choose from, but you still need to consider a number of things when making your choice. What are you able to afford? In South Africa, we have thousands of private schools, with prices ranging from as little as R 2000 a month to fees scaling up to R 12 500 a month, boarding fees excluded. It is important to choose school fees within your affordability bracket, as private schools will not keep a student if his/her account is in arrears, and you will struggle to place your child elsewhere midyear due to unpaid fees. You will possibly also face blacklisting and legal action from the school. Is the school registered with the Provincial Department of Education and is it accredited by Umalusi, or in the process of being accredited by Umalusi? Private schools offering the CAPs curriculum, whether writing the Department of Education (DBE) or Independent Examination Board (IEB) National Senior Certificate examinations at the end of Grade 12, must be registered with the DBE and must either be accredited by Umalusi or be in the process or being accredited. If you are considering enrolling your child in a school that offers the Cambridge curriculum, you need to ensure that they are currently registered with Cambridge International or in the process of reregistration, if their current registration has expired. How does the school assist parents and students in the all-important process of choosing elective subjects at the end of Grade 9? Parents and students need guidance when it comes to choosing subjects at the end of Grade 9. Lack of knowledge may lead to incorrect subject choices, which will close certain fields of study when moving to tertiary education. Life Sciences is valuable when planning to study Medicine, but Physical Sciences is a pre-requisite, for example. It is important to choose a school that offers guidance in the form of career expos, subject choice information sessions and interest & aptitude tests to assist both students and parents with this important decision. Is a traditional or nontraditional school suited to my child’s needs and interests? Students who enjoy team-sport and want to play it at school level, rather than at club level will benefit from attending a traditional school where sport is offered. It is important to check that your child’s sport is in fact offered at the prospective schools and at what level they participate, if this is important to you. Parents and students who enjoy a more rigid school environment, where there are grooming and uniform rules that clearly guide a student’s appearance, should consider a traditional school. Where parents and students do not see the value in strict rules that determine dress code but prefer that students determine their own sense of dress and appearance, they should consider non-traditional schools where students are not required to wear a uniform or adhere to strict hair and jewellery rules Ascertain whether the traditional or non-traditional schools you are considering have a strong academic focus, rather than a stronger focus on sport, if your priority is academic support and success. The main things to remember are: Consider what you are looking for in a school. Pre-set questions you can ask when visiting prospective schools. Attend schools’ open days. Start your search as early as possible. If you have not started your search yet, start now. By Mignonne Gerli – Abbotts College Pretoria-East

September 26, 2022

High school open day checklist: How parents can get the information they need

Time is running out for parents and guardians of senior primary school students to find and enrol at a high school that will best prepare and position the child for a successful future. It can be very confusing to make a call on which school is best suited for this most important task, as there are countless variables at play. However, if parents are prepared with a checklist of questions they need to ask (as well as examples of good responses), this task can be made a little easier – particularly when attending a school’s open day, an education expert says. “Good schools will host open days throughout the year, allowing parents and prospective students the opportunity to view and get a feel of a campus, ask questions, and decide whether a particular school is the right fit for them,” says Desiree Hugo, Academic Head: Schools Division at ADvTECH, Africa’s leading private education provider. “These open days are geared to provide opportunities for sharing the best aspects of a school, and excitement can quickly let important questions that need to be considered fall off the agenda. Whether prospective parents attend an open day, or just pay a school a regular visit to guide decision making, it is good practice to go with a plan in hand so that one can objectively compare schools on the various key elements required from an excellent institution,” Hugo says. The first factor – and a non-negotiable one at that – is the question of academic excellence and future-focused curricula, she says. “There can be no compromising on ensuring that the school you choose for your child will provide the absolute best on the academic front. An easy gauge of a school’s ability to deliver, is to have a look at end-of-year IEB Matric results to evaluate the performance of various schools against each other. Another way to judge this factor, is to look at benchmarking. “ Hugo advises that academically excellent schools will ensure they utilise international benchmarking assessments to confirm that the school remains locally and globally relevant with rigorous academic programmes and that academic data supports and engages all students in a personalised learning journey. “Also look out for clear visibility of student-centred practices as an important part of the academic model, intended to build confidence in an environment that values every student,” says Hugo. “Furthermore, parents should enquire whether the voices of the students are considered valuable in their learning journey towards academic excellence and student success, and whether they are they included in academic conversations with their parents about their plans for progress.” It is also a non-negotiable to enquire about the curriculum. A school must be able to provide evidence that their curriculum choice is implemented with integrity and is future-focused, and geared towards equipping students holistically across a broad range of technologies and global skills. Ask for evidence of what they do, how they do it, and outcomes, Hugo says. With the above basics satisfactorily answered, parents can move on to broader questions, such as: FACILITIES & AMENITIES The question that needs to be answered here, is how the offering supports the overall learning experience of students. Many schools select a focus for their offering, aligned to their fees, and may not offer all the bells and whistles, but rather ensure that the academic model and subsidiary activities are of an excellent standard instead of offering a wide bouquet. Check that classrooms are neat, well maintained and that they cater to a wide range of interests and offer flexible seating possibilities. For instance, do classrooms have useful educational technology, is Wi-Fi available, are equipped laboratories accessible, if promised, and are spaces for art, design and innovation utilised for future focused learning? On the sport side, do they cater to a variety of sport codes aligned to their model and offering, well-kept fields and facilities for those particular sporting opportunities on offer? Even if a child is not particularly sporty, well-maintained grounds are a good sign to take into consideration. STUDENT SUPPORT If a student requires additional academic support, whether it be emotionally or academically, what support structures does the school have in place, and how are they accessed? What disciplinary processes are in place to address bullying and other issues that may impact on the wellbeing and success of students? Does the school support the values of respect, diversity and inclusion – and is this evident in the classrooms and across the culture of the school? TEACHERS & CAMPUS STAFF What is the ratio of teacher to students in classes? And does the school highlight the academic practices to ensure all students are mentored and supported – no matter the class size? Are all teachers SACE accredited and can the school ensure police clearance is completed on all who work closely on the campus with children? Are the teachers offered professional learning opportunities to ensure curriculum and pedagogy are foregrounded to support student success? HOLISTIC ACADEMIC AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT In addition to regular subjects that can be expected at most schools, which additional subjects may students access? What is the school’s approach to 21st Century Skills, such as communication, collaboration, analytical thinking, creative thinking, digital literacy, and problem-solving? How are these skills embedded in the curriculum and the everyday learning experience of students? Is there evidence of cross curricular teaching and learning, and are the students granted regular opportunities to share their thinking and co-construct their learning collaboratively?

September 22, 2022

Developing potential – An intentional approach to sport at school

The growth and development of a child happens as part of an ongoing process. To enable a child to achieve to their full potential in academics, schools need to ensure that the basics are covered first, and that there is adequate support provided to each child along every step of their learning journey. Similarly, athletic development is also a continuous process. At a pre-prep level, children need to be given the space to develop gross-motor skills as not only do they learn through movement, they are building the fundamentals of physical activity in their everyday. As children get older, movement skills need to be taught and opportunities for exposure to all types of sports need to be provided to build, strengthen and refine movement and physical skills, as well as foster a healthy relationship with exercise and physical activity. As children enter adolescence and begin to look into specialisation of a particular sport, the emphasis needs to be kept on the physical, athletic and mental conditioning of that young sportsman or sportswomen, so that when specialisation occurs, that child can tap into fully optimised physical preparation. Long term athletic development (LTAD) is the approach that HeronBridge College advocates for and applies to our sports curriculum. Over the past few years, the school has made an intentional decision to not only ‘have a great sports offering’ but to provide our children with the opportunity to become the best that they can be. Our focus is on developing potential and not just playing to win. As a school, our coaches are focused on the long game. In the prep school, the emphasis is on exposure. “We want as many kids to participate in as many sporting activities as possible” says JP Lübbe, Head of the prep school. Our junior sports programme exposes the Grade 1s and 2s to a taste of every major sport offered by the school. Basics are taught and internal matches are played. As children move into the senior-prep programme and inter-school matches are played, our children can draw on a broader (albeit shallow) base and skill level when choosing from a wide selection of sports in a single term. “We believe (and science would agree) that the greater the variety of sports played by children at a young age, the greater their success at an age of specialisation. Our goal in the prep school is to have a child play many sports proficiently, rather than a single sport well” says Lübbe. In 2021, HeronBridge opened the doors to an on-campus High-Performance Centre (HPC), in collaboration with High-Performance Schools, USN and Gauteng Aquatics. The HPC which is managed by on-staff sports and conditioning coaches provides the platform for physical education lessons and high-performance training. “Our sports programme in the college is split into two” says Ofentse Moeng, Head of Sports Development in the college and U20 Blue Bulls Coach. “Our physical education (PE) programme caters for everyone, encouraging movement and exercise and teaching into the fundamentals of sport and movement while having fun. The high-performance component is for those that want to compete at the next level. Training is specific to the sporting code and the developmental stage of the child. Our coaches are established to encourage and train our athletes for provincial participation.” Continuously looking for opportunities to provide exposure for our young athletes, HeronBridge College hosted its first national sports festival this year, the Standard Bank HeronBridge Invitational. “Up-and-coming schools can find it difficult to gain access to the traditional sports festivals that often only cater for the more established sporting schools in the country” says Moeng. “Our festival provided these schools an opportunity to enjoy a prestigious event that covered all three of the winter sports codes in one event, while showcasing the talent of our young athletes on national TV and to coaches from around the country.” The intentional focus that HeronBridge has placed on the growth and development of sport and our athletes is starting to show. Our college teams are competing at a level that was unexpected a few years ago, beating established rugby schools like St Benedicts and Fourways High. Our coaches are proactively involved in sport at a provincial level, and we have more provincial players in rugby, netball and hockey than we have ever had before. At HeronBridge we talk about encouraging our children to be the best that they can be. It is our aim to alongside them so that they reach their full potential in a way that is best for them, right now. Whether learning to walk on a balance beam, hold a tennis racquet or harness a specialised skill, HeronBridge’s long-term approach to athletic development will assist them in doing just that. Written by Natasha Marot | Head of Marketing at HeronBridge College www.heronbridge.co.za To find out more about HeronBridge College contact info.heronbridge@curro.co.za

September 20, 2022

THE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN EARLY YEARS EDUCATION

There can be no doubt that the early years in education are the most important ones, as they lay the foundation for all future learning. Therefore, it is encouraging that the Department of Basic Education has taken over the crucial Early Childhood Development portfolio from the Department of Social Development, an education expert says, while calling for a greater focus on and investment in these life-shaping years both in public and private institutions. “Research is clear that early childhood development drives success in school and life,” says Desiree Hugo, Academic Head: Schools Division at ADvTECH, Africa’s leading private education provider. “Raising the profile of this stage of learning in all schools must – where it is not yet the case – become a priority alongside the effective management of the transition between the home environment to a school environment.” According to Professor James J. Heckman*, Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at The University of Chicago, a Nobel Laureate in Economics, and an expert in the economics of human development, early childhood represents a critical time to shape productivity, when the brain develops rapidly to build the foundation of cognitive and character skills necessary for success in school, health, career and life. Early childhood education fosters cognitive skills along with attentiveness, motivation, self-control and sociability—the character skills that turn knowledge into know-how and people into productive citizens. “As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. This is equally true where ECD is concerned. You don’t get an opportunity to go back and change the outcomes arising from these formative years,” says Hugo. “This is why for us in South Africa, we must endeavour to ensure that the early years learning environments our children experience are nurturing, supportive and inclusive. And the pedagogy must be reflected in the richness of the learning environment by offering aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically designed learning spaces.” Hugo says an effective learning environment can be compared to an ecosystem where many elements – spaces (indoors and outdoors), resources, routines, teachers, and families – are intertwined and support the student’s incremental growth and personal learning journey. “The pedagogical focus in the early years must be on building academic confidence so that students develop a love of learning, and are prepared to enter future learning opportunities and ultimately the world of work with the skillset and knowledge that will ensure that they are adaptive and can successfully respond and contribute to their immediate and extended communities in a positive manner.” When students feel safe, they will be open to learning. Therefore, the environment becomes incredibly important as the third teacher – it creates that safe space – building strong relationships and making important connections with the essential learning elements. “Students in the early years also learn best when the learning is presented through play and where they are given the opportunity to explore, discover and make necessary connections – where they can discover that there are many ways, possibilities, and perspectives and that mistakes are necessary and accepted as part of the learning process – thus building resilience. “In such circumstances, the environment must be responsive to their needs. Here the educator, through careful observations and interactions, is required to monitor each student’s growth and tailor experiences accordingly, thus ensuring that the students remain engaged and inspired.” With changing times in all industries comes the need to reflect and reassess, and education is not exempt from this. “As forward thinking, innovative organisations; whether our schools are situated in the private sector or public sector, we need to constantly reflect and take a good look at what we are doing, how we are doing it, and how we need to change. We need to listen carefully to our learning community and reimagine our spaces. “We will be best positioned to serve the next generation by ensuring their early years learning is based on well researched philosophy, international connections, intentional use of resources and materials and its adaptiveness, with teaching and learning taking place in both a guided and incidental manner and that the student takes priority.”

September 14, 2022

A brick-by-brick approach: Supporting your child in a way that makes sense to them

The significance of learner support within mainstream schools In education we often talk about building strong foundations that will give your child the tools to progress throughout their school career and thrive in life. Using the analogy of ‘building a house’, foundations are the first place that you should start, but anyone that has built a house will know that without proper project management, things can easily go awry. You need someone onsite, collaborating with builders and suppliers, checking the details, and rectifying any discrepancies early on so that they don’t result in long-term problems. These experts will weigh in with their insight where it matters most. A child’s learning requires the same attention to the fundamental details. Growth and development are a complex process and schools that offer an approach that combines the use of teachers and educational specialists trained in a child’s neurological, physical, and emotional development, help your child to learn in a way that makes sense to them right now. This generation of children and teens are dealing with pressures and demands that are different to the generations that preceded them. High levels of anxiety and an increase in learning challenges are prevalent. Then add Covid into the mix! Children today require less ‘teaching of’ curriculum and more ‘attention to’ their needs and their individual progress. There are huge benefits to therapeutic interventions being offered at mainstream schools by specialists, such as educational psychologists, and accommodations/concessions during exams. This type of academic support enables children to overcome obstacles that are preventing them from reaching their full potential, all while fully participating in an integrated manner with their peers in the larger, more vibrant school context. In addition, schools that are working closely with trained specialists in childhood development are more likely to offer programmes, curriculum, and classroom-support techniques that help children to learn more effectively. This intervention not only assists children in their early years of schooling but, like foundations, ensures that each level thereafter is secure. Early intervention impacts the outcome of Matric and beyond! Bridging classes allow for the re-enforcing of perceptual and emotional foundations, critical to further academic and personal growth. Through smaller class sizes and teacher/specialist expertise, the individual needs of a range of children, who would ordinarily struggle in a larger learning environment, can be met. The flexibility offered through this approach allows for both extension and additional support of students, while keeping apace with standardised syllabus progression. At HeronBridge College we offer an onsite learning centre that is host to a range of specialists and work closely with teachers and parents to provide the support necessary to “meet each child where they are at.” As teachers and parents, it is our job to be the project managers of our children’s school journey and leaning on the insight of the experts around us can make all the difference. Written by: Natasha Marot | Head of Marketing at HeronBridge College www.heronbridge.co.za To find out more about HeronBridge College contact info.heronbridge@curro.co.za

September 12, 2022

Best Ways for Parents to support their Matric student

Join SACAP’s free Parents’ Guide to Matric Support Webinar Matric exam time is a milestone experience, not just for the learners, but their parents too. It’s normal for parents to feel a lot of pressure – we want to get the support right; we have to keep the whole family on track and we’re really hoping for evidence of optimal performance after the nail-biting wait for the results. We may want to have the comfort of drawing on our own experience of Matric exams, but the world has changed so radically that what we went through and how we handled things may well be completely irrelevant to our child who is about to write their final school exams in 2022. However, that shouldn’t make you feel that you can’t make a good difference. On the contrary, according to Jogini Packery, the Head of the Johannesburg Campus of SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology) says that when it comes to Matric, parents most certainly can be the secret sauce. It all comes down to how you handle yourself. Jogini says, “It is paramount that parents are able to contain their own emotional state and be able to ground themselves when overwhelming emotions take over. It’s also important to be able to express those emotions in a healthy manner. In doing so, much like you did when your child was much younger, you will be mirroring the basics of emotional coping during challenging times.” Jogini will be connecting with parents of Matrics, alongside other panellists on Saturday, 27 August 2022 for the annual SACAP Parents’ Guide to Matric support webinar from 10:00 to 11:30. South African parents are invited to join the conversation by registering for the free one and a half hour webinar here. The panel also includes Praneetha Jugdeo, SACAP’s Head of the Durban campus and Cat Clarke, a former matric educator who is now a SACAP learning designer. Offering insights that parents can rarely access, the SACAP team is focusing not only on how to thrive through Matric exams but how to navigate the vital phase of life afterwards. So much of the stress of getting through Matric exams is also resting on the big question of: What’s Next? Praneetha will chat with parents about the opportunities offered by a gap year for Matric students who are not yet ready for making big tertiary education decisions. She says, “This presents a great opportunity for enhanced self-insight and exposure to new experiences. Students can use a gap year to figure out their interests as well as get to know their strengths and areas of development. It should not be thought of as ‘a wasted year’ because they can gain extraordinary life experience and attain significant personal growth whether they travel, volunteer, intern or complete short-term courses.” Cat Clarke also urges parents to keep an eye on the future. It’s not just Matric that’s stressful, it’s also about standing on the threshold of entering a whole new world. She says, “Methods of education are changing in response to global trends and innovative technologies. While the move towards flexibility and creative use of technology began some time ago, the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated a fast tracking of blended learning and location-flexible education. While the last couple of years has been a challenging time, it has resulted in great advancements and strategies that will continue to be extremely useful. Parents can be an immeasurable support in helping their teens navigate the challenges of flexible and blended learning. There’s a mental shift that parents need to understand and real guidance they can offer when it comes to skills such as time-management, organisation, focus and critical thinking.” The SACAP Parents’ Guide to Matric Support webinar will also include a Q&A session so that you can engage with the presenters and get insights into other parents’ experiences. Find out how you can be a pillar of support during the upcoming exam time and beyond by joining the conversation at SACAP’s Parents’ Guide to Matric Support webinar on Saturday, 27 August 2022 from 10h00 to 11h30. Registration is free and you can sign up here.

August 22, 2022

Preparing your child for the 4IR

The on-going impact of a pandemic, looming price increases and unstable markets might have parents wondering what they can do to prepare their children for an unknown future work environment. Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are many new opportunities, and the future is bright if your child is properly equipped to take on the challenge. Where do we start? In this modern and ever-evolving world, careers can be made out of almost anything. The world really is filled with opportunities at every turn, however the first lesson you should probably help your child learn is that a career does not have to be static. You no longer choose one job for life, then retire from that industry 40 years later as was the norm in past generations. There is great value in teaching your child the importance of being flexible, and that the working world is dynamic and changing so they need to be too if they are to survive and thrive. That said, your child, just like you, will sometimes have to do things they don’t like. Help them get used to that concept too from a young age. Like every adult, every child has inclinations, skills and interests that vary. It’s important to teach your child to explore their interests. The ideal time to start encouraging them to do this would be during middle school (Grades 7 to 9). Encourage your child to participate in various extra murals and holiday clubs, to learn and develop their interests in a variety of different things. It’s important to invest in your child this way. By experiencing many different sports, clubs, activities and interests, you’ll give them a better perspective on what the world has to offer. A tip for parents: Take an interest in what your child is interested in. This will help them feel supported and excited (a child who is engaged and excited will learn skills quickly). Remote and international learning/work has opened up exciting opportunities The traditional ‘South African dream’ of leaving school, going to university, getting a job, buying a house, having two kids and retiring is an outdated ideation. Most members of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and most certainly Generation Alpha kids (born 2013-2025) are unlikely to follow the life path their parents had anticipated or hoped for. What we’re seeing in education is that students are looking at international learning opportunities once they have completed their secondary and, in some instances, tertiary education. They are even considering remote study opportunities where they can receive certifications from the comfort of the sofa in a chosen location around the globe. There are many programs that support South African students and gear them towards applying to international universities. Organizations such as NCUK facilitate these options which mean that students now have more opportunities than ever before to learn in new and exciting parts of the world. Young Generation Z adults who’ve already graduated recognize that traditional jobs aren’t necessarily for them. With remote work opportunities and the ever growing “Gig Economy”, we see skilled individuals choosing to consult and work on a freelance basis over full-time regular positions. It is not uncommon to become your own boss from a young age, work when you need money and prioritize enjoying and experiencing youth. Skills, skills, skills… Although I am tempted to write the word ‘skillz’ as the sort of skills your children should be developing might not necessarily be in line with anything you understand right now, or particularly value as a traditional skill. Digital content creation, editing skills and personal branding are some of the areas where we see young people ‘sharpening their sticks’. With more than one million students enrolled in South African universities in 2022, how does your child stand out from the crowd? While this may only recently have been a thought in your mind, it’s been a thought in their minds for years thanks to social media. Standing out from the crowd, developing unique and sought-after skills, talents and abilities is critical for young people to rise above their peers. Skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution are often not necessarily learnt at all schools. This is where support from parents is crucial, the need to facilitate, encourage and support unique skill development in the home cannot be stressed enough. Practical things you can do right now One thing that has come up time and time again is the need for young students to develop business savvy and entrepreneurial skills. Help your child start a small business – by doing so they will learn a few harsh lessons such as, how tough it is to make money, managing your money = success, selling and developing a product or service people actually want or need, the importance of reinvesting into your business and saving money rather than spending it. Teach your children to repair things. Now, you yourself might not be so ‘handy’ and that’s okay. Let’s say your fan stops working. Encourage your children to take it apart and watch a few YouTube videos on how to problem-solve and possibly fix the fan. This might be a strange example, but it’s the sort of thing that you may throw out rather than repairing, so if it can be fixed, you just saved the cost of replacing the fan. That’s a valuable lesson for a child. Take risks. Encourage your child to sign up for things they might not have been inclined to do. The thing about risks, is that they are associated with failure. This is not a negative thing; in fact, it is quite positive! When children are making mistakes, it also means they are learning to fix those mistakes as early as possible. Failure and learning to deal with failure are some of the most important lessons young people can learn. The reality is that our children are stepping into an unpredictable world. Failure helps children develop confidence and identity if handled and supported correctly. An old teacher

July 29, 2022

4 EASY WAYS TO ADD MATHS TO YOUR EARLY LEARNER’S DAILY ROUTINE

Whether you realise it or not, we use maths concepts to solve real-life situations every day. From cooking with recipes to figuring out the correct money to give at the store, maths is everywhere. Teaching your children fundamental maths skills at a young age is easier than you think! With research stating that 80% of a child’s brain develops by age five, it’s important for parents to take advantage of the critical early years. The great news is that children are naturally curious and often question the world around them, so there are many chances to naturally weave in learning opportunities. By just adding a little maths to your everyday routine, you can help your toddler or preschooler begin to recognise numbers, learn the proper number sequence and eventually develop the ability to count. Here are four easy ways to add maths into the everyday routine for early learners: 1. Play simple card games Learning about numbers is the first step in a preschooler’s maths journey. In addition to using number flash cards, playing card games using regular playing cards is another great way for children to learn about numbers up to 10. The cards between two and ten not only have the numbers on them, but also the amount of symbols that represent the quantity. The pattern on the cards helps children to conceptually understand what the number represents. 2. Count outdoors or with items you use each day To help your preschooler learn to count, start by heading outdoors. Find items in nature that can be easily counted, such as the petals on a flower, the leaves on a branch, or even trees in the yard. Ask questions such as: “How many flowers have pink petals in the garden?” “Which flower has more petals than the others?” “How many red leaves are there?” These questions will spark their curiosity to explore the answer. If needed, help your child by pointing and counting with them. By modelling how to do it, your child will feel encouraged and motivated to count with you before doing so on their own. You can also count items you use each day such as different foods or toys. 3. Sort and understand groupings Look for teachable moments during everyday play. While playing with their toys, ask your children to sort by colour, or by similarities, or by differences. You can even introduce sorting during clean-up by asking them to put toys into the right bins. One great place to start with sorting is by using different coins. These all vary in size which makes sorting by their differences simple without introducing the values of each coin. Once you show the differences of each coin, help sort these out into different groupings. For example: “Can you count the ten cent pieces? Let’s put them into groups of 10.” Once you master sorting out the ten cent pieces and setting aside the groupings, then you can count the total. Repeat this with the various other coins. 4. Cook to teach measurements and shapes Not only is cooking useful, it’s a great way to learn maths. Begin by finding an easy and fun baking recipe. Some will call for measurements such as “two cups of flour” or “three teaspoons of baking powder.” You can have your child help with counting these measurements out with you. Next, work with your child to form shaped cookies and count as you lay them on the baking sheet. Young children tend to notice the different sizes, for example, one giant cookie versus 24 mini ones. You can then get different sized plates and ask questions like “Which plate holds the most cookies?” or “How many cookies fit on the blue plate?” This will encourage your child to think through this by experimenting and counting different groupings. Maths is something we turn to for everyday tasks. With these simple tips, your child will begin learning some maths concepts without even really knowing they’re learning. It is great to start teaching these skills at a young age to get them prepared for Grade R and ensure they are on the right track for their academic future! This article is from the KUMON NORTH AMERICA website: https://www.kumon.com/resources/4-easy-ways-to-add-math-to-your-early-learners-daily-routine/

July 27, 2022

EXPANDED OPTIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS: FIND THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOUR CHILD

A mere cursory glance at social media and parent groups shows the anxieties and frustrations of parents with school going children today regarding access to an excellent education. Lack of access at public schools is a major challenge, with parents whose children qualify on all counts not gaining admission – through no fault on their part, but because of capacity constraints. Another observed challenge is that of children already at school, but where the environment is simply not preparing them for the modern world because of outdated pedagogies and ways of working, non-productive homework requirements, or a system that no longer serves the needs of students. An education expert says while the above and other issues related to schools may feel like an impossible hill to climb for parents, the reality is that there are many options in the private sector of which parents may not be aware. Additionally, parents sometimes discard the idea of private education out of hand because of the perception that it might not be within their reach financially, when that is not necessarily the case. “Over the past weeks, many parents have had to tell their children that they were not accepted at any of the schools to which they applied, despite them qualifying for access,” says Kassandra Strydom, Academic Advisor: ADvTECH Schools Division Central Academic Team. “We’ve also noticed parents highlighting the struggles their children are facing because of personal challenges or circumstances, being just a number at school, being required to take subjects that are of no interest to them and being subjected to teaching methods and approaches that are out of touch regarding what is required in today’s world and what will be required of them in future. “Parental concerns are becoming evident. We urge these parents to investigate the options open to them in the private sector, because it can make a world of difference in a child’s educational journey, their self-actualisation and future prospects, and their general wellbeing,” says Strydom. Strydom says a key consideration for parents when investigating options in the private sector, is to consider WHAT KIND of school is right for their child, because unlike in the public sector, different private schools have very different offerings designed to cater to the specific needs of students and their families. She says top-level considerations when assessing any private school, will include the following: Class size Teacher qualifications, experience and expertise Commitment to continued professional teacher development on the part of the school Teaching styles, methodology and environments The selection of curriculum and whether qualifications will be internationally recognised Fee structures Sport and extra-curricular offerings as well as facilities Additional academic support as well as programmes such as core skill development and EdTech integration The kinds of private school offerings include the following: MODERN AND PROGRESSIVE SCHOOLS Emphasis on learning by doing – hands-on projects, expeditionary learning, experiential learning Integrated curriculum focused on thematic units Strong emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking Group work and development of social skills Understanding and action as the goals of learning as opposed to rote knowledge Collaborative and cooperative learning projects Education for social responsibility and democracy Integration of community service and service-learning projects into the daily curriculum Selection of subject content by looking forward to ask what skills will be needed in future society De-emphasis on textbooks in favour of varied learning resources Emphasis on lifelong learning and social skills Assessment by evaluation of child’s projects and production Ed tech enabled learning opportunities These schools prepare students for responsible adulthood and potential leadership by laying an excellent academic foundation supported by future-focused skills that will ensure students have lifelong success TRADITIONAL HOLISTIC SCHOOLS/ RELIGIOUS TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS In addition to the above elements, traditional schools offer a strong academic focus with excellence in sport and culture opportunities for students. They seek to retain traditional values while preparing students for an ever-changing world. The recipe of following time-honoured traditions has been very successful and recognised for the excellent contributions it makes in every sphere of education and to the social and emotional development of each student. SPECIALISED ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ASSISTED LEARNING These schools offer a non-traditional approach to education to support neurodiversity. The unique strategy creates opportunities for the academic support and nurturing of all students on their journey to achieving academic success. All students are included, catered for, and receive the additional support they require. The school believes that when a student joins the school, they are taking the first step toward their best future. creating opportunities for self-fulfilment and self-actualisation for all students, to develop their potential regardless of differences. Each student is taught according to their unique needs and in accordance with an individualised development plan by a multi-dimensional specialist team who follow a neurodiverse approach. School types as above can be broken down into top tier and mid-tier schools. The variety of school fee options can be aligned to the school’s offering. It is important to highlight that investigation into the academic success of students is important as this is possible at all fee levels, but the offering of additional subjects and activities vary. ONLINE HOME SCHOOLING Parents may consider investigating online/ homeschool options, but are urged to ensure that their chosen school focuses on ‘cognitive’ screentime – where students are able to engage during lessons – rather than opt for a ‘paper behind glass’ approach, which may impact successful study. “Very importantly, parents should feel comfortable that whichever school they choose, it has academic excellence at the core of its offering. Once that has been established, and the basic top-level considerations have been satisfied, parents can settle on the perfect environment for their child which fits with their budget, which will not only impact on the wellbeing and future preparedness of the child, but also on the family’s wellbeing as a whole,” says Strydom.

July 8, 2022

MID-TERM EXAM TIPS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

As parents or guardians, most of us work long, exhausting days. We understand that with the price of food, petrol, school fees etcetera, work is a given – if we are fortunate enough to be employed – and this is not something we are ever going to change. The downside is that hard work often leaves us with very little time for anything else. As parents, we often feel guilty that we seem to have so little time with our children. Added to this, we often put pressure on our children to somehow perform, using their report cards as a measure of their effort and intelligence. Many parents trust that teachers are in control simply because they don’t themselves have the extra bandwidth to step into academic support mode after a long day at work. Additionally, we often resort to pressuring our children, whether it be through threats, bribes, or encouragement to circumvent a bad report after examinations. Let’s be honest, not all children are those gorgeous self-starters, in the Top 20 at school who just seem to ‘get on with it’ and never seem to need the parental pressures that so many of us have to use on our children. Most schools’ second term comprise those mid-year examinations where this pressure can bring added anxiety and chaos into a household. The pressure starts to mount when you do not see the evidence of studying. As a principal, at Abbotts College JHB South, I see the despair when the report card comes and parents are called in to visit the deputy or principal about their child’s results. But my advice today to parents is to practice love and patience. Young teenagers are still developing. Their adolescent brains, especially those going through puberty, where cognitive, emotional, and social maturation are being influenced by hormones, have a tremendous effect on the development of executive functioning in the brain. This functioning develops in the prefrontal cortex which is the area responsible for decision-making, planning, prioritizing, strategizing, coordinating thought and emotion, delaying gratification, inhibiting impulses and inappropriate behavior. Research over the past 15 years has shown that these areas do not function as optimally as those of adults. The limbic system and other parts of the brain do not fully mature until the early 20s. Putting extreme pressure and anxiety onto a teenager to bring home the perfect report card will negatively affect them. We need to be realistic about their abilities and remember that one examination is never a determinant for success in life. We have to encourage them to perform to the best of their ability but not at the expense of our relationship with them or the damage parents can inflict on their self-esteem and identity formation. Having said that there are some ways in which we can support our teenagers, by doing the following: Download the Examination timetable in advance and ensure it is visible in your house where you and your child can monitor the calendar. Assist your child in coming up with a study timetable (many schools may conduct workshops to assist with this). Ensure the scope of study for all subjects is downloaded and available in advance (most schools will give this out at least 4-6 weeks before examinations commence). Ensure your child has approached teachers early on if there are concepts that are challenging and need further clarification. If your child is struggling with finishing tests on time, does not get through work fast enough, reads very slowly, or does not write neatly, it may be a good idea to get him/her tested by an Educational Psychologist who can assist with applying for concessions. Buy A4 feint and margin books for every subject so that note-taking is in one place for the full year and not on pieces of paper that are scattered around the house. Ensure your child has a quiet place to study, with a desk and necessary stationery (‘passive studying’ on a bed is ineffective – separate, if possible, the spaces where they sleep and where they work) Eliminate distractions and lay down the rules during examination periods (especially cellphones, social media, gaming). Ensure your child continues with healthy pursuits such as exercising and sport; and that they eat as healthily as possible. Do not always believe your teen! Be aware, switched on, available, supportive yet receptive to how and what they are studying. In my opinion, a little extrinsic motivation during study time for teenagers can be effective. Many are not intrinsically motivated to study and there are pros and cons to rewarding and incentivizing your teen. You know your child best and what they are capable of. Giving them goals and possible rewards, without undue pressure that could create anxiety may be the catalyst for your child to motivate them. We have to inculcate a sense of pride in what they do and encourage effort and autonomy. With so much riding on matric examinations, skills need to be developed early on in the junior grades in preparation for these. This does not happen overnight but with patience, assistance, organization, and loving guidance our children can overcome examination anxiety and learn the tools necessary for examination success. By (Marion Kohler: Principal Abbotts College JHB South)

June 24, 2022

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