Leading Educational Advice from Wingu Academy
Wingu Academy

Wingu Academy – changing the face of online home schooling in South Africa

The on-going Covid pandemic has changed the schooling landscape in South Africa completely, especially the traditional schooling environment.  With very little notice, parents had to become teachers while still maintaining a full-time job. Learners’ routines were abrupted and remote learning became the “new normal”. This, however, also lead to homeschooling and especially online home schooling, becoming a contending alternative. Wingu Academy offers a distance, blended learning platform that provides educational support to home-schoolers all over Africa, offering live classes and tutorials along with interactive online content. It has been developed by teachers, UP alumni, and postgraduate students who are experts in their respective fields with additional collaboration with researchers from the Wits School of Education. Not only this, it is a by-product of collaboration between two innovative start-ups, TutCo Tuition and EduWingu Cloud Education Solutions. Their ever-evolving platform currently provides the internationally recognised British curriculum, but as of 2022 Wingu Academy will extend their high-school offering to include the South African CAPS curriculum.  Wingu focuses on student-led learning, utilising gamification and implementing constructive feedback providing a wide variety of choices to support individual learning at home along with alternative options through their tutoring centre. Mrs Becker who has both her children enrolled at Wingu Academy has the following to say about her experience as a “Wingu Parent” : “Wingu is passionate about learning. They saw what did not work, listened to parents and made the necessary changes. My children are happy. My oldest says, it is so nice to be able to ask a teacher a question when you don’t understand the work. If a student is shy, they have the option of asking in a classroom chat. The teachers don’t mention who asked, so the child is saved the potential embarrassment that would have prevented them asking in a traditional setting. The blended learning approach is fantastic. Teachers are available for consultations if students struggle. Teachers have a consultation session once a week in the afternoons and students can freely ask any questions. The students have experts in their fields as teachers. They hold Honours and Masters  degrees. There are even a few PhD candidates among the teachers. The feedback the students get on home work is very valuable. Mistakes become learning opportunities.” Many parents may be worried that their children will miss out on social interaction but they still get to meet friends and even form study groups as they are not bound by geographical borders.  In fact, Wingu also offers a variety of Club options to learners varying from fitness to chess to photography clubs and parents have the opportunity to become involved too. Furthermore, Wingu Academy’s flexible environment also caters for learners who would like to pursue their passions and professional aspirations in sports, music and other extra-curricular activities. Another “Wingu Parent”, Mrs du Preez says what she appreciates most about Wingu Academy is the positive and respectful attitude of support and patience. “They make the idea of home schooling worth it and a lot easier. If it was not for the Wingu platform, I would not have done it. Even more so with the help of the online coach to get them on track. My daughter had to catch up two terms in one and still managed to do very well.” Student well-being is at the heart of Wingu’s core foundation. Their Wellness Hub offers professional guidance to both learners and parents in areas of concern. Wingu’s innovative learning platform equips learners for the 4IR with a forward-thinking strategy of anywhere, anytime, staying connected and offering the future classroom today!

September 27, 2021
Wingu Academy

How to raise a confident teen with a positive identity

Helping your teen to navigate through difficult challenges and still come out resilient, knowing they will recover after a set-back, is an important part of parenting. When a teen has confidence, they are equipped to make decisions. When they have a better understanding of the world around them it’s easier to risk opportunities which helps them exceed in life. A study by Harvard University’s Centre on the Developing Child found that: Resilience requires supportive relationships and opportunities for skill-building. Resilience results from a dynamic interaction between internal predispositions and external experiences. Learning to cope with manageable threats to our physical and social well-being is critical for the development of resilience. Some children respond in more extreme ways, therefore individual traits need to be acknowledged. Individuals never completely lose their ability to improve their coping skills, and they often learn how to adapt to new challenges. Research has identified a set of factors that help children achieve positive outcomes in the face of significant adversity. Individuals who demonstrate resilience in response to one form of adversity may not necessarily do so in response to another. Yet when communities and families strengthen these factors, they optimize resilience across multiple contexts. Factors include: Providing supportive adult-child relationships; Scaffolding learning so the child builds a sense of self-efficacy and control; Helping strengthen adaptive skills and self-regulatory capacities; and Using faith and cultural traditions as a foundation for hope and stability. Good self-esteem activities that parents can apply according to Dr Serahni Symington, Child and Adolescent Counselling and Play Therapist, include the following: Encourage independence to make their own decisions about how they dress, for instance. Having responsibilities at home like walking the dog or making dinner. Enable problem-solving by assisting your child in making choices in a safe space.  This will help equip them to make good decisions when they find themselves in less protective situations. Encouragement is good, but over-praise can do more damage than good if they lack the ability to take responsibility for their actions. Praise effort not outcome. Your teen can control their effort, but not always the outcome. Set realistic bars for outcomes. Emotional expression is crucial. TALK about emotions and feelings. Explore all aspects of anger, grief, fear, joy and happiness in a thoughtful and logical way. Help develop positive self-talk. How teens talk about themselves says a lot about how they see themselves. Help them identify thoughts that aren’t true by pointing out how being overly harsh can be detrimental. Teach them to reframe the irrational with something more realistic. Lead by example. It’s important to model self-confidence and resilience during challenging times as children look to their parents as role models. “Identity is grounded in feeling safe in your environment. Nurturing growth and believing in yourself, is an important stepping stone to raising a confident teen with a positive identity, “ Dr Symington concludes. Wingu Academy realises the importance of encouraging a positive identity.  This is why they established a Wellness Hub that assist both students and parents with guidelines and counselling to find a healthy balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance.

September 21, 2021
Wingu Academy

How do I help my child cope with exam stress?

Exam time is usually a dreaded and stressful period for parents and children alike, but a little support and motivation can go a long way in reducing stress levels. Here are some guidelines of what you can do to make life a bit easier on your child (and in effect you too!): Create a consistent study environment.  According to parentinfo.org it’s best to set up a study corner that is comfortable and inviting to work in, with as few distractions as possible. Everything should be close at hand so they don’t have to spend time searching for things like highlighters, post it notes, paper, etc. Keep communication open. It’s important to show that you are interested in your child’s studies.  Ask them how they are doing, do they need any help, how did the exam go. Sometimes a child just needs to vent or know you care about their well-being. Encourage relaxation and taking part in other activities to unwind, like exercising, listening to music, painting and interacting with friends. These can aid significantly in stress management. When it comes to studying and breaks the Pomodoro Technique is the most effective in the world. Study for 25 minutes with 5 minute breaks in-between each study session. After four cycles of 25 minute studies, take a longer 30-minute break.  Help your child stay focused with following a well-structured study schedule. According to brainbuxa.com discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.  It’s important to enforce restrictions, but don’t micro-manage. Show your child that you trust him/her enough to take responsibility. If your child prefers being quizzed to prep for exams, put in the effort and make it a time of bonding rather than a time of frustration. Stay calm, do flash cards and reward accomplishments by sneaking in a favourite snack. Ensure that your child eats healthy and gets enough sleep.  These are very important factors for the brain to recharge and function properly, especially during exam time. Always remember to use words of encouragement. Whether the exam went well or not. Help your child to stay positive. Most children are less worried about the exam itself than about disappointing their parents or losing the respect of their fellow classmates if they do badly.  So if it didn’t go well, instead of dwelling on the mistakes, which they cannot change, rather help them relax and prepare for the next exam. “The role of the parent is very important in this online teaching journey. Parents should create and promote a positive learning environment for the student.  Parents should also encourage the student to follow a routine to stay focussed and to develop responsibility, self-discipline and independence. Our teachers, student mentors and tutors all have one goal in mind and that is to see our students succeed and prosper,” says Belinda van der Westhuizen, Wingu-Academy’s Director of Education and Assessments. “Most importantly, celebrate your child’s accomplishments and enjoy the journey with him/her.”

September 14, 2021
Wingu Academy

How can parents encourage entrepreneurship at home?

It has become increasingly important for children to hone their entrepreneurship skills, not just in the classroom, but especially at home.  It’s important for parents to encourage their children to succeed and by applying the following guidelines by Sue Scheff, author and parent advocate, it’s easier than you think! Kids earn an allowance for chores, not for existing: Instil a good work ethic in your children by requiring that they earn their allowance. Emptying the dishwasher, mowing the lawn, and washing the family dog are all ways that kids can learn how to earn money. Take it a step further by encouraging them to do similar tasks for neighbours as a way to earn additional money. Create a bank account for your child:  Lay the foundation for earning money by giving it a place to go. When your child earns money, have fun helping your kids do the math and figure out how much they’ve put away in the bank for all their hard work. Share opportunities for extra earning: Teach your children that going above and beyond leads to increased earning. Give them the opportunity to do more difficult chores that go above what they’re normally expected to do. Encourage good personal finance skills: Kids begging for items at the store might be annoying, but it’s a teachable moment. When your child asks for something that’s out of budget or not really necessary, make it a goal to earn enough money to buy it. Encourage your child to come up with ideas on how to buy it themselves. Encourage them to follow their ideas: Whether your kids want to start a blog or sell vegetables from your garden, give them your time and encouragement. Let them learn by doing, and find opportunities for lessons along the way. Ask them to consider how they’ll fund their start-up, where to get supplies, how much to charge, how to find their customers, and of course, what to do with the money they earn. You should of course set some limitations for time, legality, and safety, but be open to let your kids explore their own ideas. Allow them to fail, and turn failures into learning moments. Teach good teamwork: Rarely do entrepreneurs succeed completely independently. Even if they’re in business alone, they’re networking, getting others interested, and meeting with people that can help get their business off the ground. Learning how to work with others is essential for success, so be sure to encourage group work in school, in your home, and beyond. Encourage team sports: Team sports are a great way to teach kids to work with others, and they’re also great for learning business lessons. Chances are, they won’t win every game, but the setbacks and hard work that are a part of playing sports can teach kids how to work toward success. Be available: Every great entrepreneur needs a mentor, and for your kids, you are that person. Although you should encourage your child to operate independently, always be there to answer questions or offer helpful suggestions. If you don’t know how to solve a problem, learn how to do it together. Teach your kids to be self-starters: Doing what they’re told is easy for most kids. Asking them to complete certain chores is simple and straightforward. But if you want them to start thinking creatively, encourage their initiative. Ask them to come up with ideas for chores that need to be done, or encourage them to plan a meal and cook for the family once a week. Encourage adventure and observational skills: Some of the best entrepreneurs found success simply by filling a need that no one else even knew existed. The world is full of business opportunities, if only we could notice them. Parents can help their children learn to recognize these types of opportunities by developing observation and creativity. Walk around your neighbourhood with your kids and consider which needs are not being met. Do you have neighbours that need lawn care? Businesses that need a website? Teach kids to recognize and anticipate the needs of others. Teach problem-solving: Entrepreneurship can be a bumpy road full of obstacles and challenges to overcome, even for the best-laid plans. Show your children that problems are just solutions that have not been solved yet. Give them small challenges to overcome, and nudge them in the right direction to find a solution. Play business games: Many games exist to teach kids the basics of business. Make learning about entrepreneurship fun by engaging your children in these games. Read the full article here: http://www.suescheffblog.com/15-ways-parents-can-promote-entrepreneurship/

September 7, 2021
Wingu Academy

The devastating effects of cyberbullying in South Africa

The devastating effects of Cyberbullying in South Africa and how Wingu Academy protects and supports Wingu students. Did you know that South Africa has the fourth highest rate of cyberbullying worldwide according to a global survey by YouGov? The survey found that one out of every five teens fall prey to cyberbullying and 84% of classmates know of someone who have been victimized. Sadly, with the rise of the digital age becoming a necessary part in our lives, it’s no surprise that this form of bullying has become one of the biggest concerns for both parents and students who suffer and have to deal with the devastating, often life-long effects. But what exactly is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is any form of bullying that takes place online including on platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and gaming chat rooms. Young people today are increasingly exposed to many different tools and apps. Thus, it is very easy to produce videos, memes, manipulated photos, or even simple text messages with degrading comments and name calling. Trolling and cyberstalking of online profiles is also rapidly on the rise. According to the South African College of Applied Psychology victims feel isolated, ashamed, hopeless and depressed wondering if the situation will ever change.  They are desperately looking for a way out which often leads to thoughts and attempts of suicide. This form of abuse influences a child’s identity, self-worth and often leads to long term effects like the inability to form meaningful and sustainable relationships. Not to mention trust issues and even mental health issues. Parents often don’t know because the victims don’t tell them. They feel ashamed and don’t want their parents to get involved as it would worsen the abuse. What are the main signs parents should look out for if they suspect that their child is a victim of cyberbullying? If a child’s mood or behavior suddenly changes drastically, from being socially interactive to being depressed, anxious and isolated. If they start hiding their devices and/or no longer allow you access to their social media accounts. If their academic performance drastically decreases. If they avoid any form of social interaction. What can parents do to help and support their children? According to Dr Serahani Symington, Child and Adolescent Counsellor and Play Therapy Specialist, the following approach is recommended. It’s critically important to have an open relationship where your child feels safe to express their feelings, concerns and problems. Don’t overreact and stay calm during the discussion. Don’t tell your child to simply ignore the situation as it’s very real to them. They have the need for the abuse to be acknowledged. Ask your child what their immediate need is.  Is it to provide comfort or a solution? Co-create a solution with your child to make them feel safe, secure and empowered to handle the situation. Don’t retaliate. Rather address the issue with the school and not with the bully or his/her parents. Never invite the bully into your home, your child’s safe space, to resolve the issue. Monitor and spot check your child’s devices with the narrative that it’s for their own protection and not because you don’t trust them. Look at the ratings, age-restrictions and if possible, experience the games and apps your child interacts with for yourself to look for possible pitfalls and warning signs that could put your child in danger. How does Wingu Academy protect and support parents and students against cyberbullying? “At Wingu Academy we have a zero-tolerance policy against any form of bullying. Our Wellness Hub offers counselling and support to students and parents. By following a holistic approach of creating a culture of inclusivity and high moral values we teach our students to respect their fellow students,” says Managing Director Ian Strydom. Wingu Academy’s Cyberbullying Policy also offers guidelines to students to protect them. Some of the recommendations include: Do not answer abusive messages but save them and report them to the Student Mentor. Do not delete anything until it has been shown to your parents/carers or a member of staff at Wingu Academy (even if it is upsetting, the material is important evidence which may need to be used later as proof of cyberbullying). Do not give out personal details or contact information without the permission of a parent/guardian (personal data). Be careful who you allow to become a friend online and think about what information you want them to see. Protect your password. Do not share it with anyone else and change it regularly. Always log off from the computer when you have finished or if you leave the computer for any reason. Always put the privacy filters on to the sites you use. Never reply to abusive messages. Never reply to someone you do not know. Always stay in public areas in chat rooms. Article by Melanie Foxcroft from MF Consulting. Mobile: +27 82 650 3414 Email: melanie@mfconsulting.co.za Web: www.mfconsulting.co.za

August 31, 2021
Wingu Academy

Benefits and disadvantages of homeschooling

More and more families are starting to realize the numerous benefits associated with homeschooling. Homeschooling is no longer a stigmatized, isolated learning experience. Through the power of the internet and the rise of online curriculum service providers, homeschooling has evolved into a bespoke educational offering that merges the best elements of a traditional brick-and-mortar school system with the advantages that independent distance-based learning can allow. However, despite the great benefits of homeschooling, there are also certain disadvantages to this approach.  Let’s explore some of these pros and cons of a homeschooling approach. Disadvantages A possible disadvantage experienced by a homeschooling parent, is that the parent might become frustrated by having to take on the role of a teacher. Deciphering not only the coursework, but the curriculum outcomes as well, can create a lot of anxiety for parents. Parents might struggle to know whether they are “doing the right thing” or not. Especially in cases where students are older, parents might be intimidated by the difficulty of some of the coursework, as they are not subject experts themselves, but are now expected to teach their children mathematics or physics that they have done 20 odd years ago – or sometimes not at all! In cases like the aforementioned, parents often start to invest in expensive private tutors, which can lead to a high financial burden. However, by making use of an online curriculum service provider, these disadvantages can largely be mitigated. Through a reputable online curriculum service provider, students can have access to subject expert tutors, which eliminate the need for parents to act as teachers themselves. With this in mind, let’s focus on the benefits of homeschooling, and in particular the benefits of online schooling. Benefits 1.  Academic flexibility The traditional education system allows for very little flexibility in learning, when in reality, education is not a one-size fits all solution.  Some students are very strong auditory and visual learners. Other students might learn best through repetition. Some might prefer learning through practical application. Homeschooling affords an individual the opportunity to learn in a way that suits him/her best, especially if combined with a blended learning teaching strategy – which incorporates live classes and non-live learning elements, such as interactive lessons, quizzes and games, as well as practical project based learning. For students who are professional athletes, or who have globetrotting parents, the flexibility of a homeschooling system is particularly beneficial. Furthermore, in a traditional schooling context, with high student-to-teacher radios, a lot of time is often spent waiting for assistance. Students are often expected to partake in extracurricular school subjects which do not interest them. The flexibility of homeschooling allow students more time to focus on things that truly interest them. Students can progress according to their own ability and interest. 2.  Fosters independent learning skills Students who are homeschooled and allowed the freedom to learn in a way that suits him/her best, naturally also acquire the ability to learn more independently. In other words, these students don’t need someone to guide them through all elements of the learning material step-by-step. They are more confident in assimilating academic resources for themselves – a skill which they have honed during their years of homeschooling! This sense of autonomy is an invaluable ‘soft-skill’ that will aid students for years to come, whether at university or at work. Furthermore, students who homeschool with the help of an online curriculum service provider learn how to be adept at using technology, often from a young age. These students learn how to use cloud computing tools to collaborate remotely – an essential future of work skill, which is becoming even more important in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world. 3.  Mental health Students who struggle with anxiety, social anxiety or depression, or who were victims of bullying in a traditional school context, can study from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Students have the opportunity to focus on their mental and emotional wellbeing. In small amounts, stress can be good, but the incredible pressure that is placed on students to perform academically – or that they often place on themselves – can become debilitating. There is less pressure on students to conform or fit a traditionally expected mold, which is beneficial to a student’s self-esteem. Students with special needs or learning disabilities might feel especially marginalized in a traditional school setting, and their confidence can suffer. In a homeschooling environment, parents are better equipped to introduce certain interventional strategies to address learning challenges. 4.  Social development A fear that many parents who are considering homeschooling have, is the fear of social isolation. Parents fear that their children will not develop social skills or have no friends. However, due to the flexibility of homeschooling, students often have more time to engage in social extracurricular activities or community initiatives – such as joining a sports club, or volunteering at a local shelter – where they can still make friends and interact with peers. For students who make use of an online curriculum service provider, the shift from parent-led to facilitator-led education means there is an even greater opportunity to interact socially. In an online school environment – which essentially emulates some elements of a traditional school environment, such as live classes – students continually interact with classmates and tutors. 5.  Higher quality education In traditional classes with high student to teacher ratios, students do not get individualized attention. In a homeschooling context, students can receive more individualized attention, either from a parent or tutor. When making use of a reputable online curriculum service provider, students can have access to a highly qualified subject expert at the click of a button. Furthermore, some parents might want their children to be taught using a different curriculum than the one offered by traditional government schools. In reality though, many parents simply might not be able to afford the cost of a private school that offers such an alternative curriculum. For these parents, homeschooling provides a way to

August 18, 2021
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Advice from the experts
Evolve Online School

Online Teaching As A Tool

Online schooling is a tool, that if used correctly, can change the game in academic achievement. However, for this to happen, a relationship and understanding of expectation between the parent and activator needs to be developed. As a teacher that worked in a brick and mortar school for five years, I can speak to the understanding that parents are removed from their child’s learning journey, particularly in the early years. This is largely due to the fact that most, if not all learning is expected to take happen during school hours. Once your five-year-old arrives home, their academic day is considered done. When applying this idea to the online schooling space, a shift takes place, now home, or anywhere for that matter is where learning can take place and what makes this environmental shift even more unique is that you, the parent is not only “invited” into the classroom but you become part of your child’s learning and teaching resources. Online schooling affords the parent a front row seat into the “classroom” and what a magnificent tool that could be. The opportunity to see how your child engages with academic content, develops understandings, and even more importantly, where your child is developing misunderstandings. Parent’s who use this platform in this way have given their children a foundation to evolve from standard learning to evolutionary learning. I have been afforded the chance to watch this happen in the level 1/Grade 0 space at Evolve Online School. Parents who have embraced all that online schooling is and have engaged with their children by extending their child’s learning and becoming their child’s personalized teacher, accompanied by the input from us as activators have gone from reading three letter words, to reading books by the end of their grade 0/ level 1 year. Online schooling really does create the space for limitless learning possibilities because children are given the opportunity to have all the right people involved in their learning journey. To learn about how Evolve Online School has been used by parents like yourself, please click here. To join one of our upcoming webinars, please click here. Are you ready to join the Evolve Online School family, click here to Apply now.

April 12, 2023
Loreto School Queenswood

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
Evolve Online School

AI ATE MY CLASSROOM: LEARNING IN AN AGE OF UNPRECEDENTED TECH DISRUPTION

During the Covid lockdowns, a generation of children experienced education in a historically unprecedented way. Now, a new black swan has floated into view with the rapid proliferation of Artificial Intelligence and chatbots such as ChatGPT across all sectors and industries, including education. “When we consider technology’s potential changes to our understanding of school, COVID opened the garage door and ChatGPT sent the school bus careening down the driveway with no brakes,” says Colin Northmore, Principal of Evolve Online School, a brand of ADvTECH, Africa’s largest private education provider. “Schools are resilient. They have mostly, until now, managed to avoid changing or assimilating disruptive technologies and rather tame them so that they do not fundamentally change students’ daily experience. iPads get turned into glorified textbooks, and coding becomes a marketing strategy. We tell children to use Google to look up the most basic facts, and it becomes the new encyclopedia,” he says. In the past, when disruptive technology appeared on the scene, the first thing a school would do is to ban its use. Later, ways would then be found to include these technologies into the curriculum to use them in a way that causes the least disruption to business as usual, says Northmore. “However, a different approach is to see instead these new technologies, and in particular now AI, for the opportunity they represent. Schools should find the potential and ways to take the learning in their classrooms to the next level, helping students ethically embrace new tech instead of having it do their work for them behind closed doors. “AI can be a powerful tool for enhancing learning in school classrooms, providing personalised support and feedback, and creating engaging and interactive learning experiences when used in conjunction with traditional teaching methods rather than as a replacement for them.” Northmore says it is incumbent on schools to identify teachers who are passionate about best practice and tech and who can investigate the potential for incorporating AI in the classroom. He says a few practical ways in which AI can be harnessed in the classroom include, for instance: ESSAY WRITING: AI can help students with essay writing by providing prompts, feedback on structure and grammar, and even suggesting sources for research. LANGUAGE LEARNING: AI can be asked to write a grammatically incorrect essay with spelling errors, which students can then use as a task for identifying mistakes and learning from them. AI can also assist in language learning by providing real-time translation and pronunciation guidance. For example, a teacher could use ChatGPT to help students practice their pronunciation of a foreign language. INTERACTIVE LEARNING: A teacher could create a chatbot that asks students questions and provides feedback based on their responses. This could be used as a form of formative assessment to help students identify areas where they need more practice. RESEARCH ASSISTANCE: AI can help students conduct research by suggesting sources, answering questions, and providing guidance on how to evaluate the credibility of sources. “The integration of AI in the classroom presents benefits and drawbacks that should be considered carefully. On the one hand, AI can enhance the learning experience, help teachers save time on administrative tasks, and provide them with more data to inform their instructional decisions,” says Northmore. “On the other hand, there are concerns about the reliability and bias of AI algorithms, as well as the potential for AI to replace human teachers and exacerbate existing inequalities in education. It is important to recognise therefore that AI should be used as a tool to support and enhance learning and studying, and not to change the way learning has happened in the past completely. Ultimately, the successful integration of AI in the classroom will depend on careful consideration of its potential benefits and drawbacks and ongoing evaluation and refinement of its implementation to ensure that it is serving the best interests of students and teachers alike.”

April 5, 2023
Parenting Hub

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
Educ8 SA

Your Ideal Choice For Your Homeschool Curriculum – Educ8 SA!

What does Educ8 SA have to offer? Educ8 SA is an online curriculum provider offering teaching excellence and a broad curriculum at an affordable price. Quality online education that is affordable, flexible, and personalized for all students from Pre-School to Grade 12. Educ8 SA was established in 2017 due to a gap in the South African Education market for students and families with unique needs and circumstances seeking an innovative learning environment. Today, we have students enrolled all over the country as well as in other parts of the world. Students who desire more flexibility and choice can design a learning plan to suit their needs. Learning about the History of Educ8 SA. Haelene has more than 22 years of teaching experience and homeschooled her own four children. Being a veteran homeschooling mom truly helped her understand the ins and outs of homeschooling and each student’s unique needs. She had years of experience and knowledge to offer to all newbies and to those who have been homeschooling for a while. What were the biggest accomplishments? The testimonies of graduated students absolutely speak for themselves. We are known for the super service and support we provide to our parents and students! This is so important as it establishes trust; without trust, we won’t have clients. What’s one of the hardest things that Haelene faced with being a business owner? The energy, blood, sweat, and tears that go into each day – like with any business, nothing comes easy, but it is so worth the time and effort! What curriculum options does Educ8 SA have to offer? We have many different options: Grade K – Gr. 8: R400 American High School Diploma (Gr. 9 – 12): R1600 (All resources, assessments, and tests included – no hidden costs) GED: R500/student package/month GED Exam FEE: $80/subject – 4 Subjects Individual Student Registration Fee:: R1000 per student or R1500 per Family Where can your business be found online? Website: https://www.educ8sa.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educ8sa/ Contact Educ8 SA today! Hannes / Haelene info@educ8sa.net www.educ8sa.com 084 685 2138

April 4, 2023
Evolve Online School

Support for Online Learning

We can all relate to feeling nervous or anxious, child or adult. Social settings, whether in the virtual space or a physical “meet-up”, seem to be a significant cause of this! In today’s uncertainty, children are the ones that are experiencing social anxiety at its core. Moving back and forth between the virtual and physical space has undoubtedly influenced our children’s socialising ability. Children have shifted from everyday social experiences such as meeting at school to a virtual experience where social connections are harder to make and may require intervention from a parent or teacher who can feel uncomfortable. Feeling disconnected or isolated can happen in both a physical and online environment as revolutionary as online learning or online home-schooling, those involved need to be aware of the importance of social connections. Being in the comfort of our home allows learning to happen in a truly comfortable environment. Due to this, children can experience higher levels of virtual social anxiety when needing to connect with their peers outside of the learning environment. As a parent, it is essential to combat these developments or move and work towards remedying them once they have been identified. The following behaviours can be signs of social anxiety and should be monitored: They lack the desire to connect and communicate outside their immediate family circle. Showing significant discomfort when communicating with others on a personal level, beyond learning and teaching content. Showing an increasing lack of desire to interact with children of their age in a “real-life” setting. Hiding away. Not wanting to talk or play. However, providing opportunities and creating expectations can be a healthy way to overcome or combat the development of social anxiety. Some coping strategies for online learning and creating a space that fosters social interaction may be: Getting out of their “comfort space” to go for walks. Going to a library where there are opportunities to talk to and see other people. Participating in non-academic activities and even something as simple as getting involved in community projects. More particularly, creating opportunities for them to connect with children with the same or similar interests is an effective way not to force social interaction but rather encourage it, as this will be the best footing when overcoming the discomfort of social anxiety. Written by Cherie Pieterse – Evolve Online School Activator

April 3, 2023
Paper Video

Cramming versus scheduled studying: What’s happening in your brain?

Have you ever found yourself sitting in an exam or test, knowing how hard you studied the night before, with a question in front of you that you simply just can’t remember the answer to? This happens to everyone, and it has nothing to do with how hard you did or didn’t prepare. What it’s actually all about is how far along the process of encoding memory you had time for. This is why cramming the day before an exam or test can only get you so far. For true mastery that’s about more than passing on the day, you need to learn how to encode the information you’re learning into your long-term memory, and that’s going to take a bit more time. In this article, we’re going to discuss cramming versus long-term study, and what’s going on in your brain along the way. Step 1 – Sensory memory This is the very first stage when it comes to successfully encoding and storing information. When it comes to studying information, the two most common senses we usually use are vision and sound. We see the written or diagrammatic information, we hear it being explained to us, or both at the same time. Sensory memory is tricky because it is mostly there to use and lose information. Let’s think about a maths equation. You see the first line of the equation before you. Your sensory memory holds it in your mind only as long as it takes you to process it and move onto the next step of the equation. Then, it immediately deletes it from your brain. It is normal for sensory memories to last for split seconds before disappearing. Unless something special happens, that is. If you’re driving and see a stop sign, your sensory memory will hold the stop sign in your mind until you have stopped and then moved on. It will then delete that moment. But if you have a car accident at that stop sign, your sensory memory will pass it on to short-term memory, and your brain will hold onto the memory of that stop sign at that time for a longer period. The same goes for studying. Cramming is detrimental to sensory memory firstly because it’s tedious, boring and can be stressful. These are not the kinds of conditions your brain looks for when it wants to make something last. You need time and effort to truly move beyond this first step. Repetition and using multiple senses to learn the same information is your goal. And by repetition, we don’t mean sitting in one spot repeating a sentence over and over until you think you’ll be able to remember it through tomorrow and beyond. When we say repetition, we mean repeated learning of the same subject or topic using different stimuli. Yes, revise your notes from class, but also read blog posts, listen to podcasts, watch videos and (of course) practise past papers. This kind of revision is diverse and makes use of multiple senses, a winning formula for moving what you’re learning into the short-term memory! Step 2 – Short-term memory Short really does mean short here. On average, your short-term memory can only hold information for about 15 seconds. Your brain is always trying to optimise, and that means constantly discarding information it doesn’t think it needs. Short-term memory is often what is used when you are cramming for a test. If you’re trying to remember a list of facts, you’ll probably have found that when you repeat them to yourself later or tomorrow, you’re more likely to remember items from the beginning and end of your study session, but that your recall only gets worse and worse when it comes to what you studied in the middle. This is a sign that the information wasn’t encoded correctly during the short-term memory phase. Information will stay in your short-term memory as long as you’re consciously holding onto it. From there, it will either be moved to working or long-term memory, or deleted. At the beginning of your cramming session, you will be more alert and more energetic. This will better enable you to encode what you’re learning in a meaningful way with practice, using the senses and being able to connect what you’re learning with what’s already stored in your long-term memory. This information is often successfully stored in long-term memory. Towards the end, when you’re tired, you might just begin repeating the information over and over, keeping it in short-term and working memory until you’re done with it after your exam. And whatever was in the middle, well, that’s probably mostly gone by the time you sit down to write. In order to move on from short-term memory, you need to allow yourself the time for not only meaningful and sensory stimulation like in the previous step, but you also need the time to build meaningful connections with what’s already in your long-term memory. This involves starting with the basics, and only moving on once you have something solid in your long-term memory to build upon. Step 4 – Long-term memory EXPLICIT LONG-TERM MEMORY – SEMANTIC When you think of long-term memory, you probably think of all the things you can remember that have happened personally to you in your life. But that’s only one small part (albeit an important one). Semantic memory is a form of explicit long-term memory that is based around factual information. And it is explicit because you make the effort to learn it on purpose (unlike biographical memories). When you are studying, you are successful if what you are learning moves from short-term memory into explicit semantic long-term memory. There is a clue here. For a long time, neuroscientists have been trying to pin down exactly where in the brain semantic long-term memories are stored. And the answer seems to be all over. This has led scientists to believe that within our brains there is a semantic network. And they believe that this is

March 22, 2023
The Bridge Assisted Learning School

FORGET ABOUT PAST PERCEPTIONS OF SUCCESS & REALISE YOUR CHILD HAS A FUTURE

Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of parents today have children who require additional assistance academically, emotionally or both. For these parents, concerns are never far away that their child will battle in the world of the future, and that they might not ultimately achieve personal and career success. But an educational psychologist says parents need to change the paradigm through which they view success, as many are still focused on ideas about what constituted becoming a successful adult in the past, rather than embracing a world of new opportunities that are constantly emerging. “In the past, and unfortunately among some people to this day, there was this perception that if your child is not studying to be a medical doctor or a lawyer, then they haven’t made it,” says Dr Greg Pienaar, renowned Educational Psychologist and Principal of The Bridge Assisted Learning School, which supports students facing challenges unrelated to cognitive ability. The Bridge is a brand of ADvTECH, Africa’s largest private education provider. “Everyone has a future in terms of a passion or career, so if your child is not specifically focused on academic matters and isn’t necessarily wanting to study anything related to Core Mathematics or Physical Science or Life Sciences (Biology), then there are literally thousands of other career paths to follow. And these career paths are not inferior, they are just different,” he says. Dr Pienaar notes that there is also still a perception that students can only advance to tertiary studies if they attend a traditional high school and follow the traditional academic journey in terms of subject selection. That is simply not the case, he says, because schools that provide additional support on the neurodiversity front, emotionally or academically, also write Matric exams, in the case of The Bridge, for instance, students sit for IEB exams. Additionally, future success isn’t reliant on choosing only those subjects that provide access to traditional ‘high-end’ careers. “So, what if your child is interested in something to do with food or cooking or hospitality? What if your child loves everything to do with computers or technology? What if your child is interested in travelling the world and discovering its wonders? What if your child has strong verbal ability and is able to charm and convince people easily? What if your child has the skill or ability to run a business or be an entrepreneur? “It makes no sense to force them to follow a career path which is not natural for them, while there are avenues available which will support their future career success in a field that interests them or which they are passionate about.” Dr Pienaar says it is legitimate for parents to be concerned if their child battles to focus and concentrate, struggles with words and reading, blanks out when numbers are involved, or is bright but not interested in academics. However, realising a child needs additional support is the start of the road, not the end of it, he says. “Often children battle to focus on a career early in life, but they do know what they like and don’t like, sometimes as early as primary school. Our role as parents is to help nurture these interests and provide the space for a child to develop without pressure, and harness additional support if needed to assist them on their academic pathway, even if that is not the standard pathway related to past perceptions of success. The old cliché still holds that you can’t force a square peg into a round hole. This is never more true than with our children because we spend many hours of our lives in our work environment or in something related to work. “Academic and career success is not merely a case of doing well, but of doing well and being happy and fulfilled while doing so. It is important that our focus falls equally on the other half of the equation, not simply the surface considerations of success.” There are many ways to fulfilment in life, but if we have the opportunity to choose something which may lead to happiness and fulfilment, then we should do so, Dr Pienaar says. “Parents can help their children make a start on this road by allowing them – with the help of education experts at their school – to choose subjects appropriate to their desired careers wisely. “Students should choose carefully and according to their interests and passions, and not according to someone else’s expectations or dreams based on the road most travelled. As adults, we have to be honest about our children’s passions, strengths, and weaknesses, and guide them responsibly and honestly on their way to success in life – whatever that means within their unique context.”

March 17, 2023
The Bridge Assisted Learning School

GOALSETTING & ACADEMIC OUTCOMES: HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD FLOURISH

There are few tools as valuable as setting goals and constantly measuring a student’s progress against these goals in ensuring a successful academic journey, an education expert says. However it is not enough to have vaguely defined ideas of what success will look like down the line. Instead, parents, students, teachers and schools must have a coherent goal/measurement strategy in place from early in a child’s school career, says Desiree Hugo, Academic Head at ADvTECH’s Schools Division. “Setting goals is an important part of a student’s educational journey. It helps them stay focused, motivated and on track to achieving their academic and personal aspirations,” she says. Hugo says setting clearly defined goals which are regularly reviewed, helps students manage their priorities and build confidence.  “When students have a clear goal in mind, they are more likely to stay focused and motivated. It gives them something to work towards, along with a sense of accomplishment and positive momentum once a goal is achieved. “Setting goals also allows students to prioritise tasks and manage their time effectively, so they can focus on what is important and avoid getting side-tracked.” In addition, goalsetting helps with decision-making. “When you have a clear goal in mind, it’s easier to make decisions that align with that goal. Students can evaluate their options based on whether they will help or hinder progress.” Most importantly, students themselves must take ownership of the process, with the support of their teachers, school and parents. “Students must be placed front and centre when it comes to setting and tracking goals. That is why we have introduced Student-Led conferences – what in the past would have been called parent-teacher meetings. Instead of parents meeting alone with teachers to receive feedback, all three parties including the student now sit together. And then the student provides an update of their performance and progress in line with their personal plan.” Hugo says that while the student takes ownership of their personal academic map, schools and parents play an important role in helping them navigate in the following ways: Providing guidance on how to set goals that are realistic and achievable, and helping students create action plans. Providing the resources required on the way to achieving those goals, including additional support where required. Regular scheduled check-ins, where goals are monitored, discussed, and updated if necessary so that students remain accountable and empowered. Creating a supportive environment that encourages growth and collaboration. “In today’s highly competitive environment, cruise control won’t suffice in ensuring a student leaves school with a competitive advantage. The practice of goalsetting should be developed from early in a student’s academic journey – starting with setting small goals and leading to the important ones,” says Hugo. “This helps students focus and maintain their direction, and provides intrinsic motivation as they strive to get to the next step, and then the next one and the next one in pursuit of their dreams.”

March 10, 2023
EZ Learn Books

Work hard, play hard!

The year feels like it’s just begun, yet here we are, already a quarter of the way through. Before we know it, exams will be upon us. Yes, I know it’s the kids who write them, but it’s us who bear the brunt of the anxiety, the grumps or the total blasé approach that leaves us in a knot of anxiety on their behalf. So how best to cope?  In our family, the philosophy has always been, ‘Work hard, play hard.’ This started for us as adults, juggling busy work careers while also wanting to take time out to escape to the bush or the sea for much-needed breaks, and continued when we had children and tried to teach them to balance their studies and relaxation. Note that I say ‘tried’. Kids always have their own ideas of what is important and can veer off in one direction or the other on a whim. As parents, all we can do is our best to nudge them back on track as often as possible.  So how do we get them to work hard? From homework sessions where it literally took two hours to get the pencil to touch the paper to learn ten words for a spelling test, how on earth did we get to a studious matric who was able to motivate himself to achieve four distinctions? Honestly, I couldn’t tell you as I’m still amazed (and delighted). However, I can tell you what we tried, and what I suggest for my students. You can then see how much you are able to filter through to your beloved children and leave the rest to them.  Try to develop good study habits from an early age. I certainly don’t mean three or four years old – at that stage they should be climbing trees and investigating strange creatures in the garden. Never forget that kids learn best through play (I still teach my senior students the concept of debits and credits using Smarties and Jelly Tots). I’m referring to when they start coming home from school with a reader or need to write a sentence or two. The homework may be designed to take fifteen minutes (even if ours took hours for our son and all of five minutes for our daughter when little) but be sure to teach your children to set aside time to work. They will probably need some time to recover from the school day – have a snack, maybe change – but then it’s time to sit down and focus. Let them get used to the idea that homework tasks need to be finished before they are allowed to do as they please, and definitely before any screen time! Of course, your schedule may not lend itself to such a simple solution if you work full-time or are also juggling numerous other offspring while taxiing them to sundry swimming / soccer / ballet lessons. In these cases, get clever. I used to do reading with one child while the other was in the pool learning how not to drown. Spelling happened in the car on the way to and from school.  As they get older, ensure that they have a proper desk and later, suitable devices. If possible, let them be part of the process of choosing what they like, and listen to what they say works best for them (within reason, of course – a gaming computer is NOT necessary for primary school homework). For high school, my daughter preferred an iPad, my son a laptop.  As the quantity of work increases, students need to learn how to manage the material so as to be able to remember and use it correctly in assessments and life situations. When we were at school last century, the focus was on recall, which I was terrible at! I hated memorising facts, and much preferred learning how to do something instead. As you can imagine, Accounting was much more fun than History for me. These days one simply needs to tap a few words into a device and a multitude of answers spring forth. ChatGPT will even write an essay for you at will. In this day and age, being able to understand and work with the material is much more important. Analysis and evaluation are critical skills that will help your kids navigate further studies and the working world. At school level, different curricula focus on different skills, but all have moved beyond simple recall.  A solid foundation of knowledge is needed, and this depth can be developed by working with the material in a variety of different ways. In addition to the good old mind-maps and other summaries to make the content smaller, I encourage my students to do the opposite – make it bigger. “Go surfing!’ is what I tell these rather surprised kids. Yes, surf the web to find out more information. Google a few key words and read whatever comes up. Make some popcorn and pop those key words into YouTube for some ‘movie time’. There is an incredible amount of additional, interesting material out there. By reading and watching more than just what was done in class, they are exposed to additional perspectives, opposing points of view and sometimes the one thing that makes it all click. A third part of this mishmash is working through past paper questions, even from early in the year. If you are lucky enough to be able to get hold of a breakdown showing which questions relate to which topics, the questions can be attempted when the work is learnt during the year and not only just before an exam. This helps students to see exactly what is required of them and help them towards developing the skills required to create strong answers. Together, these will all work towards developing long-term memory and better higher-order thinking skills.  With all this hard work going on, breaks are a must. Try to figure out each child’s body rhythm

March 9, 2023
Parenting Hub

SCHOOL ANXIETY IN CHILDREN: TIPS TO HELP THEM COPE

According to Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality healthcare, school anxiety is a common concern among children and their parents. School anxiety can manifest in various ways, such as difficulty sleeping, stomach aches, and avoidance of school. Left unchecked, school anxiety can lead to poor academic performance, social isolation, and even physical illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, school anxiety is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. Children with a family history of anxiety or who have experienced trauma may be more prone to developing school anxiety. Here are 10 tips from Affinity Health to help children cope with school anxiety: Talk to your child about their concerns and validate their feelings Creating an open and supportive environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their worries and fears is essential. Listen actively and try to understand their perspective. Validate their feelings by acknowledging that their emotions are real and understandable.  Create a consistent and predictable daily routine Having a regular schedule can help reduce uncertainty and provide a sense of structure and stability. Set a consistent bedtime, establish a morning routine, and have a designated time for homework and other after-school activities. Encourage physical activity and a healthy diet Exercise and proper nutrition can have a positive impact on mental health and can help reduce stress and anxiety. Encourage your child to participate in physical activities that they enjoy, and ensure that they are eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods.  Establish a calm and organised environment at home A cluttered and chaotic environment can add to feelings of stress and anxiety. Help your child create a calm and organised space to work and study, and try to minimise distractions in the home. Encourage your child to express their feelings through art or writing Artistic expressions, such as drawing, painting, or writing, can be a helpful outlet for children to process their emotions and express themselves. Let your child use these creative outlets to express their feelings and thoughts about school. Set small and achievable goals for your child Breaking down larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks can help your child feel a sense of accomplishment and progress. Encourage your child to set small, achievable goals and celebrate their successes along the way. Help your child develop relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation Teaching your child relaxation techniques can help them healthily manage stress and anxiety. Some techniques include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualisation. Motivate your child to participate in enjoyable activities outside of school It’s important for children to have a well-rounded and fulfilling life outside of school. Motivate your child to participate in extracurricular activities that they enjoy, such as sports, music, or clubs. Consider seeking support from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counsellor If your child’s anxiety persists or significantly impacts their daily life, it may be helpful to seek the support of a mental health professional. A therapist or counsellor can work with your child to identify the root causes of their anxiety and develop coping strategies. Work with your child’s school to create a supportive and understanding learning environment Communicate with your child’s teacher and school administration to ensure they know your child’s anxiety and can provide appropriate support. Together, you can create a positive and understanding learning environment that helps your child feel safe and supported.   “It’s important to address school anxiety as soon as possible to prevent it from escalating and harming your child’s overall well-being,” says Murray Hewlett (CEO of Affinity Health. “The good news is that with the right support and the implementation of coping strategies, children can learn to manage their anxiety and succeed in school.”

March 7, 2023
Parenting Hub

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
Parenting Hub

MAKING SMART CHOICES AFTER YOUR MATRIC RESULTS

Matric results are in for the 2022 cohort, and a new phase of life is about to begin for the country’s latest school-leavers.  Some will step onto their chosen tertiary or vocational pathways, but for many, the way ahead is not yet clear. The gap year is popular way to take time out after Matric to travel, broaden one’s horizons and consider the future from fresh perspectives.  However, this may not be affordable for most families in these tough economic times.  If you’re not ready to start out on a long-term study path this year, and travel is out of the question, what can you do that is meaningful, and that can move you towards greater clarity about your future? Dr Lauren Martin, the Deputy Dean of Learning & Teaching at SACAP (the South African College of Applied Psychology) says, “What’s important is to take stock, consider your options, reflect on your goals, strengths and interests, and then take a positive step forward in 2023.  It’s important to focus on your individual situation, and avoid comparing yourself to others.  It’s not unusual, or any way shameful for school leavers to feel uncertain about their next steps.  In fact, very few school leavers feel absolutely sure about which study path to pursue.  Whether you are disappointed with your matric results or confused about the way ahead for you, there are some great options for building skills and gaining valuable experience that can set you on a favourable, flexible track.  What is important to remember is that your first year out of school is the very start of your study journey.  The aim is just to get out of the starting block.” Have you considered a Higher Certificate qualification? Short educational programs offered by tertiary institutions are becoming increasingly popular as a bridge between leaving school and choosing a study or career path.  The best of these are typically one-year programmes offering an accredited Higher Certificate qualification that can improve a student’s readiness for tertiary education, make up for a Matric without a bachelor’s pass and enhance critical skills for success not just on your next study path, but in your future work life as well. Dr Martin says, “The strength of a solid Higher Certificate program is that it gives you a valuable stepping-stone into the world of tertiary education.  You have time to more fully consider the direction you want to go in, and you gain insights and experiences about what is expected of you at the tertiary level.  Meanwhile you are actively building workplace skills that are valuable across a wide range of industries. Some higher certificate programs are vocational, and can even help you enter a field of work at a junior level. ” A Higher Certificate program may be for you:   If you passed matric without exemption You may have set your heart on studying for a certain degree but matric didn’t turn out how you hoped it would and you didn’t achieve a bachelor’s pass.  You can give it another go by signing up to rewrite up to two supplementary matric exams or go the matric upgrade route.  However, if the thought of a matric ‘do-over’ sinks your spirits, then rather consider an accredited Higher Certificate program.  “Graduating from any of SACAP’s Higher Certificate programs in 2023 can not only help you get back on track, but set you off with some important advantages,” says Dr Martin.  “You will not only meet the minimum entrance requirements for degree studies around the country, but you will lay the foundations for good academic literacy, setting you up for success in your further studies.” If you don’t feel sure you will be able to succeed at university Many school leavers might not feel confident about their ability to cope yet at a university level. “Engaging in a Higher Certificate program will give you this year to build confidence and empower you to continue your journey into higher education,” says Dr Martin. “Look for institutions that offer small classes with plenty of teacher and peer contact.  For instance, SACAP has classes of no more than 25 students which are ideal for finding your feet in the tertiary education environment and developing the confidence to engage and actively participate in your learning.” If your interests are broad and you are not yet ready to choose specific degree studies SACAP’s Higher Certificate programmes are gateway to further studies in Social Sciences and business fields. The SACAP Higher Certificates in Business Management and Human Resources Management include industry-oriented content and applications offering not only a bridge to further studies but also a vocational pathway into the South African business sector. In addition, the SACAP Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills is a great qualification for anyone who wants to develop their interpersonal skills and improve their abilities to interact and work with others. Dr Martin says, “There are key features of this qualification that offer invaluable knowledge and insight into human behaviour and a better understanding of human diversity which are currently sought-after capabilities across a wide range of workplaces.” She concludes, “SACAP’s concise, one-year Higher Certificate programs give students a taste for a field of study without a long-term commitment and provides them with a registered qualification and practical skills at the end. Along with our student-centred approach, it is also a voyage of self-discovery enabling greater awareness and understanding in relation to others as well as a deeper relationship with self.” Applications for SACAP’s Higher Certificate programs are now open. Please visit sacap.edu.za to register.

March 3, 2023
The Bridge Assisted Learning School

THE BRIDGE ASSISTED LEARNING SCHOOL: EXPANDING TO SUPPLY IN DEMAND FOR QUALITY SUPPORTIVE EDUCATION

The Bridge Assisted Learning School in Lonehill, which opened in 2018 and rapidly became one of the top Neurodiversity-specialist schools, is expanding due to the high demand for its unprecedented support provided to students throughout their academic journey. In 2021 the school started phasing in its high school offering, and the first Grade 10 group was welcomed at the start of this year.  “We found that students in assisted learning schools had very limited options when it came to transferring to a suitable high school once they reached Grade 7,” says Dr Greg Pienaar, Principal of The Bridge Assisted Learning School. “Previously in Johannesburg, there were hardly any high schools that provided support to these students while creating a safe and Neurodiverse friendly environment. This has now been remedied by the expansion of our school, to enable students to remain in this supportive milieu for longer,” he says. Neurodiversity is not a condition that is meant to be ‘fixed’, ‘cured’ or rehabilitated. Neurodiverse students however are taught how to manage their condition, by way of high-quality support programmes.  “These neurodiverse conditions don’t simply go away at the end of Grade 7. That is why it was important for us to extend our offering into High School, providing these high school students with the opportunity to write the normal IEB matric exit exams while assisting them holistically along the way,” Dr. Pienaar says. He says parents often fear that the future prospects of their children will be limited when they stay in an assisted learning environment, but that that simply is not the case at The Bridge.  “At The Bridge, we offer our students the kickstart they need to get them through to Matric and set them on a path into tertiary studies at a university, college or other further studies. Alternatively, students can also move on after completing their IEB matric with us to pursue their own path.” The Bridge is in the process of expanding their physical infrastructure on campus with the addition of a new hall, therapist rooms and more classrooms to accommodate the tremendous growth their school has seen.  Their High School offering is distinct from that of other mainstream schools in that they have specialist teachers that are remedially trained but follow a mainstream curriculum. Class sizes are optimised for a high support assisted learning environment where students benefit from extra support. More than the academic support it also is an environment where students can flourish emotionally. “We tend to see students with high anxiety levels. Therefore, we have set out to create the ideal environment for our students that allows them to excel and not to settle for anything less than a normal Matric.  “We ensure that students have their eyes set on a successful future and assist them to determine a pathway to that future.” The Bridge Assisted Learning school extends an invitation to parents concerned about their child’s current environment and trajectory to meet with the school to map out the best pathway to matric and beyond based on their child’s individual needs.

March 3, 2023
Brainline

10 benefits of online schooling

Did you know that more than 92 million students and learners worldwide receive tuition via a virtual classroom? Similar to attending a physical school and learning in person, there are advantages and disadvantages to learning online.  Staying focussed and being self-motivated can be challenging on its own; which is part of the reason why online schooling may not be for everyone. By understanding more about the advantages of online schooling, you can get a better idea of whether it might be suitable for your child and their educational and career goals. But let us first look at what is meant by online schooling:  Online schooling is where a student accesses their academic curriculum on an online platform via the internet. Online schools offer a similar curriculum to traditional schools, but teaching methods are adapted to online or computer-based media, incorporating both traditional and distance education methods, essentially bridging the gap between traditional schooling and homeschooling. What are the benefits of online schooling? Creates life-long learners Online schooling requires that students take responsibility for their own learning. Because they do not rely on teachers to learn everything they must know, online learning tends to create students who are life-long learners. Such learners often take this curiosity and ownership of their educational outcomes, and apply it to their career, ensuring that they stay relevant in their chosen field. Globally accessible One of the best things about online schooling is that your child has access to their school from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Moving your family for work purposes will have no impact on your child’s schooling, and waiting for the school break to go on holiday is a thing of the past.  Saves money Online schooling can also allow you to save money. Transportation is becoming increasingly expensive, and online schooling eliminates the cost of petrol and vehicle maintenance, not to mention time spent on the road! With traditional schools, there is also the cost of school uniforms, sports uniforms, after-school supervision, fees related to mandatory activities and other sundry donations and sponsorships. 4Provides flexibility This is one of online schooling’s biggest draws. Because students can access the lectures when it suits them best and determine their own learning hours, they also have the time and opportunity to pursue their passions and interests. High-level sports achievers of school-going age, with the demands of practice and competitions, are often attracted to online schooling for this very reason.  Offers unlimited access to lectures Additionally, online classes offer unlimited access to class recordings and other course materials. This means that if something doesn’t make sense right away, students can come back later with fresh eyes to revisit the lectures and other supporting materials. Students Learn at Their Own Pace Experts say that kids should begin to sit, crawl, walk, and talk at a pace they are comfortable with because every child is different. The same principle applies to older children, yet students in traditional schools are often expected to learn lessons and complete their classwork at the same rate as their peers, regardless of whether they could go through the materials quicker or might need more time. Since online schools include a mixture of self-paced work with scheduled lessons, activities, and deadlines, online students can enjoy a more individualized education that fits their unique needs while still complying with the mandates of the individual school and state. Introverted students can join in discussions While introverts can still do well in traditional schools, they often find the quieter settings of an online school to be more conducive to learning. And since much of the classroom and teacher interaction takes place online, offering the opportunity for text-based interactions even during class time, quieter students are on an equal footing with their extroverted classmates and can more easily join in the discussion. Students have fewer distractions and obstacles to learning As class size continues to increase at traditional schools, so do the distractions for students. Teachers must take time to address behavioural issues, and students’ attention may be taken up with friends and social pressures rather than academics. Bullying can also affect a student’s ability to learn in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Online learning allows students to concentrate on their studies during classes and then socialize with their friends outside of the learning environment. Online teachers can also focus all their attention on teaching and supporting their students rather than addressing disruptive behaviour. Students enjoy a comfortable learning environment Student comfort has only recently surfaced as an area of concern in education. For years, it has been the acceptable practice for students to sit on rigid chairs in a sterile school building during the day. Now, however, educators and architects like Prakash Nair and Randall Fielding are addressing the need for a more suitable learning environment. A considerable body of research about environmental design shows the positive effect comfort can have on learning, human productivity, and creativity,” according to an article by Nair and Fielding published in edutopia.org.    Parents are more involved in their children’s education The online school environment inherently requires greater parental involvement. Studies show that students do better in school when their parents are involved in their education. According to a report authored by Anne Henderson and Nancy Berla, “Major findings indicate that the family makes critical contributions to student achievement from the earliest childhood years through high school, and efforts to improve children’s outcomes are much more effective when the family is actively involved.” Brainline has been providing technology-driven education to Grade R – 12 learners for the past 35 years and our families are proud to share their experiences with us. ‘Brainline has given us the ability to ensure that our child is receiving the thorough academic education she deserves. The curriculum is extensive and absolutely user-friendly. I love Brainline and so does my daughter,’ says Tenille Pollard. ‘We moved to China and decided to use Brainline. I am currently doing Brainline homeschooling and attending an international foreign

February 20, 2023
Koa Academy

7 WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD AT ONLINE SCHOOL

Every year, more and more South African children are enrolled in an online school, bringing changes to their family’s rhythms and routines.  It’s important for parents to set their child up for success, and here are 7 top tips from Koa Academy’s Principal and Co-founder, Mark Anderson: Quality tech – “It’s important to equip your child with the best tools possible.  While it might be tempting to opt for the entry-level laptops marketed for students, the reality is that your child needs a reliable workhorse when it comes to their computer.  Koa’s students learn across multiple best-in-class educational platforms, and they need to navigate seamlessly and speedily so that teaching and learning flows.  Good quality audio and camera are essential so that they can engage fully with their Pod teacher and peers.  Given that load-shedding is here to stay for the foreseeable future, parents should also invest in at least a basic backup power option that keeps them online during the most critical school hours.” Conducive learning environment – “Children need a quiet, designated space in the house where they can comfortably spend their school day, free from distractions.  Optimally, they should have their own desk and chair workstation, as well as tidy, storage space for their schoolbooks and materials. As far as possible, avoid using their bedroom with a closed door, or the dining room table.” Think critically about screentime – “Not all screentime is created equally. A well designed online educational programme which is age appropriate will be engaging and constructive for your child. But they still need healthy boundaries when it comes to other forms of screentime, such as social media and gaming. Parents should investigate ways of keeping healthy boundaries in place to manage screentime outside of their child’s online schooling.”   Keep track of your child’s progress – “Parents play a role in ensuring accountability when it comes to online schooling, just as they do in physical schooling. Koa’s Pod teachers keep daily track of your child’s targets and progress on a live Dashboard because it’s important for parents to also know what their child is busy with, what their priorities are and how they are advancing with the curriculum.  A good online school makes sure that this information is always available to you so that you can support their ongoing development. Make use of the increased access to this sort of information!” Connect with your child’s teachers and school leaders – “Just as you would get to know your child’s teachers in a traditional school, be open to forging constructive relationships with your child’s online teachers.  The lines of communication between parents and teachers should always be clear and open.” Integrate your school and family year planners – “Online schooling should offer families far more flexibility when it comes to determining school hours and days.  That said, there will still be important schoolwork deadlines and Koa has special dates for key assessments, parent-teacher meetings, as well as educational outings and socials that you won’t want your child to miss.” Organising your child’s participation in sports and culture – “Even if your child is attending a high-engagement online school such as Koa where they have daily interaction in their small pods, it’s important to involve your child in other activities that give them the opportunity to socialise and engage in person.  This gives you the opportunity to maximise the extra time and resources you get by attending an online school and meet other families with children who have similar interests while they broaden their horizons through sports and cultural experiences.” Discover Koa Academy here

February 16, 2023
Educ8 SA

Improving Lives Through Learning

How to Sign Up to our amazing Online Learning Platform. We are super proud to announce that the EdTech Awards 2022 have just been released – and yay! We are the BEST AGAIN! We are the most awarded EdTech Company on the planet, with 215+ awards in the last four years! A decade of evidence and research, buffered by over 215 education awards (10 times the closest competitor), establishes us as the premier Edtech solution available to schools and families. We specialize in SpecialEd and offer remedial support to our students with learning difficulties or disabilities. We have the awards to prove our success. Our program is also an excellent choice if you’d like to challenge your academically strong child, as they get to work ahead and complete more than one grade level per year. Please find attached our Informational Pack to assist you with any further questions you might have.  And…Don’t forget about our FREE 14-day Trial Period on our program. The Placement Test is included in the trial. All we need is for you to complete our online registration form: https://educ8-sa.com/sign-up Listed below are some of the great features we have to offer you: The following components are included in our package: Digital Literacy, Core Subjects, and Career Studies.   Our Fees:  Our Fees include all tutorials, assessments, and intervention packs. Individual Student Registration Fee:: Registration fee of R1000 per student or R1500 per Family Registration (Payable over 2/3 instalments) Grade K – Gr. 8: R400/student package/month (All resources, assessments, and tests included – no hidden costs) GED: R500/student package/month (Includes digital course, PDF Study Guide, 1 for each subject, lots of bonus material, Mock Exams) GED Exam FEE: $80/subject – 4 Subjects American High School Diploma (Gr. 9 – 12): R1600/student per month. (Includes all resources, assessments, and exams) Our program is offered in English. We offer a complete curriculum solution; students may log in 24/7/365.  Students start with a list of 5 Placement Tests; this will help us determine exactly where they need to start. With the results, we will also be able to identify if they have learning gaps and then set up a personalized learning plan for each student. Parent Support:  Parents can log in anytime to view their child’s progress from the parent portal. Our students work on their proficiency level and at their own pace. This feature makes our program ideal for special needs students and exceptional students who need a challenge.  Student Support:  Our Student Managers are on duty from 8 am to 4 pm and are always available to help should a student contact them via their messenger for assistance.  These are just some of the fantastic features our program has to offer! Assessments & Exams: We prefer the continuous assessment approach; therefore, our students in grades K – 8 do not write exams. For our high school students, exams will depend on the matric option they have chosen.  Registration Process: Complete our online form https://educ8-sa.com/sign-up. Your 14-day FREE trial period starts here! Login, then complete the Placement Test. Notify us once all Placement Tests have been completed. You will receive the results of the Placement Test by email. You will be requested to schedule a zoom meeting with us to discuss the Placement Test results. We set up your child’s personalized learning plan. Students may start with lessons. We invoice you should you wish to sign up! Subjects offered:  See the Informational Pack for each of the learning paths. Digital Literacy and Career Studies are part of the package.                All learning resources/tutorials/assessments/tests are completed online. Our fees include all tutorials, assessments, and intervention packs. Terms Dates & Holidays:  Centre Students will follow their own term dates. Virtual Students may decide when they take breaks.   Accreditation:  All our courses are accredited and accepted internationally and in SA. The GED is accredited by the US Council on Education, listed on the SAQA website, and accepted by our universities and Colleges. The American High School Diploma is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and accepted by our SA uni’s, also listed on the USAf website. Technical requirements:  Internet connection, device with a minimum of 1.6 1.60GHz processor. (laptop/pc/tablet/iPad), headphones or earphones. Registration with the Department of Education: Please be reminded that it is the responsibility of the parent to register their child/children as home schoolers with the DoE.  This only applies to students who are still of compulsory school-going age (7 – 15).  See the webpage of Pestalozzi Trust for more info on this:  https://pestalozzi.org/en/4-steps-to-start-homeschooling/ I hope this has been helpful. Please feel free to contact me should you need any further assistance. Feel free to use our WhatsApp number @ 084 685 2138 (Haelene) for a speedy response should you have any other questions. Contact the Educ8 SA Team today! info@educ8sa.net www.educ8sa.com 084 685 2138

February 9, 2023
Brainline

5 tips on choosing the right online school

Ensuring that your child receives the best academic education is foremost on the minds of parents and families. It is, therefore, extremely important that once you decide to go the online school route, that you consider these factors when choosing a specific school: Experience: Look for an online school that has a well-known brand, years of experience when it comes to online learning platforms and curriculums as well as a proven track record for methods of online instruction and assessment.  Accreditation: Is the online school registered with an examining body, like the Independent Examinations Board, which is accredited by Umalusi to offer the National Senior Certificate (NSC)? Such accreditation ensures that the education your child receives complies with the requirements of both the school’s examining body and the Department of Education. Then you can trust that your child’s reports or NSC is valid and will be accepted at other schools and universities, both local and abroad. Online classes and resources: Does the online school offer online classes? Are these live or merely recorded? And are the presented by qualified teachers? These are important considerations, if you require online classes as part of your academic support. Besides this, see if the online school also provides other resources such as supporting learning material, a library, and a database or platform to access additional information. Learning Environment: A well-designed learning environment can make the difference between an enjoyable and frustrating online school. Top schools have online classrooms that are easy to use and navigate, even if you’re not a computer expert. Their classroom technologies allow you to interact with your classmates and teacher intuitively, and provide a personal feel to the online environment. Also, check to see if the technical requirements match what you have at home. Top online schools offer a learning environment that can be accessed with the most common hardware and software technologies. Programme Diversity: Online schools often have a variety of programmes and subjects. Choose a programme that best suits your needs in terms of flexibility and academic support. Also, ensure that the online school you choose has a diversity of subjects that will suit your child’s future endeavours and career choices. At Brainline, we have been providing quality driven education for Grade R – 12 for more than 35 years. Brainline CEO, Coleen Cronje, says they are proud to be the first online education provider recognised by the Independent Examinations Board.  ‘Brainline’s registration with the IEB assures you of quality assessment in accordance with national policy. This means that you can trust Brainline to provide you with valid qualifications, which are accepted at other schools and national and international universities.’ For more information and a full breakdown of Brainline’s products, click here: https://brainline.com/products/ 

February 6, 2023
Parenting Hub

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
Parenting Hub

Every day should be story day!

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child. – Dr Seuss Wednesday 1 February is World Read Aloud Day(WRAD)! Nal’ibali, the national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, has been providing a free, special story for children to celebrate World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) for over a decade. 2023 is no different. Once again, Nal’ibali is calling on all South Africans to join them in reading aloud to the children in their lives on WRAD.. For some it will be the first, important step to habitual reading while for others it will be a continuation of their reading journey. For WRAD 2023, Nal’ibali aims to reach their goal of reading aloud to 3 million children. Young children who are read to in languages they understand, perform better in school, develop better memories, stronger vocabularies and comprehension skills. This year’s story,  ‘Every day’s a story’ was written by Tumisang Shongwe (fondly known as Miss T), who is a children’s author and literacy advocate. The story is available in all eleven official languages on Nal’ibali’s website.  And copies will be distributed by the field team at community outreach events throughout the country. The story is available as a PDF – you can  download here

February 1, 2023
Toughees

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
Koa Academy

Strong future for online schooling in South Africa

As a fellow school principal, I feel that it is important to join the ongoing conversation about the state of online schooling in South Africa.  Recently, there’s been a series of investigative articles about one school in particular, but there has also been widespread coverage about a principals’ report which issued a stark, sweeping warning that home/online schooling sets children back in their educational milestones. In a country where education is highly prized, this is an important topic, and it deserves further exploration from multiple perspectives.  Globally, the landscape of education has significantly changed with the opening up of the limitless digital realm.  Online study has become a phenomenal force with many millions of people across the world engaged in school, tertiary, on-the-job and lifelong learning in a multitude of digital spaces.  Online education is undeniably a powerful tool for us moving towards the democratisation of education. It offers unparalleled access to a wider range of learning experiences and provides another option for South African educational leaders in our mandate to educate our young people effectively. So how should we evaluate the academic outcomes of several specific online schools this year which have been, to put it frankly, disastrous? What does this mean for online schooling as a whole? The immense growth of online learning was already in play long before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Extended lockdowns did play a role in accelerating the uptake of online schooling, and new online schools have emerged in South Africa to meet that demand.  Just like traditional schools, online schools are not all the same.  Core values, academic rigour, educational philosophy, the delivery of education and the provision of a healthy school environment varies across schools in general.   It is not credible to state that South African children attending online schools or those doing home schooling will academically fall behind their peers at traditional schools.  We all know well that there is no one standard of education quality across South Africa’s range of traditional schools, and the same is true for the country’s online schools.   There is no doubt that amongst online schools, there are those that do not have sustainable models and don’t take responsibility for delivering quality education.  There are those that have dragged  the traditional school model onto a digital platform and called that an online school.  There are also those who have prioritised business growth over educational philosophy and academic standards, and these online schools are now struggling.  But this is far from characteristic of all South African online schools.  In fact, this can be viewed as analogous to the  failings of some traditional schools when it comes to academic standards, school leadership, teacher to student ratios and the provision of safe environments conducive to learning. Just as South Africa does have fantastic examples of traditional schools delivering quality education, there too are online schools which are getting it right according to online pedagogy and best practice models.  At Koa Academy, we monitor and evaluate our students from when they start at Koa, and throughout their school year. We engage in benchmarking assessments as part of our accreditation with the IEB (Independent Examinations Board).    We have had students that started at Koa with learning deficits due to pandemic disruptions who have caught up and moved forward at their proper Grade-level. In fact, learners in the Senior Phase who have been at Koa for more than a year are achieving significantly higher Maths scores on average than learners who have only recently joined us from other schools. This year, Koa Academy has notched up a 97% progression rate, and we’ve seen a 13% increase in Maths marks over 2021. Accountability is the key. Our students are organised into 8-person Pods with their dedicated Pod Teacher.  There is daily contact time in small groups, enabling us to maintain rigorous standards. At Koa, everyone is seen and everyone is heard. I hear horror stories about learners at some online schools being in virtual classes of 40, 80 even 350 learners! Parents need to keep this front and centre when considering their online schooling options. At Koa, we believe that effective online engagement happens best in even smaller groups than in person. That’s why we capped our Pods at 8. While the students still have broader community moments such as school Assemblies and Clubs, they are consistently kept accountable in those small Pod sessions every single day. We knew from the start that our Pods of 8 would actually slow our growth rate, but we have made it a non-negotiable for Koa because of how highly we value accountability in education.    Not every child will thrive in a good online school, just like it’s not the case that every child thrives in a good traditional school.  The presence of online schools in South Africa gives parents more choice when it comes to finding the best educational solution for their unique child.  It’s important for parents to think about what kind of education they want for their children in our fast-changing world.  They need to understand the values, the educational philosophy and assessment strategy of the school, and make sure that the school they choose matches their family values and aspirations for their child’s education.  A school should be able to articulate to parents the reasons why their academic programme is robust. Over the coming years, we will see the continued growth in online learning in South Africa, and the world.  Current online schools with deficient models and without academic rigour and accountability will not survive, while strong and sustainable online schools will thrive.  The country’s educational landscape will change, offering families greater choice and evermore individualised learning options. We hope that this will also include significant shifts in educational legislation and effective regulation of the online schooling space.  Within this landscape,  it’s imperative for physical and online educational institutions to work side by side to increase access to quality education for young South Africans.

January 9, 2023
Parenting Hub

Travelling with young children

Travelling with young children in the car for extended periods is often very challenging and very distracting for the driver. Here are some tips for making the journey easy Toys Children love toys that can keep them busy. Cars, dolls, mirror stickers, a car mirror, or even a mini steering wheel Books All children love books, and various books could assist for short periods. Colouring in books or plain paper and crayons While most children love to draw and colour, some need some motivation. Asking children to draw what they see on their travels or asking them to draw a picture of someone they will see when they arrive is a great way to keep them busy. Snacks Nothing keeps children busy quite like snacks. But make sure the snacks are light and varied. Liquids Water or juice is essential to keep on hand while travelling. Play games Children, young and old, love playing games with their families. Ask children to keep an eye out for birds, trucks, or even blue cars. Then allocate points and praise the children for spotting. Playing Eye-Spy is an oldie but a goodie and will keep everyone entertained. Create some of your games and ask the children to create the rules; you will be surprised at how the rules will evolve during the games. Stop along the way Travelling can be a wonderful family experience, but remember to stop and enjoy the little things. This will break up the journey and give families a chance to spend quality time together. We wish you all safe travels during the 2022/2023 Festive Season; return to us happy and healthy.

December 19, 2022
The Bridge Assisted Learning School

HOW TO HELP YOUR NON-NEUROTYPICAL CHILD THRIVE

Parents of young children often fear whether their child will “fit in”, cope in a sporting environment or achieve academically if they are non-neurotypical. These concerns are based on a societal perception that children should at least be ‘average’, even if they are not top of their class.  However, an educational psychologist says this is the wrong approach to take for parents of non-neurotypical children, because it will always be possible for them to belong and fit in somewhere, even if this does not occur perfectly within society’s norms of what ‘fitting in’ means. Dr Greg Pienaar, Educational Psychologist and Principal at The Bridge Assisted Learning School, in Lonehill Sandton, notes that ‘average’ is literally defined as dividing a total by the number of quantities. “By that definition alone, no child will be average. Every child has strengths and weaknesses. That is the Neurodiverse approach, which acknowledges variations in the brain regarding learning, attention, and moods in a non-pathological sense. In other words, as Judy Singer noted, these differences are not deficits, they are variations. That does not however mean that we can’t support our children – with the help of their school, their teachers and potentially their therapists – to achieve and empower themselves to the best of their ability, says Dr Pienaar. “Most educational scientists or educational psychologists will tell you that everybody needs support somewhere. Some people less than others, some people more. Some children require assistance with academic areas. Some children require assistance with developmental deficits or with their “building blocks”. This could mean Speech or Occupational Therapy, for instance. Most professionals would agree that the earlier certain developmental issues are addressed, the better the chances are that issues may be either sorted out, or much improved.”  Dr Pienaar notes that at an Assisted Learning School such as The Bridge in Lonehill, support is provided as a team of the teacher, the therapists involved, and always the parents or guardians.  “It is therefore important to work together. Even if your child is receiving professional support, parents or guardians of the child have an important role to play at home. Very often (most of the time) it is vital that many of the concepts learnt during therapy are reinforced in the home environment. Regardless of the interventions and support required, by identifying what kind of support is needed, and by working together as a team, all children can rise to their potential,” Dr Pienaar says. The team of Therapists at the Bridge compiled the following helpful tips for parents:  SPEECH 1. Bath Time Language Modelling: Bath time is a great opportunity to model language as the options of bath toys and sensory-integrated water play is endless.  Quantity concepts: Water cups and toys are great to teach concepts of ‘more’ ‘less’ ‘heavy’ ‘light’ ‘the most’ ‘the least.’ Your child can fill up water cups with water from the bath to the desired quantity you specify to them. Remember that the modelling on the quantity is important so that they understand the concept before they are expected to demonstrate it.  Oral Motor Exercises: Blowing the bubbles in the bubble bath or using toys to collect the bubbles and blow them is a great way to stimulate the oral motor muscles required for the various articulation movements.  2. Transition Games: Transition games are activities that can be done as your child transitions between places or routines.  I-Spy Games: While driving to school in the morning, play a game of I-Spy with your child and ask them to name items starting with specific sounds. This targets an underlying early literacy skills or initial sound identification. Memory Games: As you walk through the grocery store with your child, play a memory game with them where they are required to recall items you put into your trolley, adding in a new item each time, and asking them to recall the list.  3. Bedtime Routine Games: Bedtime is the best time of day to include reading stimulation and book awareness. Use the method of paired reading, ask questions about the book, make predictions, point, and label items and colours, and make it fun.  OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Foundational skills such as sensory processing, body awareness, eye movements, postural stability, and proximal stability (to name a few) form the building blocks of executive functioning skills such as performing gross/fine motor movements, writing, spatial reasoning, and so forth. These foundation skills can be supported and developed by: Providing deep pressure which improves body awareness and can assist with sensory regulation. Give lots of hugs Roll your child in their towel Let your child sleep with a heavy blanket Alternate seating improves postural and proximal stability. Let your child lie on his/her tummy while playing, watching TV, or working Let your child sit on a gym ball instead of a chair Work against a wall by sticking the work on the wall, instead of working on a table Activities of daily living can help in developing good planning and organisation skills, strength and stability, bilateral coordination, and other executive functioning skills. Wash a car with your child Allow your child to lay the table for meals Baking activities Allow your child to assist with wiping windows/mirrors Assist with putting clothes on the line “These are some of the few ways you can be involved in your child’s development, to allow for regular and consistent stimulation,” says Dr Pienaar. “While it is extremely important to facilitate your child’s development through structured tasks, children should also be encouraged as much as possible to play and to explore their environment. As our world becomes more technologically inclined, children are playing less and exploring less, which results in delayed development.  “If you identify areas of concern, it is important to approach a professional team as early as possible, to assist your child as soon as possible. Then, get involved in the professional support. By all role-players being involved in your child’s development, a supportive environment is created for your child to learn

December 13, 2022
Koa Academy

Thinking about enrolling your child in online school?

They are not all the same.  These are the must-ask questions for the school leader, which we put to Koa Academy’s Principal Mark Anderson: 1.            What is the child to teacher ratio? Mark: Koa has small Pods with a maximum of 8 children to one teacher. We believe that this is essential in the online space to maintain high engagement. Unfortunately, many online schools are packing more kids than ever into virtual classrooms, which leads to everyone feeling disconnected. Our Pods make sure that we stay engaged! 2.            How easily can I contact the teacher/principal if I have concerns? Mark: Our teachers and school leaders are readily and directly available to you online through phone, video chat and email channels. 3.            Is the school accredited? Mark: Yes!  Koa is accredited with the IEB and staffed only by teachers who are SACE registered.   The IEB offers a range of top benefits to our learners and we can tell you all about that. 4.            Does the school offer latest online education resources and platforms, or is it simply traditional school dumped online and presented on-screen? Mark: We say ‘no’ to school-on-a-screen! Koa leverages platforms and courses which are designed to be online from the start, which makes for an engaging and individualised learning experience that is relevant for today.  5.            Is the school intentional about socialization online and in person? Mark: Online school can and should be a safe, connected place of socio emotional as well as academic learning.  Koa actively fosters an on- and off-line school community in a variety of ways.  Online, learners interact every day in their Pod and regularly meet in whole-school gatherings. We also do regular in-person events in all the major centres. 6.            What do the school fees include? Mark: When comparing school fees, make sure there are no hidden but compulsory costs.  Many online schools advertise a set fee but then add on unavoidable costs for textbooks, online platforms or tutors.  At Koa, we keep it simple with a fully inclusive fee.

December 8, 2022
Educ8 SA

Online Education for Homeschoolers and Cottage schools

Educ8 SA+ is a brand new premium package of Educ8 SA. We offer international & accredited curriculums with the added benefit of completely virtual supervision and assistance, guidance for choosing curriculum and career paths, and biweekly reporting with daily attendance tracking. Our excellent daily attendance and academic time tracker functions to hold students accountable and keep them on track. Our bi-weekly report gives you a comprehensive and overall insight to your student’s progress and learning trajectory. We also offer language courses and a wide array of career/skill building courses. Virtual meetings on any matter or topic relating to our students’ progress and academics are readily available to all parents and students. What we believe We here at Educ8 SA+ believe in offering a consistent, tried and tested solution to parents who are concerned about not giving enough oversight and/or are too busy to give their homeschooled students the time and attention necessary to reach their full potential. What we aim for The homeschool/self-school journey, as wonderful as it is, is often overwhelming, leading parents and students to be stressed out and far from as focused, efficient, and productive as they can be. Instead of the often seen scenario where students have a great curriculum, but with no structure, they end up never reaching or achieving their full potential. We avoid that by providing structure, oversight, discipline, and a set calendar and schedule. School holidays and public holidays are stipulated on our Educ8 SA+ school calendar. Additional pros when choosing Educ8 SA+ We offer you, through our curriculum providers, the SAT prep course and micro courses. These courses are part of our scheduled learning paths to widen our student’s knowledge and to grow and develop their interests. There are many courses that students can complete and will pay for at the end once they have committed to obtaining the accreditation, wanting the credits and certificate that these courses offer. Should you want to complete any of these courses (terms and conditions apply) for self enrichment only, there are many courses that you have no obligation to pay for if you do not want the credits and certificate.  Every Friday, we give our students a break from scheduled school work. Don’t get too excited, this is not an OFF day. Educ8 SA+ uses Fridays as an opportunity to encourage and reward students for self improvement. Fridays are when students get the time to do courses and learn new skills that will help them open doors in their bright futures.  Zoom meetings or phone calls are available to our students should they need guidance on matters such as proper note taking, motivation, self-discipline, time management, etc. We firmly believe in not only corrective supervision, but adding to our students “toolbox” of life skills. This is done through interaction with our students via motivational conversations, virtual meetings, and 2 webinars every month on topics of self-improvement & self enrichment. Let’s talk fees  GR K – 8 (age 14 and under): R700 p/m  GR 9 -12 & GED: R800 p/m  Let us know if this piques your interest!  For more queries and information feel free to email us at premium@educ8sa.net.  Warmest of regards, Educ8 SA+ Team 

December 6, 2022
Junior Colleges

Date Night!!

What is a “Date Night”? Date Nights can also be “Date Days,” but the key idea is that the couple is spending time as a couple and not as unstructured “family time.”   Date Night builds stronger marriages in five ways:  (1) Communication. Date Night helps with communication. Of course, this is an essential element of an intimate relationship. But communication also involves the willingness to remove distractions such as children and career demands deliberately. Date Nights also offers couples the opportunity to discuss topics of mutual importance.  They can self-define and dialogue about mutual aspirations. Communication is like a muscle. Sometimes you plan your communication workouts. “stress-reducing” conversation can help couples to stay current with what is moving through their intimate partner’s life. (2) Novelty. Couples typically experience habituation, a “settling in” quality where both are more likely to take each other for granted. The symbiotic “we are a couple” sensibility can settle into an ordinary domestic routine. But new research indicates that a deficit in fun and novelty is toxic. A balance of activities is attractive to both, which emphasises novel and different experiences can help increase intimacy. (3) Let’s Do It. Romantic love is that erotic spark, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of attraction to your significant other. But with time, the emotional and physical expression of erotic love tends to fade in many couples. Because Date Night allows a couple to focus on their connection completely, the erotic spark may be restored by the intentional pursuit of romance, novelty, and more in-depth communication. Date Nights may not only rekindle the romance, but regular Date Nights can also help sustain the fires of love over the long haul. (4) De-Stress. Couples that have regular Date Nights maintain a connection through intimate conversation and emotional support. They also lower the stress on their brains, as well as their partners. Fortunately, nature has endowed us with high resiliency in this area. (5) Abiding Relationship Commitment.  When you experience your partner’s commitment, your sense of being firmly attached will provide you with a stable, deeply satisfying relationship. Partners who cherish and prize each other, steer clear of other romantic opportunities, and nurture a powerful sense of “we-ness” or togetherness are significantly happier than less-committed, “iffy” couples. Commitment is scary. But commitment satisfies deeply. Oh no!!!! What about the kids??? You want to go on a date. But what about the kids? But I bet you know other couples that would also like to go out on a date. Tell your friends that you’ll watch their kids while they go out if they will do the same for you on your date. You can swap babysitting services, enjoy your date, and get your babysitter  free! It doesn’t get any cheaper than free! If you live near your family, ask them if they could watch your kids this weekend while the two of you try out new date night experiences. If you don’t live close to your parents, consider asking them to babysit for a night when they visit.  While you want to spend time with them, they also want to see their grandkids. Come to think of it, Grandma and Grandpa might have their own version of Date Night, enjoying their grandchildren together. Daniel Dashnaw Revised 5/13/19 Couples Need to Feel Connected As parents carry the stress and burden of providing for a family, sleep needs are not always met, and as kids demand all the attention, feelings of connectedness can quickly become lost. As a result, parents feel run down, and their identity as a couple becomes lost in their roles as parents. Being a mom or dad is certainly an identity to be proud of, but couples need to be able to find ways to connect again outside of their parental duties. A date night is a perfect opportunity to spend time together engaging in hobbies or volunteer opportunities that you both once found to be of common interest. Engaging in shared interests and having an opportunity to talk about things that draw you closer to each other are undoubtedly essential priorities to make in your marriage. Kids Need to See a Healthy Relationship While a date night is meant to be about your marriage, it is good for the kids. It is healthy for them to learn it’s OK to be separated from you, but it is beneficial as they grow up to witness a healthy relationship. Think about how you want your son and daughter treated in their marriage. There is a significant advantage to children learning the importance of a loving marriage. Excuses Need to Go Away Granted, childcare expenses can quickly become budget killers, especially when you calculate in multiple kids. However, plan for these expenses as part of your monthly budget (perhaps sacrificing less important expenditures to add these). Then, you won’t have the excuse of not being able to afford a date night. Also, if all your date night budget goes into the child care costs, you can get creative with cheaper dates such as picnics, walks through a park, or budget movies. Published Feb 14, 2018 Letise Dennis Date night jar tips and ideas!!!! Please follow the link to great date night ideas… 40 Date Night Jar Ideas for Couples

December 2, 2022
The Bridge Assisted Learning School

An Argument for an Assisted Learning School

What does assisted learning mean? The child will still follow a mainstream curriculum, but will be assisted in the following ways: The manner of the teaching of a lesson. The experience or qualifications of the teacher. Accommodations or concessions: Reader, scribe, extra time, prompt, devices – apps. Neurodiversity Neurodiversity is an approach to learning and disability that argues that diverse neurological conditions are the result of normal variations in the human genome. Neurological differences should be recognized and respected as a social category on a par with gender, or sexual orientation. Neurological variations are a vital part of humanity, as much as variations in size, shape, skin colour, and personality. Should we tell a person with limited learning potential that there is no place for them in this world? Should we tell a person with strong learning potential that there is no place for them? What process is followed to identify an appropriate learner for a learning-assisted environment? Extensive evaluation by an Educational Psychologist in order to identify: Learning potential. Barriers to learning. Possible areas of intervention for the learner. Interview with parents in order to discover their journey to date. Visitation of a number of days at our school to establish social interaction, emotional development, behaviour/coping development. Feedback to the parents and child. Neurodiversity in the school environment By following a Neurodiverse approach at our school, our students with learning and thinking differences benefit greatly. Our goal is to ensure that our approach will allow for an individual style, rather than trying to fit the child into another person’s style. It is therefore a massive part of our educational approach that we eliminate or at least reduce greatly, the outdated stigmas and perceptions around learning and thinking differences. What is the difference between a learning-assisted environment and a strictly remedial environment? A remedial environment may include a facilitator. A remedial environment could include a change in curriculum. A learning-assisted environment does not include facilitators. A learning-assisted environment always follows a mainstream curriculum: Caps, IEB, etc. The rainbow infinity symbol, which denotes neurodiversity

December 1, 2022
Koa Academy

HELPING YOUR CHILD WITH TEST ANXIETY

As learners across the country prepare for and write their last Grade assessments of the year, there are a lot of parents who are dealing with children overwhelmed with high levels of anxiety.  Test anxiety is a real thing, and because the traditional South African assessment approach is to have learners write lots of tests, this can cause sustained negative impacts on some children during their school years. According to Naledi Mokoena, an educational psychologist in private practise and educator at SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology) parents need to be on alert for signs that their child is experiencing test anxiety and take action to help remedy the situation.  She says, “Test anxiety is experienced as a significant physiological stress response when a child is faced with an upcoming assessment. This response is experienced internally. It is first important to differentiate between stress and anxiety. Stress is an expected human response that a child will experience around academic activities that are more demanding than other standard school activities. Anxiety, however, is a heightened response to a stressful event that can impact on concentration, retention and recall.  Therefore, a child experiencing heightened test anxiety is likely to under-perform in an assessment, which means it is not a meaningful measure of their actual knowledge and understanding.” It’s this potential lack of effectiveness when it comes to assessments that concerns many educators and school leaders.  Koa Academy Principal and Co-Founder, Mark Anderson says, “Assessments are supposed to be tools for learning.  We test knowledge and understanding so that kids are empowered to reflect on their learning and identify areas where they need to focus so that that they are continuously enhancing knowledge and understanding.  But if the test does not accurately assess their actual knowledge and understanding because they were overwhelmed by anxiety and unable to show what they can do, then the test was not just a meaningless event, it was also harmful to them.  Poor test results damage a child’s self-confidence and leads them to believe that they just can’t ‘do’ a certain subject or a segment of content.  So, at Koa, we think differently about how we do assessments so that they are tools that kids can use confidently to reflect on and advance their learning.” Finding the balance between stress and anxiety Mokoena and Anderson agree that the aim is not to eliminate all stress from a child’s experience.  Mokoena points out that stress in anticipation of writing tests is normal, and that it alerts the child to a notable change in their school life and should prompt and motivate them to focus on meeting the upcoming challenges.   Anderson says, “I always say to our Koa parents that I don’t mind if their kids are under a healthy amount of pressure. This is manageable stress that helps them grow and develop.  Facing a challenge is stimulating and inspiring – it helps to develop grit, perseverance and leads to self-mastery.  However, there’s a tipping of the scales when this healthy pressure becomes sustained anxiety that impedes a child’s learning, impacts negatively on their well-being and sets them up to deliver sub-par performances.” Mokoena advises parents to be on the lookout for signs that their child is not coping with the rigours of end-of-year exams.  She says, “There are both physical and behavioural indications of test anxiety, and parents need to pay attention to these because often a child may not be able to find the words to communicate their experienced anxiety.” During study and exam time, parents may notice: Changes in mood and demeanour – for example, a child who develops a shorter temper or less tolerance in dealing with people during exam time Changes in eating and sleeping patterns Loss of interest in enjoyable activities Restlessness, fidgeting, or difficulty in remaining still particularly during study time Distraction and avoidance of study time Physical changes – such as elevated levels of perspiration; different breathing patterns, palpitations and tightness in the chest; frequent headaches or stomach aches There are various strategies that parents can use to help their child manage test anxiety: Acknowledge your child’s feelings, and do not blame them for feeling overwhelmed.  There is nothing ‘wrong’ with your child.  Test anxiety, which is a form of performance anxiety, is common human experience for both children and adults.  Be compassionate and understanding so that your child is in no doubt that they have your full support Teach your child deep breathing and help them practice this relaxation technique regularly so that it can become a habitual response to feeling overwhelmed Help your child organise their study time with a schedule and a daily timetable that they are in charge of.  Taking control and tackling study tasks one at a time, can build confidence in their ability to cope Make sure your child’s study plan includes breaks that take into account their endurance when it comes to focus and concentration Make sure there is scheduled time for them to be physically active every day, as this helps to release endorphins which relieve mental stress Ensure that your child eats healthy foods and gets sufficient sleep If necessary, get advice or support from a professional such as an educational psychologist While these practices can help families cope with a child that has test anxiety in the short term, they don’t address the root cause of test anxiety, which lies in the profusion of testing in South African schools.  Anderson recommends that parents fully consider assessment strategy when making their school choices.  He says, “Parents should question a school’s approach to assessment and feel comfortable that their child’s school offers productive assessments.” Assessments for real-world application As an online school, Koa uses a variety of assessments that are embedded in the learning activities which are less focused on rote memorisation and are rather focused on mastery and application skills.  These types of assessments give learners, parents and teachers rich feedback about the learner’s knowledge and understanding of content.  Anderson says, “As

November 25, 2022
Brainline

SCORES OF DISTANCE EDUCATION GRADE 12 LEARNERS START FINAL EXAMS

Distance Education Provider, Brainline, says their pupils will once again participate in this year’s IEB examination, which is quality assured by Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education.  ‘Brainline learners will write their exams at approved Brainline centres in three provinces: Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Western Cape, from the 19th of October. Our hearts and minds are with our matriculants and we wish them all the best,’ says Brainline CEO, Coleen Cronje. The IEB National Senior Certificate is an internationally benchmarked qualification and is equivalent to Cambridge AS level. Brainline’s matriculants come from not only South Africa, but many other parts of the world, where South African citizen resides as expats.  ‘This includes Botswana, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Namibia, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Philippines, Malaysia, Spain, New Zealand, Germany, India and more,’ Cronje explains. As with the final exams written by learners within the public school system, IEB-learners will also write exams in the following subjects;  Afrikaans Home Language, English First Additional Language, English Home Language, Afrikaans First Additional Language Accounting, Agricultural Sciences, Business Studies, Computer Applications Technology, Consumer Studies, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Engineering Graphics & Design, Equine Studies, Geography, History, Life Orientation, Life Sciences , Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Music, Physical Sciences, Tourism and Visual Arts.  Cronje says their students have received optimal support to prepare them for this important exam. ‘In the world of the digital school, learners can feel lost without guidance and a tutor.  With our online live classes, which are saved for future reference, we address that need for the distance learner.  Gone are the days of the old model learner management systems with boring downloads and links.  This is the new era of a school at home, with all the support that one can expect in a traditional school, but on your own terms.’ Cronje says accommodations for special needs learners offer support to those who require additional assistance due to barriers to learning. ‘We assist learners and their families with the application, communicating with the IEB on their behalf, and providing the necessary facilities during the Grade 12 final examination.  According to the accommodation granted to them, it may range from separate venues to readers and scribes or as technology assists us, the use of a digital C-pen for audible translation of the written word.’ Brainline has provided structured home education on a distance education model to thousands of learners since 1990. Home education in South Africa has experienced significant growth over the last few years. At the end of 2018 there were an estimated 100,000 home education learners in the country . ‘Several factors have driven the growth of home education as an alternative option, ranging from increasingly sophisticated distance e-learning technology to an ever-growing network of tutors. Because it’s based on individual needs, home education can provide a safe space for children who may have found the traditional schooling environment challenging,’ says Cronje. The IEB class of 2021received a 98.39% pass rate, up from 98.07% in 2020. Brainline learners achieved 178 A’s, 310 B’s and 385 C’s. 

November 24, 2022
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