| ABOUT US |
 Tranformation |
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Rectors Speech at Founders Day 2009 To mail us for comment or information: transformation@stithian.com TRANSFORMATION AT ST STITHIANS COLLEGE FAQ’s What does transformation at St Stithians College mean? A focus on transformation will improve the representation of the South African racial make-up, both at learner and staff levels at the College. This will ensure a more balanced cultural, social and linguistic platform for all those who attend the College. Saints will remain an independent, Methodist Church School, providing the highest levels of academic and extramural teaching. As an educational institution our aim is to develop learners to become effective contributors to society at large. It is thus our obligation to prepare leaders who embrace diversity and can build relationships and/or make connections with others irrespective of their race, culture or socio-economic status. This leadership quality is essential in growing the youth of today to become the responsible, creative and empowering adult leaders of tomorrow, able to play a leadership role in any city in the world. Is this something new? No. Although St Stithians College was initially established in 1953 as a boys’ school with an overtly white Anglo Saxon culture, like most of the schools serving the white community in that era, it had as a founding principle to provide “A liberal education with Christian teaching”. That was quite a profound and visionary statement to be making in a South Africa five years into National Party rule. In 1979, this “liberal” ethic resulted in the College defying the laws of the country (along with many other private schools at the time) by accepting black students into the College. This initiative was reinforced with the College adopting a Statement against Discrimination in 1984. Amongst other things, it states: “The Council and the Headmasters aim to ensure that at St Stithians College there shall be no discrimination against any person in admissions, employment, or otherwise because of race, colour, religion or national origin.” This liberal philosophy of non-discrimination has continued as a thread and has been a strategic goal, and articulated as such in each successive strategic plan since 1994. How will it contribute to the ongoing development of the College? It is imperative to the sustainability of the College that a solid fee base is maintained, in order to pay salaries, ensure maintenance and improvement of College facilities. By increasingly accepting black fee paying families into the College, not only are we achieving this, but also ensuring that we provide the appropriate South African environment, illustrating the rich cultural mix our country offers to all our learners. Does this mean there will be additional bursaries and scholarships made available? The College already offers a significant number of scholarships to learners with exceptional ability, from all backgrounds. In addition, we participate in an external bursary programme for disadvantaged learners who will benefit from this environment. Over time, the College wishes to shrink its scholarship budget allocation or at least seek to get it funded by corporate donors. How can members of the Saints community get involved? All members of the Saints community can assist the College in meeting this goal, by all of us ensuring that: · we provide a welcoming and nurturing environment for new families, irrespective of nationality, language or culture; · we respect each others differences, while at the same time value the similarities; and · we are involved in building a truly South African community, at this South African School Making a World of Difference.
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