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Saints Honour:
Honour God, Honour Others, Honour Self
NEWSLETTER NO. 04 – 08 MAY 2006
FROM THE DESK OF THE RECTOR
Dear One & All
TEACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA
At a recent meeting of the SAHISA Central region, there was a very interesting address by Professor Francis Faller on the topic of "Teacher Production". Prof Faller is the Deputy Head of the Wits School of Education. One of his main concerns is the question of teacher supply in the country. He painted a rather gloomy and alarming picture around the supply of teachers and the growth of the profession. Some of the statistics are as follows:
- At the moment there are approximately 20 000 - 30 000 teachers leaving the profession each year, either through resignations, retirement or succumbing to serious illnesses such as HIV/Aids.
- This has resulted in an aging teaching population, with fewer and fewer younger people opting to join the profession.
- Currently, the total output from all the South African teacher training institutions is 5 000 - 6 000 teachers per annum, i.e. a nett shortfall of at least 15 000 teachers per year, and possibly closer to 24 000 p.a.
- A recent study of teachers in the profession has also returned a finding that 55% of teachers would leave the profession if they could.
- There is one teacher qualifying each year for every 4 300 learners in the country.
- We are also quite short on research to pinpoint exactly where the requirements are, e.g. every one is aware of the shortage of Maths & Science teachers, but there are no statistics for which other phases and subjects are also facing critical shortages.
One could easily argue that in an independent school, the crisis does not affect us as our fee base allows us to attract the best that the profession has to offer. That argument might be attractive to those of us who have children at school at present, because the crunch won’t come while our children are at school. However, it is a crisis facing the nation as a whole and one that no South African should ignore and we should all try to do something about this.
The St Stithians Foundation, headed up by Mr Peter Backwell, has embarked on a programme of trying to recruit young people into the teaching profession and putting them through a programme of teacher training, with particular focus on Maths and Science. We have launched an institute, called the Thandulwazi Maths/ Science Institute, for this purpose. We already have at this school 10 Interns, who are being supported by the College, in their training as educators. Some of the Interns are past pupils and others have been recruited from elsewhere. Of course, one of the tasks of the Foundation is to try to persuade the corporate sector and potential donors to assist the institute by providing funds to cover the training costs of these teachers.
Should any members of the Saints Family have any ideas or suggestions to make in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact me (rector@stithian.com).
Mrs Linda Galanakis, an English teacher in the Girls’ College, co-ordinates the Level Six Learnerships for the College. We are delighted to announce that the Loewenstein Bursary Fund, administered by ISASA, has awarded R19 900 to assist St Stithians College with its learnership programme. These young people are studying towards a teaching qualification or upgrading their qualifications.
EASTER RUGBY & HOCKEY FESTIVAL – 13 APRIL TO 17 APRIL 2006
Once again, may I pay tribute to the Organising Committees of the Rugby & Hockey Festivals on a superb job. These Festivals are truly a highlight of the school calendar, not only for the Boys’ College but for all the schools on campus, and in particular a delight for sports lovers in general. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all the parents, staff and sponsors involved. A special word of gratitude goes to Mr Brian Peck and Mr Craig Staveley, Chairs of the Organising Committees, for all the voluntary time and effort that they devote to these festivals.
IT REFERENCE GROUP
At the College we have what we call an Information Technology Reference Group, which reviews on a termly basis the Five Year IT Plan for the College. The IT Reference Group meets once a term, with the Rector, the Bursar and relevant IT Staff, to review the College’s IT strategy, both from a curriculum and technical point of view. The Committee does not take any decisions, but assists in the broad thinking around the IT planning and strategy at the College. We are currently seeking one or two parents, skilled in the IT field, to assist us on this important advisory committee. It is essential that any parents who volunteer to serve on this committee do not have any business dealings with the College in the area of IT Support. If you are able to assist, please send an e-mail to the Rector (rector@stithian.com) expressing your interest and giving a brief summary of your experience in this field.
SAINTS FAMILY NEWS
· We wish to express our sincere condolences to the following members of the Saints Family on their loss of loved ones during recent weeks. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.
o Anne Willemse (Teacher in the Girls’ Prep) on the tragic death of her mother, Mrs Goldsworthy.
o Leigh Pleass (HOD Mathemetics) on the death of her father after a long illness.
· Congratulations to:
o Trudi (nee Estran) & Justin Naylor on their marriage in the April holidays;
o Kate and Michael Doyle on the birth of twin girls (Georgia and Quinn)
We wish them every happiness.
RECTOR’S REPLY TO QUESTIONS
Academic Support Policy
“Thank you for the excerpt on “teachers”. I appreciated the article. I would like some information about the inclusion policy at St Stithians, specifically pertaining to learning difficulties. What was the outcome of the RAU research project? What are the future plans?”
In 2004, we commissioned a team from RAU to review and report on the policy of Inclusion at St Stithians College after its initial five-year period. The report focussed on the Boys’ College and Girls’ College; was very thorough; and was based on a range of interviews and focus group discussions with the various stakeholders at the College. Amongst a range of suggestions and findings, the key feedback from the Review Team, and in line with international research about barriers to learning, was that the College needs to move away from seeing inclusion as a separate project at the school. It is important that inclusion is integrated into the normal teaching programme of the College so that all teachers are empowered to manage learners with different learning styles and other barriers to learning in all of their classrooms. Essentially, the basic idea is that all learners should be fully integrated into the normal academic programme of the College and that any academic support programme must be aimed at assisting teachers to cope with learners with different abilities. This approach is supported by the philosophy underpinning Outcomes Based Education (OBE), which is the approach to the new curriculum being implemented in education throughout South Africa. This recommendation has resulted in the College developing a teaching and learning policy, which aims to describe the essence of our pedagogical approach to learners from a range of abilities at the College. We want to move away entirely from the language of “inclusion” because of the labelling problem that tends to persist. As soon as the policy has been finalised, it will be published for the information and interest of parents.
QUESTIONS FOR THE RECTOR:
If there is anything you would like more information about, please do not hesitate to send your questions to me at rector@stithian.com. Learners as well as parents are quite welcome to send their questions.
THE HISTORY OF ST STITHIANS COLLEGE
As announced at Founders’ Day 2005, Mr Walter Macfarlane, former Head of the Boys’ Prep, was commissioned some years ago to write the history of the College. Mrs Sandi Arrenbrecht, a former parent, of CREDA Publications has assisted Walter Macfarlane with the design and layout of this wonderful coffee table book and has done a magnificent job. The History is currently available for purchase from the Bursar’s Office at a cost of R295,00. An Order Form is attached to this newsletter. Don’t miss the opportunity to own a copy of this book.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2006
Please diarise the following important dates:
· The College Report Back
The College Report Back sessions for parents are scheduled for: 21 June 2006 and 17 October 2006.
· Founders’ Day
Founders’ Day will take place on Saturday, 10 June 2006. Parents are reminded that this is a compulsory function for all Saints staff and learners.
GOOD NEWS COLUMN
It is always gratifying to receive letters of praise and congratulations about our staff and learners. Should you wish to contribute any Good News, please send the details to: rector@stithian.com.
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF INCOME FOR SAINTS
For more information about the partnership, please call 011 303 5551, email gflint@rmbprivatebank.com, or alternatively visit the College website link (www.stithian.com - Campus Matters page).
MESSAGE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE
The Environmental Committee’s third article is attached at the end of this newsletter, for your information.
With kind regards.
STEPHEN LOWRY
RECTOR
THE CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL, COLLEGE EXECUTIVE, STAFF AND PUPILS OF ST STITHIANS COLLEGE
EXTEND A CORDIAL INVITATION TO YOU TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL FOUNDERS' DAY SERVICE
ON SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 2006 AT 09:00 ON BAYTOPP FIELD
GUEST OF HONOUR:
MS CHERYL GILLWALD
FORMER DEPUTY MINISTER
MINISTRY OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
TEA WILL BE SERVED AFTER THE SERVICE OUTSIDE THE GIRLS' COLLEGE ADMIN BLOCK
SPORTING ACTIVITIES COMMENCE AT 11:00
_________________________________________________________________________________________
ORDER FORM
“To Serve the Future Hour” - The History of St Stithians College
Approximately 530 pages, size 290 x 220mm, illustrated throughout
Price: R295-00
Please complete and send to: The Bursar, St Stithians College, Private Bag 2, Randburg, 2125 South Africa.
For further enquiries:
Telephone: +27 11 577 6000 Telefax: +27 11 886 2731
e-mail: rector@stithian.com Website: www.stithian.com
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MESSAGE FROM THE SAINTS ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE
SOME VERY USEFUL INFORMATION TO TAKE NOTE OF
INVASIVE ALIENS
What are these and what is so bad about INVASIVE ALIENS?
- They WASTE water.
- They
threaten water QUALITY
- They threaten BIODIVERSITY – which means “a variety of living things”. So, Aliens threaten our INDIGENOUS plants.
- They reduce the PRODUCTIVITY of land
- They
are difficult and expensive to REMOVE
- Many are TOXIC to humans and livestock
- They cause run away FIRES
- They cause EROSION
- They INVADE land
INVADER ALIENS are plants that are grown in a FOREIGN LAND.
INDIGENOUS Plants – belong NATURALLY to a country, or area.
Invasive Aliens need to be controlled and have been grouped according to how we should eradicate them. Your Environmental Committee is here to help you help our land by becoming alien detectives. From time to time, we will be giving you the names of ALIENS. Here are a few to get started with.
CATEGORY 1
These plants must be destroyed immediately. Examples are:
YELLOW OR ORANGE CESTRUM
PAMPAS GRASS
OLEANDER
LANTANA
BLACK WATTLE
CATEGORY 2
These plants need a licence to be grown and may only be grown under controlled conditions – in other words, in areas that have been specifically demarcated for this purpose, and include many agricultural and forestry crops. They include –
SILVER WATTLE
WEEPING WILLOW
SISAL
CATEGORY 3
These plants may not be planted, grown or sold – but large plants do not require removal. These invader plants are permitted to grow where they already exist, but no more may be planted, for example –
JACARANDA
COTANEASTER
MORNING GLORY
YELLOW FIRETHORN
MORE NEXT MONTH.
PLEASE REMEMBER - SPEAK TO YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE IF YOU NEED ANY ASSISTANCE.