Thandulwazi Saturday School Programme
In 1991, Mrs Johanni la Vita, an Afrikaans Teacher at St Stithians Boys’ College, initiated The Saturday School with a handful of students from local township schools. The Thandulwazi Trust Maths and Science Academy was then established by The St Stithians Foundation in 2005, as an education programme aimed at addressing the critical issues pertaining to the teaching of Mathematics and Science in previously disadvantaged communities in and around Gauteng.
Saturday School online registration information
Today, Grade 9 to 12 historically disadvantaged Learners have the opportunity of learning Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting and English running over selected Saturday contact sessions during the academic year.
Over the years, key changes were introduced to streamline the programme:
- Regardless of their level of achievement at school, Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 Learners who wish to learn and improve their results are eligible to register for classes at the Thandulwazi Saturday School, on the designated annual registration day.
- In order for the Learners to qualify for a place at Thandulwazi, they have to have Mathematics and Science as subjects at school.
- Thandulwazi strives to ensure that discipline, courtesy and respect for one and all are the order of the day. Learners are expected to abide by a Code of Conduct, which is explained to them at registration. Strict access controls and security measures are implemented so that Learners are able to learn in a safe environment.
- Classes are facilitated by professional SACE registered Teachers. Teachers are assisted by Tutors (undergraduate/postgraduate University Students) in the classroom. Grade 11 and Grade 12 students from St Stithians College also help tutor the Learners.
- English is recognised as a gateway subject and is a compulsory subject for all Learners attending the Thandulwazi Saturday School. Lessons focus on comprehension, literacy and questioning techniques.
- A Careers Day is also organized annually to expose Learners to different career opportunities and to assist them with making their vocational/tertiary choices. • Depending on donor funding, the Learners are provided with light refreshment on selected Saturdays to help sustain them during the course of the day.
"Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry, or savour their songs."
(Nelson Mandela)
