Grace Bridgman,  Lauren De Bruyn and Lara Murray

Group 6

Springfield Convent School, shared their exciting idea of a Sibling School Project whereby schools will pair with each other and create initiatives in which they may assist each other and learn from each other. Schools will assist each other in the following: Academics, Teacher exchange, Student exchange, Sport, Resources, Fundraising, Socials and the like.

(To watch the presentations click here.)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Sibling Project

Main objectives: to improve, empower, unify. Whilst these goals may seem ambitious, it is through our explanation of this project’s implementation that these goals may also be seen as entirely feasible.

• #1. Tutoring system.

Last year, matric pass rate for mathematics was 46%, whilst 53% passed physical sciences. In this initiative, exceptional students from either school would work with students struggling in their subjects.

• #2.Breaking the Language Barrier Initiative.

Where pupils would speak to and listen to each other in their different languages, thus teaching one another though simple conversation.

• #3. The sharing of facilities between schools.

If a privileged school with many facilities exists as a sibling, it would be encouraged to share facilities such as libraries and computers. This is an area of huge significance, as it is estimated that 15% of schools do not have access to electricity, whilst 15000 do not have libraries.

• #4 Sports.

Sport is an effective method of bonding as it encourages teamwork and camaraderie. Sports teams could therefore be mixed with students from both schools, whilst mixed teams from different sibling schools may have seasonal tournaments. Integrated singing clubs and bands should also receive emphasis.

•  Financial aspect.

Where one school is significantly wealthier than the other, fundraising and donation to the other school may be allowed. However, it is crucial that this financial aspect is not the main focus as it is essential that these relationships are not parasitic ones and those of charity. It is with this that we move on to our next section.

•  Incentives.

Furthermore, as the project gains popularity we would hope that it would gain status such as the President’s Award, which is something of a gold star on one’s CV.We also suggest that schools who participate receive a tax rebate for their involvement. However, we want to stress that these incentives are mere bonuses; not compensation for participating. Students should want to be involved because of a desire to give back the community and service to their country.

A Presentation Skills workshop for participants of esSAy 2030 was held at Rondebosch Boys’ High School on Thursday 21 June 2012 from 4pm – 6pm. The workshop provided information on how best to present the content of ones essay at the Final Presentation to be held 26 July 2012

The sessions covered:

-How to plan and prepare for your presentation

-The delivery of your presentation

-How best to adapt your essay content into an oral presentation.

Remember to join the SA2030 Facebook group.

Lauren Daniels gave an innovative powerpoint presentation which inspired participants to be  inventive in their own presentations, see below:

Congratulations! to all those who decided to be a part of creating the vision for South Africa 2030.

The structure, content and expectations of this essay writing and oral presentation opportunity will be explained below.

Context:

President Jacob Zuma appointed the National Planning Commission (NPC) in April 2010. At the inaugural meeting of the NPC on 11 May 2010, President Zuma stated:

“The mandate of the commission is to take a broad, cross-cutting, independent and critical view of South Africa, to help define the South Africa we seek to achieve in 20 years’ time and to map out a path to achieve those objectives. The commission is expected to put forward solid research, sound evidence and clear recommendations for government. The commission will also work with broader society to draw on the best expertise, consult the relevant stakeholders and help to shape a consensus on what to do about the key challenges facing us. Government has often taken a sectoral and short-term view that has hampered development. Taking a long-term and independent view will add impetus, focus and coherence to our work. The establishment of the National Planning Commission is our promise to the people of South Africa that we are building a state that will grow the economy, reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of our citizens.”

Question:

How can South Africa achieve its vision for 2030?

Expectations:

The essays will be based on the National Planning Commission’s Vision for 2030.

Answer the essay question in the light of ONE of the following three areas of the NPC’s Vision:

1              Transformation and Unity

2              Economy

3              Education

Participants need to choose one of these three and then write about how they understand the problem, what solutions they can think of to implement and how they think these solutions will improve the state the Economy/ Education/ Transformation and Unity in South Africa. In explaining the solutions that they proffer, they need to put the challenges in this area into their historical context. The  essay, however, needs to be more focused on the solutions. It is important that these solutions are practical; take into account the impact of the past on present-day experiences and attitudes; and are aligned to and would help implement the NDC’s Vision for 2030.

Workshop

Shikaya held a workshop to provide inspiration, insight and input to the participants. Speakers were invited to provide in-depth knowledge on the relevant areas of the National Planning Commission’s vision for 2030. They provided the participants with information and guidance on how to think about their essays.

A session was held on how to write the essay. They were also given input on how to structure their argument, the layout of the writing and the most effective ways to get their ideas across to the reader.