February News

Wilmona, new Afrikaans teacher

A great ending makes for a great beginning and with the wake of the victory of 2011 behind us, the path ahead has been a joy!

Three new educators joined the team this year. Nhau Mapfirakupa will teach Maths Literacy, Mathematics and Natural Science. He is as serious about maths as a teacher can be and he has brought professionalism and a no-nonsense attitude to the school family. "It is my first time in an institution like this one where there is too much love and caring for each other. Our learners are a special group and they know we are a good family at school. The danger may be with those who can take advantage of the love and care extended to them."

"Most of my learners just hate my subject, Maths, so my priority is to make them love Maths, as it is a condition to passing the subject."

Adekunle, Tourism & Technology

Adekunle Oyewo is the new Tourism and Technology teacher. There is nothing he will not do to add value to the staff team and the family of learners. He has morphed into IT Technician Extraordinaire, Soccer Coach Supreme and Magnificent Handy Man. This is what he says about the first two months: "My experience so far has been wonderful. School of Hope is not only a school but a family where anyone from any diversity can call this a home. The team spirit is great and very supportive. The learners are respectful and cooperative. The Principal has been a role model; she exhibits a wonderful open-door policy which makes her really approachable at any time."

Nhau, Maths

"The school is not just a place of work for me but a second home. Sometimes I have to remind myself that its time to lock up and go! I find the environment very conducive to learning. It has been a wonderful experience so far and I will to anything to stay at the School of Hope."

Wilmona Fortuin goes about her important work as Afrikaans teacher with elegance and grace but at the core she is as tough as nails. Her gentle nature is balanced by a desire for truth and justice. She writes, "As the Afrikaans teacher at a school where the majority of learners are English-speaking, I felt I had a challenging task ahead. Looking back on the first two months, it has been a great experience. The learners are really accepting and welcoming".

"The School is definitely more like a family; the teachers are supportive and willing to help. So I feel privileged to be part of such a dynamic and loving group of people. The school is a well-organized system in which you, whether as a learner or as a teacher, will never get lost. I am in love with the School of Hope."

Tamsyn

Tamsyn Willemse (19), who matriculated in 2011, has joined the team as a volunteer. She says: "It is great to give back to the school because the school did so much for me. I am learning a lot about administration and how to answer the phone and speak to people who make enquiries, as well as how to organize files."

The new learners all started school a week early to submit themselves to an arduous orientation during which they were forced to change their negative paradigms about school and look at the relationships, values and responsibilities at School of Hope differently to any other school they may have attended (and opted out of) in the past.

So, finally, we hear from two new learners at the school. Christolene Williams (15) who lives at Marsh Memorial Children's Home, writes, "I did not know if I was doing the right thing going to the School of Hope but as I settled in I felt like I belonged. I knew the teachers would be helpful but now I am thinking: wow! Everyone is friendly and they are like your own family. I am doing better in my school work so far and I am proud of myself."

Pholani Moyakhe (17), whose sister Bianca matriculated in 2011, had big shoes to follow but she has taken it in her stride: "I have been really happy in this school since the first day. The teachers are very kind and caring and they are open-hearted people who understand. The learners don't call each other names and many different races and cultures are represented and get on well with each other. I feel free at the School of Hope."

And so say all of us.