Dear Parents, staff and friends
As the year draws to an end there are a number of important messages that I need to communicate with you. Throughout the year, I have sent out a number of informative newsletters to the parent body. These have been well received and I thank those who have responded positively.
Much has been said about 2020 and there is little need to rehash all the negatives that we have heard so often. I do believe that we have emerged from this pandemic as a stronger and more effective school. I would like to congratulate all our learners for their commitment to the academic program and especially those who have achieved success. I would also like to extend a sincere word of thanks to all our staff who have worked tirelessly this year to ensure that we could reach the end of term with purpose and be able to reflect on a successful year.
New initiatives for 2021
Prefects/Committees (PUPIL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
We are introducing a Leadership program to replace the traditional prefect system. In many schools the traditional Prefect systems is viewed as archaic and in several cases, a colonial relic of a bygone era. Furthermore, in most cases, a prefect system by virtue of dividing leaders from non-leaders tends to cast divisions within the senior group of the school and whilst applauding some it degrades others at the same time.
There are alternatives which have been used with some success at schools all over the country and indeed the world. These systems have the capacity to develop leaders form the entire senior group and still allow individual CV’s to reflect leadership positions when submitting applications for tertiary studies. In effect all grade 12’s are prefects and receive acknowledgement for this.
- All Matrics are considered as school leaders and receive a badge
- The matric commitment is via the work on four committees.
- Grade 8
- Sport and Culture/ Events and Functions
- Discipline
- Outreach
- Each committee elects a chair and a secretary. The chairs of each committee then make up the Pupil Executive Council (PEC)
- The Senior Leaders (Head Prefects) are elected by the Matrics, Grade 11, Grade 10 and staff votes.
- Each committee has a teacher to coordinate the activities and to guide the meeting, planning and action outputs
- Committees meet at least twice per month
- The Principal meets with the PECS once per month.
Mentorship
Each matric will be allocated one or more mentoree(s) (Grade 8). They will be responsible for the social and emotional safety and welfare of their mentorees during the year.
2020 End of Year Virtual Prize giving
Due to the Covid restrictions we could not have a formal year-end prize-giving ceremony. However, we have as part of our response to new ways of teaching and learning which have involved a significant move towards online interaction, been able to hold a virtual a prize giving ceremony. This event will be posted on our website for you too to view at your leisure. It also becomes a more permanent record of the academic success of our learners for 2020.
Year book
We have already referred to the engagement in online teaching and learning as well as the use of technology in our interactions with our learners and parents. It has been mentioned in previous newsletters that the 2020 yearbook will be available as an online product early in 2021. Access to the yearbook will be password protected and parents and learners will be given the appropriate passwords to be able to enjoy the publication.
Debate
Nazeerah Nanabava (Grade 11), the senior captain of MECS debate team has been selected to form part of the Limpopo debate team that will contest in the 2020 Virtual National Debate competition on the 15th of December 2020. We wish her the best of luck in the competition.
Staffing
We say farewell to Mrs Mareli Nel and Mrs Yvette Pretorius. Both will still be working in the educational landscape in Mokopane but able to spend more time with their young families. On behalf of the school I would like to thank them for all they have done for the school whilst working here. They will be missed but we wish them well in their new endeavours.
Mrs Schroder will be enjoying a terms rest and we know how much she is looking forward to this time. We look forward to seeing her back at the start of term two.
We will be welcoming Mrs Alicia Verster who will be teaching our senior Physical Science classes for 2021. Mrs Verster is well qualified and we are looking forward to having her join our team.
Mrs Tayibah Motala will be joining the Foundation Phase and we welcome her on to the team as well.
Jubaweni Excursion (Newsletter of 23 September)
I remind you of the situation regarding the Jubaweni payments as communicated in the newsletter of 23 September 2020. As the Jubaweni excursion was cancelled as a result of the shutdown, we have had to reschedule the event to early 2021. Grade 7 parents who have paid for this trip will receive a credit on their school accounts in November. Those with accounts up to date will receive an EFT payment for the outstanding funds. Please contact the office if you have queries in this regard.
The School Bell
We have found that the removal of the school bell has had a positive impact on the operation of the school. For this reason, we will continue with the “no bell” program. It assists our learner’s to become better managers of their time and furthermore creates a much quieter atmosphere at the school.
Uniform
As part of the Covid-19 protocols which required learners to wear clean clothes every day we made the wearing of the school uniform an optional choice. As we do not know at this stage what the further impact of the Covid pandemic might be in 2021, we will continue with the current situation whereby the school uniform remains optional for learners. We are also mindful of the high cost of uniforms and do not want parents to incur unnecessary costs. We will review the situation at the end of January 2021 and make an appropriate adjustment to our policy at that time.
I must ask parents to ensure that the learners are dressed appropriately though. This is particularly important for girls who must avoid items such as very short dresses and shorts, tight or low cut blouses as well as spaghetti straps. Should a learner be inappropriately dressed the parents will be contacted and asked to either bring appropriate clothing or to take the learner home to change into something more suitable. Your cooperation in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
Condonements
This year has been a challenge for all of us. Teachers and learners alike had to cope with a new way of teaching and learning. Although this has largely been a successful journey, many of our learners have had difficulty in coping with the new normal. The end of year promotion is usually determined by a number of strict criteria. Although we have been guided by such criteria, we have mitigated where possible for the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on academic progress. As such we have condoned a number of learners to progress through to the next grade based on the recommendation of teachers.
Text books
As we are committed to providing the best education possible we are adapting the way we offer our teaching and learning. This means changing the use of textbook material in a number of subjects. The Life Orientation program will require the purchase of workbooks which will then become the property of the learner and will be used on an ongoing basis. This will affect learners in grades 7 to 12. The current cost of these books is R260 per book. However, fluctuations in the supply and demand may adjust this slightly. Please note that no learner will receive a workbook unless the book has been paid for in advance.
Conclusion
I will conclude my last newsletter for 2020 by offering the MECS community my very best wishes for the festive season. I sincerely hope you all have an opportunity to enjoy the holidays and remain safe and healthy over this time and to celebrate the festivities of the New Year and spend quality time with loved ones. 2020 has been a memorable year for the school with much to be thankful for. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for the start of the year 2021.
Warmest regards
Brian
Start dates 2021 reminder
Please be reminded that school opens for learners on the 13th of January 2021
