Annual Report 2009

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To provide an excellent Christian education that is affordable to the previously disadvantaged community.

VULEKA – THE BACKGROUND


Vuleka was started in 1989 by Mrs Susan Germond and Mrs Joy Fisher. It opened its doors at St Martin’s-in-the-Veld, Rosebank and St John the Evangelist, Parkmore with 59 children and 4 teachers. The project, as it was then known, was started because of the crisis in black education in South Africa at the time. Black South African children were offered an inferior education compared with that given to white children. The leadership of St Martin’s and St John's felt that it was a waste of space to use their Sunday School classrooms only on a Sunday, and so offered classroom space to the new school.

Over the years Vuleka has grown from strength to strength and has evolved and grown according to the needs of the community and the country. We have changed from being a bridging school whose main focus was to assist second language speakers with their English so that they could be placed in English-medium schools after spending a year or two in the Vuleka system. Until 2004 Vuleka went up to Grade 4, after which pupils had to be placed in other primary schools. Part of our vision for 2004 to 2007 was to grow the school up to Grade 7. Although we still assist with second language children and help them to bridge the language gap, our main focus has shifted. Vuleka is now committed to providing pupils with a high standard of education which will prepare them to be successfully placed in a high school of their choice, and lay the foundation for future achievements.

Today Vuleka consists of three primary schools: in Rosebank, in North Riding and in Weltevreden Park. The Rosebank school serves children of domestic workers who live in the area, as well as inner city, Soweto and Alexandra children. North Riding serves local domestic workers’ children, and children from Honeydew and Diepsloot squatter camps, Soweto and Cosmo City. Weltevreden Park serves local domestic workers' children as well as children from the North Riding area who are taken across via a "shuttle" service. Vuleka does not discriminate against any child, and we do not screen any pupils. In 2002 we opened our special needs and supported learning classes at Randburg Methodist Church. This school caters for and educates children between the ages of 7 and 14 years who are not able to cope in the main academic stream.

Vuleka took over the Early Learning Centre at St Paul’s Parkhurst in 2004, and then opened Early Learning Centres at St John’s Benmore in 2005, St Francis Parkview in 2006, and Grade 000/ 00 and Grade 0 classes at St Michael’s Weltevreden Park in 2007. The aim of the Early Learning Centres is to provide excellent and affordable preschool education for the children of domestic workers and people who work in the area.  These parents are encouraged to enter their children in the local government schools for Grade 1, although we are usually inundated with requests for places in our Vuleka Grade 1 classes and are able to take in a few every year.

WHAT VULEKA OFFERS

• Vuleka offers an education that is affordable and easily accessible, in a safe and secure environment.

• Vuleka offers two specialised education classes for those pupils who have remedial or other educational difficulties.

• Vuleka offers small classes, qualified teachers and an excellent curriculum that is outcomes-based and focuses on independent thinking and problem solving skills.

• Vuleka offers a science and maths programme that encourages our pupils to develop a passion for, and understanding of these subjects so that one day they can be the driving force behind the economy, and combat poverty. South Africa has a shortage of maths and science graduates.

• Vuleka has a holistic curriculum which develops the pupil academically, socially, physically and spiritually.

• Vuleka provides stability and a loving environment for our growing numbers of orphans and vulnerable children.

• Vuleka offers our pupils counselling and skills in our Life Orientation programme that assists pupils in dealing with the daily challenges which they face.

• We assist our Grade 7 pupils in finding high schools that will suit their needs.

• Vuleka identifies and helps pupils who need educational assessments and therapy.

• We write the National Conquesta exams, Independent Examination Board and ISASA benchmark exams in order to ensure that our standard compares with the top independent schools and aim to provide our pupils with the same curriculum that these schools offer, at a much reduced price.

• We offer a Teacher Empowerment Programme over a two year period. This programme gives employment and training to teachers who obtained their degrees or diplomas at previously disadvantaged training colleges or universities.

• We have a Student Teacher Programme by means of which we pay for young people to train as teachers, and we offer them employment as classroom assistants while they are studying.

VISION

1. To develop in our pupils Christian values that will encourage them to live a life of service in which
     they will contribute to a quality of life that all South Africans can enjoy.
2. To provide our pupils with a school that is safe, challenging and exciting. An environment where
     their self confidence can be developed and they are challenged to strive for academic excellence.
3. To produce well rounded scholars who can take their place with confidence and dignity in any
     high school of their choice.

VULEKA'S GOALS 2008 - 2011

1. To develop our curriculum so that we are totally in line with other top independent schools.
2. To improve our technology so that all our pupils and staff have access to computers and the
     Internet, and to provide them with the skills to use these tools efficiently.
3. To improve our resources and facilities in order to maintain a standard of excellence.
4. To continue our role of redressing the imbalances of the past by empowering our pupils and staff.

THE HEAD'S ANNUAL REPORT 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Vuleka celebrated its 20th birthday in 2009.  It is wonderful to look back on Vuleka's successes and achievements over the past twenty years, especially knowing that the school had such humble beginnings.  Vuleka started as an educational project in 1989 with four classrooms and 59 children.  Today we have 589 children in three primary schools, three Early Learning Centres and a Special Needs school.  Over the years Vuleka has faced and overcome many challenges.  Our biggest challenge has been to teach English first language to second language pupils.  Through determination, parental support, excellent staff, a well planned curriculum and a high standard of teaching, we have managed to give our pupils an education of the highest quality.

Whilst we celebrate our pupils' success I am saddened to know that the majority of South African children are still receiving an inferior education.  "There is no shortage of evidence showing how badly the South African education system is performing.  International comparisons evaluating literacy, numeracy and science ability clearly show that South African children are not getting it." (The Toxic Mix, Graeme Bloch. Tafelberg 2009. Page 17.)  It is because of these appalling statistics that we at Vuleka decided to open our third primary school in Weltevreden Park in 2009. We feel that it is our Christian and moral duty to educate as many children as possible so that we can equip our youth with the necessary education and skills to grow our nation.

         “There is good evidence that the benefits of education to individuals and society are enhanced
         when its quality is high. For example, better learning outcomes - as represented by pupils’
         achievement test scores - are closely related to higher earnings in the labour market; thus
         differences in quality are likely to indicate differences in individual worker productivity.”
         (UNESCO 2004. Education For All: The Quality Imperative (EFA Global Monitoring Report 2005).
         Paris: UNESCO. Quoted in The Toxic Mix, page 18)

Education in South Africa is in crisis. I am so tired of this saying because every year the situation gets worse for the majority of people in this country. This has a huge impact on every sector of our society. We at Vuleka believe that a good and solid curriculum, well qualified teachers who are continually training to keep up with international and local trends, well qualified and committed financial and academic management teams are imperative for a school to run successfully. We also believe that the teachers and management are totally accountable for the academic, social, physical and emotional well being of the children at the school. It is also our duty to involve parents, caregivers and orphanages in the child’s development.

We believe that each and every child is a special creation of God and it is our duty to identify their gifts and to change and adapt the curriculum so that they too can learn to read and write and take their place as confident and contributing members of society.

CELEBRATIONS

2009 was a very exciting for Vuleka as we celebrated our 20th birthday. We held various celebrations during the year for pupils, staff and past staff.

Staff Reunion Dinner

On the 5th August we held a wonderful dinner for past and present staff. Many old friends attended, and memories and old jokes were shared. All staff with 10 years and more of service were presented with a certificate and a cross brooch. Our two founders, Mrs Susan Germond and Mrs Joy Chilvers - formerly Fisher - were each given an angel statue.

Founders Day

On Saturday 26th September we celebrated our first ever Founders Day with a Thanksgiving Eucharist to which past and present staff were invited, together with as many past pupils as we were able to contact. The Dean of Johannesburg, the Very Revd Gerard Sharp, who is Deputy Chairman of the Vuleka School Council, conducted a beautiful service in which we gave thanks to God for our school and for all those who have been part of Vuleka over the past twenty years. The service was followed by a breakfast for Vuleka Alumni and staff.

Fun Day

After the Founders Day service and breakfast our Fun Day was held at St Martin’s. This is a combined fundraising and fun event, and this year’s was the best ever. We had wonderful food stalls, games, books and a very popular jumble and white elephant stall.

Archbishop’s visit

The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, visited Vuleka on Wednesday the 14th October. Mrs Lungi Makgoba accompanied the Archbishop, and I had the privilege of showing them our St Martin’s and St Mark’s campuses. Our Archbishop is a dynamic man with a passion for education, and he and his lovely wife were interested in all we were able to show them. The Vuleka staff and I were thrilled to have the opportunity of meeting this wonderful couple and showing off our school.

School picnic

On Tuesday 1st December the primary schools and the special needs centre met at Delta Park for a celebration picnic. We ordered several huge cakes and every child was given a piece of the school’s birthday cakes. Our staff and children had a lovely morning of fun and games which ended our year of celebrations in style.

ACHIEVING OUR GOALS

Vuleka Primary Schools

Vuleka St Mark's, North Riding

Vuleka North Riding has continued to grow in strength under the leadership of the Deputy Head, Mrs Helen De Kock.

Computers and library
The North Riding computer room has been a major success since we have put in lightning conductors and a UPS, donated by Noel Hulley, to prevent dips and spikes in the electricity supply. Our children have been able to make good weekly use of the computers. Our interactive whiteboard has been very successful in that we are able to show our children step by step procedures such as how to use Google, as well as putting up Knowledge Network lessons for them to follow. Our library is up and running and, although there is still some education and tweaking to be done for smooth operation in terms of returning and re-shelving of books, the children have been using the library successfully.

Lego
Hands On Technology have supported us tremendously with equipment and training for the Lego which they donated, and our children have mastered very tricky mechanical design processes such as cranes, clocks, windmills and yachts which are able to move and work. This has been particularly successful with pupils who are academically very weak but highly technical, as it has given them a “hands-on” advantage over the more academic pupils, which has proved to be a wonderful boost to their self-confidence.

Eco-friendly school
At this venue we were able to enlarge our vegetable garden during 2009 by removing the netting tunnel and creating extra garden beds. The crops of tomatoes, cabbages, beans, onions and spinach were very successful and were shared between some of our needy families and assistants. The wormery has been less of a success this year as the children seem to have less food waste to bring from home for various reasons, and Mrs De Kock has supplied most of this herself. We intend to get the children more involved again in 2010.

In line with awareness of global warming we were able to plant additional trees in the playground, along the fence on Witkoppen Road, and in the quadrangle. Some were donated by St Peter’s Prep School, some by Malcolm Walker and some we purchased ourselves.

Sport
Our soccer field has finally come into its own and is being enjoyed by our pupils daily. We played soccer matches against Vuleka Jellicoe, with each venue winning an equal number of matches, and having a wonderful time. We also played against Unity College.

We were privileged to be offered volleyball lessons at Pocock’s Action Beach Volleyball, which is a very professional organisation giving proper training. Our Grade 6 and 7 pupils have swimming and volleyball on alternate weeks.
 

Our Grade 6 and 7 girls played a few games of netball against our partner school St Stithians under the guidance of Mrs Phyllis Honiball, and we were pleased with our performance, winning two games, drawing one and losing one.

The Wahoo Swimming Centre continued to offer swimming lessons to our Grade 0, 1 and 2 children. In addition to this, we were very pleased to be offered swimming and stroke correction lessons at Wahoo for our Grade 3, 4 and 5 pupils. The year ended with a successful gala being held at the centre. It was very heartwarming to see our pupils swimming like champions. My heartfelt thanks to Rick and Debbie Tudhope and the wonderful Wahoo team.

Cultural programme
Chess is very popular at North Riding under the tutelage of Mr Freddy Makgato, and we played several games against Vuleka Jellicoe. The Grade 4 and 5 classes, with the exception of a few new children, were all able to play chess by the end of the year. This was something unheard of in 2008. We look forward to more chess successes in 2010.

Pupil news
Gontse Morake in Grade 6 is a budding canoeist and participated in various events during 2009. He appeared in an article in The Sowetan. Sibusiso Punadi, our Sports Day Senior Victor Ludorum, took part very successfully in long distance road races of between 5 and 10 kilometres and won several medals. We are very proud of our amazing pupils!

Twinning with St Stithians
We had two visits from St Stithians Grade 7 girls in 2009. We divided the girls into smaller groups and sent them into the Grade 1 to 6 classrooms. The Vuleka children taught these girls some skills such as cultural dancing and singing vernacular songs, and in turn the St Stithians girls shared creative art ideas. The Vuleka teachers allowed for interactive learning to take place through the making of bird feeders, a debate on the environment, playing volleyball, drama and role play, and making Christmas decorations. It was important that our pupils were able to teach the St Stithians girls and enrich their experience of life as much as they did for our children.

Our Grade 7 pupils visited St Stithians where they were taken on a tour of the school and boarding houses, to give them background information and experience related to their setwork book “Spud”.
 

Vuleka St Martin’s, Rosebank

St Martin’s houses the Foundation phase of our Rosebank school, with Grades 0 to 3, four teachers, a student teacher and an assistant.

Computers
Our computer room, which is situated behind the stage in the church hall, was revamped. It was completely rewired, fourteen new computers were installed and security was upgraded. All four classes have a computer lesson once a week. This makes such a pleasant change from walking to our Jellicoe school for lessons.

We had excellent academic success in that four pupils from this venue were awarded scholarships to other independent schools for 2010, and our Conquesta results were of a high standard.

Cultural programme
We celebrated Heritage Day by learning about Greece. Mrs Divaris spoke about Greece, showing pupils many picture books, posters and artifacts which gave them an idea about life in that country. A Greek meal of pastitsio and salad was enjoyed by everyone. Greek music was played and Greek national costumes and embroideries were displayed.

Chess was taught to both the Grade 2 and the Grade 3 class. We are grateful to Mr Nic Divaris who came in once a week to share his passion for the game, and to parishioners of St Martin’s who donated chess sets. Good progress was made by our keen pupils.

Art was offered to the Grade 3 class by Claire Pantcheff and her daughter Sophie. Sophie is a qualified art graduate. When this class was asked by their teacher at the end of the year to name their most enjoyable subject, they were unanimous in saying “ART!”.

Sports
Each class had lessons in ball skills and swimming and benefited greatly from the teaching of Miss Linzelle Uys, who is a skilled sportswoman.

Eco-friendly school
We were very conscious of our environment and were very enthusiastic about recycling paper. The recycling bin left outside the school every Wednesday was filled up with all our classroom paper. We also set up nature tables in each classroom, bringing the fresh and beautiful things of nature into the learning environment. These live displays added another dimension to the children’s education.

Vuleka Jellicoe, Rosebank

Our Jellicoe school houses the Intermediate phase of the school (Grade 4 to Grade 7). It consists of four classes, five teachers, a teacher trainee, a student teacher and an assistant.

Computers and library
Once again we have taken great measures to ensure that we improve the reading levels of our pupils. The library is up and running under the expert guidance of Mrs Dee Jones. She has encouraged each child to develop an appreciation for books and has assisted all our pupils with appropriate extra reading books on a weekly basis. This programme has definitely paid off because the Vuleka Jellicoe team came first in the Phendulani Book Quiz 2009. The team comprised six pupils who had to read a total of 22 books each. They competed against four other schools and won first prize in three of the four categories.

Cultural programme
The art and cultural programme played a big role in our new curriculum development. We felt that over the past few years we had concentrated more on the academic achievement of our pupils and not so much on the creative development of each child. This year our aim was to make the children more aware of their environment and to appreciate fully what was around them. We encouraged all teachers to develop within the children a love and appreciation for nature by bringing nature into the classroom and by allowing pupils to draw and paint and express themselves through art. We have had some amazing work produced by our pupils. One of our Grade 6 pupils, Patricia Phalatse, won an award in the Webber Wentzel art competition.

Mr James Mpofu has built up an excellent chess team over the last three years. The pupils practice every Thursday after school and every third week St Mary’s School in Waverley send their bus to collect our pupils to play against the girls in their chess team. My sincerest thanks go to Mrs Hugo, the Headmistress.

Eco-friendly school
The Jellicoe classes took up the challenge of becoming an eco-friendly school. Each class committed to an environmental project for the year. It was such a success, and an absolute delight to see the interest and enthusiasm the pupils brought to their projects. The Grade 4 class built a bird garden which attracts the most beautiful birds to this venue. Pupils are learning the names of the different local birds and are feeding them. The Grade 5 pupils potted herbs and learned about different kinds of herbs and their uses. The Grade 6 class beautified the school by planting seedlings in pots and caring for them. The Grade 7 pupils planted spinach in Coke bottles.

Music
We were given new recorders by Leonard von Stackelberg, who is a pupil at The Ridge. Mrs Neaves taught 12 Jellicoe pupils to play these recorders. The St Martin’s / Jellicoe choir continues to wow audiences. Thank you to our talented and generous choir master Jared Ruttenberg.

Vuleka St Michael’s, Weltevreden Park

At the beginning of 2009 this venue became a primary school, with Vuleka’s third Grade 1 class starting under the leadership of Mrs Sharon Walker. The venue hosted three classes: Grade 00, Grade 0 and Grade 1.

Celebrations
The year started well and soon it was time for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Pupils arrived at school dressed in their best red, white and pink and a lovely time was had by all. In May the Grade 1 class went on a wonderful trip to Albany Bakery where they learned all about making bread. They were each given a taste of the different Albany breads and were given a ruler to take home. The Vuleka Sports Day were held in July, and the St Michael’s teams were definitely the most colourful with their new purple t-shirts. Everyone tried their very best and enjoyed a great day.

Spring finally arrived in September and once again the St Michael’s pupils celebrated in style. Spring dress was the order of the day and the mini fashion show was a huge success. In October, the most exciting news was received: building of the new school premises was about to start! There was great excitement as big trucks and graders arrived on the property. The children were fascinated by the concrete pouring and were able to watch the first pour take place. The building has progressed rapidly in spite of the rain and we are very eager to move in.

Sport
October had even more excitement when a company called Soccer Monsters approached the venue with an offer to teach soccer as an extra-curricular activity. All pupils participated in a free trial lesson which they thoroughly enjoyed. A number of boys have signed up and have already participated in some lovely activities. This will continue in 2010 and we hope to make it more attractive to the parents so that more of our pupils will benefit from the programme.

Eco-friendly school
October also saw the start of our vegetable garden. The church very kindly gave us a small piece of land adjacent to the classrooms and we are starting to teach our pupils about sustainability and the benefits of being able to provide fresh vegetables to their communities. The children have participated eagerly and we hope soon to harvest our first crop of bush beans, spinach and tomatoes.

In 2010 we will have Grade 0, 1 and 2 classes at this venue. All these pupils will be able to complete their primary school education at Vuleka St Michael’s as our new school buildings will cater for all grades from Grade 00 to Grade 7. We are looking forward to a long and happy future in Weltevreden Park.

Vuleka Randburg (Vocational Classes)

The Vuleka Randburg classes cater for children with severe learning difficulties. At this venue we aim to help each child to reach his / her full potential. We are able to do this by providing our pupils with a holistic teaching programme which caters for pupils’ academic, social, emotional and physical well-being. Each pupil is given an individual learning programme in numeracy and literacy that is geared to the child’s own level of competency. The year each pupil turns 14 we mainstream those who are able to cope into regular high schools, and the rest of that age group go to the Sparrow Technical High School, where they are taught a trade or a skill. The Vuleka Randburg staff together with a number of volunteers have offered our pupils an interesting and diverse programme.
 

Randburg Techno Centre
Our pupils continue to attend and benefit from weekly lessons at the Randburg Techno Centre. The Techno Centre is a project of the City of Johannesburg Community Development Department. In 2009 our pupils were taught various design techniques using Adobe Photoshop. The Adobe Corporation, through the Techno Centre, also sponsored a course on video production. The pupils were taught the three stages of production from the planning stage until the final product. They were given ‘hands-on’ experience and produced two documentaries. These documentaries were produced solely by our pupils. My sincerest thanks to Sandile Mlambo at the Centre for affording our pupils this wonderful opportunity.

Laptops
Members of the Bokamoso Trust secured 13 laptops for this class, which were donated to the Trust by Deloitte and Touche. All laptops are connected to the internet and to a printer. O’Keefe and Swartz have kindly given invaluable technical support throughout the year. Our pupils use these laptops in nearly every subject. A lot of research and learning has taken place using the internet. It is heart-warming to witness these pupils with learning difficulties accessing the internet for information with such ease. These pupils are no longer disadvantaged because of their poor reading and writing skills.

Cooking classes
Our pupils continue to have cooking classes at school, during which they are taught basic recipes which one could use to feed a family, and the skills necessary to open a business selling food. The Angela Day Kitchen continues to provide lessons to our pupils on their premises on a monthly basis. They have taught our pupils how to bake. I am extremely grateful to them for their continuous support and for the wonderful life skills that they are imparting to our pupils.

Gardening
Monica Coetzee, a student at Lifestyle Gardening School, has provided our pupils with seedlings and taught them how to create a sustainable vegetable and flower garden.

Music
The parish of Randburg Methodist has provided our classes with a music teacher. Deji Ayodele-Iyun has been an absolute blessing and has taught our pupils how to read music and how to sing in harmony. My sincerest thanks to Randburg Methodist Church and their minister, Elisha Maloi, for hosting our school, for the wonderful church services and for their continuous support and generosity.

The Early Learning Centres

Vuleka has three Early Learning Centres and three Grade 0 classes at the primary schools. Our ELCs have grown in strength under the gentle and nurturing leadership of Mrs Sally Yatt, who joined Vuleka in May 2009.

The Early Learning Centres staff attended many exciting training courses and workshops during 2009. First was a course at the Curriculum Development Project Centre on learning Maths and Science through Art and Culture. This was funded by the Jim Joel Education and Training Fund and was very rewarding for everyone who attended. We learned while we had fun experimenting and exploring our own creativity. Soon after this we all attended a two hour afternoon workshop at HeronBridge Prep entitled “Education for Democracy through Democracy”. This was a wonderful presentation by Lorayne Excell of Wits University. It was good to be together as a team and we were made very welcome by the HeronBridge staff.

The highlight of the winter months was our Sports Day in July. The day started off quite cold but we all warmed up while shouting our war cries and running as fast as our legs could take us. St John’s won the Spirit Cup - well done to them! Our parents eagerly took part in the parents race, and we even had some gogos running too!

September came and we were able to head for the swimming pools and enjoy water play at our venues. The clinics played an active role in our communities as our children all received boosters, polio drops and vitamins. We saw them again during the measles epidemic as many children had not previously been immunised.

During October the Grade 0 classes went to Miniland and so much fun was had by all. Our pupils learnt more about our country and were able to talk about the past, as well as having an exciting train ride.

November was very busy as we practised very hard for our concert. This was enjoyed by all pupils and parents. The talent and confidence amongst these young pupils is phenomenal.

We were given a lovely donation of books and educational toys by Biblionef (sponsored by the Jim Joel Educational and Training Fund). The books and equipment are proving to be very worthwhile in our classrooms. Biblionef challenged each class to “play the gift forward” by doing something good or worthwhile in the community. The Vuleka classes took up this challenge and have accomplished the following:

Grade 0 St Martin’s: litter clean-up in the community
Grade 0 St Mark’s: collecting food for the church soup kitchen
Grade 0 St Michael’s: Christmas concert for the old age home at their venue (December 2009)
Grade 0 St Francis: ongoing litter clean-up on the way to the library (weekly)
Grade 00 St Francis: collecting for the Lerato Creche in Soweto
Grade 0 St John’s: helping at Gallo Manor pre-primary (orphanage)
Grade 00 St John’s: also helping at Gallo Manor pre-primary
Grade 0 St Paul’s: made “love boxes” for the AIDS home (December 2009)
Grade 00 St Paul’s: collecting food for the poor
Grade 000 St Paul’s: litter clean-up at the park (weekly)

The final highlight of the year was the Monkeynastix Christmas party, which was incredibly well organised. It was like a mini Olympics. Our children were able to participate in many activities, and each received a Monkeynastix cap and a goodie bag. Our sincere thanks to Dirk Cilliers and Margie Peel for their generosity and the joy that they have given our pupils.

In 2009 Education Station produced lesson plans and worksheets for Grade 0 for the first time. This was a valuable addition to our resources and our teaching has benefited enormously from the wonderful work available from their website.

PUPIL NEWS

ACADEMIC NEWS

The academic standard of the school has improved enormously since we have been using the “Education Station” curriculum programme. The staff have worked hard at extending our pupils in every learning area and have focused particularly on improving the Maths results. We have also given more time to teaching specific reading skills in the senior classes.

One of our biggest challenges remains in teaching new children who come to our school with little or no English, and who have not been taught properly at their previous schools.

We have received our Grade 6 IEB results for 2009. They are satisfactory and we are able to use the results to assist us with our teaching in Grade 7 and to identify future high school scholarship pupils. Our Grade 4 English Conquesta results placed us 16th in the top 20 internationally. Conquesta is written by Australian, New Zealand, Namibian and Botswana schools as well as many in South Africa.

In 2009 we had an IQAA (Independent Quality Assurance Agency) evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine if learning and teaching were taking place in our school. We found this to be a very rewarding and valuable experience and learned a great deal from the exercise. Our IQAA mentor, Mrs Lynne Rivett-Carnac, found Vuleka to be compliant in all areas. A very encouraging report was received from the director of IQAA, Mrs Sue Gardener. A section of her report follows:

“The 'multi-campused' Vuleka schools based in various church premises have since 1989 been an educational beacon in several Johannesburg suburbs. The reports on the Model A evaluation of Vuleka's three primary schools and the special needs school confirm this esteem in no small measure. What comes through is what the mentor called a 'sense of missionary endeavour', especially on the part of the staff. To that could be added the application of the IQAA evaluation process in an open, realistic, efficient and enthusiastic way. “

SCHOLARSHIPS

At the end of 2009 we had more scholarships offered to our pupils than we could take up, but I was able to place 17 pupils. I would like to thank the independent schools of the Central Region for having such faith in us and in our pupils, and for their continued support of Vuleka and our pupils, and our dream. I would particularly like to thank:

Mr Ray van Gass, Redhill Prep; Mrs Jan Mallen, Roedean Junior School; Mr Paul Channon, The Ridge School; Mr Roger Cameron, St John's College; Mr Mike Workman, St John’s Prep; Mr David Knowles, St Stithians Boys College; Mr Tim Irving, HeronBridge Prep; Mr David Klein, HeronBridge College; Mrs Des Hugo, St Mary’s Junior School; and Mr Anton Dempsey, Jeppe Boys High.

In addition my grateful thanks go to the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, which provides the funds for most of these scholarships. Thank you to Mrs Mary Slack, Ms Claire Digby and Ms Cindy Petersen and members of the board for their continued support of Vuleka. I would also like to thank Mr Dale Jackson and the Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund, for the Jeppe Boys scholarship.

The following pupils were awarded scholarships:

Redhill:                                           Obakeng Letlhage, Katlego Tladi and Sihle Tshabalala
Roedean:                                      Busisa Nxumalo and Dimakatso Seleke
The Ridge:                                    Moses Nyirongo
St John's Prep:                            Ntokozo Dlamini
St John's College:                       Collin Magagula
St Stithians Boys College:         Lindani Miya
HeronBridge Prep:                     Olemo and Bayanda Tholo
HeronBridge College:                Samantha Mpala, Rose Shelton and Annie Sambara
St Mary's:                                     Sanelisiwe Khumalo and Tebatso Moepya
Jeppe Boys:                                 Vuyo Mathani

GRADE 7 AND VOCATIONAL CLASS GRADUATES

This was the third year in which we have had Grade 7 pupils graduating to high school, and I am pleased to say that we successfully placed every child into a suitable high school, according to their needs and abilities. Most of our graduates have gone to Sekolo sa Borokgo, which takes the highest proportion of Vuleka pupils every year.

Our graduates have gone to the following schools:

Hyde Park High                                   Wendywood High
Princess High                                      St Stithians College
Athlone Girls High                               Fourways High
St John’s College                                Langlaagte High
Parktown Boys                                    Waverley Girls High
Holy Family College                           Bophelo School
Rand Girls High                                  Queens High
HeronBridge College                         Highlands North High
Sekolo sa Borokgo                           Jeppe Boys High
Sparrow                                              Sandton View High
Dominican Convent

LEARNER SUPPORT

Many of our pupils experience learning difficulties, and initially it is often difficult to assess whether the problem is language based, emotional or a neurological problem. Vuleka is concerned with the development of the whole child: social, emotional, physical, academic and spiritual. We have procedures in place whereby our social worker, Ms Tilly Aphane and I, together with the class teacher and the parents, have a meeting to decide what is the best course of action for the child.

In 2009 Vuleka arranged for many pupils to have educational assessments at Coronation Hospital, Witkoppen Clinic, Tara Hospital, and with a private educational psychologist. These clinics and hospitals have been so helpful and efficient. I would like to thank them for their support and dedication. They have been truly remarkable and have greatly helped many of our pupils.

We also provide a counselling service at school for pupils, and refer parents to the Parent and Child Counselling Centre for counselling and therapy for themselves and their children.

All Grade 0 and 1 pupils, any new children and any pupil that a teacher feels is at risk have eye and ear tests. We have identified many pupils with problems and have assisted with follow up assessments and appointments.

VULEKA FEEDING SCHEME

We have continued with our feeding scheme at all venues. In 2009 we gave é-pap to pupils at each venue, feeding a total of 159 children every day. The feeding programme has had a very positive effect on the pupils, and we have noticed a considerable improvement in concentration and energy levels amongst these children. Last year we continued to receive a wonderful donation from Kevin Leo-Smith of a glass of milk for each of our St Martin’s children every day. Many of our pupils seem to have brittle bones, and in 2009 we again had several children with fractured bones. Our children love their glass of milk each day and definitely look better for it.

ANNUAL SPORTS DAYS

The Vuleka Primary Schools held their annual Sports Day at Rosebank Primary on Saturday the 18th of July, and the Early Learning Centres held their own Sports Day on Saturday the 25th of July. These sporting events provide the opportunity for every pupil to take part in one or more events. It was wonderful to see the talent at our school and to have such support and enthusiasm from our parent body on both days.

We were privileged to have Carol Cole with us for the Primary Schools Sports Day. Carol gave us her 67 minutes for Nelson Mandela’s birthday and took amazing photographs of our athletes and spectators.

I would like to thank Mr Lambert and Rosebank Primary School for once again allowing us to use their lovely sports fields.

CAMPS

Our Grade 4 and Grade 6 classes and the Senior Vocational Class all went to Kloofwaters for an enjoyable few days of fun and learning. The school camp is a wonderful experience for our pupils, and it is designed to teach them about nature and their role as conservationists, as well as teaching leadership and independence skills. This is often the first time that many of our pupils have been away from home, and it is thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

STAFF NEWS

Sadly we had to bid farewell to several staff members during 2009: Mrs Milaine Denison, Mrs Lyn Ford and Ms Thobeka Xoko. The Vuleka staff and pupils wish these staff members all of God's richest blessings and we thank all of them for the contribution that they made to Vuleka School.

We like to develop a culture of learning amongst our staff and we encourage the teaching and administrative staff to continue learning and studying. All teaching staff attended various courses and we held numerous in-house training programmes. Eight staff members have been studying towards degrees, helped by Vuleka bursaries.

TEACHER EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME

Vuleka's Teacher Empowerment Programme is still going strong. We started this programme in 2002 to assist qualified teachers who had obtained their degrees or diplomas at previously disadvantaged teachers' training colleges. The trainees complete a two year internship at Vuleka, under the supervision of the Head and senior teachers. Not only are the trainees receiving in house training on a daily basis, but we also pay for them to be trained in other areas. This year Gugu Msezane started the programme at Jellicoe and is being mentored by Janine Every and Marlene Neaves.

Freddy Makgato has completed his internship and will be teaching our Grade 5 class at North Riding in 2010.

STUDENT TEACHER PROGRAMME

In 2008 we introduced a Student Teacher Programme. In 2009 we employed two young gentlemen, Jutas Baloyi and Lucky Sibiya, as student teachers. It is so important for our children to have good male role models, as so many of them come from broken homes. These students work for us as teacher assistants during the day, and are paid accordingly. Vuleka pays for their studies at Unisa, and experienced staff mentor them and assist them with their studies. Our two young ladies, Kendall Batty and Linzelle Uys, have done well in their studies and will continue to study in 2010. We are so proud of the two of them and congratulate them on their outstanding results at the end of 2009.
 

OUR STAFF

Management:
Melanie Sharland                                       Headmistress
Janet Saner Director:                                Finance and Fundraising
Helen De Kock                                          Deputy Head, St Mark’s and St Michael’s
Marlene Neaves                                        Deputy Head, St Martin’s
Lyn Ford/ Sally Yatt                                   Deputy Head, Early Learning Centres
Jenny Dry                                                   Bursar

Administration:
Jane Trathen                                            Head’s PA and School Administrator
Thobeka Xoko / Tilly Aphane                 Social Worker
David Mazibuko                                      Admissions officer
Jeanette Malindi                                     Debtor’s Clerk
Zama Nkosi                                            General assistant
Jabu Khumalo                                         Handyman

Vuleka St Martin's:
Buhle Dumani                                         Grade 0
Hanna Ntuta / Charmaine Goyns          Grade 1
Emily Kapuya                                          Grade 2
Helen Divaris                                          Grade 3
Jutas Baloyi                                            Student Teacher Programme
Andy Sirewu                                           Teacher assistant
Sindi Sibisi                                             Teacher assistant
Esther Memudzivhadi                            Cleaner

At 19 Jellicoe:
Janine Every                                           Grade 4
Gladys Munyorovi                                   Grade 5
Marlene Neaves                                     Grade 6
James Mpofu                                         Grade 7
Dee Jones                                              Remedial (self-funded position)
Gugu Msezane                                       Teacher Empowerment Programme
Linzelle Uys                                            Student Teacher Programme
Merriam Ngcobo                                   Teacher assistant

At Randburg Methodist:
Joyce Peters                                         Junior Supported Learning Class
Peter Mmirwa                                       Senior Vocational Class
Gugu Mhlungu                                       Teacher assistant
Sanah Mokopi                                      Teacher assistant (paid for by Acres of Love)

Vuleka St Mark's:
Lauren Belcher                                     Grade 0
Sheryl Turner                                        Grade 1
Alexis Murdoch                                    Grade 2
Maano Matumba                                 Grade 3
Fiona de Sousa                                   Grade 4
Mpho Seleka / Veronica Mbatha       Grade 5
Glynis Hulley                                         Grade 6
Phyllis Honiball                                     Grade 7
Freddy Makgato                                  Teacher Empowerment Programme
Kendall Batty                                        Student Teacher Programme
Lucky Sibiya                                         Student Teacher Programme
Ruth Matong                                        Teacher assistant
Nelly Moima                                         Teacher assistant
Pearl Tongo                                         Teacher assistant

Vuleka St Michael’s:
Lauren van Steenderen                       Grade 000/00
Angelina Nyoni                                     Grade 0
Sharon Walker                                     Grade 1
Nomsa Sibisi                                       Teacher assistant

The Early Learning Centres:
St Francis:                                                                                                    St John’s:
Matlakala Mokgatlhane               Grade 000/00                                        Judith Mfikwe               Grade 000
Wendy Henwood                         Grade 0                                                   Dudu Buthelezi            Grade 00/0
Thabisile Buthelezi                      Teacher assistant                                   Ellen Dube                  Teacher assistant
                                                                                                                        Ashleigh da Silva        Teacher assistant
St Paul’s:
Ruth Mdlani                                 Grade 000
Jeanette Mofokeng                    Grade 00
Lyn Ford / Sally Yatt                   Grade 0
Martha Mogashoa                      Teacher assistant

PUPIL AND STAFF NUMBERS
Vuleka pupil numbers continue to increase annually. Once again we had long waiting lists for many of our classes.

In 2009 we employed six new teachers, two student teachers and two assistants. It is my privilege to welcome the following staff members to Vuleka School:

Teachers: Lauren Belcher, Charmaine Goyns, Sally Yatt, Dee Jones, Fiona de Sousa, Veronica Mbatha.
Student teachers: Jutas Baloyi, Lucky Sibiya
Assistant teachers: Merriam Ngcobo, Pearl Tongo

VULEKA WOULD LIKE TO THANK:

OUR PARISHES

Vuleka School would not be able to exist if it were not for the generosity of the parishes who host us on their premises. We value our partnership with these churches, and we like to think that together we can build God's kingdom for our youth. The churches are also instrumental in bridging the gap between the previously disadvantaged and the privileged, as well as between black and white people in South Africa. Many of our volunteer workers are from these parishes, and without their generosity with their time and expertise Vuleka would be a poorer place.

I would like to thank the following parishes, their Councils and priests for hosting Vuleka School:
St Martin's-in-the-Veld, Rosebank, Errol Dengler and Margaret Place
St Mark's, North Riding and Trevor Slade
Randburg Methodist Church and Elisha Moloi
St John's, Benmore and Peter Witbooi
St Francis, Parkview and Tim Gray
St Paul's, Parkhurst and Michelle Pilet
St Michael's, Weltevreden Park and Tim Long

OUR VOLUNTEERS

The Vuleka School pupils and staff would like to thank and acknowledge the generosity of the following volunteers or "Vuleka angels" for their kindness and much needed assistance at our various venues during the year.

St Martin's / Jellicoe

Artemis Lambrianos, Loraine Phillips, Janet Fleming, Claire and Sophie Pantcheff, Jared Ruttenberg, Nic Divaris, Felicity Gerber and Grace, Motlalepula Mmesi

St Mark's

Pam White, Kim Cummings, Linda Seymour

St Paul's

Sarah Edwards, Terry Boraine

St Francis

Ashleigh Vickers

St Michael’s

Peggy Simon

St John’s

Shirley Gray and the Crawford College students

VULEKA COUNCIL MEMBERS

The following members were elected and served on the Vuleka Council during 2009:
Mrs Karin Backwell (Chairman), Very Revd Gerard Sharp (Vice Chairman), Mrs Melanie Sharland, Mrs Peggy Kernick, Mrs Sue Pearson, Mrs Shirley Pickett, Mrs Lynn Fletcher, Mrs Cherry Owens, Mrs Yvonne Droste, Mrs Hilda Thema, Mrs Eugenia Nkwe, Mrs Ouma Magagula, Ms Lindiwe Khosa,Mr Douglas Kela, Revd Lankiri Thaba, Miss Puseletso Posholi, Ms Nonhlanhla Dube, Ms Angie Sibiya. In addition Mr James Mpofu and Mrs Glynis Hulley were elected as teacher representatives. Co-opted members were Mr Miles Crisp (Treasurer), Mrs Janet Saner and Mrs Jenny Dry (finance office) and Mr Sam Naledi and Mr Jerry Morake (taxi driver representatives).

I would like to thank each and every one of these members who give up some Saturday mornings to meet with me to help with the governance of the school. I would also like to thank them for their encouragement and support over the year.
 

VULEKA PTA 2009

I would like to thank the PTA for their support and fundraising efforts this past year.

The PTA organised and assisted with selling of refreshments at the following events:

Parents’ meetings
AGM
Sports Day
Early Learning Centres Concert
Fun Day

SPECIAL THANKS

Vuleka has been blessed in abundance in 2009. We have had so many generous donors who have believed in our work and have opened their hearts and their purses to us. Their generosity and belief in us has given us confidence that we are on the right track. Without their support it would be very difficult to have a school of excellence because their money enables us to obtain all the equipment, books and buildings that are needed to run a successful school. We offer them our sincerest gratitude.

Finally, my heartfelt thanks go to the following:

My Chairman, Mrs Karin Backwell for her unwavering support, fundraising, wise counsel and her dedication to Vuleka and myself.
The Vuleka Council, Executive Committee and Finance Committee.
Mrs Helen de Kock, Mrs Marlene Neaves, Mrs Sharon Walker, Mr Peter Mmirwa, Mrs Helen Divaris and Miss Jane Trathen for their contributions to this report.
The Vuleka teachers, teacher trainees and assistants who do far more than is required of them. They show true Christian love in their care for the children at our school. Vuleka is truly blessed to have teachers of such high calibre.
The team leaders: Mrs Helen Divaris, Mrs Phyllis Honiball, Mrs Wendy Henwood, Mrs Dudu Buthelezi, Mr Peter Mmirwa and Mrs Sharon Walker.
The admin and finance staff: Miss Jane Trathen, Mr David Mazibuko, Mrs Jeanette Malindi and Miss Zama Nkosi, who work so hard behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the school.
The Vuleka taxi drivers for their commitment to Vuleka, and for always transporting our children safely.
Mrs Jenny Dry, the Bursar, for her astute management, particularly of our school fee accounts.
Mrs Sally Yatt for taking on the difficult task of running the three Early Learning Centres and three primary school Grade 0 classes at the various venues. Her kind and nurturing manner has been such a blessing.
Mrs Marlene Neaves, Deputy Head of St Martin’s and Jellicoe, for the high standard of work she expects from herself and her staff and pupils. We are fortunate to have someone with her calm and professional manner at Vuleka.
Mrs Helen de Kock for running Vuleka St Mark’s and the junior primary section of the school so efficiently. Vuleka is blessed to have someone of her calibre in our management team. I am also very grateful to Mrs de Kock for always taking over the reins from me when needed.
Mrs Janet Saner, who is our Director of Finance and Fundraising, for her commitment and her belief in Vuleka, and her ability to find us the finances to build new schools and purchase the resources we need to be a school of excellence.

CONCLUSION

This is my 18th year at Vuleka and, as I look back over the years I am amazed at how our school has changed. One can only feel positive and optimistic about Vuleka when one sees how well our pupils have done in their internal and external exams in 2009. I am so proud of our children’s work ethic, self discipline and determination to succeed. None of the above would be possible if it were not for the hard working and dedicated Vuleka staff. These ladies and gentlemen sacrifice so much and work so hard to provide our pupils with an excellent education. Our finance department under the leadership of Janet Saner work miracles to ensure that we have the necessary equipment, buildings and resources for effective learning and teaching to take place.

Finally, I would like to thank Karin Backwell and the Vuleka Council for their support and guidance over the past year, and for allowing me the privilege of leading this wonderful school.

Mrs Melanie Sharland
Headmistress
February 2010

GIFTS IN KIND

Deloittes and the Bokamoso Trust for 13 laptops for the Senior Vocational Class at Randburg
Deloittes and Courtney Chikowore for doing the 2008 audit
Rosebank Primary and Les Lambert for hosting our St Martin's and Jellicoe sports programme and our two
Sports Days
Dr Tony Saner & Dr Sam Fee: many, many medical consultations
Woolworths Food in the Parktown Quarter and the Valley Centre for food
Hands On Technology for the magnificent gift – again – of Duplo and Lego and for including Vuleka in their pilot
programme
Patrick Ward for a piano at St Mark's and Anthea Newbury for one for St Michael's
Neville Pritchard and the JPO for a performance of Peter and the Wolf at St Martin's
Pridwin School, Shirley Gray, Supt Mkhize and the Rosebank SAPS for Easter eggs
Brian Germond, Crawford College, Georgina Bold, Contracting Services and Glynis Hulley for printers
Kloofwaters staff & Helen Carter for the sponsorship of three pupils on holiday camp
Greer Leo-Smith for tickets, transport and pocket money for the tennis at Montecasino
Malcolm Walker and Greg Royce and St Peter's Prep, trees for Vuleka St Mark's
Jeanne & Robert Walters for a TV and video at Vuleka St Paul's
St Martin's parishioners: books, bibles and dictionaries
Bev Schultz, the Ridge, for bibles
People magazine for a donation of books
Alistair Dry for a sports trophy
Linda Radford for yellow T shirts for Sports Day
Liz Coulson, Becky Stones – chess sets
Tracksuits for 15 chilly children: the St Martin's trackathon
Michael Bezuidenhout for toys and clothes at Vuleka St Paul's
Discovery Fun Factory, Gillian Holland and Heather Menego for the adoption of the St John's Early Learning
Centre
FAMSA counsellors for our Grade 7 talks
Mike Banks of Kraus & Naimer for a pocket bike for the Vuleka Fun Day
The Tarr family and Broadacres Spar for Greek food for Heritage Day
Jo'burg Social Services for access to the Techno Centre in Randburg and training
WAHOO Aquatic Centre & Liz Haupt: swimming lessons for St Mark's Grades 0-5
Monkeynastix and Dirk Cilliers for T-shirts, training and the fun they give, and the Christmas party for Grade 0
and Early Learning Centres classes

 Marilynn Berrington and St Stithians for the Phendulani Book Quiz and library books for St Mark's
Karen Walstra, St Stithians for help at the Maths, Science and Technology Olympiad
Peter Henning, St John's College, for a server for 19 Jellicoe; and O'Keefe and Swartz for a server for Vuleka
Randburg
Noel Hulley and Tower Electrical for the enormous UPS at St Mark's
Carol Cole for stunning photographs on Sports Day for her 67 minutes – and more- for Nelson Mandela's
birthday
Jackie Howard for her generous gift of Letterland equipment to the St Francis Early Learning Centres
Pococks Action Beach Volleyball for sessions for Vuleka St Mark's
All the staff families who helped at our Sports Days
Mike and Jan Sharland and Debbie van Aswegen for slaving in the kitchen for the Vuleka Staff Past and Present
Dinner
Tessa Nicolaou and family: Adventure playground for St Martin's
David Roussouw from SSB: financial calculators for all Grade 7 children
The Vuleka Angels – parishioners and friends – who volunteer their time and talents to so many Vuleka children
De Backery, Edenvale, Pick 'n Pay Gallo Manor, Pick 'n Pay Rosebank and Nomsa Khumalo, Pick 'n Pay head
office, and Solly van Staden and Yellow Bag Biscuit Co – for cake, biscuits and muffins for Fun Day
Sergeant Mdletshe of Rosebank SAPS for organising a trip to the War Museum for our Jellicoe pupils – and for
transport in a Casspir!
The Glenn family – for videos
Debbie Tudhope for guitars, a keyboard and books
Biblionef for Early Learning Centres books and training, and the Jim Joel Education and Training Fund for
funding this wonderful gift
The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust for funding scholarships for our pupils to other independent schools
The Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund for funding a scholarship to Jeppe Boys High
Monica Coetzee and Lifestyle Gardening School for teaching our Randburg pupils how to garden
Leonard von Stackelberg for 25 new recorders