Sponsor Academic Session

Matric Extra Classes

The Grade 12 STEM learners were supported with extra classes between January and July this year. We are pleased to report that the classes were very well received and continue to build on the success of the Grade 11 2023 100 percent pass rate. This project served as a new milestone as not only were the 2023 matriculants assisted with extra academic support, but also the 2024 matriculants who attended the CDP School Improvement Programme sessions for Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and History. Both these sets of holiday classes were a week long and were productive. We look forward to the academic performance of these learners who have tried to maintain a level of commitment despite the numerous challenges currently taking place at Noordgesig Secondary School such as the tragic fire which occurred on the 27th June 2024.

Academic Support Classes

These sessions were provided to Grade 8-11 learners between February and May 2024. We intend on hosting another session in July 2024. In Grade 8-9, we covered English and Mathematics, taught by Ms. Hlongwane, a former recipient of our programmes at Noordgesig Secondary. Simphiwe commended CDP for their academic assistance programmes and states that it is as a result of our assistance and the university applications assistance initiatives that she is now able to be a fourth year Education Student at Wits University. We are proud of Simphiwe for coming back to assist us in this regard. She is truly paying it forward and serves as a beacon of hope to the students currently attending Noordgesig Secondary. We also partnered with Successful Smart Tutors who have empowered young students to share their Mathematics and Science expertise with our learners at the school.. Grade 10, 11, and 12 classes focused on Mathematics and Physical Sciences, taught by Successful Smart Tutors. The sessions were well-attended, interactive, and greatly beneficial for the learners’ exam preparations. Ms. Meyer and Ms. Flanagan played crucial roles in organising these successful classes. The classes targeted specific topics to enhance the teaching that occurred in the classroom and to clarify conceptual misunderstandings in relation to the content that was taught.

Mentorship Initiatives

At 11:30 on Saturday the 20th of January the Community Developmental Projects team and their mentees met at Noordgesig Secondary School for their excursion to the Botanical Gardens for a  picnic. Upon arrival at the Botanical Gardens the mentees and the CDP team were blown away by the scenery and the calmness of the Botanical Gardens, once the team had set up in a cool spot under a tree, and everyone had refreshments the  picnic games began. To set the tone for the picnic each mentee and mentor were asked to share an interesting fact about them as an ice breaker, which helped everyone get out of their comfort zones as well. The interesting facts that were shared were humorous and revealed more about everyone’s unique personalities. After the ice breaker, the mentees and mentors played a few rounds of General Knowledge. While playing General Knowledge we got to see a competitive side to not only the mentees but the mentors as well, while sharing jokes and a ton of laughter. After a few rounds of General knowledge everyone had lunch together, and got to know one another better, while listening to music.

Thereafter the mentees received a notebook and pen each, where they were asked to write down their short term and long term goals for the year ahead. Mentees were encouraged to set educational goals and personal goals, they were reminded to keep the abbreviation of SMART goals in mind while writing down their goals. Once all mentees were done writing their goals, they were asked to share with the group what they felt comfortable sharing. What stood out while listening to everyone’s goals was definitely how driven and determined they were to achieve their academic goals, they also had set out plans to help them achieve their goals and mentioned areas in which they would require their mentors assistance. The learners had also placed a huge focus on their mental health and how they would prioritise their time better and prepare earlier, to limit the effects of stress. The mentees were encouraged to reach out to the mentors for support and the day was a great success!

On Saturday the 27th of January, the Community Developmental Projects had a university and TVET application session, for late applications at Noordgesig Secondary School. The session began at 8:00 am and ended at 11:00 am. Our main purpose of the session was to assist learners with their applications. To provide them with the necessary resources to complete their university applications as well as TVET applications, and to share our knowledge regarding the requirements for their prospective study fields. There were a few learners who attended, due to their marks being quite good we were able to assist them. The learners who required assistance with their applications came prepared with all their documents, which made the process run smoothly. It was evident that these learners were determined and focused on bettering their future.

On Saturday the 27th of January, the Community Developmental Projects team, hosted extra classes for the matriculants. The matric classes started at 08:00 am to 11:00 am at Noordgesig Secondary School. The CDP team obtained help from external tutors, who held the classes while the team assisted learners with their university applications. The CDP team realised the importance of beginning the extra classes earlier in the year, which would help pinpoint the areas in which learners are struggling in, thus would make the classes more efficient and effective. The matric classes focused on Physical Sciences and Mathematics. At the end of the session the learners were requested to give feedback about the tutors and the classes overall, the feedback received was positive and the learners enjoyed how energetic the tutors were, and how interactive the classes were.

On Saturday the 23rd of February, and the 2nd of March the Community Development Projects team, hosted extra classes at Noordgesig Secondary School. The classes  were hosted accordingly. Grade 8-9 classes for English and Mathematics. These were taught by Ms Hlongwane and Successful Smart Tutors for one and a half hours per session.  Grade 10, 11 and 12 classes for Mathematics and Physical Sciences. These classes were taught by Successful Smart Tutors for one and  half hours per session.

The first session began at 08:00 am and the second session started at 11:00am. The classes were hosted by external tutors and the attendance from the students was quite high. During the classes the learners were encouraged to communicate in any areas they require extra assistance in. The assigned teachers have also equipped the learners with what to expect during their first term examination.  The learners  who attended the classes  were focused and found the extra classes helpful and informative. The learners felt well prepared for their first term examinations. The extra classes were a success with the learners' high attendance and participation during the classes. We are most grateful to Ms Meyer and Ms Flanagan for their assistance in arranging these classes.