Thank you for your support in 2011

This has been a very busy and productive year in the life of the Zisukhanyo Schools Project.

We would like to thank all the visitors to our blog for your interest in this Project.

We hope that you have enjoyed sharing in our journey throughout 2011.

We look forward to sharing more with you in 2012.

We would like to wish you a safe and peaceful festive season.

 Here is a 2012 ZSP calendar that you can download and print.

Download the ZSP 2012 calendar

Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.

Here are the results from an anonymous survey of educators at the Stage II schools after one year of being "actively involved" in the ZSP training and support programme.

Feedback from the Stage II educators

The project was an amazing help for me, my colleagues and learners in a sense that most of my colleagues can find their way around using a computer and learners are at a higher level in maths than a year ago. The learners are more enthusiastic in using the computer centre during interval, after school and over weekends.
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It had a good impact, since not only did the learners enjoy it one could see the effect in the classroom in the learners’ work and progress.
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The teachers are very excited at the impact the technology has made on the learners mathematics and language results. The learners are more excited about the lessons and the learning buzz is amazing.
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Made me positive and excited about teaching again ,lifting my morale and see it as an excellent opportunity to make teaching more meaningful and to improve my computer skills.

Learners can progress on their own level and pace and lift their self esteem as they feel that they have achieved something. The mathematics of the learners are improving all the time as the lab and the teacher are complementing each other beautifully.

The ZSP Project is a huge asset for the school as a tool to achieve excellence

Going the extra mile - The ZSP Team

A holistic approach to learning

"You can't teach a hungry child" is the slogan of our partner Peninsula Schools Feeding Association (PSFA) and unfortunately this is a reality in the majority of the Zisukhanyo schools. The Project partners with  PSFA to supplement the Western Cape Education Department feeding schemes to ensure that learners have every opportunity to concentrate on their studies throughout the day.

In some cases, where there have not been adequate food preparation facilities, a brand new kitchen has been funded for the school. Two of such kitchens are shown above.

South Africa had been experiencing a national shortage in bottled gas, which the schools use in the preparation of meals. However one school was determined that the learners would not be impacted so they came up with a very creative solution to the problem!!

"When can WE use the computers?" (part 2)

Here are the remaining four Stage III computer centres in use by the educators and learners.

"When can WE use the computers?" (part 1)

Since the infrastructure has been completed at the Stage III schools, we have been told that the constant question from learners at all of the schools has been "When can we use the computers ?"

There were two weeks of initial teacher training at the start of this term to familiarise teachers with the new procedures and software. But as of Monday 24th....well see below!

The teacher training is continuing as both learners and teachers explore this new way of learning.

In the Zisukhanyo family..

Stage III: And we're off....

During the school holidays last week, the "beginner training" was held for the Stage III schools. This training targeted educators who had little or no prior exposure to technology.

The aim of the training was primarily to banish any fears and to familiarise educators with some basic computer skills. Judging from the laughter and 'high fives' that were abounding during the sessions - I think it worked!!

"Do you want me to email that?"

One year ago, most of the educators at Sonwabo Primary had never used a computer. This time last year the ZSP Team ran training during the school holidays to familiarise the educators with their new technology:  2010 ZSP beginner training

Now in 2011 after a year of support and training...what is the verdict of the staff?

After school I talked to Mrs Nomfundo (left) and Mrs Guga (centre) who were both confidently inputting their grades into their reports. Here are their thoughts..

Mrs Guga..
Mrs Guga was so proud to call herself  "William's oldest pupil"  (William is the ZSP ICT Facilitator for Sonwabo).
" Last year I had to hand write all my reports, now I can type them myself" ( see below!)

Mrs Nomfundo..
"Before (training) I had a computer at home, but I couldn't use it. Now I take my work home using my memory stick."

" It's nice to be independent and do my own work (using the computer)"
When asked what she had thought one year ago, "I never dreamed that I would be able to do this"

Overhead while Mrs Nomfundo and Mrs Guga were working "Do you want me to email that?". After further questioning, Mrs Nomfundo explained she was now the proud user of a gmail account.

Using ICT to assist with their admin had gone from being a dream to a confident reality!

ZSP + Maths = fun

Meet the new Computer Centre Assistants and Community ICT Technicians

The Stage III CCAs and Community ICT Technicians (CTs)started at the start of September. Both the CCAs and CTs are currently enjoying their training as they develop their ICT skills.

"Learning without reflection is a waste, reflection without learning is dangerous"

Recently the ZSP Stage II schools carried out a self assesment of their progress with respect to the first four ZSP Strategic Objectives (ZSP Strategic Objectives)

Each school's feedback was delivered at the Control Board Meeting to their fellow Principals, Western Cape Education District officials, ZSP Team, Protea Education Development Project Chairman and other Project stakeholders.

Here are some of their comments..

Thanks to Beverley Johnson, Principal of John Graham for the quote from Confucius in the blog post title.

22nd August: a day in pictures

From vision to reality

Danny Gallagher, Chairman of Protea Education Development Project and Zisukhanyo Schools Project Owner, is currently visiting the Stage II & Stage III schools.


Danny has been able to see how his original vision for this Project, as shown by the Strategic Objectives, is now being realised by the ZSP schools and Team.

The slideshow shows the Strategic Objectives in action:

" I got more today than I did yesterday !"

Term 3 started this week and at all of the ZSP Schools learners were hard at work with their numeracy lessons in the Computer Centres.

During a Grade 4 multiplication lesson in the Computer Centre at St Mary's Primary, Asheeqah George (pictured right) stopped William Page (ZSP Facilitator) and proudly announced   

" I got more today than I did yesterday" .

One of the Project's Strategic Objectives is " Assistance to be provided in raising standards of literacy and numeracy". This proud comment from Asheeqah shows that it is vital to motivate and encourage learners to take ownership of their learning if progress is to be made.

Technology is not the only intervention that can be used to raise numeracy and literacy standards, but when it is thoughtfully integrated into the curriculum and used with accountability, technology can be a very powerful tool.

Well done Asheeqah!!

Mandela Day: Perseverance leads to success...

On Mandela Day, a story of how it often takes many people working together all willing to 'go the extra mile' for progress to occur..

Ziphelele Mdlalo (ZSP Computer Centre Assistant) reported that the server and some devices were crashing at Sonwabo Primary School. Daniel Aylen (ZSP Technician) went to the school and examined the devices. His extensive testing led him to discover that the voltage coming into the school was fluctuating greatly, with some of the power supply having a very low voltage and some a high voltage.

The ZSP Team contacted Alfred Sieberts (local electrical contractor) to get a official report on the school's power supply. He confirmed Daniel's diagnosis and also explained that this problem was affecting the local community in addition to Sonwabo Primary School.

William Page (ZSP Facilitator) shared the findings and the electrical report with the school management and as a result Mthuthu Ngqongqo (School ZSP Champion) visited the local City of Cape Town offices to report the fault.

After three days there had been no response, so Mario Rhode (ZSP Facilitator) visited the local City of Cape Town offices in person to present the electrical report and chase up a response.

The next day City of Cape Town electrical contractors were repairing the power supply to the local community!

It took team work, persistence and determination to not only solve the problem at Sonwabo Primary but benefit the school's local community in Gugulethu.

School Management Team training, Stage I schools

The ZSP Team ran two days of training for the School Management Teams of Eastville, Liesbeeck and Mitchell Heights Primary schools during the first week of the school holidays.

There were a variety of different sessions that explored issues including planning a whole school IT numeracy program, target setting, using IT to promote mental mathematics and evaluating the data produced.

The session varied from group problem solving, ZSP facilitator led school focus groups, Q&A and a practical session using the technology. There was even a guest appearance by the 'ZSP Players' role playing how to plan an IT numeracy curriculum!

The feedback from the schools involved was very positive. Staff appreciated the opportunity to explore, discuss, plan and seek guidance from the ZSP Team on all issues involved in managing a successful school ICT program.

In their own words: A learner's perspective (part 2)

This video is of Juliana from Sonwabo Primary, explaining how the ZSP technology at her school has impacted upon her learning experience.

The second video is of Luke, a learner at Jamaica Way Primary. He is showing his expertise at a mental maths exercise! Would you be that quick to answer questions on the times tables?

Can you see the changes?

I hope that you have been following the progress at the Stage III schools as their infrastructure evolves.

Here are the highlights from this week.

In their own words: A learner's perspective (part 1)

This is Stephen from Thomas Wildschutt Senior, his own words with no scripting!

You can also see this video here on You Tube.

Don't waste even a minute...

Learners at Thomas Wildschutt Senior are taking full advantage of their technology. Normally interval is a break from studying, a chance to relax. Not at this school!

The learners love using the computers so much that the Computer Centre is full for every interval. If you don't get to the Computer Centre quickly - you could miss out.

You may think the learners just want to play- far from it. Learners are taking the time to research information for projects, design and produce documents or even more impressively...practise their numeracy speed tests.

It is so exciting to see young people so enthused about learning.



Visit from our Funder

Mary Healy, Executive Director of the Human Dignity Foundation visited the ZSP Team and schools last week. The Human Dignity Foundation is the main funder for the Project.



Infrastructure evolution at the Stage III schools

Since the  Stage III launch, there have been extensive infrastructure changes at the schools as classrooms are transformed into Computer Centres, data and electrical cabling is laid (securely) and security features added. 

The pictures documenting the changes will be continually updated and available to view on the side bar of the blog over the coming months.

The staff and learners at the schools are delighted at the changes happening before their eyes. It is the responsibility of the ZSP Champion to keep all at the school fully up to date with the latest changes.



Using technology: Parent and child classes

Mrs Bevie, Jamaica Way Primary, has so enjoyed using the electronic whiteboard in her classroom for lessons that she has started a new initiative. She has arranged a couple of Saturday sessions where parents and learners can attend to develop how they can work together on school work at home.

Committed, Contributive and Alert

The Computer Centre Assistant (CCA) is an essential part of the Zisukhanyo Schools Project. The CCA provides vital support to the educator during Computer Centre lessons, supports the  ZSP Facilitator during training and is often involved in the school's extra mural program. The CCA is the first line of technical support in the school.

The CCA is part of the school's staff and recruited from the local community. They are put through a training program, designed by ZSP staff, that equips them to provide a high quality of support to the schools.

Quotes from two Principals about their CCAs:
'Patient, helpful, resourceful, good time management and knowledgeable in his work."
"She goes an extra mile to support us."

The application process for CCAs for the Stage III schools is currently underway, with the 10th June being the closing date for applications.

Stage III Infrastructure: Taking shape

Since the Stage III launch in March, there has been rapid progress with the infrastructure. During the Easter and public holidays much work was completed at the schools.



There are more pictures for each school on the Stage III schools page 

Stage III: Meet the Champions

The first meeting of the Stage III Champions was kindly hosted by Buck Road Primary.
 

The new Champions were a little apprehensive about the responsibilities of their new role at school, but they were encouraged by  Farzaana Ebrahim, Buck Road's Champion. Farzaana explained how she has driven the Project at her school over the year. She was able to give many valuable insights and answer questions.

Farzaana explaining how the educational software is used in lessons.

The ZSP Team then explained how the infrastructure phase would progress at the Stage III schools over the next couple of months. We will be following this progress on the Blog.

The Champions were asked to keep their staff regularly updated on how the Project is progressing and form their ICT Committee. The first responsibility of the Champion is to organise the staff ICT evaluation ( click for info on ICT evaluation)

The Stage III Champions are:

Die Duine:  Gino Overmeyer

John Graham: Liz Coldrey

Lotus River: Gwen January

Mzamomhle: Rosie Khumalo-Lande

Portland: Suzette Klein

Stephen Road: Rochelle Jacobs

Westlake: Jody Dawson

Zeekoevlei: Wayne Samuels

Click here for more info on Stage II Champions

Congratulations to Mr Dyasi, Sonwabo Primary

E-literacy training in the school holiday

ZSP Stats

It has been a very busy term for the Zisukhanyo Schools Project, with the launch of Stage III and the work continuing in Stages I & II. The schools close on Friday for a week, though the ZSP Team will be training educators during the holiday.

As a finale to the first term in 2011... here are some statistics about the Project:

ZSP Stage III launch

MSED officials, ZSP partners, ZSP Team and Stage III school representatives all joined together last Thursday to launch ZSP Stage III.

Eugene Daniels (MSED Director) and Clinton Walker (Khanya) spoke about how the Project supports the objectives of WCED. Danny Gallagher and members of the ZSP Team provided details about the Project.

The Principals and champions of schools outlined their vision for the ZSP at their schools.

The Stage III schools are Die Duine, John Graham, Lotus River, Mzamomhle, Portland, Stephen Road, Westlake, Zeekoevlei.

A picture is worth a thousand words...a video is worth even more!

This video demonstrates what the Zisukhanyo Schools Project is all about,
far more powerfully than we could ever say with words.
It is well worth turning the sound up and expanding the video to full screen!
(click the button with the four arrows on the video menu bar)

Stage I Control Board Meeting

The Stage I Project stakeholders met yesterday to present a penultimate self assessment before the Stage I Project closure at the end of August 2011.

School Principals, Metro South Education Department (MSED) Officials, ZSP Team and ZSP Partners reported on progress towards the different Project Strategic Objectives. It was very particularly encouraging to hear the MSED officials' assessment of how the Project has impacted on the schools' daily functioning. During the meeting Principals presented their ICT sustainability plans.

Danny Gallagher, Chairman of Protea Education Development Project (the Project owner), commented on the thought, honesty and detail that had gone into each of the assessments.

ZSP Stage III - Preparing to Fly workshop

Thank you to Mr Moore & Sullivan Primary for hosting the event.

Beyond the learners: E-literacy for all staff

Thanks to Thomas Wildscutt Junior Primary for the pictures and quotes.

Beyond the learners - Refugee Forum, Thomas Wildschutt Senior

Weekends in 2011 have become a hive of activity as the Refugee Forum Adult Literacy Classes at Thomas Wildschutt Senior Primary have embarked on the next phase of development – computer literacy in the Zisukhanyo Schools Project Computer Centre.

Andre, member of the school’s family of volunteers and convener of the Literacy Project, approached Mr Jansen (School Principal) and was immediately given the go-ahead to allow the transfer of skills and expertise.

Andre stated that although the programme initially started with adult refugees in mind, their kids have started to partake in the initiative.

Participants, young and old, have begun with simple, tentative exercises in Microsoft Word and by the end of the current year, other software packages will be introduced and mastered as well.

Thanks to Majdi Ryklief, Thomas Wildschutt Senior School for the article and pictures.

Reviews from the ZSP Schools

Schools have been back for three weeks now. Educators and learners at all of the ZSP Schools are getting into a regular pattern of using their Computer Centre to compliment their numeracy lessons.

We think that it is about time we asked the educators and learners what they think about their numeracy lessons in the Computer Centre:

"Excitement for mathematics is returning for the learners."

"Learners realise they must go home and learn their timestables"

" Gets learners thinking outside of the box"

Learners show "more confidence"

 Buck Road Primary School.


“In the computer centre we test the work we do in our class, it is a lot of fun for we to work on the mathematics sums.”  Epiphane Furaha, 7b

“I enjoy working on the  mathematics speed tests because it is fun and I always try to improve my speed test score.” Chris Mampassi, 6a

“I can't play games in the computer centre, but enjoy the mathematics speed test” Thareeq Yon, 5a

 Thomas Wildschutt Senior School

" Cooking in someone else's kitchen"

ZSP schools are running full timetables in their Computer Centres. The ZSP Team plans lesson activities for use in the Computer Centre that are linked to what the educators are covering in class for that week.

The ZSP Team works very closely with the Metro South Education District (MSED) Curriculum Team to decide on the specific focus for each week and to ensure that all the activities are aligned to the workschedules that are given to each grade. We value their support and experience as we work together to provide the best possible support to the schools. The ZSP Team is in fact " cooking in someone else's (MSED) kitchen" by invitation.

The Western Cape Education Department sets clear curriculum goals for each grade and learning area.The ZSP uses targeted technology interventions to support the schools in order to improve the achievement of their learners.The structured speed tests, mentioned in an earlier post, are an example of this inntervention.

MSED Director and ZSP Donor's representatives at Thomas Wildschutt Senior School

St Mary's Primary School

Sonwabo Primary: Back at work (with a little help from the computers)

Schools start today!

Most of the schools in the Western Cape open their doors to their learners today. The educators were back at school preparing lessons last week.

We are delighted to report that there were NO reported break ins or incidents of vandalism at the ZSP schools over the long summer break. This is partly down to the hard work of the schools and ZSP Team in securing the facilities and ensuring all the necessary precautions were in place.

Lessons will begin in the ZSP Computer Centres this week. We know that the learners (& educators) at all schools are keen to start.

Training for the educators starts this afternoon! Each school has a specific day per week, where it receives a structured training program written and delivered by the ZSP Team.