2008 NEWSLETTER

The St Johns Festival

Through generous donations from our regular overseas donors, we were able to erect 3 new classrooms which were ready for use at the beginning of the 3rd term. Pictured below, you can see the spacious new teaching areas which we are extremely grateful for.

New classroom 

Next year we will fill this space up again to capacity, as we will start a new class of young children turning 10, which will be headed by the competence of Mrs Francis. Mrs Abrahams’ class has moved into one of the new classrooms, and the 3^rd one is being used as a much needed dedicated Art and Craft room, which we feel very privileged to finally have.

We now have 67 learners at Khanyisa School, and this year we started a new class of young children, under the tutelage of Mrs Petersen. Mrs Petersen has been with us now for 2 years, and has readily become part of the rich tapestry of Khanyisa. Her new children have bonded well with her and have already made significant improvements in their abilities.

On the staff front in the last 2 years we have had a number of changes. Our new high school teacher, Mrs Zuraida Dramat, was welcomed into the Khanyisa fold in January. She has had many years of teaching experience and has brought with her much depth and wisdom, and her calm presence brings a welcome stillness. We said a sad farewell to Mrs Linda Rutter, who had been our very gifted music teacher for a number of years. We wish her well in her new teaching endeavours. This term we welcome our new music teacher, Ms Harlene Veotte. Mr Eddie Dawes, our mentor and science teacher, left us in the first term, and in true Eddie style is still busy as a bee, teaching, travelling and an active member of the Waldorf community.

Also new to our school is Mr Tim Ramsden, who replaced Mrs Roslyn Quinlan for the gardening lessons in January this year. Roslyn’s passion for the garden and the children has been continued with strength and vigour, and Mr Ramsden’s plans for a new orchard, grapevines and for the children to grow their own organic food are taking shape, much to the children’s delight! Our congratulations go to Ms Judith Seanego and her husband for the birth of their baby daughter, Reabetswe, who was born earlier this year. Judith was the Xhosa and Eurythmy teacher at Khanyisa. We said a fond farewell to her earlier this year, and wish her well for her future in Johannesburg. Our feisty gym teacher, Ms Carmelita Jones, also left this year to study teaching full time. Good luck and well done! She was replaced by Mr Abdul Aziz Jardine, who is already adept at putting our learners through their gym paces!

We also had to say goodbye to Bulelani Ndyambo and Garth Stout, who have been part of the Khanyisa family for many years. Having both been educated here, they took up positions in our recycling department in 2005. They both worked hard, collecting bottles, cans and paper to be recycled, making a difference to the well being of our planet! It was with regret that in July we had to close down the recycling work. We wish them both well for the future.

Our very dear colleague, fundraiser and administrator, Mrs Eileen Parker, was suddenly diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, so has been away on extended sick leave. Her presence is missed by us all, and we look forward to her return to good health, and us, in November. Mrs Hanna Hack, our Extra Lesson therapist, is also on extended leave recovering from 2 hip replacements, and will be leaving us at the end of this year after many years of teaching at Khanyisa. We wish her all the best, and a full recovery to good health.

Class 4, 2008 Report, Mrs Desire Petersen

Left to right:  (back)Matthew, Byron, Alonzo, Cebolethu, Tashreeq
(middle) Ismaa-eel, Fawziyah, Martha, Mrs Petersen
(front) Avram, Kauthar, Xenah

2008 has, thus far, been challenging and exciting for me, as the teacher of our new class, which was started in January.
We began with 12 learners but one moved to Johannesburg during the second term. All eleven children have really gained confidence and blossomed in every way since the beginning of the year. They have made wonderful progress in their reading and enjoyed the main lessons we have done so far, such as Man and Animal, Tenses and Fractions, among others. The theme for the year is Norse Myths and Legends and they cannot get enough of these wonderful stories.

We were fortunate enough to be invited to the beautiful wine farm where Byron and Matthew live. We also went to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium and went to see the new Green Point Stadium under construction. We also took a trip by cable car to the top of Table Mountain.

All the children have really enjoyed our movement time in the mornings and we have been incorporating music as well. As a result, there has been great improvement in their gross motor skills, which has also helped them to focus and work better in class.

Class 4 Handwork                                              Class 4 Dragon paintings

Class 5 Report, 2007 and 2008, Mrs Desirée Klassen

2007

2007 was an exciting and challenging one for the learners. They learned many new things and produced good work. Main lessons covered during the year were Norse Mythology, Environment Study, Animal Study, Life Skills, Mathematics and grammar in English. The learner’s main lesson books were really beautiful. They also handed in lovely projects relating to the main lessons.

The learners drew and painted colorful pictures and made beautiful items like clocks, stuffed animals, jewellery from beads and a cushion decorated with beads and sequins. They enjoyed many educational excursions throughout the year. The most memorable one was the visit to the Science Laboratory at a school in Tokai. The learners examined and spoke about different animals and insects. They were allowed to look at insects like spiders and bugs through the lenses of microscopes. The look on their faces was priceless! Just imagine the awe and wonder they experienced at that moment.

We went to class camp to Princess Vlei Eco- Centre. The learners looked forward to a time of fun and adventure and the camp was a huge success.

Left to right: (back)  Chadley, Taariq, Ibrahim, Mrs Klassen, Nathemie, Litha, Tamsyn, Tamryn,
(front)   Nathaniel, Lance, Yaseen, Mogammad

Drawings and handwork from Mrs Klassen’s class

2008

At the end of 2007, three girls left the class to attend mainstream school as they showed progress in their academic work. Three new learners, 2 boys and 1 girl joined the class at the beginning of the year, now we are back to twelve learners. It took some time for the new learners to settle in but they have adapted well to their new surroundings.ur main theme this year is Ancient Civilization.

The learners are really enjoying the stories and lessons on India, Egypt and Greece. They are doing Plant Study for the first time and find these lessons very interesting. Behaving like little scientists, they used the magnifying glass to observe the different plants we studied. All the learners are working well and are progressing at their own pace and level.

Class 7/8 Report 2008, Mrs Sandi Francis  

Left to right:   (back)    Zane, Daniel, Margaret, Greg, Dale, Rourke
(middle) Ihlaam, Uldriaan, Zikhona, Zihle, Mrs Francis
(front)  Vuma, Daanish

We started off the beginning of the year looking at the Digestive System. The children were very keen to learn and they did a presentation on different eating disorders and the effects they have on the body.

Next it was back to the time of the Industrial Revolution. The children were shocked at the conditions  which other children were subjected to. Many discussions arose out of the inventions at that time which led the children to research work at the library.

We are proud to announce that the book, Learning Our Way, has finally been published and released. It depicts the story of how we work at Khanyisa School and also what the children experience during the school day. The smiles on the children’s faces when they saw themselves in the book, was well worth the effort.

The children embarked on two new main lessons. In Copper Shaping they managed to complete a sugar bowl, spoon and candleholder. The skills that the children have learnt will remain with them forever.  

In Chemistry they made a crystal garden, their own salt crystals, and conducted many experiments of heating compounds, observing the chemical reactions. Soap making was also carried out which turned out to be loads of fun. So far we had an interesting year and looking forward to many more wonderful main lessons.

                
Copperwork                                                                         Mrs Francis with Mr Kotzuba, copperwork teacher

Class 9 Report, 2008, Mrs Zuraida Dramat    

 (Left to right: (back)   Abdul, Kyle, Daniel, Darlington
(middle) Mrs Dramat, Sibonisiwe, Cheslyn, Chad, Shanice
(front) Nur, Mosa
picture on right: Copperwork with Mr Kotzuba  and Mrs Dramat

I joined the Khanyisa family in January this year. With my new class, we set out on the journey “Who am I?” We started, teacher as wide-eyed as the children, with a main lesson by Mr Dawes about Magnetism and Electricity. The children participated enthusiastically in each lesson and no lesson passed without them gaping in awe at a new revelation about the many wonders of magnets and electricity.

In our first English main lesson we explored creative writing and the children boldly co-wrote an adaptation of the story, The Rocking Horse, in the form of a script for a mini-play. In the Geography main lesson, presented by Mrs Darries, The children discovered their special place on this big, fascinating Earth. They demonstrated this through their beautiful artistic work in their books.

Our second English main lesson had the children collaborate on a class poem based on The Highwayman. Each child had a verse which spoke to their soul and which they brought to the fore through their oral presentations. From the most reserved and self-conscious child to the crowd-woower child, they shared with us their feelings about the poem. In the Geometry main lesson we had fun with origami, manipulating paperinto several shapes and then drawing the shapes. The form drawing was both challenging and soothing.

My class of 14, 15 and 16-year olds prefer to be static, so I challenge them especially in the Movement lesson to have a greater sense of their physical bodies. In this 30-minute period we move fluidly from inward sleepiness to silent resistance to raucous laughter to energetic calmness. It has been, and is, a blessed time.

Class 9 / 10 Report, Mrs Lesley Abrahams

Left to right:  (back) Precious, Manuel, Joseph, Robin, Paul, Monray, Tauriq, Mikail
(front) Litha, Bongani, Jade, Mrs Abrahams

The year 2007 came to an end with mixed feelings; we had to say farewell to pupils who were either going to college or transferred to another learning institution. One pupil whom we are proud of is Siphenati Xashimba (Sam) who achieved good results for entrance exams for COSAT (College for Science & Technology). Well done Sam and good luck for your future!

Other highlights of 2007 were the Educational Tour to Namaqualand, and the combined two senior classes play, Romeo and Juliet. (for which they received a standing ovation!) 

The year 2008 started with many new challenges with new children coming in from the younger age group. The Life Skills lesson material dealt with sensitive teenage issues, which was sometimes a struggle for the learners. In these lessons one could see the wisdom of the Steiner approach as they were deep down ready and just waiting for the “tap” to be opened for them to release AND REALISE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

On one occasion they wanted to know why we do not use Xhosa songs and movements in our morning programme. I put the ball into their court. They put much effort in choreographing movements and songs. They also invited Mrs Dramat’s class to join them. What a result! They performed their movements and the Gumboot Dance at our A.G.M, which moved the parents to tears. This was at the time that our country was in turmoil over the horrible xenophobic attacks. At the end they explained that the country may be split but “ at Khanyisa we are one”. We are now in our new classroom and look forward to any challenges we might be faced with as the oneness has grown, and so have they.

 Art work from main lesson on mythical creations                       Paul’s homemade microscope

  

Dancing and movement group 

Class 10/11 Report, Mrs Roda Darries

2007

2007 was one of the most busiest and exciting years for the senior class. We began the year with a very special Life Orientation main lesson on Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Percival and continued with it over a space of 3 terms. It was an incredible journey for all the learners as it is about a coming of age story that resonates deeply with its listener and transforms the very picture of their understanding of themselves and all those that shape their destiny. It has been a strange and difficult road for all of them with myself, their teacher, having to be the guide on pathways that lead to the very centre of our beings; THE JOURNEY TO THE SELF. For some, a joyful realisation in self-discovery, for others, a rude awakening in the journey of adolescence. Yet, a magical experience that they will take with them for life. 

During the Social Science main lesson, they studied The Middle Ages as part of the Percival themes, and learned about the rise of Islam and the great battle fought between the Crescent and the Cross, during the Crusades. Out of this main lesson came the great realisation needed for all our young people in the modern world today. Through taking the time to understand the belief, culture and consciousness of others, we create tolerance and diversity and conquer fears borne out of ignorance. It is this understanding that brings the greatest realisation of all; that there are many paths to the Truth and that we all form a connected whole like spokes on a wheel that lead back to the centre. One humanity, One planet, One Creation. This truth came to its reality on our tour to Namaqualand. There were many special experiences on this amazing tour that could not be experienced in the classroom. We had the privilege of observing the starry heavens late one evening on the desert road. Many learners reported feeling small in this great stillness, a feeling that cannot be put into words but needs to be felt to be understood. The joy of being at the Orange River, and the unequalled beauty of the Richtersveld brought the two classes together as one united class. The most endearing moment was the visit to Kinderle: a gravesite that holds 32 Nama children massacred by Bushmen 200 years ago, while their parents were away. We felt honoured to be invited to this sacred site held dear by the Nama people. The souls of 32 children were remembered by our small group of 32 visitors from Khanyisa that day, and we could not help but feel, we were meant to bring something special to them as well as take something special with us. Some things are as mysterious as they sound. 

Left to right: (back)   Salim, Dylan, Floyd, Mr Selwyn Wessels (substitute teacher for the 4^th term)                     
(middle) Songi, Vuyo, Bradley, Lauren
(front)   Tiffaney, Tazwell, Danielle

We shall also not forget the wonderful time we had making our Michaelmas dragon, “Aubrey” come to life, with the senior class under all that hessian, paint, and fireworks! Drums rolling and swords held high, the young learners tamed the dragon, while the others looked on, wide-eyed with expectation. It was colourful, hot and memorable.

Aubrey in the making                           Aubrey in full flight at the Michaelmas festival

AND, not to forget our play, Romeo and Juliet, that brought the wonder of young love and lessons learned; that intolerance and hatred bring nothing but destruction and tears. In short, the lessons learned last year were invaluable life lessons that no certificate can equal.  

The cast of Romeo and Juliet

Joseph and Lauren  (Romeo & Juliet)           Sam, Zintle, Joseph             Lauren, Lita, Joseph

Robyn and Salim          Tiffaney and Lauren             Joseph                               Bradley

Phillip and Dylan                 Danielle                              Siya                                Litha

At the end of 2007, Donovan, Phillip and Siya graduated, a memorable and celebratory day for us all. They go on to a new chapter in their lives, and we wish them well! 

They are pictured next, very proud of themselves (and rightly so!), on their graduation day.

             Donovan Pyper           Phillip Faber                Siya Bunu                  The 2007 graduates with
                                                                                                    Mrs  Darries and Mrs Abrahams   

2008

2008 rang in with Poetry Analysis and Longfellow’s epic, song of Hiawatha. The Living Planet was next and we attempted to prove scientifically whether the Earth was a living being or not. This profound main lesson gave the children a deep respect for our planet and all its life forms. The ancient history allowed them to try and understand their own origins in the context of a global historical phenomenon. They had also asked and attempted to probe the question, how did Ancient civilizations know things without sophisticated technology that are scientifically proven today? We used the marriage of mythology and science to formulate theories about puzzling issues.

The Astronomy main lesson found the learners saying that they found themselves changing within by seeing how vast the universe is and echoing the words of Plato over 3000 years ago; “Astronomy compels the soul to look upward and lead us from this world to another.”  This is the awakening of consciousness.

(Mrs Darries goes on sabbatical for the 4^th term – we wish her a well-earned rest. We welcome our old friend and colleague, Mr Selwyn Wessels, who is substituting for her.)

An office note – Mrs D. Janssens, Ms J. Dawes, Mrs J. Thebus

There are many things in the Khanyisa School office that will fill your day over and above the tasks of administrating, fundraising or bookkeeping. We are fully practiced at multi tasking, and we have been trained well! From fixing the photostatting machine, re-linking our notoriously fickle internet connection, welcoming often unscheduled guests with a smile, fixing sore tummies or bleeding knees while answering the phone that never stops, or lending a sympathetic ear to a colleague or child. But, despite the sometimes “chicken without head” days, you will always find a space in that day to be grateful. Whether it is the smile of a child, a special moment shared with a colleague, a poignant gesture, a warm heart, willing hands or a hearty laugh. This is why we are blessed and feel privileged to work at Khanyisa School.

We wish to take this opportunity to also say a very heartfelt THANK YOU to all who support our work, both locally and overseas. The many foundations, trusts, corporations or private individuals that regularly respond to our needs with financial or material aid. With the support of those in the greater community, we manage to raise 60% of our costs each year. It is through these gestures that we may serve learners from all over Cape Town, and without this generosity there would be no Khanyisa. Thank you so very much.

List of donors 2007/2008