YEAR IN REVIEW: EDUCATION 2023
JULY AUGUST
8
On Saturday July 22 2023, Alexandria Christian Academy pupils won in all three medal categories at an interschools archery competition which was held at the El-Shaddai Christian Academy.
For their Mandela Day project, the Kowie Foundation school children brought soup ingredients for the soup kitchen.
In August, Talk of the Town ran the second Youth Day essay competition.
It was open to pupils in Makana and Ndlambe. A number of excellent entries were received on the two topics: ● Is the June 16 commemoration still relevant? ● What young South Africans need today/ Message to the President
The five pupils, all from Carriage Rock College in Kenton, learnt about the workings of Port Alfred’s community newspaper, as well as visiting the Kowie Museum and the newly opened Sunshine Life Centre.
Zerande van Deventer (girls’ U10) represented Kowie Foundation School and Eastern Province in Kranskop, KZN at the SACSSA Cross Country Nationals, where she finished in the top 10.
Ngcali Ngwekazi (boys’ U10) won silver in a 2km race.
Buhle Diniso from PAHS scored a gold medal in the Science Expo in Makhanda.
PAHS celebrated its 140th founder’s weekend, and hosted Stutterheim High School for a derby day filled with excitement and team spirit.
ESCA students were chosen to represent the Eastern Cape in Kyalami, Midrand, at the African Genesis Archery National Championships.
SEPTEMBER
All schools celebrated Heritage Day in style, by dressing up in traditional attire.
El Shaddai Christian Academy’s foundation phase had their annual picnic day just before spring day.
Kingswood College gap year students took part in wildlife relocation at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.
As part of the bridging year at Kingswood College, the students didn’t only do academics but they also learnt skills and took part in community engagement and nature conservation.
On Saturday September 2, Kingswood held the Interact end of year dinner and awarded Francine Mwepu from the APD clinic the Ubuntu award for her service to the community.
In celebration of Arbour Day on Friday September 8, El Shaddai Christian Academy pupils planted a tree.
Each class planted their own tree on the school grounds, with the idea of taking care of this tree from now until they leave
the school after grade 12.
PAHS foundation phase had a fun athletics day.
Happy Hours Pre-Primary pupils dressed up in colourful suits depicting various animals such as giraffes, zebras and lions, enjoy the Giraffes Can’t Dance concert held at their school hall on Saturday September 16.
OCTOBER
Pupils from El Shaddai Christian Academy headed to the SACSA (The Southern African Christian Schools Sports Association) Athletic Nationals.
The grade 12s at El Shaddai Christian Academy celebrated 40 days by dressing up in funny clothes.
El Shaddai Christian Academy sent five archers to Springs, Gauteng, to compete in the AGASA National Tournament (October 4-6), which consisted of three separate competitions namely interprovincials, where they represented Eastern Cape
province, interschools which consisted of separate bullseye and 3D competitions for their school.
PAHS grade 10 pupil Buhle Diniso made her school proud by making it through to the Eskom International Science Expo staged in Birchwood, Gauteng from October 2-6.
The 16-year-old Diniso came out tops with her scientific project that focused on the relationship between the density of fruit and vegetables and their nutritional value.
The showcase of scientific activities demonstrated by pupils at the expo included biology, the medical and technological fields among others, incorporating countries from the SADC region and beyond, including Brazil and India.
Diniso won gold, while competing against various schools in the Sarah Baartman district.
The regional competition had been running since March and her achievement is the culmination of tedious and painstaking research on her subject of study.
She joined six other pupils from the Eastern Cape who won through to the expo.
Grade 12s from seven Ndlambe schools attended a prayer and motivation gathering at the Port Alfred Civic Centre on Thursday, October 19, in preparation for their matric exams.
Education department officials confirmed that 528 matriculants from schools in the Ndlambe sat for their final exams this year.
Pupils from high schools in Bathurst, Alexandria, Kentonon-Sea, and Port Alfred, along with principals and district education department officials packed the hall to listen to various speakers.
Local pastors led prayers and a department official said pupils should pray and study hard to make a success of the exams.
NOVEMBER
The pupils and teachers at El Shaddai Christian Academy took part in the annual Inktober event.
Drawings were done according to a prompt list given by the initiative.
The aim of this event was to improve their artistic skills.
Happy Hours pupils brought soup items to make up soup packs for a soup kitchen that is specifically for children.
Congratulations to the top PAHS swimmers who were invited to take part in the top eight gala in Gqeberha.
Scarlett Tweedie got four gold medals and a silver medal and won the victrix ludorum. Jaimey Shaw got one gold and one bronze medal and her older sister Cameron, got one gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
Tash Marais was also very competitive.
Port Alfred High School held its 2023 sport, culture and enrichment cocktail on November 26.
Graeme College in Makhanda, celebrated its 150th anniversary of its founding in 1873.
DECEMBER
Closing off the year, in the last two editions, PAHS pupils Emma Pretorius and Tyler Kew took part in the ECSR Championships in Makhanda, Emma walked away with two gold medals and Tyler with one gold medal.
Happy Hours Pre-Primary had their grade R graduation.