Thursday, 11 February 2016

Whitby High student group arrives into Capetown for I D Mkhise High, Sivive School of Skills and Sokhanyo Primary, Gugulethu

Capetonian Headteachers and their key global teachers patiently waited for the slow release of their UK twin school from International arrivals. To then find out that one British student's bag had been mistakenly taken, resulting in one very unhappy student  The atmosphere was quickly dispelled as the schools re-united after many years of international collaboration and friendships going way back.
What a week ahead is planned,with much preparation having gone before with Capetown learners working physically to clear the ground (thank you staff and learners at School of Skills) for a brand new adventure playground to be built utilising the Jungle Mania company locally. In addition an ambitious and meaningful wall mural to paint for the Sokhanyo Primary children to enjoy in the future as they play.All this has come together with commendable leadership of ID Mkhise, Sivive School of Skills and Sokhanyo's School Principals. We still await the arrival of the Zimbabwian twinned teachers and learners this Sunday to join in the action this coming week.

Welcome back to your second home Krysia and team and thank you for your passion and compassionate on-going efforts

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Wynberg Girls High's UK and ZIM Headteachers visit them in Capetown 2016

With the Matric final "thrash" being a braai (South African word for barbeque) and tented sleepover , their UK Headteacher joined in, undaunted by a blusterly gale threatening to swallow up the tents.

Wynberg's Shirley Harding welcomes her and their Zim Head, Mike Lusaba, even as the 2016 academic year makes a strong start in South Africa

This is a lovely partnership spanning over many years due to committed school leadership.

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Battswood Primary SA and Crossdale Primary ZIM meet in Manchester at Crossacres Primary

Kim and Mildrade meet some colourful characters in Liverpool on a cultural introduction to the North West of England   John Higham from Crossacres Primary, always the most amazing host

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Happy summer holidays for Southern African teachers and learners !

Following a very full year of teacher exchanges in four different directions, our schools' academic year comes to a close shortly - firstly exam marking, reports and a month long well deserved summer break

In 2016, we look forward to a number of student group visits in the UK February half term break, one of which will entail the building of an Elephant playground at Sokhanyo Primary  by students from Whitby High (I D Mkhise High's Capetown twin school) in conjunction with Capetown's Jungle Mania company.  Joining in will be learners and teachers from their Zimbabwean twinned schools too who will make the pilgrimage by bus . A real thank you to the staff and learners from Whitby High in advance for all the fundraising efforts to improving the lives of Sokhanyo's young learners, who will soon have exercise and fun in their school's play times.

We also look forward to a student group visit from Headlands High, North East England to spend time at Sibelius High, Retreat, Capetown, when they will be welcomed by the Headmaster Armien Samodien.

Devonport Girls High ( UK ) and Nsezi High (ZIM ) twin Principals to finally visit their Capetown twin, Wynberg Girls High school.

With the closing off of the Connecting Classrooms current grant, comes their next one in 2016, which we will update you on in the new year.

We have been forging close ties with an organisation involved in wildlife education which inspires learners to value the natural creatures in our countries, and the importance of preserving and protecting them. We are alarmed at the escalating numbers of rhinos and elephants being poached in our game parks and on our borders. If only the truth be known that crushed ivory has no medicinal effect as is widely thought in China and Vietnam creating the demand and opportunities for poaching. We would like to encourage partners to involve their schools more in appreciating the risks of unsustainable practices which ultimately will lead to the disappearance of wildlife ,with a devastating impact on tourism and jobs.  To this end we will pick up this conversation with yourselves in the new calendar year and already have begun to share with a number of Capetown twinned schools . Please see their website www.greenwallofafrica.com

We also wish our UK colleagues a happy winter Festive Season!  

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Bergvliet High's UK twin Neston High, Cheshire, in Capetown with student group


Super staff team welcomes their long standing Cheshire twin group despite a hectic time of year This includes learners trying to crack the code of letters written by their friends from far away! Great literacy and maths sharing inspiring learners and teachers.

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Sunday, 25 October 2015

Plymouth teachers off to Robben Island.  It's calm isn't it today?  Helen and Seilo are hoping so

Plymouth teachers on "top" of the world on Table Mountain yesterday

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy! And a very Happy Birthday to Seilo Wong
Hitting the road tomorrow at Zimasa School (Langa)  Morgenson Primary (Hanover Park) & St Clements (Grassy Park) Welcome to you all in the beautiful Mother City...

Monday, 3 August 2015

Ned Doman High Principal and Trafalgar High teacher explore their growing partnership with Bulawayo schools

Gwynne Philander and Linda Plaatjies are welcomed at the Regional Education Directorate offices in Bulawayo recently  Very impressed with the educational standards, enthusiastic and disciplined learners... Resources are not everything.

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

Sizane High's Alice Gumede from ZIMBABWE is warmly welcomed at Trafalgar High, Capetown city centre


Despite a very blustery icy windy day, Alice Gumede immediately felt "at home" with Mr Nadeem Hendricks welcoming her into his busy school on the first day of the new term.

Despite so many challenges, this school exudes tremendous leadership, being the regular Rugby Champions in the city amongst numerous other awards and tributes.

Afritwin teacher, Linda Plaatjies, is delighted to be able to follow on from this visit and be soon in the classes of Alice's school to compare and contrast their learning and teaching skills.

Follow us on Twitter @afritwin and Facebook www.facebook.com/afritwin

Monday, 15 September 2014

Capetown teachers prepare for visits to their twins in London or Manchester

Now there is Zimasa , Strandfontein Primary, Battswood Primary, Chris Hani High, and Heathfield Primary amongst several others starting to pack their suitcases with warm and rainproof clothes........ They know they return to a welcoming few summer months as well as end of year exams and plenty of marking!!!!!!!  Also going over is St Marys Primary in Retreat, Spineview Primary, Surrey Estate Primary, Steenberg High , Wynberg Boys High, Gardens Commercial High and Alexander Sinton Arts Focus school.  Alexander Sinton High is also off to ZIM!!
Wynberg Girls High in December and Plantation Primary also being planned.

Friday, 29 August 2014

Now it's Groote Schuur High (Capetown) to host 20 UK students from their twin St Aidans College & ZIM twin Magwegwe High

Another tremendous global partnership we are so proud of that grows in meaning and friendships too. Missing from this photo is one really great SA Principal, Marius Ehrenreich. Talk about a guy who leads from the front and inspires everyone he meets undoubtedly.  Wish all our Principals were like him...
Here we have several UK and Zim teachers, plus the UK Principal too this time having a "wrap up" planning meeting before heading up beautiful Table Mountain in all her splendour yesterday.

Gardens Commercial High team (Capetown) showcase their school and Capetown this past week

What an absolutely fantastic life changing week two Principals (UK & ZIM) and their key teachers had being in the hands of the Gardens High Principal and senior staff and student


leadership. All staff welcomed them bringing in traditional Cape Malay foods So much so that they said they really needed some exercise in Kirstenbosch Gardens!  Even tears from their Zim Head as she tried to explain her thankfulness to them all...... Great team and such great learners too their partners said - going places in their global partnerships!

Tuesday, 22 July 2014

Charles Darwin Primary in Northwich, Cheshire creates ERIC the Elephant inspired by their SA & ZIM partnership.....

Meet baby elephant sculpture Eric, made from scratch with just a few cardboard boxes, newspaper, bin bags and then covered in modroc! He originated in January after the Charles Darwin (UK) and Eiffel Flats (ZIM) joint exchange to Kirstenhof Primary (CAPETOWN in SA) when Year 5 pupils developed him, even when things weren't always going according to plan!  Great global teaching and great justice to the British Council funding providing inspiration from exchanges like this!  

Thursday, 3 July 2014

Frodsham Cluster (CHESHIRE,UK) last photo with Capetown's Steenberg, Floreat & Ferndale Primary teachers - icy cold front waiting here!


Another ZIM bound trip for Capetown's Zwaanwyk High, Oude Molen College, Dryden Primary and UK Hendon High School, LONDON!

Vic Falls firstly to see one of the most beautiful natural wonders on Earth......  Then Harare bound by flight and to Goromonzi High, Mufakose 2 High and Courtney Selous Primary to meet very special teams in all three schools - teachers who have already become their international friends..... Jayne