|
|
|
|
|
Home page | Media Releases Index page |
|
8 November, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Western Cape honours province’s top teachers in teaching awards. Statement by Minister Donald Grant, Minister of Education, Western Cape Tonight, the Western Cape Education Department have announced the names of the top teachers in the province. The awards recognize excellence in teaching and education leadership and provide an opportunity to showcase and celebrate excellence throughout the education system. The department is honouring 44 regional and provincial winners and have presented awards in ten categories. The awards follow a rigorous selection process in all eight education districts of the province and regional finals involving clusters of districts. About 32 000 teachers in the Western Cape were eligible for nomination. The names of the provincial winners will go forward to the national competition. The awards recognized excellence in the following ten categories:
Two new awards have been introduced this year:
The WCED awarded certificates of excellence to cluster winners, along with an ICT voucher to be redeemed at a reputable ICT provider. In addition to the prizes awarded, the schools of the finalists also received The provincial winners tonight have also received certificates of excellence, along with ICT vouchers to be redeemed at a reputable ICT provider, the value of the vouchers at provincial level: In addition winning schools will each receive R 7 500 that must be used for professional development for the whole staff. Western Cape's top teachers for 2013. Excellence in Grade R Teaching
Motivation: 
Since 1979 Ms Lorna Such has been the principal and Grade R teacher at Babbel & Krabbel Hermanus Pre-primary School. Her hard work and dedication were also recognised by the WCED and she acted as grade R Curriculum Adviser. However, she opted to stay on as principal and Grade R class teacher because of her love for teaching her learners. As a principal and full-time teacher she balances her responsibilities with great ease and continues to grow her professional abilities by attending all skills workshops and planning and in-service training courses offered. Ms Such also plays an active role in the LITNUM strategy of the neighbouring primary school and includes this programme in her lesson planning. Her classroom is also utilised by the local primary school for aftercare purposes where she also assists learners with homework. She believes in playing an active role in the implementation of provincial and national strategies. Both the literacy and numeracy development of the learners are of a very high standard as a direct result of her approaches, as she believes the latter results have their origins in Grade R. Ms Such instils in her learners the love of Science & Technology by exposing them to material appropriate to their level where they do experiments. Every learner is exposed to the services of an occupational and speech therapist where challenges discovered are addressed at this early age. Ms Such has organised all learners to attend the local clinic for the necessary vaccinations. She motivates the parents to assist learners on a weekly basis with educational games. This ensures that the learners get individual attention and quality support. Ms Such values her colleagues and succeeds at building sound relationships with staff, parents and learners, where trust and respect thrive. Click here to view the youtube video Excellence in Special Needs Teaching
Motivation: 
Ms Roeléne Loots is a leader in her field of education. Her approach to learners with special needs is fresh and innovative. The learners in her class have serious learning difficulties and major challenges to deal with on a daily basis but she patiently encourages them to reach their own potential. By adaptation of the CAPS document she ensures that each learner has his/her own exit strategy, may it be to become a painter, gardener, tailor, hairdresser or baker. Her talent and tolerance in guiding these learners in applying themselves to adjust in the world around them is praiseworthy. She creates a safe, calm and very creative environment for learning to take place. Through her own expertise, dedication and energy she serves as an inspiration to the wider community. Ms Loot's approach to teaching has been recognised by other special needs educators and principals who often contact her for advice on how to adapt their school programme and curriculum for learners with special needs. She has also been recognised by the District and is now one of our Lead Teachers. She plays an active role in supporting educators from other unit classes in the district. Ms Loots is also busy establishing a Math Hub at Weber Gedenk Primary and assists learners in the Intermediate Phase with improving their Maths and Language levels. Ms Loots believes that the most important relationship in a Unit Class is between the educator and parents. One of the present learners working very closely with Ms Loots will be appointed as her class assistant in 2014. This in itself is evidence of the self-worth and confidence she instils in her learners. Click here to view the youtube video Excellence in Primary School Teaching
Motivation: 
Junain Adonis has been a teacher for 30 years, of which 9 years were spent at Pieter Langeveldt Primary School. Teaching is his passion and his commitment to the teaching profession reflects his vision; namely to prepare the learners for the future and to be true and worthy citizens. He has been teaching Mathematics and Natural Sciences for Grades 6 and 7 and, for the last few years, the school's systemic tests have shown satisfactory improvement. He is optimistic about the future and is involved in co-curricular activities, like rugby, excursions, camping and drama. He is in charge of the school prefects as well as the Disciplinary Committee. He frequently accompanies and motivates the learners on their outings to competitions, like cross country. His love for teaching reflects strongly in his teaching styles, assessment strategies and his relationship with learners as well as with his colleagues. To improve the LITNUM results of his school, Mr Adonis has embarked on a program of Maths classes over Saturdays and during holidays. This has resulted in a steady and worthwhile improvement in the ANA results of the school. Mr Adonis was selected as lead teacher during the Mathematics Training Session of CAPS. He attends Maths and Science courses through ORTEC. He developed his own monitoring and moderation instruments to moderate and monitor the quality of teaching and learning in Maths and Science. He leads the curriculum planning in the Intermediate and Senior Phases. He also initiated a Maths Hub and resource centre as part of the school's LITNUM programme. As subject head of Natural Sciences he motivates the teachers to participate in environmental projects. Together with the rest of the staff he does lesson planning and works out assessment strategies. Under his guidance, Mr Adonis has launched multiple projects. He consults with various organisations in his effort to get sponsors for the school. With his fellow educators and senior learners, he started a soup kitchen in Kayamandi. He is in charge of maintenance and security at the school. He invited medical students from the University of Stellenbosch to do presentations on HIV and AIDS at the school. He also co-ordinates an intervention program and camp annually, to deal with substance abuse. Mr Adonis started a media and resource centre at the school. Mr Adonis is convenor of many sport codes e.g. rugby and athletics. He also trains the female staff to participate in mini cricket and mini rugby. It is inspiring to notice the improvement of the learners' self-expression and confidence. This is reason why Mr Adonis gets the adoration of the community of Cloetesville and the surrounding communities. Click here to view the youtube video Excellence in Secondary School Teaching
Motivation: 
Ms Marsha Schwartz's teaching career spans over 22 years, of which she's been teaching at Paarl Girl's High School since January 2002 for the past eleven and half years. Ms Schwartz is a foreign language teacher, namely German Second Additional Language and Afrikaans, First Additional Language. She realized that teaching a foreign language would require a lot more than just being mediocre about the language. Ms Schwartz decided to travel to the country where this language is spoken, and registered for a course in teaching the language. She stays informed regarding the latest education policies and reacts positively towards changes in education. Being solely responsible for German SAL grade 8 -12 and Afrikaans FAL grade 12 places a huge responsibility on her to stay informed on the latest CAPS and the changes in teaching methods. She is responsible for the management of the assessment of the learners and handles this responsibility with confidence. She is up to date with relevant policies and information related to this task and eager to share her knowledge and resources with colleagues. Creating opportunities for learners through exchange programmes is an important facet of the Ms Schwartz's teaching. She loves sharing. Language flows in her blood and using technology in teaching is an important part of her teaching style. She created a learning environment in her class conducive to learning - her classroom is full of colourful posters and the tasks of learners are placed on the notice board of her class - acknowledging the time and effort spent to make them. It serves to display the creativity of the learners. She makes her subject relevant and interesting to her learners by taking them on field trips. She is sensitive to the diverse needs of the learners and constructs a happy and challenging learning environment where learners are able to explore and grow their potential. Ms Schwartz is humble, doesn't like the limelight and is referred to as a worker bee. Click here to view the youtube video Excellence in Information & Communication Technology Enhanced Teaching
Motivation: 
Mr Hywil Appolis started his teaching career in 1991 at Riebeeck-Wes Primary School as a temporary teacher. In 1994 he was appointed at Thaba Patchoa Primary School in the Eastern Free State. In 1995 he returned to Riebeeck-Wes Primary as a permanent teacher. Mr Appolis has a passion for computers and uses this to his advantage in the learning environment. This led to the school's receiving a donation of computers from the SHELL fuel company. He led the discussions with Khanya that led to the school receiving its own fully functional computer lab. A roster was drawn up to ensure that each learner would be able to visit the computer lab once a week. He also ensured that the teachers at the school visited a school in a neighboring town to learn how to use the computers and other teaching methods to their full potential. Today, as a result of Mr Appolis's love for ICT, this rural school has 20 sponsored Notebooks from Vodacom, 23 notebooks sponsored by Khanya, 15 whiteboards that can be used with the mobile E-beam Unit sponsored by the Vodacom, a desktop PC in each classroom connected to the school's network and the internet as well as wireless internet capability throughout the whole school ground. He believes that learners in rural towns should be exposed to ICT in order to enhance the teaching and learning experience. He believes that the use of ICT in the classroom and learning environment has endless possibilities if used properly within a controlled environment. Learners can submit their assignments on line for assessment and are taught how to design structures on the computer. He is currently one of eight educators helping teachers in the district to become more computer literate. Click here to view the youtube video Excellence in teaching Science
Motivation: 
Ms Horn's teaching experience spans over 21 years, of which the last 18 years were spent teaching at The Settlers High School. She is currently holding the position of deputy principal, heading the Academic portfolio of the school. Ms Horn is seen as a remarkable teacher, talented, intelligent and versatile, and as the principal would say "a perfect all-rounder taking lead in all aspects of school life". She heads the physical science department and has received numerous accolades for improving results. She has achieved excellent results. She keeps the teachers in her department abreast of all the latest developments and teaches inspiringly. It is not a strange sight to see this MS Horne at school at 6h30 every morning ready to receive any learner who wishes to receive extra Physical Science lessons. Her focus on improving the academics has seen improved matric results in terms of quality. Riding the result wave consistently at above 90% for the last ten years, the candidate marvels in seeing her learners go on and choose fields of study and careers in engineering, medicine and the likes. The candidate actively engages in searching for bursaries for learners for careers in engineering, medicine and others that require high expectations in physical science. The candidate is a published author of physical science resources for high school students. Ms Horn believes in lifelong learning and is currently completing her ACE in School Leadership at the University of the Western Cape. Ms Horn makes an impressive contribution to education at the school and wider afield. She is an outstanding educator and an inspirational role model for all the teachers, learners, parents and also the greater community. Click here to view the youtube video Excellence in teaching Mathematics
Motivation: 
Ms Crouch believes that children should have fun and enjoy mathematics. She has written a bridging course for grade 8 learners in Mathematics. A professional to the core, perusing the candidate's documentation, administration, learning programmes and work schedules is sheer testimony to that. Ms Crouch is an international mathematics traveller and taught lessons to learners in European countries by invitation. Teaching mathematics through the use of ITC and technology provides much joy for the learners. She runs tutorial programmes for grade 7 learners in feeder schools to prepare them to love mathematics when they arrive at high school. She arranges Olympiads, designs intervention strategies, arranges career expo's and competitions to make Mathematics desirable, accessible and friendly for learners. Because of the endeavours to grow mathematics, the school has a growing number of learners taking Mathematics as a subject in FET. Click here to view the youtube video Excellence in Primary School Leadership
Motivation: 
Ms Ingrid Leukes has been serving in education for 22 years of which the last 7 were spent as principal of St Raphael's Roman Catholic Primary School. Ms Leukes has created many opportunities to develop her staff. She has implemented supportive programmes identified from needs arising. Ms Leukes has launched a project whereby the school sells "wall panels" to willing parents and other interested parties. These painted panels will depict educational themes as chosen by her teachers. She has also facilitated the upgrading of the library and the Science Laboratory is the next target. These projects are in preparation for the School's 85th anniversary in 2014. As a supportive and encouraging leader, Ms Leukes has created a secure environment for her staff to perform. They responded by winning second place in the Grow Smart Literature Competition. Through weekly newsletters parents are kept abreast of school activities. Annual and quarterly planning is extensively discussed before being implemented. Through such a discussion two community needs were identified and resulted in the collection of "survival kits" for newly born babies. Ms Leukes calls herself a "professional beggar" but by so doing has managed to obtain funds to cover several projects at her school. Having no sports fields attached to the school, alternative means to provide extra mural activities were sourced; the school now offers chess and is part of a golf development programme at a local club. She has reorganised the school infrastructure, and implemented many new systems and policies. Leadership camps are now regular events as are sports tours, Boy's and Girl's week, and Career week for Grade 7 learners. Learner numbers have steadily increased since Ms Leukes' arrival at St Raphael's. Ms Leukes has successfully completed the ACE: School Leadership programme and encouraged several of her staff members to further their studies. Ms Leukes practices an "open-door" policy which has reaped many rewards for both those at school and the community at large. She is an approachable, positive and encouraging leader who thinks independently. Click here to view the youtube video Excellence in Secondary School Leadership
Motivation: 
Mr Scholtz's teaching career spans over 33 years of which 13 years have been spent at the Piketberg High School where he stills teaches History, whilst managing the school simultaneously. He believes in a happy school, as the leader of a school of opportunities. His motto is "PPC, Passion, Positive and Committed". Under his leadership the school's main focus became the creation of a working and learning culture at the school. In order to achieve this the school has implemented a value programme, where a different value is discussed with learners every week and this is placed on cards displayed all over the school for learners to see. Parents play an integral part in achieving this vision; meetings are held with the SGB, the Academic Committee and parents to discuss academic results and the curriculum. Under Mr Scholtz the school has adopted an alternative policy of assessment to give each learner the chance in life. Up to 15 learners are part of this project where they are alternatively assessed in reading, spelling, etc. He says that energy outside the office must equal energy inside the office of the leader. Mr Scholtz is passionate about lifelong learning and completed the ACE in School Leadership at UCT, choosing to ride the wave of optimism and the promise it holds for the school. Academically the school can boast with excellent results; Piketberg High School is a Dinaledi focus school for Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Science. For the past four years the school has been in the top twenty best Mathematics Afrikaans-medium schools in the Western Cape. The school's LITNUM results are far above the WCED's set goal. The school's Gr 9 Afrikaans results in the Systemic tests were the best in the province. Technology is used as a method of communication with all stakeholders, i.e. parents, teachers, learners and the rest of the community. Mr Scholtz is instructional leadership in action. He coaches teachers and administrators and mentors struggling educators in an excellent way. Evidence of his leadership skills are his outstanding instructional practices within the classroom as well. He constantly engages and inspires the educators and learners. He professes to be proud and blessed to lead a happy team through a system of common values. Click here to view the youtube video Lifetime Achievement Award
Motivation: 
Mr Hattingh has spent more than three decades in education. He started his teaching career at the same school, where he rose through the ranks and was appointed as Deputy Principal in charge of the Curriculum in 1995. Under his leadership as Head of the Curriculum, a careful and in-depth analysis was made to ensure that the targets set, are met. Over the past three years there has been a significant improvement in the school's results; and under his leadership 90% of the targets were met. One of the key objectives of the school was to ensure that more learners would take mathematics as a subject in grade 10, 11 en 12. There has been a steady increase from 2010 (35%); 2011 (53%); 2012 (55%) of matric learners who took mathematics and passed. During the WSE in May 2013 the school received an accolade in the report submitted to the school regarding its academic performance; the overall grade 8 pass rate between 2010 and 2012 increased from 99% to 100%. The report noted that the "significant improvement is a testimony to the careful diagnostic analysis of results as well as the effective implementation of remedial and intervention programmes." The school offers 23 subjects across the FET Band and stringent target setting, moderation and the diagnostic analysis of results are practiced for all the subjects. Grade 10 results over the three years has been 98%, 95% and 97% and in grade 11, 96%, 94% and 100%. Mr Hattingh design systems allow learners and teachers to understand why they make mistakes. He believes that each learner should design his or her own development plans. He values the importance of capacity building and leadership development. Mr Hattingh oozes passion, compassion, commitment, kindness, inspiration, respect, creativity and above all, integrity. Click here to view the youtube video | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| © 2013 Western Cape Education Department |