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nelson mandela bay's family lifestyle
author:
xandre van der berg
educational trilogy
photography:
zuko, lifegate photography
issue:
8, summer 2008
In each issue of people talk magazine we take a look at different educational options available in Nelson Mandela Bay. We are really spoilt for choice with excellent schools that could perfectly match our lifestyle and approach to the world we live in. With this edition people talk magazine takes you on a tour of three different Christians Schools, in Nelson Mandela Bay. You would imagine that Christian Education is a one dimensional matter – with Christian schools offering exactly the same at different locations. As our tour progressed we discovered that although each school’s environment is different, these school’s each have the intention to serve and positively impact their community. Established in 1983, Noah's Ark Pre-Primary School is one of the oldest Christian pre-primary schools in Nelson Mandela Bay. From humble beginnings, with just three pupils enrolled, Noah's Ark has grown to seven classes, with a total of one hundred and twenty pupils, ranging in age from two to six years. These Pre-Primary and Primary Schools are hosted on two campuses, one in Charlo, the other in Fairview. Both campuses boast excellent facilities, dedicated Christian teachers and high academic standards. The A-Beka Christian Curriculum, from the United States, is being used for pupils older than three years of age. This curriculum lends itself to prepare pupils to start reading from an early age. Throughout the educational process, The Word of Faith Christian Centre's Education Department, ensure that children at Noah's Ark Pre-Primary School and Willow Academy are taught the Christian faith and values. “The A-Beka Christian curriculum is being used by over 750 000 students in Christian Schools worldwide,” explains Word of Faith Education Department spokesperson. “Education, in this system, is based on the truth of Gods' Word and with God as the centre of everything. Pupils are not exposed to humanistic secular philosophies. Small classes and individual attention, the phonic reading program, the traditional math's program and strong emphasis on memory work, so that children can improve their memory skills and learn to retain information, ensures that each child receives a first-class academic education.” From 2009 a grade nine class will be established at Willow Academy. High School pupils will follow the A-Beka Christian curriculum until Grade Ten then they switch to the Cambridge British Overseas Examinations. Pupils will matriculate with a qualification that is recognized and valued by universities, education providers and employers worldwide. “Willow Academy, with an enrolment of one hundred and thirty five pupils, is growing daily. The vision is to always have a small school with a close caring atmosphere, offering excellence in education, from a Christian perspective.” In 1987 Harvest Christian School was established, offering private education for learners from pre-school through to high-school. With an average class size of twenty learners, children are guaranteed individual attention from dedicated and loving teachers. The school was founded under the covering of Harvest Christian Church and officially registered by the Education Department as a not for profit independent school, in terms of the Private Schools Act of 1986. Harvest Christian School today has a total of 400 learners, ranging in age from three to eighteen years of age. The school practices values-based Christian education at all phases of learner development. You would find them offering strong academic education by qualified staff and being particularly proud of their Cambridge International Matric. Graduates from the school continue to be accepted into university faculties where there is high demand and limited access. Harvest Christian School is a school of choice, renowned for its healthy academic standard and the personal care each child receives. The school aims to partner with parents in educating children in a dynamic Biblical Worldview. “As a member of the Association of Christian Schools Internations (ACSI), we are actively involved with the latest developments and trends in Christian education, globally,” explains the school's spokesperson. “The school is proud of the strong family feeling amongst its learners and staff and the support that it gives to individual children and to family units as a whole. Our moto: to know Him – reflects the singularly most important guiding principle embraced within our school community. It is through the experiential knowledge of the fullness of God revealed to us in the Divine Trinity that our individual and corporate value, on purpose, is secured.” “Harvest Christian School exists to serve the Christian families with whom we partner to train and disciple young people, in a Biblical Worldview, for growth, excellence and influence – this is our purpose,” says Greg Stokell, Principal of the High School. “We acknowledge parents as the primary educators of children, within the Biblical concept of family. The school seeks to support and serve the Christian parent in educating young people for a successful future. Inculcating a Biblical world and life view, where there is no dichotomy between secular and sacred, is critical to this task. “ The school's vision – “Growth, Excellence, Influence” - speaks of the call on Harvest Christian School and of their heart's attitude, as well as the behavioral patterns they hope to see in the lives of each of their students, as they move towards graduating from this institution. Core Values such as “Truth, Salvation, Redemption, Kingdom, Respect, Love, Honor and Perseverance”, reflect the essential values which are key building blocks in the development of the school community. Passing on the baton of Kingdom values and Godly-servant-leadership to their students is paramount to their purpose, with many students aspiring to participate in growing local missions outreaches. Harvest Christian School is one of 29 Examination Centres, in South Africa, registered with Cambridge International Examinations. “The Cambridge Curriculum has been selected because of its balance between knowledge and applied skills, whilst providing scope for values based education. It emphasizes the development of critical and analytical thinking and has proved to be an excellent foundation for further studies and equipping in general life skills.” At this school, students are viewed as uniquely created and gifted by God, each with the responsibility of using their talents to the full. “We believe in holistically educating our learners and provide opportunity for participation in a variety of life experience's with a wide range of activities. Sports include soccer, cricket, hockey, swimming, surfing, play ball, squash, netball and athletics. The music department has a senior and junior choir, various ensembles and music as subject, to matric level. Classes are available in drums, guitar, keyboard, piano, violin, recorder, flute, saxophone and voice. The Art Department offers art as a subject, to matric. Other extra curricular activities available include ballet, drama, highland dancing and equipping for local and international missions. Full and secure afternoon care is also provided up to grade 6”. The youngest of Christian Schools, in our city, is Tehillah Christian Academy, who believes in changing the world one child at a time. “The idea of a Christian school started in 1994,” explains Framyn Rabe, Administrator of Tehillah Christian Academy. “A lot of research went into this vision and many private schools were visited in order to gain information on Christian Schooling. Our aim was to have a school were Christian principles were taught, whilst providing a high standard of education and in the process, developing strong character. We wanted to teach students how to live, not just to make a living.” Tehillah Christian Academy opened its doors in January 1997, utilizing the School of Tomorrow, Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum. The Accelerated Christian Education Program is a curriculum provider operating in over 130 countries and serving approximately 7500 Christian schools. There are currently over 300 schools and 1000 Homeschools in South Africa using this system. The ACE curriculum material covers the Foundational-, Intermediate-, Senior-, GET and FET Phases of education. All learning areas are covered in the Curriculum. “Our aim is to cover all aspects of young development, starting in the crèche, where the Step-by-Step program is followed. Tehillah Christian Academy offers informal teaching, with the emphasis on enjoyment. Preschoolers start early by focusing on reading development, as well as a large variety of social skills, which prepare them to move on to Grade 1. Grade 1 being the most crucial year of any child's schooling career, provides the giant step into “Big School” where uniforms and school bags bridge the gap from Grade R into Grade 1.” Being labeled as the miracle year in their educational program, learners experience the joy of learning to read, during Grade 1. “Every year of education is over-shadowed by five golden rules. The learner must be on a level where he can perform, the learner must set reasonable goals he can achieve in a set period of time, the learner must be controlled and motivated to assimilate, use or experience material, the learner's learning must be measurable and the learner's learning must be rewarded. This is achieved through individual instruction, small classes, mastering of learning material, continuous assessment and character building.” At Tehillah Christian Academy community responsibility is fostered through a special relationship with “His Place”, a school in Greenbushes. Food drives, Christmas packages, stationary packs and frequent visits to the school form part of the educational program. Tehillah Christian Aacdemy is a member of the South African Christian Schools Sport Association (SACSSA). This allows our learners to participate on an inter-school, inter-Regional, national and international level, in various sporting events, including athletics, swimming and chess. Monkeynastics, Percussion Band, Choir, and Piano, are some favorite activities at the school. At the “All Africa Student Convention” (AASC) students from the age of 13 and older, participate on a national level in over 165 events such as music, debating, art, athletics and academics. First and Second place winners at the AASC are nominated to attend the International Student Convention in the USA, where over 4000 students around the world gather to compete in events. Tehillah Christian Academy acquired Silver Status (Internal quality assurance) in 1998, and every year thereafter. We are also provisionally accredited by Umalusi, the Council for quality assurance in general and future education and training. As an added bonus, you would find Tehillah Christian Academy to be host to various Homeschools across the Eastern Cape. These Homeschools are assessed twice a term and quality status is reviewed annually. Be it Tehillah Christian Academy, Harvest Christian School or Willow Academy – it seems high academic standards, holistic and value driven education is what you will find at Nelson Mandela Bay's Christian Schools. It is fabulous that even in this regard, our city has so much quality and choice to offer.
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