Wings2012

Dear Friends

Welcome to the very first edition of “Wings”, the annual newsletter of Uplands Outreach. The name Wings represents the process of reaching out and providing our learners with opportunities, which is our raison d’être - our reason for being - at Uplands Outreach. Indeed, giving our children wings is a universal goal for all parents and schools. It takes a phenomenal amount of input, care, dedication, and perseverance to achieve this goal. Reforming schools, however, is notoriously difficult work. Former Harvard president, Derek Bok, once compared the difficulty of reforming a school with the difficulty of moving a cemetery. Our work at Uplands Outreach is indeed challenging, many times heart-breaking, and often – paradoxically - truly inspiring. We see, on a daily basis, the colossal challenges facing rural education in Mpumalanga, especially in ex-homeland areas where there was no foundation upon which our democracy could build. At the same time, we are privileged to work with many heroic individuals who serve (under trying conditions) as a life-line to our nation’s children. At Outreach we continue to search for and apply evidence-based interventions that will lead to success. There are plenty of places (and faces!) to find hope and inspiration along the journey – and we feature many of these stories in Wings. Our participating educators and learners, our donors, our volunteers, and our staff members – all these individuals strive for a better future for our children every day, and I’d like to dedicate this newsletter to them. I would particularly like to single out one dedicated individual: Austin Clarke, the Headmaster of Uplands College, for his commitment to the vision, mission, and staff of Uplands Outreach. Thank you, Austin, for your unwavering support as a fellow “tragic optimist” in the midst of our challenges. I hope you enjoy reading this first edition of Wings and I look forward to your feedback. Warm regards,

Director, Uplands Outreach, White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Nicky de Bruyn

Annual Newsletter 1

All children have the capacity to learn and become competent in literacy and numeracy, but many times that potential is not realised through their schooling, particularly for low-income children in rural Mpumulanga. Despite a slight improvement in matric pass rates in 2011, Mpumulanga remains one of the poorest performing provinces in South Africa, with an average matric pass rate of 64,8%. This means that over 22,000 learners in Mpumulanga, in one year alone, joined the ranks of the uneducated who are struggling to find employment, and who are therefore less equipped to become responsible, knowledgeable and productive South African citizens. These gaps in achievement reflect the devastating reality of disparities and inequalities within our country. What is significant to note is that this reality is neither bound nor fixed, but rather subject to change, provided that evidence-based interventions are taken.

Uplands Outreach was founded by Uplands Preparatory School in 1994, with the objective of reducing educational disparities in Mpumulanga. We are passionate about working collaboratively with our partner schools to raise the achievement levels of learners in rural Mpumulanga, by utilising the expertise, skills, facilities and culture of excellence of Uplands Preparatory School and Uplands College. Our vision statement, “Raising Achievement for All,” encapsulates both the Prep and College’s individual aspirations as top-performing independent schools of excellence, along with their ardent wish (through Outreach) to share the above-mentioned skills, facilities and resources of Uplands to develop and uplift partner schools. Despite the troubling statistics concerning rural education in Mpumulanga, 2012 has been a year in which Uplands Outreach, with immeasurable support of our donors and stakeholders, worked dedicatedly for the betterment of our province and country at large. We believe that the success of our initiatives rests upon our six core values that differentiate our programmes:

Innovative – we focus on promising new approaches to closing the achievement gap in rural education in Mpumalanga

Accountable – we regularly measure and monitor our performance, and our impact

Model of Excellence – we set high standards and promote best practices in education

Financial Sustainability – we secure predictable revenue sources for our programmes

Community Participation – we are responsive to the needs of our communities and stakeholders, and consultative in our practices

Far-reaching Impact – we achieve maximum value and impact for our donors, and our projects directly benefit learners

Six Core Values

The Context of Our Work

Fixing our Maths and Science education - Uplands Outreach shows the way Steuart Pennington

In SA it is well known that we lag badly in the quality of our Maths and Science education. In the Global Competitiveness report we rank 138/142 countries. But something is happening. Our university engineering faculties are rapidly filling up with outstanding young black candidates and Business Science graduates are 50% students ‘of colour’. So despite the legacy of the Bantu Education Act (1952) which banned the teaching of Maths and Science in our schools, we are beginning to see the emergence of many talented young kids who ‘know’ their Maths and Science. Why?

We have 100 000 NGO’s in SA all determined to make some sort of social contribution, many dedicated to equipping teachers with the competence to deliver sound Maths and Science tuition. Uplands Outreach is one such NGO, JJ Thabethe one such teacher. JJ Thabethe is a Grade 7 teacher at Maqamela Primary School in Clau-Clau, Mpumalanga – a rural community bordering the Kruger National Park. With many of the characteristics of typical rural communities, JJ has had many challenges to contend with. But determination, passion, and perseverance go a long way, despite seemingly insurmountable odds. (Oh how we wish there were more teachers who embody this spirit). Originally trained as a Social Science and Technology teacher, JJ has never been timid to approach challenges in her 21 years of teaching. Three years ago her school was left without a Maths teacher. Despite having limited experience (her last maths class was in 1980!), she vowed not to let these learners down and volunteered to take the classes. It was at this point that her school Principal introduced her to Uplands Outreach, the non-profit arm of Uplands College in White River, Mpumalanga. JJ enrolled in the “Teachers for Excellence (T4E) Programme” at Uplands, an initiative aimed at developing teachers’ Maths content and pedagogical knowledge – along with leadership skills and computer literacy.

For nearly three years, JJ spent almost every Monday afternoon at Uplands. She was joined by 44 other colleagues who received top-notch training from Uplands Math specialists and regular lectures from visiting University of Johannesburg professors. For someone who is responsible for the education of South Africa’s future mathematicians, JJ said that the T4E programme “saved her life!” by giving her the confidence and content mastery to truly thrive in her grade 7 Maths class.JJ said that she has learned the following over the past three years:• She knows exactly what to do in class, and how to answer learners’ questions• She learned how to work in a group

• She learned how to work with slower learners• She now has an appetite for professional development, and can’t wait to study more• She learned how to be part of a professional learning community

Her favourite subject used to be Algebra, but now she loves Geometry. She knew absolutely nothing about Geometry before, but now enjoys teaching it to her Grade 7s.Last month she celebrated Youth Day by joining her T4E colleagues in a graduation ceremony celebrating the achievement of their Maths ACE from the University of Johannesburg. On her graduation day at Uplands, in addition to her diploma she also carried with her the “Perseverance Award,” which is awarded by Investec to a graduate who shows special determination in overcoming challenges. JJ said that she was overjoyed to receive this award – the first trophy she has ever received in her life.

In just three years, JJ went from someone who (in her own words) “knew nothing about Maths, other than she liked it and was not scared to learn more” to someone who holds an Advanced Certificate in Education from one of the most distinguished universities in South Africa.

In SA a little help goes a long way. I wrote this tribute to the selfless work that our NGO sector does for the betterment of SA.

DEDICATIONLike bubbles of energy rising from the dark depths of the ocean

the work of NGO’s often goes unnoticed, unheralded and unapplauded

But with time and unerring certainty this selfless belief in sewing what is good

will enable the many, many beneficiaries of such givingto rise, to grow and inevitably burst onto the surface

with an energy and a forcethat will change this country

and its peoplefor the better

forever

originally published in South Africa: the good news 3 July 2012 www.sagoodnews.co.za

Our SupportersWe know that constructing a movement for educational justice will require many different stakeholders – both near and far - finding ways to work together. As such, we’d like to highlight and give heart-felt words of appreciation to the following donors and supporters: A sincere note of thanks to Investec Social Investment and their dynamic team: the inspiring Setlogane Manchidi and Namhla Saba. We deeply value our seven years of collaboration, experimentation, and success with Investec. An enormous word of thanks to Lombard Insurance, in particular to Miles Japhet, Johnny Symmonds, Cobus Kleynhans, Louise Bosman (pictured below with Violah) and their dynamic and engaged CSI team. It takes a brave and committed donor to underwrite a substantial portion of our operating costs – thank you to Lombard for being our bedrock! A special word of thanks to Tshikululu Social Investments and Rand Merchant Bank for their support of our new “Learners for Excellence” Saturday Maths programme for fifty Grade 10 learners. This programme is changing the life trajectories of these young South Africans, and we are privileged to watch this transformational programme take shape. Thank you to the Chuma Foundation and Avinash Parbhoo for supporting our Mathematics programme. Our Maths teachers and learners are tremendously grateful for your support and involvement. A special thank you to the RB Hagart Trust especially Lynne Fišer for her steadfast support. A resounding thank you to Makro Educational Trust, Makro Nelspruit, and Builder’s Warehouse – what can we say about these “forces for good” who entered our lives this year with a bang! Gwen Beck, you’ve put wind in our sails, and Maqamela Primary School is literally being transformed by your presence.

We work with many dedicated officials in Mpumalanga’s Department of Basic Education, and we thank them for partnering with us in our joint endeavours. In particular, we would like to thank Mandrew Nyambi, the Insikazi Circuit Manager, for his insights and sage advice.

Grateful thanks also go to Transnet Foundation and to AutoZone, in particular Jean Lindsay for her enthusiastic support. We deeply value the ongoing contributions from the Ackerman Family Education Trust, the Carl & Emily Fuchs Foundation, and the MySchool programme. Thank you for believing in our vision and mission over the past decade. Thanks also to Madds Warrener, the Dugga Boys and Singular Systems, whose support makes the SMILE programme possible. Grateful thanks also go to other new donors this year, such as JoJo Tanks, Produkta Nissan, Nashua Lowveld, Tracy Jackson, MySchool/Woolworths, and The Answer Series. We could not undertake the work we do without your support, so thank you! We appreciate all our donors and partners including the Uplands community who help us, in both large and small ways, to achieve our mission of “raising achievement for all” in Mpumalanga. We are so grateful! For more information about supporting our exciting programmes in 2012 and beyond, please contact : Nicky de Bruyn, Director of Uplands Outreach, on 013 751 5057 or send an email to ndebruyn@uplandscollege.org.

These are some of the responses we received when we asked the T4E teachers to reflect on how their teaching methods have changed.

“I gained a lot of confidence ever since I did Maths at UJ. I also gained new methods of presenting a Maths lesson. Now I know the importance of a good foundation to learners. I give myself time to make them understand the four basic operations in Maths. I developed so much passion for Maths. I do not leave topics untouched like I did before.”

EV Maluka, Grade 7 Maths Teacher at Emtfonjeni Combined, teaching 166 Grade 7 maths learners this year

“In 2011 I was given a Grade 11 class to teach Maths. I was wondering how am I going to retrieve the long lost information. Fortunately enough, the T4E programme was introduced the very same year! The programme has groomed me in my teaching of Maths which has led to an improvement in my learner’s results. ”

Grace Ngobeni, teaching 185 Grade 9 learners at Guduza

“Since I began the programme, there is a big difference and great improvement on how I teach. The performance of the learners has improved too. As I was on the FET band, I’ve requested to be moved back to the GET band to lay a good foundation to our learners and this has made a big impact - our GET learners have improved and they also see the importance of doing mathematics.”

Mumsy Maile, Deputy Principal of Fundinjobo and Maths teacher (133 Grade 9 learners this year) Fundinjobo increased its maths

matric pass rate from 29.6% to 81 .8% in 2011

Feedback from some of our Grade Ten learners in the “Learners for Excellence” Maths programme... L4E has taught me so much. I can now calculate in my head without using a calculator. I love Readers are Leaders because it has helped me with my English. The programme is very motivational.

Welcome Maseko L4E has improved my Maths marks at school. Before, I could not solve equations. Now I can. L4E has made maths much easier for me.

Thembelinhle Mawela My maths marks at school are much higher now. L4E has made me serious about school and my books. I am confident to write my weekly L4E Journal.

Bethule Madonsela

Real Life Success Stories and Reflections from our Beneficiaries

Before L4E, I did not understand maths very well. This programme changed my life. Now I understand how maths works and I know what my goals are.

Lindokuhle Mpopo (above, right) I love L4E. I can read faster now, and I can understand maths properly.

Tengetile Mkhonta (above, left)

Maradona Mashigo scored 94% on his 2009 matric Maths exam and was awarded a bursary to study Medicine in Cuba. Now in his third year, Maradona reports that he’s just received distinctions in his academic work (all lessons are conducted in Spanish), and that he now speaks better Spanish than English! He shared the following: “...through your teachings and support I was able to make it to varsity and embark and study medicine outside the country in Cuba. I will forever show gratitude towards you and the program which helped me.” Simphiwe Nyundu matriculated in 2010 from Khutsalani and is in her second year at the University of Limpopo doing B Sc Computer Science. The university offered her a bursary, but the bursary was just for one year only. She worked hard and passed with flying colours the end of the year, and so the university offered her another bursary. Simphiwe reports that her June results were good, that things are going well, and she said that, “if you work hard, everything will go smoothly.” Muzi Tshabalala scored 100% on his 2009 matric Maths exam. He is now studying Actuarial Science at the University of Pretoria. He reports that he is doing well, and he continues to keep his goals at the front of his mind. He advises spending more time with books than with friends, especially before exams, in order to keep your marks up.

“The level of commitment, effort and enthusiasm shown by our L4E learners is extraordinary. To witness their progress in Maths and literacy and their personal growth is inspiring. They give me hope for a bright future in South Africa.”

Tracey ButchartFacilitator, L4E

Austin ClarkeHeadmaster: Uplands College

My road to Mpumalanga started at least 10 years ago when I was in high school. In ninth grade my country, the United States of America, was attacked in the infamous events of September 11th. Like many people, I was compelled to do something to help my country in a time of need. Upon serious consideration into joining the military, my grandfather, a World War II veteran, wrote me a letter that changed my life. He explained to me the futility of war and violence, and the dire need for peace in our world. It was then that I made the decision that I would someday join the US Peace Corps, my country’s humanitarian wing operating in over 70 developing countries world-wide.

In 2009 I graduated University with a degree in Sociology. I married my wife, Em, shortly thereafter. After a year of working to pay off student debt, we both enrolled in the Peace Corps and were placed in South Africa. By July of 2010, we had arrived at OR Tambo. After analyzing our skills and competencies, our Peace Corps Administrators, in collaboration with the DOE, placed us to work at government schools in Clau-Clau, in addition to supporting the work of Uplands Outreach NPO. We currently live in Clau-Clau, in the neighborhood of Engulubeni, sharing a stand with Gogo and Mkhulu Mnisi and their three grandchildren. My typical week involves teaching English and Geography at Mbuyane Secondary School, while spending each Friday supporting Uplands Outreach in their various educational initiatives.

We have come to quickly discover South Africa as a “land of contrasts.” Indeed, the environment of Uplands is vastly different than that of Mbuyane, a no-fee school in a highly marginalized area of Clau-

Focus on a volunteer - Buddy Scarborough’s StoryClau. However, I have been privileged to bridge this connection between these two-worlds through individuals who share a commitment to improving South Africa’s education. Whether I am working hands on with learners at my school, or assisting the staff at Outreach, the common goal of improving education is always being realized. I am not alone in my association at Uplands, in fact five of my colleagues at Mbuyane have just completed their ACE in Maths through Outreach’s Teachers for Excellence (T4E) programme. Five of Mbuyane’s Grade Ten learners are participating in the Learners for Excellence (L4E) Saturday programme. Ten years ago, I never imagined my journey would have landed me in an RDP house in the valley of Clau-Clau. Yet, now here I am, speaking siSwati with a Gogo and Mkhulu who I love dearly, and teaching English to restless grade 10 learners. In the beautiful land of South Africa, I have learned that peace can be made through education, a lesson that many have adopted in Mpumalanga.

Recent Highlights

Maths Educators GraduateOn 16 June 2012, 45 Mathematics educators and their families from the Ehlanzeni District gathered around the Uplands College school hall, catching the first gleams of sunlight as they chatted excitedly amongst one another. This gathering clearly marked an occasion to remember. The 37 male and 8 female Maths educators form part of the Teachers for Excellence (T4E) programme, a group of dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly for the past three years with Uplands Outreach and Investec in order to complete their ACE (Advanced Certificate in Education) qualification through the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Supplementary support was offered by Uplands Outreach in the form of weekly contact sessions in Maths content, pedagogy, leadership, literacy, and computer literacy. Forty-four of the 45 teachers reached the pinnacle of this transformational programme and received their ACE diploma in Mathematics at Uplands.

The T4E programme boasts a retention rate of 86%, as well as an average attendance rate of 84% for the past three years. It is this spirit of resilience and determination that characterises these Maths educators, making the graduation ceremony such a joyous celebration!

Donor VisitsInvestec attended the UJ Graduation Day in June, and it was wonderful to have Setlogane Manchidi’s commanding presence at the event (above left) along with Namhla Saba. Outreach hosted a dedicated social investment team from Lombard Insurance recently; it was wonderful to have Louise, Hannes, and Elise join us for lunch, and then attend the SMILE programme at the College. Lombard Insurance supports Outreach with general operating funds, and therefore provides the platform for all our educational programmes and projects. Builder’s Warehouse and JoJo Tanks have kindly donated four 5,000 litre tanks to our partner school in Clau-Clau, Maqamela Primary! Along with guttering, the tanks will be used for rain-water harvesting at the school. This connection has arisen through our partnership with Gwen Beck (who visited us earler this year) and the Makro Educational Trust.

Uplands Pupil Raises MoneyMadds and Skye Warrener raised over R8,300 at a recent event for the SMILE programme, which is fantastic news! Madds is a long-standing supporter of SMILE, and Skye participates actively in the Wednesday conversational literacy programme with Uplands pupils and Maqamela Primary Grade 3 learners. Skye participates in SMILE with “her whole heart” as do the other 15 Uplands pupils who gather every Wednesday afternoon.

Woolworths Fleeces From MySchoolRecently, MySchool approved an Outreach proposal for 50 polar fleeces from Woolworths for our Learners for Excellence maths programme participants. Each Saturday, our 50 Grade Ten learners await transport to Uplands at 6am, and as winter settled into White River, the warm fleeces have made a huge difference. The donation is worth over R10,000 and we are thrilled to be the recipients! Thank you to MySchool for this terrific donation – and a reminder to please keep swiping your MySchool cards!

Outreach’s First VehicleOur new Outreach vehicle, a Nissan Tiida, has been branded, and is already in good use! On average, Violah (Operations Manager) and Myra (Maths Development Manager) visit four partner schools a week. Violah spends time with the school leadership team, while Myra meets with the maths educators. After this, they both meet with our L4E maths learners on site. These joint support visits demonstrate the importance of “systemic alignment,” whereby our educational interventions at leader-educator-learner levels are aligned for maximum impact. It’s a win-win for everyone! Profound thanks to Lombard Insurance and to Produkta Nissan for the Nissan Tiida. This acquisition will bring a new level of engagement to Outreach.

Recent HighlightsUplands Outreach is fortunate to draw on the skills and expertise of the Uplands staff, and the greater Uplands community. There are many individuals who assist us on a regular basis, and who are essential ingredients in our success. Outreach has five full-time staff members, three part-time consultants, and three volunteers.

Nicky de Bruyn• Director of Uplands Outreach • BA (Government) and MPA (Masters in Public Administration)• Specialist in non-profit management and community development practices (20+ years)• Passionate about combining goodwill with good management• Married to Drew Paterson and has a son, Thomas, at Uplands Prep

Violah Moya• Operations Manager at Uplands Outreach• Education: Primary School Teacher’s Diploma, B.A. (Education) from the University of the North • Received an ACE (Advanced Certificate in Education) fromthe University of Pretoria for Learners with Special Needs,and an ACE from the University of Johannesburg in SchoolManagement and Leadership• Previously Principal at Sojuba Primary School and Deputy Principal of Vulamasango Primary School• Passionate about working with children, acquiring knowledge, travelling, development, and interacting with people • Married to Jan Moya and has two daughters, Fiona and Sihle (Sihle is at Uplands College)

Our TeamBeauty Mashego• Administrative Assistant, with nine years of experience at Outreach• Certificate in Computer Literacy• Born and raised in Mahushu community; attended Mntungwa School• Beauty has a wealth of knowledge about our partner schools• Passionate about the power of education and development• Married to Shadrack Mthambo and has three children:Gomotso, Benny, and Londeka Myra Dunley-Owen• Maths Development Manager at Uplands Outreach• Specialist in the teaching and learning of Mathematics, with a 35 year track record in this field• Qualifications include B Sc in Physics, Chemistry and Maths, UED, B Ed (cum laude)• Married to Bob, with two grown-up children and three younggrand-children• Passionate about puzzles, reading Maths books of all kinds, and travel

Nonhlanhla Ndhlovu• Administrative Assistant at Uplands Outreach• Recently graduated from Ehlanzeni FET College with a NQF certificate in Office Admin • Has a five-year old daughter, Sphesihle, who keeps her on her toes• Passionate about reading, socialising, and spending time with her daughter

US Peace Corps Volunteers: Emily Whitmer, Buddy Scarborough, and Zach Madewell. We’re delighted to have Em, Buddy and Zach from the prestigious US Peace Corps programme with us for two years – although their two year assignments are drawing to an end shortly! They are based in the rural community of Clau-Clau and spend one day a week with us, assisting us with their individual skill-sets, and providing invaluable field knowledge and insights. We’ve been honoured to have their presence in the office, and will miss them dearly.

Above: Violah, Nicky, Myra and Beauty

Left: Nonhlanhla

Outreach is fortunate to draw on the skills of three highly experienced teachers who facilitate our Learners for Excellence Saturday Maths programme. Donald Chikura and Ralph Mpangane are Maths educators who teach at Mtungwa Secondary and LM Mokoena Secondary, respectively. Both are graduates of Outreach’s “Teacher for Excellence” Maths programme. Donald continues to serve on the T4E Steering Committee, and Ralph is known for his rousing speeches at our major events. Donald and Ralph both signed up to facilitate the “Learners for Excellence” programme for fifty Grade 10 maths learners from the Insikazi school circuit. Each Saturday, Donald and Ralph each take 25 learners through a morning of Grade 10 Maths. Joining Ralph and Donald is Tracey Butchart, a well-known teacher and assessment guru who is based in Nelspruit. Tracey has designed the innovative “Maths Journey” course, which is running concurrently with the Grade 10 class-work, in order to diagnose and specifically address underlying common misconceptions that confound our learners. All three teachers receive astounding feedback from their learners. Working closely together, Donald, Ralph, and Tracey are building a holistic model of Maths intervention that is already yielding promising results. We are delighted to have their specialist skills on board.

Our Facilitators

Donald Chikura

Ralph Mpangane

Tracey Butchart

Our Projects

Teachers for Excellence Mathematics ProgrammeThe Teachers for Excellence Mathematics programme is a professional development programme for forty-five maths educators from our partner schools. It consists of a two-year Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) qualification through the University of Johannesburg. The ACE certificate in maths content knowledge is supplemented by holistic supplementary skills training at Uplands in Leadership, Computer Literacy, Linguistic Development, and Teaching Methodology. Weekly contact sessions of five hours are held at Uplands. An intensive and demanding programme, the T4E programme is ground-breaking and innovative, and we’re enormously proud that over 5,300 learners are benefitting from it this year. All 45 teachers signed up for the third year of the programme in 2012, to embed the programme. To date, the T4E rolling attendance average remains high, at 85.3% and we celebrated the graduation of our teachers in June of this year at a memorable ceremony at Uplands. The pivotal founding partner of the programme is Investec – an instrumental and collaborative donor.

“Learners for Excellence” (L4E) Saturday maths programme Organised and implemented through a partnership between Uplands Outreach and the Department of Basic Education, the “Learners for Excellence” Mathematics programme aims to increase both the number of learners who pass mathematics, as well as to increase the quality of maths results, in a single school circuit. Fifty Grade 10 learners were selected for this three-year holistic programme. The over-arching goal of the programme is to prepare the learners to enter and succeed at tertiary institutions in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) careers. Ultimately, these learners will be prepared to lead productive and responsible lives through the acquisition of “scarce skills” and gainful employment. The cohort convenes at Uplands College on Saturdays for accelerated training in Mathematics, Computer Skills, Literacy, Leadership, and Career Guidance. Principals and maths educators who participate in the Teachers for Excellence programme will support and teach the fifty learners throughout the three years. Parents of the learners will also be included throughout the programme, to provide a strong support network for enrolled youth in this demanding programme.

Uplands Outreach is passionate about providing a platform for achievement for our partner schools. We work collaboratively with principals, school management teams, educators, and learners to design, develop and implement innovative projects. We believe (and research confirms) that the greatest impact on learners comes from the “systemic alignment” of school leadership and quality teachers – and our programmes are geared around this cutting-edge practice.

School Management and Leadership Programme Another flagship programme at Outreach is the Uplands Leadership project. Conceptualised initially by Austin Clarke, Headmaster of Uplands College, the Leadership project has grown from strength to strength. It’s universally recognised now that any educational intervention is bound to fail or fade out if school leadership and management teams are not trained, supported, and motivated to support the change initiative. From this starting point, Uplands developed their professional development programme for Principals, Deputy Principals, and Heads of Departments. To date, seventy two Principals and Deputy Principals have completed the ACE qualification in School Management and Leadership (through the University of Johannesburg) and over 40,000 learners are benefitting. This programme could not be run without the unflagging support of Lombard Insurance, to whom we are profoundly grateful. Other donors include the Chuma Foundation.

SMILE Literacy ProgrammeThis much-loved conversational English literacy programme focuses on Grade 3 learners from our partner schools, who spend Wednesday afternoons with Uplands pupils in Grade 10 and 11. Baseline testing has enabled us to see phenomenal growth in literacy and confidence levels. Thanks to the dedicated Uplands parents who underwrite this special programme: Madds Warrener and the Dugga Boys, Singular Systems, and other donors who have supported this programme over the years, such as the Ackerman Family Education Trust and the Carl & Emily Fuchs Foundation.

Maqamela Primary SchoolUplands Outreach has a special relationship with Maqamela Primary School in Clau-Clau, near the Kruger National Park. Maqamela’s Principal, Nancy Nkosi, graduated from our ACE Leadership programme, and two teachers participated in the ACE Teachers for Excellence Maths programme. Maqamela’s Grade 3 learners participate in the SMILE programme at Uplands every Wednesday. In the past year, Outreach was fortunate to forge a relationship with Makro through Gwen Beck and the Makro Educational Trust. The Makro Educational Trust was started many years ago as a way to assist their employees and their families – and it has since grown to support a local school near a Makro store – in our case, the Makro Nelspruit store. When and as they can, Makro donates items to support Maqamela. Makro has also introduced us to Builder’s Warehouse, Plascon, and JoJo Tanks. We are profoundly grateful for Makro’s support and look forward to a long and happy relationship with Maqamela, united in our efforts to uplift this special primary school.

General Operating Support and Capacity-Building General Operating Support is “the goose that lays the golden egg” at any non-profit organisation.We spend a good deal of time ensuring that our operating base is covered and that our programmes are sustainable. We naturally wish to build capacity as our programmes grow, and as our impact deepens. A special word of thanks to Lombard Insurance for their general operating support – we could not undertake our work without their support!

UPLANDS OUTREACH ~ FAST FACTS

Established in 1994 by Uplands in order to reduce the disparities in educational standards in Mpumalanga.

Vision: “Raising Achievement for All.”

Mission: Uplands Outreach is passionate about working collab-oratively with our partner schools to raise the achievement levels of learners in rural Mpumalanga, by utilising the expertise, skills, facilities, and culture of excellence of Uplands Preparatory School and Uplands College, independent schools in existence since 1928 and 1998, respectively.

Governance: The Uplands Schools Board meets quarterly, as does the Outreach Executive Committee. Section 21, PBO, and NPO details listed below. We are audited annually by KPMG.

Projects: Three major programmes (Teachers for Excellence ACE Mathematics, Learners for Excellence Mathematics , ACE School Management and Leadership Programme) and four adjunct proj-ects such as the Maqamela Primary School Upliftment Project and the SMILE conversational English project.

UPLANDS OUTREACHAddress: Danie Joubert Street, Private Bag X9909,

White River, 1240, South AfricaTel: +27 13 751 5057 Fax: +27 13 751 3850

Web: www.uplandsoutreach.orgUplands Outreach is a joint venture between

Uplands Preparatory School and Uplands College(Associations Incorporated under Section 21)

Section 21 Registration: 971852408 PBO: 1811132816 NPO: 036217

Staff: Five full-time staff members, three part-time consultants, and three US Peace Corps volunteers.

Beneficiaries: Principals, Deputy Principals, School Management Teams, Educators and Learners in Mpumalanga – over the past four years, we have worked with 2 districts, 7 circuits, 60 schools, and over 40,000 learners have benefitted.

Bank Account Details Name: Uplands Outreach & Development Committee

Bank: First National Bank Branch: White River

Branch Code: 270552 Account No: 5428 002 8358

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