South Africa - Connecting Classrooms

South Africa - Connecting Classrooms

We have been linked with Nqaba Primary School in South Africa since 2019 when we were visited by teacher, Mrs Yoyo. We have been collaborating on projects working towards the Sustainable Development Goal #2 Zero Hunger. Nqaba School have begun to grow food in their new school garden which supplements the school meals and helps children learn how to grow their own food at home. Together, we have been learning about compost as a sustainable way to increase growing food and also to use food waste. We look forward to getting to know each other even better through visits and online communication.

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South Africa - News

Black History

In September, Nqaba School celebrated Heritage Day.  All pupils and staff come to school in traditional and each class shares something they have learnt from their country's history.  This could be traditional dances, songs or a speech by former President Nelson Mandela. Older residents from the local community are invited to join in the celebrations and also share some songs and dances themselves!

In July, they also celebrate Nelson Mandela Day.  This day recognises the perseverance of Nelson Mandela who campaigned for democratic rights for all people in South Africa.  Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela's values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities.  

 

Reading For Pleasure - World Book Day 

Staff at Nqaba School have also been promoting the enjoyment of reading in their pupils and celebrated World Reading Day with special reading activities, similar to those we have here.  They loved seeing photos of our staff dressed as book characters and were very pleased to receive some of the books that children here have enjoyed reading.

In Year one, we listened to a story being read in IsiXhosa.  The children could guess what words meant using the pictures and loved trying the click sounds you need to use when you speak that language!

 

Celebrating Languages

Mrs Zuma, our link teacher at Nqaba School, was very impressed with the video celebrating all the different languages that children speak here at St Andrew's.  She told me that all the pupils at Nqaba School speak IsiXhosa which is one of the official languages in South Africa.  As there are several languages spoken in different areas around the country, many schools also teach English so that people from different areas have a common language.  Children begin to learn English when they start school.  From Eight years old, they are taught in English across the curriculum although they continue to have lessons learning to read and write in IsiXhosa.

Connecting Classrooms