PASSOVER (Pesach)

May we as Christians in Christian education, remember Paul’s words during this time:
“..that I may know him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:1 and 12

Baruch HaShem Adonai.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Siswe Moagi, deputy head boy at Eagle’s Nest in Polokwane participated in the school’s debating competition during 2008. The completion is hosted by SAATSA. Eagle’s Nest came second in the national competition and Sizwe was chosen to represent South Africa in Edinburgh in the United Kingdom for the international leg of the competition. He will participate there during the end of February and will tackle matters such a global warming and globalization.

Congratulations Sizwe , we are proud of you!

LONG SERVICE AWARDS FOR TEACHERS:

ACSI wants to honour our teachers who have served in education for many years. If your school has teachers who have been in education for 10, 15, 20 or more years, please let Judy have their details, those can be for serving in state and independent schools. Please make special note of teachers with long service records who have only taught in Christian schools. Get you info to Judy at judy_marais@acsi.org, before the end of September 2009.

ACADEMIC MATTERS:

HEREWITH SOME ANSWERS TO PERTINENT QUESTIONS IN MANY A PRINCIPAL’S MIND:

1. What is the way ahead for Grade 9 CTA’s will our schools that are not encouraging Grade 9‘s to leave be compelled to continue to write these in the future? What are the possibilities to get away from doing this? 

We do not know what the future may hold for Grade 9 and the CTAs, as far as the DoE is concerned.  However, the fact of the matter is that the SBA requirements for Grade 9, together with the CTAs, are national policy and all schools (IEB and DoE) are obliged to follow policy since education to Grade 9 is compulsory. No institution has the power to create, amend or ignore what the DoE deems to be policy. There is great educational value in the Grade 9 curriculum and the demands are not so onerous that schools cannot follow their own individual programmes in tandem with what is policy.  The fact that the CTA Part 1s are already available to schools should assist in the planning of their implementation during the year.  The Grade 9 policy does exist in a ‘bigger’ picture where large numbers of learners do leave the system and at this point in time, with no recognition of what they have achieved.  We cannot see policy only in terms of what applies in our schools. 

2. Why another assessment/examining body, such as IEB or Cambridge than the DOE?

Other examining bodies do not deliberately set examinations which are more difficult than the State.  In fact, it is desirable that the standard of the examinations is comparable; for example the IEB examines according to the NCS and the Subject Assessment Guidelines.  This dictates that they set questions across a broad cognitive range.  It is alleged that the some of the DoE examinations did not test the full range of cognitive ability in 2008.  We do not wish to get into comparisons but suffice to say that the IEB examinations were approved by Umalusi.
There are some DoE schools where teaching compares favourably to IEB schools.  However, the IEB offers a holistic package which includes excellent schools, top teachers, high quality examinations, integrity in assessment and resulting, prompt and efficient service to schools, school development and support, and as well as professional development for teachers – amongst many other things.

Cambridge is an international body that assesses students on international level and is not Umalusi accredited, due to their international status. This curriculum is not bed on the NCS. Students from Cambridge schools do enter South African Universities as well as international institutions with great success and excel in further studies.

3. Can Christian schools bring Christ into the life Orientation programme/ portfolios for Grade 12 assessments?

The way in which LO1 (Personal Well-being) and LO2 (Citizenship Education) in particular are approached will be influenced strongly by the ethos of the school and the values it is trying to inculcate in its learners.
LO2 in Grade 10 does require an understanding of the major religions, ethical traditions and indigenous belief systems in South Africa. In Grade11 this knowledge is used to clarify learners’ own beliefs and values think the important thing to remember is that LO is, essentially, an academic subject, the approach to which will be influenced by school ethos and values. However, Religious Education per se, would need to be kept as a separate subject/lesson.

To adhere to International Accreditation standards many ACSI schools incorporate Bible Education in their Life Orientation programme successfully; they do of course need to extend the amount of periods in a week to cover the NCS requirements when they incorporate the Bible Education program, in LO. International Accreditation requires that Bible Ed (LO) has the same notable time as a major/core subject.

IEB ASSESSOR COURSE:

From 8-12 June the King’s School West Rand is again hosting the IEB Assessor Course at their school. ACSI schools are welcome to attend. Cost will be confirmed at a later stage. Book your place with Ina at 011 958 0618.

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING OF YOUR SCHOOL:

WEBSITES FOR ACSI SCHOOLS

We've noticed that only about 12 of the ACSI South Africa schools have websites! We would like to offer a system to the South Africa member schools that will assist you in marketing your school more effectively. Our web designers, One Part Scissors, have put together a page of information to the SA member schools. The link is: http://onepartscissors.com/acsi

From the school's side, it's a very simple process to get your own website – fill in the sign-up form and pay the sign-up fee, and One Part Scissors will get in touch with you to choose a website name. OPS will then install the system and get you started with regards to adding your info. The system has many useful features, from the ability to create blogs and newsletters, to the simplicity of adding and updating your information. The system is very user friendly and easy to learn. Your school will get a manual that explains it all, and One Part Scissors also provides email and phone support as a backup.

The offering price is R5 000. It's an excellent offer, and the ultimate end goal is to ensure all the ACSI schools have a site that is excellent and useful. Each member school will be linked back to the main ACSI South Africa website. What this does is ultimately to build a stronger brand presence for ACSI, and it allows your school to draw on the reputation of ACSI when marketing yourselves to prospective parents and the community. Seeing the links to ACSI will give your school even greater credibility. Do not miss out on this great opportunity! Go to http://onepartscissors.com/acsi now to sign up!

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING OF YOUR SCHOOL:

More scope in marketing and advertising your school is available on Schoolguide; Schoolguide.co.za is the BIGGEST and MOST active Online School Directory in South Africa! They have been in operation since 1998, and were the "first online schools database" with more than 30 000 schools of all sectors.

Their aim is to increase our Schoolguide memberships; they contacted ACSI to offer a group discount to their members. The current rates are R250 p/m and they now offer all  ACSI schools discount; This means that each school that is an ACSI will only pay R750 per year

Member Benefits:

• Featured Listings appear at the top of each category
• Featured Listings randomly appear on the home page
• Detailed school information & highlights
• Direct link to website & email
• Individual keywords & descriptions
• Picture Gallery
• School News - The more active you are in "Show Casing" your school - the greater your exposure!

Schoolguide.co.za receives over 16,000 visitors a month. We receive over 12,000 visitors, from 8,160 school & education related keywords through search engines. If your school is not on Schoolguide yet, contact Jackie Brindley on: 073-061-7380 or fax 086-609-5303 or on e-mail: jackie@schoolguide.co.za

STAFF MATTERS:

YOUNG, ENERGETIC, GODFEARING TEACHERS:

ACSI received CV’s for 3 young people who want to answer the call to education. All three are currently standing in different careers, but know that they are called to education.  Consider these young people seriously if you have a need in any of these departments:

Maths (Grade 7-9), Accounting, Economics and Business Economics: BCOM Law Graduate

Hospitality studies: A qualified gourmet chef

Art  and Design Grade 10-12: BA Theology, and Graphic Design and Photography Diploma 

(CV’s availale from the office)

Remember to watch the acsi.co.za website for other  positions 

SACE:

SACE is issuing one year provisional registrations and no longer  for three years. However if foreign teachers have submitted all their documentation (including the SAQA accreditation) they should be issued with full registration. Any schools where candidates have not received full registration regardless must please follow up with SACE, or let our office know, so that we can assist you.

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP CAMP:

Eagle’s Nest in Polokwane is again the venue for our exciting school leaders’ camp for high school students during the April school holiday. For more information, please contact Mac van den Berg on 015 263 6067 or eaglesn@mweb.co.za

ZIMBABWEAN CHILDREN:

In Albert Street Johannesburg a school has been started for Zimbabwean refugees’ children. The children receive a bath, food and some schooling there. An appeal is made for shoes for these children. ACSI would like to assist and request that, especially schools in Gauteng answer to this call. Please could the shoes be tied together in their pairs and labeled with their sizes.  Can you imagine a ton of loose shoes all needing to be sized and paired up!!  A volunteer is more than willing to collect and  co-ordinate the donations if the schools. Please contact Jill on 011 467 2618 or 082 408 0685.  

Maybe this is a chance to empty the dreaded lost property box at school, but also a wonderful opportunity to encourage your students to give!

ARE YOU A PROUDLY ACSI SCHOOL?

Is our logo portrayed on your letterheads, your notepads, your homework books, your prospectus and your website?  If not, please do so! ACSI Member schools, please make sure that you use the correct logo and adhere to copyright.