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News
2024 News
Term 1 & 2
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Term 1 & 2 Highlights Video
2023 News
Term 1 & 2
Grade RR and R
After a few tears on their first day of school , the grade RR’s have adjusted nicely to "big" school. The advancing Grade R’s welcomed their new classmates and have been enjoying being the older kids in the class. Some highlights for the first term have included drawing our friends, self-portraits, doing handprints with paint and having a puppy visit for the day. We also loved ending off the term with an Easter egg hunt.
After a few tears on their first day of school , the grade RR’s have adjusted nicely to "big" school. The advancing Grade R’s welcomed their new classmates and have been enjoying being the older kids in the class. Some highlights for the first term have included drawing our friends, self-portraits, doing handprints with paint and having a puppy visit for the day. We also loved ending off the term with an Easter egg hunt.
Grade 1 and 2
"I was made to do AMAZING things,
I know, I know
God made me to SHINE, makes me come ALIVE,
makes me want to LIVE my life for Him!"
- Wired from Orange Kids
This song could often be heard playing on request by the Gr.1 and 2 students throughout the first term of 2023. It really set the tone for our classroom environment, reminding us that God made us! He made everyone with their own unique features and talents. No one is supposed to be like someone else!
In class we studied Math, isiXhosa, English, and discovered through different units such as "All about me" and & "Plants".
We feel so grateful to see how well the new intake of Grade 1's have adjusted to being in their first year of big school in the first term.
"I was made to do AMAZING things,
I know, I know
God made me to SHINE, makes me come ALIVE,
makes me want to LIVE my life for Him!"
- Wired from Orange Kids
This song could often be heard playing on request by the Gr.1 and 2 students throughout the first term of 2023. It really set the tone for our classroom environment, reminding us that God made us! He made everyone with their own unique features and talents. No one is supposed to be like someone else!
In class we studied Math, isiXhosa, English, and discovered through different units such as "All about me" and & "Plants".
We feel so grateful to see how well the new intake of Grade 1's have adjusted to being in their first year of big school in the first term.
Grade 3 and 4
The Gr.3 & 4 classroom has been one wild adventure so far! We've been learning through play, hard work and have seen how far our imagination and problem-solving can go. We've built our own clocks to understand how time works, we made models of Living and Non-living things and other creative activities.
Highlights of Term 1 was getting to know each other (the teachers and learners) and to see the learners' interest in God and how they want to get to know our Father better.
The Gr.3 & 4 classroom has been one wild adventure so far! We've been learning through play, hard work and have seen how far our imagination and problem-solving can go. We've built our own clocks to understand how time works, we made models of Living and Non-living things and other creative activities.
Highlights of Term 1 was getting to know each other (the teachers and learners) and to see the learners' interest in God and how they want to get to know our Father better.
Grade 5, 6 & 7
Seeing how well the new grade 5 and 6 learners adapt to their new school was a joy to see. Highlights from the past term have been getting to know the students on a more personal level and finding out about what makes them come ALIVE. Getting to know their strengths and weaknesses and watching them start to grow in both these areas. The girls took a strong stand competing with the boys in soccer. The grade 5’s, 6's and 7’s also started their own food garden. We are looking forward to some fresh produce soon.
The process of watching the grade 5's grow and develop and watching them find confidence has been a huge delight. The grade 6 and 7 learners stepped into leadership positions by becoming team captains as well as taking on SRC leadership positions.
We had a special assembly where we introduced the leaders. The teachers made a circle around the leaders and prayed for them. Our assemblies’ themes for the past term were “God Made Me” and "Leadership". Students learnt that they are special and unique. They discovered what it means to be a good leader and follower, as well as what good characteristics of being a leader are.
Seeing how well the new grade 5 and 6 learners adapt to their new school was a joy to see. Highlights from the past term have been getting to know the students on a more personal level and finding out about what makes them come ALIVE. Getting to know their strengths and weaknesses and watching them start to grow in both these areas. The girls took a strong stand competing with the boys in soccer. The grade 5’s, 6's and 7’s also started their own food garden. We are looking forward to some fresh produce soon.
The process of watching the grade 5's grow and develop and watching them find confidence has been a huge delight. The grade 6 and 7 learners stepped into leadership positions by becoming team captains as well as taking on SRC leadership positions.
We had a special assembly where we introduced the leaders. The teachers made a circle around the leaders and prayed for them. Our assemblies’ themes for the past term were “God Made Me” and "Leadership". Students learnt that they are special and unique. They discovered what it means to be a good leader and follower, as well as what good characteristics of being a leader are.
Sports Day 2023
The Sports Day was a great success and the children, parents and teachers had lots of fun!
Green House was the proud recipient of the trophy and Yellow house proudly received the SPIRIT
AWARD.
Go have a look at our Sports Day Video on the Gallery page to see more of the day!
The Sports Day was a great success and the children, parents and teachers had lots of fun!
Green House was the proud recipient of the trophy and Yellow house proudly received the SPIRIT
AWARD.
Go have a look at our Sports Day Video on the Gallery page to see more of the day!
2022 News
Term 3 & 4
The year has ended off with many exciting ZIS firsts, a few goodbyes and great anticipation for all that 2023 will offer. Here are some of the highlights:
ZIS Prize-giving:
We had our very first Prize-giving at the end of Term 4. It was a chance to celebrate and showcase our learners' skills and talents. It was lovely to see so many parents supporting their children. Well done to all the learners on their achievements and growth this year. Thank you to Lizani Smith for co-ordinating a fun performance for each grade. Your hard work and creativity added such excitement and warmth to the prize-giving.
We had our very first Prize-giving at the end of Term 4. It was a chance to celebrate and showcase our learners' skills and talents. It was lovely to see so many parents supporting their children. Well done to all the learners on their achievements and growth this year. Thank you to Lizani Smith for co-ordinating a fun performance for each grade. Your hard work and creativity added such excitement and warmth to the prize-giving.
ZIS Has Talent:
ZIS held its first ever 'ZIS Has Talent' talent show in Term 3. It was a wonderful opportunity for learners to show off their talents and for parents to join in the festivities and support their children. There was much excitement, excellent dance moves, beautiful singing, a bit of comedy and even some speedy Rubik's cube solving. What a special evening. Thank you to Imbewu Centre for providing such a beautiful venue. We appreciate the help from all those involved in making the evening a success.
ZIS held its first ever 'ZIS Has Talent' talent show in Term 3. It was a wonderful opportunity for learners to show off their talents and for parents to join in the festivities and support their children. There was much excitement, excellent dance moves, beautiful singing, a bit of comedy and even some speedy Rubik's cube solving. What a special evening. Thank you to Imbewu Centre for providing such a beautiful venue. We appreciate the help from all those involved in making the evening a success.
Chess:
Our ZIS learners continued to grow their chess skills in term 3 and 4. ZIS won the Zithulele inter-schools chess tournament. Some of our learners competed in the provincial chess tournament in Queenstown. Three of our learners came in the top 10 of the girl's category. Congratulations to Amy Banjwa who placed 2nd and Someleze Zitulele
Our ZIS learners continued to grow their chess skills in term 3 and 4. ZIS won the Zithulele inter-schools chess tournament. Some of our learners competed in the provincial chess tournament in Queenstown. Three of our learners came in the top 10 of the girl's category. Congratulations to Amy Banjwa who placed 2nd and Someleze Zitulele
Grade 7 Camp:
The Grade 7's went on their first school camp to Mdumbi Backpackers. They had fun kayaking, drinking sunrise hot chocolate, swimming and planning their weekend meals with a set budget. What a special weekend! Thank you Miss K and Mr A for planning such a fun weekend.
The Grade 7's went on their first school camp to Mdumbi Backpackers. They had fun kayaking, drinking sunrise hot chocolate, swimming and planning their weekend meals with a set budget. What a special weekend! Thank you Miss K and Mr A for planning such a fun weekend.
Grade 7 Farewell:
Yet another first, ZIS had its first Grade 7 year in 2022. What a fun year it has been starting many new traditions and reflecting on the years past. It is both sad and exciting to see our pioneer Grade 7's getting ready to leave ZIS. The Grade 7's had a lovely celebratory dinner at Imbewu coffee shop. Thank you to the Imbewu team for a delicious meal and beautiful evening. All the best Kelly, Lisa, Someleze and Johan. We look forward to seeing you continue to grow and succeed outside of ZIS.
Yet another first, ZIS had its first Grade 7 year in 2022. What a fun year it has been starting many new traditions and reflecting on the years past. It is both sad and exciting to see our pioneer Grade 7's getting ready to leave ZIS. The Grade 7's had a lovely celebratory dinner at Imbewu coffee shop. Thank you to the Imbewu team for a delicious meal and beautiful evening. All the best Kelly, Lisa, Someleze and Johan. We look forward to seeing you continue to grow and succeed outside of ZIS.
Jungle Gym:
We are so excited to have a beautiful new jungle gym outside our new Grade R classroom. The kids have been loving playing on the jungle gym each day. Thank you to the Le Roux family for donating their jungle gym and a huge thank you to Aiden Lawrence for assembling and installing the jungle gym.
We are so excited to have a beautiful new jungle gym outside our new Grade R classroom. The kids have been loving playing on the jungle gym each day. Thank you to the Le Roux family for donating their jungle gym and a huge thank you to Aiden Lawrence for assembling and installing the jungle gym.
Volunteers and New Staff Members:
We were lucky enough to have Elzke Strydom come and volunteer at ZIS for Term 3. Her input, go-getter attitude and fun energy were invaluable. We are so grateful to have had Elzke's sister, Doné Strydom join her in volunteering at the school and are excited to have welcomed her on as a permanent member of the ZIS staff team.
We were lucky enough to have Elzke Strydom come and volunteer at ZIS for Term 3. Her input, go-getter attitude and fun energy were invaluable. We are so grateful to have had Elzke's sister, Doné Strydom join her in volunteering at the school and are excited to have welcomed her on as a permanent member of the ZIS staff team.
Goodbyes:
Term 3 and 4 is one of many goodbyes, but also excitement for all the new faces that will be joining ZIS in 2023. Goodbye to:
Sally Le Roux - Thank you Sally for your many years of time and dedication to the school. We are so glad that your part time teaching turned into a full time job. Without you ZIS would not be the beautiful school it is today. Thank you for bringing so much fun into the classroom and for the way you love each and every child. You lead by example, love in excess and have a consistency that makes being part of the ZIS family so special. Thank you for your dedication to the school, learners and staff. We will miss you!
Charné Kay - We are so sad to see one half of our admin dream team go, but are excited for your new venture. Thank you for working tirelessly in the admin department. You brought our team together as a family always making sure birthdays, baby showers, and all the big and little wins were celebrated with intentionality. Thank you for making each and every leaner and staff member feel so special!
Nathalie Koenig - Thank you for your hard work and go-getter attitude. Your role in setting up so many leadership opportunities for our senior learners and for mentoring them as they become teenagers will have a lasting impact. We appreciate you and your fun attitude to life and learning.
Joanne Clowes - Our capable, efficient and caring Grade 1&2 teacher for the past 2 years will be heading off to start a new chapter. Thank you for the way you intentionally love your learners and for always having time for a snack time chat with them. You have set the bar high for new teachers. We will miss you.
Term 3 and 4 is one of many goodbyes, but also excitement for all the new faces that will be joining ZIS in 2023. Goodbye to:
Sally Le Roux - Thank you Sally for your many years of time and dedication to the school. We are so glad that your part time teaching turned into a full time job. Without you ZIS would not be the beautiful school it is today. Thank you for bringing so much fun into the classroom and for the way you love each and every child. You lead by example, love in excess and have a consistency that makes being part of the ZIS family so special. Thank you for your dedication to the school, learners and staff. We will miss you!
Charné Kay - We are so sad to see one half of our admin dream team go, but are excited for your new venture. Thank you for working tirelessly in the admin department. You brought our team together as a family always making sure birthdays, baby showers, and all the big and little wins were celebrated with intentionality. Thank you for making each and every leaner and staff member feel so special!
Nathalie Koenig - Thank you for your hard work and go-getter attitude. Your role in setting up so many leadership opportunities for our senior learners and for mentoring them as they become teenagers will have a lasting impact. We appreciate you and your fun attitude to life and learning.
Joanne Clowes - Our capable, efficient and caring Grade 1&2 teacher for the past 2 years will be heading off to start a new chapter. Thank you for the way you intentionally love your learners and for always having time for a snack time chat with them. You have set the bar high for new teachers. We will miss you.
Term 2
Term 2 was a busy term fulled with many new and exciting things. Here are some of the highlights:
Our New Library:
A huge thank you to Danielle Shay, Miss K and our superstar Zithulele teen volunteers for all their hard work in making our library a fun and exciting place. At ZIS we hope to encourage and cultivate a passion for reading in our learners. It is so exciting to have such a beautiful place to help this goal become a reality. Thank you to Joy Alvarez and the volunteers from the International School in Portugal for raising the funds to make such a space possible. Thank you to Peggy Vreken for her big book donation and Manandwife for the lovely shelves.
A huge thank you to Danielle Shay, Miss K and our superstar Zithulele teen volunteers for all their hard work in making our library a fun and exciting place. At ZIS we hope to encourage and cultivate a passion for reading in our learners. It is so exciting to have such a beautiful place to help this goal become a reality. Thank you to Joy Alvarez and the volunteers from the International School in Portugal for raising the funds to make such a space possible. Thank you to Peggy Vreken for her big book donation and Manandwife for the lovely shelves.
Art Competition:
We had our very first art competition at ZIS this term. It was so exciting to see how many talented young artists we have at ZIS. The learners loved having the opportunity to experiment, express their creativity and showcase their talents. Well done, everyone! Thank you to our amazing judges Yonelwa Biko, Mgciniwe Njabulo and Ayanda Dyanti.
We had our very first art competition at ZIS this term. It was so exciting to see how many talented young artists we have at ZIS. The learners loved having the opportunity to experiment, express their creativity and showcase their talents. Well done, everyone! Thank you to our amazing judges Yonelwa Biko, Mgciniwe Njabulo and Ayanda Dyanti.
Chess:
Well done to all the learners that competed in the Youth Day Chess Tournament. You can be very proud of your results. A massive thank you to Sihamba Sonke and Mr A for helping our learners grow their chess skills and for providing a platform for them to compete.
Well done to all the learners that competed in the Youth Day Chess Tournament. You can be very proud of your results. A massive thank you to Sihamba Sonke and Mr A for helping our learners grow their chess skills and for providing a platform for them to compete.
Frisbee:
Thanks to our after school programme, co-ordinated by Mr A, many of our learners have had the chance to improve their frisbee skills. Some of our learners, staff and parents had the opportunity to compete in Frisbee Nationals in Cape Town as well as the Zithulele Youth Day tournament this term. Congratulations to our talented young sportsmen and women. It was lovely to see Robin Moonieya, one of our previous teachers, supporting our ZIS frisbee players at Cape Town Nationals.
Thanks to our after school programme, co-ordinated by Mr A, many of our learners have had the chance to improve their frisbee skills. Some of our learners, staff and parents had the opportunity to compete in Frisbee Nationals in Cape Town as well as the Zithulele Youth Day tournament this term. Congratulations to our talented young sportsmen and women. It was lovely to see Robin Moonieya, one of our previous teachers, supporting our ZIS frisbee players at Cape Town Nationals.
Jana - Our Amazing OT Volunteer:
We were fortunate to have Jana Marincowitz, an occupational therapist (OT), volunteering at the school this term. Thank you Jana for volunteering your time and skills. The children and teachers loved having you around. Jana assessed many of our learners, gave individual therapy sessions and helped train our staff. What a privilege it was to learn from such a talented young lady. Thank you for your enthusiasm, engaging OT sessions and team spirit.
We were fortunate to have Jana Marincowitz, an occupational therapist (OT), volunteering at the school this term. Thank you Jana for volunteering your time and skills. The children and teachers loved having you around. Jana assessed many of our learners, gave individual therapy sessions and helped train our staff. What a privilege it was to learn from such a talented young lady. Thank you for your enthusiasm, engaging OT sessions and team spirit.
Reading to Learn:
The ZIS staff complement was lucky enough to attend a Reading to Learn training with various other NGO's in the community. It was a lovely opportunity to collaborate with other talented Zithulele community members. Thank you Reading to Learn for the engaging content taught and for empowering our staff to try different methods in their classrooms.
The ZIS staff complement was lucky enough to attend a Reading to Learn training with various other NGO's in the community. It was a lovely opportunity to collaborate with other talented Zithulele community members. Thank you Reading to Learn for the engaging content taught and for empowering our staff to try different methods in their classrooms.
Term 1
And the year got off to an exciting start. Following are some of the highlights of the first term:
New Teachers:
Two new teachers joined our staff complement in the Grade 5, 6 and 7 class - Miss K (Natalie Koenig) and Mr A (Afika Mncontsho). Welcome to the team guys!
Two new teachers joined our staff complement in the Grade 5, 6 and 7 class - Miss K (Natalie Koenig) and Mr A (Afika Mncontsho). Welcome to the team guys!
Sports Day:
We had our Second ever ZIS Sports Day. A huge Thank you to the Global Challenge team of volunteers that organised and facilitated the events. What a fun day all around! We are extremely excited about the introduction of school houses in 2022 and events such as this to showcase them. We have the Luhlaza (Green Crocodiles) house, the Bomvu (Red Fire) house and the Mthubi (Sporting Bananas) house.
We had our Second ever ZIS Sports Day. A huge Thank you to the Global Challenge team of volunteers that organised and facilitated the events. What a fun day all around! We are extremely excited about the introduction of school houses in 2022 and events such as this to showcase them. We have the Luhlaza (Green Crocodiles) house, the Bomvu (Red Fire) house and the Mthubi (Sporting Bananas) house.
Beach Outings:
We are so lucky to live so close to the beautiful Eastern Cape Coastline. Many of our teachers took advantage of the good weather and a few extra volunteers to take their classes on a beach outing. The children loved looking in rock pools, swimming, playing games and cleaning up the beach.
We are so lucky to live so close to the beautiful Eastern Cape Coastline. Many of our teachers took advantage of the good weather and a few extra volunteers to take their classes on a beach outing. The children loved looking in rock pools, swimming, playing games and cleaning up the beach.
A New Classroom and Office:
A huge thank you to Philip Jonker and his amazing building team for spearheading our 2022 building expansion project. We are overjoyed to have more classroom space, an admin office, a kitchenette and extra storage space.
Thank you also to all those that contributed their time and money to make such a project possible.
A huge thank you to Philip Jonker and his amazing building team for spearheading our 2022 building expansion project. We are overjoyed to have more classroom space, an admin office, a kitchenette and extra storage space.
Thank you also to all those that contributed their time and money to make such a project possible.
Student Leadership & Recognition
ZIS introduced its very first SRC (Student Representative Council) this year as well as other leadership positions such as heads and vice heads of school houses and monitors. The learners are very excited to take an active role in their school whilst developing leadership skills.
ZIS has further introduced a termly and annual prize giving in order to recognise learners that have shown effort, character development or excellence in any areas of their schooling.
ZIS introduced its very first SRC (Student Representative Council) this year as well as other leadership positions such as heads and vice heads of school houses and monitors. The learners are very excited to take an active role in their school whilst developing leadership skills.
ZIS has further introduced a termly and annual prize giving in order to recognise learners that have shown effort, character development or excellence in any areas of their schooling.
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