Every school’s matric results hold a unique story. While top marks always require dedicated leadership, in our community, they also stem from committed partnerships.
The impact of these collaborations is everywhere:
- Asithuthuke now has a matric boarding house thanks to MHS Old Boys, giving students more revision time and significantly boosting results.
- Dr. Kubheka at Tendela holds a PhD in Education, bringing world-class expertise to our local learners.
- Shea O’Connor has implemented a strict “no single-use plastic” policy.
- Paul de Wet, a local maths guru, is providing access to top-tier tuition countrywide through SIMI.
- MJ Greene and the “Reading Grannies” have spent over five years visiting local primary schools weekly to improve English literacy.
A Passionate Look at Our Progress
Below is a passionate share by Steuart Pennington, a longstanding past Notties resident and member of the Michaelhouse Community Partnership. He highlights the exciting projects unfolding, including the investment into 30 Eduhelpers—mostly aspiring young educators—placed within our rural schools.
An Invitation to Connect
If rural school involvement sounds like it might be “your thing,” I invite you to connect with us and the LOVE NOTTIES initiative.
Over the past seven years, I have immersed myself in 32 schools across the KZN Midlands through Leaders for Education (formerly Partners for Possibility), a leadership journey under the banner of Citizen Leader Lab. This programme pairs school principals with local active citizens for a year-long partnership to tackle the challenges of our public education system.
Understanding Our Educational Landscape
Our region is unique—home to some of the country’s most prestigious independent schools alongside tiny, under-resourced farm schools. Between Bruntville and Lions River, our landscape includes:
- 3 Secondary Schools: Including Eminyezaneni (1,126 learners).
- 8 Primary Schools: Ranging from 1,420 learners at Bruntville Primary to under 20 at Silindele.
- 3 Combined Schools: Shea O’Connor, Jabula, and Asithuthuke.
With an estimated 6,500 learners, most of our schools are non-fee paying. Challenges are significant: from “multi-grading” (one teacher educating across several grades) to transport costs and crumbling infrastructure.
How You Can Help
It isn’t all doom and gloom. With an attitude of partnership, these schools become centers of inspiration. Sometimes the smallest acts make the biggest difference:
- Donating spare uniforms (white shirts and grey slacks).
- Assisting with transport costs.
- Organizing weekly library trips.
- Offering job-shadowing or bursary links for top students.
From crèche to career, there are so many touchpoints where you can contribute.
Get in Touch: If you have ideas or want to get involved, please reach out to me at [email protected].
Celebrating Our Local Heroes
Deep appreciation to the following individuals who have completed the year-long leadership journey alongside our local principals:
Missy Hughes, Kari Greene, Steuart Pennington, Annie Mullins, Kate Baynes, Kim McNally, Paula Hulley, Simon Francis, Justin Foxton, Busi Tshili, Matt Hogarty, Nina Gough, Nicky Worral, Bongani & Sanele Khuluse, Kate Hampton, Bronwyn Goldby, Paul Fleischack, and many dedicated Michaelhouse parents.
Karen McKenzie Learning Process Facilitator, Citizen Leader Lab
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