The Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town are working with the communities of Atlantis, Mamre and Pella towards improving the lives of children by encouraging participation in extramural activities.
Far too many young people in Atlantis and Mamre leave school each day and enter unsafe, violent neighbourhoods and homes with no adult supervision.
Regular and consistent participation in after-school activities is known to reduce drop-out rates, improve learner outcomes and reduce risk taking behaviour. More importantly, after school programmes can help learners dream about their future life opportunities differently. Let’s take a look at some local schools that are hard at work “changing the game” for many of their learners.
Mamre Primary school choir
Mamre Primary School is working on building their after school programme. Among many after-school activities, the choir of the school has grown exceptionally well. Under the guidance of the principal, teachers, learners and Eben Marthinus, who coordinates After School Game Changer Programme Support at the school, it has grown and has performed at many events. Currently, the choir is made up of 56 learners from Grade 4 to 7, who rehearse three days a week.
The choir performed at the following events:
. The Mamre Moravian Adventist service
. The yearly flower festival in Mamre
. The 21st anniversary of the Mamre Library
. The Malmesbury St Thomas Music Festival
Saxonsea High dance group
The number of learners participating in the dance group at Saxonsea High has grown significantly. Lindell Diedericks, the school’s coordinator of the After School Game Changer Programme, currently assists with its dance classes.
In 2017, very few of the learners were part of the dance group. Since Diedericks offered her expertise and skills as choreographer to the school, the number of learners in it has grown to 250. Learners have become enthusiastic about the programme and are dedicated to stay in it. For some this may be an insignificant number, but to her it is 250 high school learners kept busy and safe from the crime-ridden streets of Atlantis.
Wesfleur Primary School’s range of activities
The after school programme coordinators at this school offer learners – soccer, rugby, chess and homework support. The After School Game Changer Programme coordinators there, Audri Williams and Janet Storm, have provided enormous assistance to the learners with homework. For the past year a total of 112 learners attended the after-school activities on a regular and consistent basis.
Please send photos and blurbs of after school achievements to: Murphy.Roberts@media24.com.
