Community school geared for 21st century learning

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MOSSEL BAY BUSINESS NEWS & VIDEO - At Curro Mossel Bay, life on campus has not only returned to normal amid the Covid-19 protocols, but 2021 and beyond firmly spell out exciting prospects.

This integrated three-school campus includes Curro Castle (4 months to Grade RR), Primary School including the Foundation (Grades R to 3) and Intermediate phases (Grades 4 to 7) and High School (Grades 8 to 12).

Brian O'Neil, uitvoerende hoof van die skool en Sean Kristal, hoof van die laerskool is dit eens dat Curro Mosselbaai wêreldklas opvoeding op die platteland wil bied, wat toeganklik vir die hele Suid-Kaapse gemeenskap is.

More opportunities to learn
To make the school even more accessible in future, a process of accreditation is under way for opening a fully-fledged vocational school on campus in 2023.

"We are very positive about the inclusion of this practical learning experience as part of our offering at Curro Mossel Bay. High school learners will be able to choose the vocational option from Grade 10 onwards," explains executive head, Brian O'Neil.

With Curro Mossel Bay priding itself in its strong academic foundation, its 100% matric pass rate for six consecutive years being testimony thereof, the school is progressively focused on 21st century learning. This will be stimulated in the new so-called STEAM(D) centre, an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics and design. The centre will be operational later in the second term.

"This centre will act as a creative hub to help our learners become skilled in the type of critical thinking needed to thrive in the 21st century," says O'Neil. Kitted out with 3D printers, virtual reality glasses and more, at the centre the focus will be on the "philosophy of technology" rather than the "gimmickry" thereof, O'Neil says.

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Holisme
Die skool se aktiwiteitsprogram is te midde die uitdagings van Covid-19 goed op dreef. Nie net word 'n sportprogram wat selfs rugby- en krieketontwikkeling vir die heel klein kannetjies insluit, met sukses aangebied nie, maar kry die kulturele aspekte ewe veel aandag. Musiekoderrig is ingelyf in die grondslagfase en die toegewyde musiekdepartement ontwikkel jong musikante verder. Dansklasse word in die program geïnkorporeer en repetisies vir die skool se gewilde verhoogproduksies het weer begin. "Ons leerders neem wyd deel aan debatsgeleenthede en die nasionale Curro Create, waar ons meeding teen ander skole in die groep, is 'n wonderlike platform om kreatiewe kragte te meet.

"Omdat die fokus op 'n veilige, koesterende omgewing is waar leerders holisties kan ontwikkel, sal graad 11-leerders binnekort begelei word om hulle leerlinglisensies te bekom en sal hulle voortaan om op kampus bestuurslesse kan kry."

Integrated management
One senses a fresh energy when stepping on to the Curro Mossel Bay campus. "There is a holistic buzz that emanates from all facets of our activities, from academics, to sport, to culture to the communication between staff and our parent community."

O'Neil attributes this to the smooth operation of an integrated management team. "We have moved some of our educators to different phases in order to make the transition of our learners seamless. Ultimately, we want to grow our school through being accessible to the broader community and play our part in shaping those who will build the communities of tomorrow."

To learn more about enrolment, contact Michelle van der Westhuizen, 071 671 0123 or michelle.v01@curro.co.za, and visit the open day on 28 May 2021 from 13:00 -17:00. Enquire about scholarships available.

Curro Mosselbaai se bestuurspan: Agter: Me M van der Westhuizen (Bemarker), Mr C Febbraio (Fasehoof-Insenfase), Me C Keyter (Fasehoof-Seniorfase), Me C Knoetze (Fasehoof-VOO) Me R Olivier (Hoof-Castle, Fasehoof-Grondslagfase, Mnr J Benade (Leerdersake), Voor: Mnr B O’Neil (Uitvoerende Hoof), Mr S Kristal (Hoof Laerskool)

High school - Head of culture: Mrs Ilze Alberts, Head of sport: Mr Andre Barnard, Executive head: Mr Brian O’Neil

Primary school - Head of Sport: Mnr Junior Olivier; Head of Culture: Mrs Natasja Engelbrecht (absent); Mr Brian O’Neil (Executive head) and Sean Kristal (Operational head – Primary school)