Making History in 2021

This year was filled with exciting projects and campaigns that aimed to improve the lives of our students, widen our impact, show appreciation to our donors and showcase just how talented our students are. These are some of the highlights of 2021.

Watch the video of our MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and Builders partnership here: https://bit. ly/3zOS4It WELCOMING OUR TINIEST CHRISTEL HOUSERS

On 2 August 2021, we officially welcomed our very first Grade RR students. Our youngest Christel Housers to date, included 60 bright-eyed 4–5-year-olds split across three brand new classes. Construction of the classrooms was made possible by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and Builders, with the Harry Crossley Foundation and various individuals providing funding for school uniforms, educational materials and our new Grade RR teachers.

A MULTIPURPOSE HALL THAT CAN DO IT ALL

After months of construction, our new multipurpose hall is complete. Our Matric Study Intensive space includes pop-up dorms to house our Grade 12 students and provide them with a safe and conducive learning environment during exam periods. Through clever design practice, the area also transitions into a tutor hub for students.

Watch the video of the Derby Day here: https://bit. ly/3nktrOH CREATING LASTING FRIENDSHIPS AMONGST OUR YOUTH

Our Simunye (We are one) project is a partnership between five schools in Cape Town with the aim of promoting nation building and nurturing long-term relationships between South African youth from various ends of the wealth spectrum. The participating schools include Christel House SA, Die Duine Primary, Rondebosch Boys Prep, Mzamomtsha Primary and St Cyprians Girls School.

The second instalment of the project’s annual Derby Day event took place in October and included 300 Grade 6 and 7 students across the five schools. The programme involved a cable car ride up to Table Mountain and various activities that were designed to find a common ground between the students. Students also took part in a beach clean-up event in December to cultivate collective action to care for the environment and to create shared experiences amongst themselves.

The Simunye project forms part of a global partnership called the Wealth Inequality Initiative (WII) by the Julius Baer Foundation, with various projects implemented around the world to reduce wealth inequality.

VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION TELLS A MOVING STORY

Our school partnered with Iziko Museums for a virtual art exhibition to showcase the unique talents, culture, lived experiences and heritage of our students living on the Cape Flats. The video exhibition, entitled ‘Through our eyes: A virtual glimpse into the lives of the youth of Christel House SA’, went live during national Heritage Week and included 45 artworks and three musical items by our students.

Watch the art exhibition video here: https://bit. ly/3yG1t4A

THREE NATIONAL FENCING CHAMPIONS

A big congratulations to Azile M, Taryn M, and Ashlyn N for achieving national colours in fencing. Christel House SA has a long history of producing national fencers and we are very proud to have our students represent the country in 2022.

HOSTING A SPECIAL TOUR FOR OUR FRIENDS

Our school invited our donors, partners and friends for student-led Special Tours of our campus to showcase various aspects of our innovative, character-based and career-focused programme. Guests were overjoyed to experience some of the Christel House magic first-hand, including our coding, robotics, online educational tools, droning, fencing, art and career and parent support programmes. Guests were also entertained by various musical performances throughout the campus tour.

GIVING BUCKETS OF HOPE TO FAMILIES IN NEED

We called on the public to help us raise funds for our annual Buckets of Hope fundraising drive to provide food to our families during the December school holidays. The cost for each bucket was R200 and it included non-perishable food supplies.

We were astounded by the outpouring of generosity that the campaign received. With the help of many generous donors, we overshot our initial target by raising an incredible R140 000. This allowed us to provide each of our 650 families with a Bucket of Hope, including an extra bucket to families with more than one student at our school.

WORKING TOGETHER WITH OUR PARENTS

Our Social Services department revamped our parent programme, which is now called Sebenza Sonke (working together) and includes an updated volunteer point system. We held various workshops for parents and two parent appreciation events – at the Peninsula All-suite Hotel in Seapoint and a trip on the Red Bus, which afforded them the opportunity to learn more about Cape Town and its history.