“Some Brain Food From Sasko”
Since October 2013 the matric learners from Walmer High were going through an important stage of their school career; They have been studying very hard for their final exams.
Through the exam time, Sasko contributed by handing out food before the learners wrote their examination. They have been great help to the matriculants by providing energizing sandwiches and drinks to strengthen the learner’s right before their exam.
Walmer High School would like to thank you for the great support !
Since October 2013 the matric learners from Walmer High were going through an important stage of their school career; They have been studying very hard for their final exams.
Through the exam time, Sasko contributed by handing out food before the learners wrote their examination. They have been great help to the matriculants by providing energizing sandwiches and drinks to strengthen the learner’s right before their exam.
Walmer High School would like to thank you for the great support !
"Words of Walmer" featured in The Herald
Pupils capture ‘great stories’ of Walmer township
30 May 2013
Zandile Mbabela
BORN and bred in Nelson Mandela Bay's Walmer township, Thenjiwe Jakavula-Nonimba is a blind activist for people with disabilities in the area, motivating and creating job opportunities through various organisations she has involved herself in.
Having gone blind due to cataracts during her final year of study – which led to her dropping out – Jakavula-Nonimba found herself living below the breadline.
Through counselling and empowerment programmes, she was able to embrace her disability and make the best of it while doing something she was passionate about – empowering others with disabilities.
Her story is that of only one of the contributors to the Words of Walmer book project aimed at capturing the essence of the impoverished township. The brainchild of Walmer High School matric pupil Samantha Nguruve and US student teacher Ashley Millhouse, the book will document residents' stories of love, poverty, faith and ambition.
"Walmer is always known for all the wrong things – crime, poverty and protests – and we want to bring to light the beauty of the area," Nguruve said. Onela Jakavula and Abongile Rayi, also from Walmer High, have been tasked with collecting stories from people who want to tell them, but can neither read nor write. "We go and record their stories and write them up or translate as people can submit in English and Xhosa," Jakavula said.
Touched and highly motivated by the stories they have come across so far, the pupils say they cannot wait for the book to be complete so people can enjoy these "great" stories from Walmer. The book is due to be finalised at the end of July, with the finished product meant to reach the public in late September. Millhouse, who is part of the Fulbright Programme, said she had fallen in love with Walmer township in the five months she had been working at the school. "I just love being in the township because I feel that is where the life is. Everything is so authentic here. "We feel the book would be the perfect platform to rid the area of the negativity attached to it."
30 May 2013
Zandile Mbabela
BORN and bred in Nelson Mandela Bay's Walmer township, Thenjiwe Jakavula-Nonimba is a blind activist for people with disabilities in the area, motivating and creating job opportunities through various organisations she has involved herself in.
Having gone blind due to cataracts during her final year of study – which led to her dropping out – Jakavula-Nonimba found herself living below the breadline.
Through counselling and empowerment programmes, she was able to embrace her disability and make the best of it while doing something she was passionate about – empowering others with disabilities.
Her story is that of only one of the contributors to the Words of Walmer book project aimed at capturing the essence of the impoverished township. The brainchild of Walmer High School matric pupil Samantha Nguruve and US student teacher Ashley Millhouse, the book will document residents' stories of love, poverty, faith and ambition.
"Walmer is always known for all the wrong things – crime, poverty and protests – and we want to bring to light the beauty of the area," Nguruve said. Onela Jakavula and Abongile Rayi, also from Walmer High, have been tasked with collecting stories from people who want to tell them, but can neither read nor write. "We go and record their stories and write them up or translate as people can submit in English and Xhosa," Jakavula said.
Touched and highly motivated by the stories they have come across so far, the pupils say they cannot wait for the book to be complete so people can enjoy these "great" stories from Walmer. The book is due to be finalised at the end of July, with the finished product meant to reach the public in late September. Millhouse, who is part of the Fulbright Programme, said she had fallen in love with Walmer township in the five months she had been working at the school. "I just love being in the township because I feel that is where the life is. Everything is so authentic here. "We feel the book would be the perfect platform to rid the area of the negativity attached to it."
One Big Family (OBF) is featured in the Algoa Sun!
Click here to access the article:
Using arts to send message
Posted : 24 May 2013 Daryn Wood
A GROUP of Walmer High pupils are using the power of performing arts to get its message out on important issues in the community.
One Big Family (OBF) is a pupil-run group that writes and directs plays to highlight issues such as HIV/Aids, teenage pregnancy and underage drinking.
They were the only school in the Eastern Cape asked to perform for the South African Breweries gala last month and were approached by publishers Voices in Africa to come up with a play modelled around Onne Vegter's novel, Whitney's Kiss.
The group consists of 30 pupils made up of actors, singers and poets. Because of the lack of teachers at the school, the pupils manage themselves and are dedicated to rehearsing three days a week – even staying after school until 8pm.
OBF is facilitated by Fulbright English teaching assistant Ashley Millhouse who is helping them gain exposure.
"Their natural talent and work ethic is unfathomable. The children write and produce their own plays with messages that include underage drinking and teenage pregnancy," said Millhouse. "In fact, all of their songs, plays, and poems are designed to empower youth with positive messages. "
Every time the pupils perform, they build their sense of leadership and self esteem for not only themselves, but for their entire audience, she said. The drama group acts as a role model for the younger pupils who are beginning high school and its "world of moral dilemmas", added Millhouse. They believe that art can be used to positively influence their peers and provide them with good role models. All that is missing for them is a platform to perform on.
"Often there are no teachers who will teach you exactly about life and life skills," said pupil leader Sigqipo Kutase. "Coming from primary school, you never thought about how challenging life is or how to fight for yourself." Millhouse hopes to find support for One Big Family in their quest to perform at Walmer High School and local primary schools and clinics. Ashley can be contacted on 073-815-0387, or e-mail: ashley.millhouse16@gmail.com
Using arts to send message
Posted : 24 May 2013 Daryn Wood
A GROUP of Walmer High pupils are using the power of performing arts to get its message out on important issues in the community.
One Big Family (OBF) is a pupil-run group that writes and directs plays to highlight issues such as HIV/Aids, teenage pregnancy and underage drinking.
They were the only school in the Eastern Cape asked to perform for the South African Breweries gala last month and were approached by publishers Voices in Africa to come up with a play modelled around Onne Vegter's novel, Whitney's Kiss.
The group consists of 30 pupils made up of actors, singers and poets. Because of the lack of teachers at the school, the pupils manage themselves and are dedicated to rehearsing three days a week – even staying after school until 8pm.
OBF is facilitated by Fulbright English teaching assistant Ashley Millhouse who is helping them gain exposure.
"Their natural talent and work ethic is unfathomable. The children write and produce their own plays with messages that include underage drinking and teenage pregnancy," said Millhouse. "In fact, all of their songs, plays, and poems are designed to empower youth with positive messages. "
Every time the pupils perform, they build their sense of leadership and self esteem for not only themselves, but for their entire audience, she said. The drama group acts as a role model for the younger pupils who are beginning high school and its "world of moral dilemmas", added Millhouse. They believe that art can be used to positively influence their peers and provide them with good role models. All that is missing for them is a platform to perform on.
"Often there are no teachers who will teach you exactly about life and life skills," said pupil leader Sigqipo Kutase. "Coming from primary school, you never thought about how challenging life is or how to fight for yourself." Millhouse hopes to find support for One Big Family in their quest to perform at Walmer High School and local primary schools and clinics. Ashley can be contacted on 073-815-0387, or e-mail: ashley.millhouse16@gmail.com
Grade 11 Learners Travel to Germany!
Over the March/April holiday, four grade 11 learners, Asanda Nqwendu, Amanda Mncono, Siphokazi Maxamba, and Busisiwe Sibuta, travelled to Germany! Below is their account of their incredible trip.
"We, as four learners of Walmer High School, embarked on a journey that lead us to Germany. The trip started on the 30th of March and lasted until the 12th of April. The trip was organized by Masifunde Learner Development, which is an NGO company that is supported by the Germans. We went to Germany to do a project about fashion. The project started last year here in South Africa, where we were discussing cultural diversity. Our main idea was to interview different people from different cultures and we managed to achieve it. Our time in Germany was very beautiful. We travelled to many cities that included Marburg, Frankfurt, Berlin (the capital city), and more. On our trip, we did a film about fashion where our main idea was to find out how identity links with fashion. We had many interview partners including a fashion designer, scientist who is an expert on youth culture, and a member of parliament.
Our favourite part was when we were in Berlin. We had a great time and the reason was that Berlin was the biggest city that we travelled to. Our trip was one of the best and we learned a lot. Thanks to Jonas, the founder of Masifunde, for bringing us the huge opportunity of going to Germany. Our parents and the principal are very proud of us for our great work!"
"We, as four learners of Walmer High School, embarked on a journey that lead us to Germany. The trip started on the 30th of March and lasted until the 12th of April. The trip was organized by Masifunde Learner Development, which is an NGO company that is supported by the Germans. We went to Germany to do a project about fashion. The project started last year here in South Africa, where we were discussing cultural diversity. Our main idea was to interview different people from different cultures and we managed to achieve it. Our time in Germany was very beautiful. We travelled to many cities that included Marburg, Frankfurt, Berlin (the capital city), and more. On our trip, we did a film about fashion where our main idea was to find out how identity links with fashion. We had many interview partners including a fashion designer, scientist who is an expert on youth culture, and a member of parliament.
Our favourite part was when we were in Berlin. We had a great time and the reason was that Berlin was the biggest city that we travelled to. Our trip was one of the best and we learned a lot. Thanks to Jonas, the founder of Masifunde, for bringing us the huge opportunity of going to Germany. Our parents and the principal are very proud of us for our great work!"
Matric Farewell
Walmer High School held a farewell for its 110 learners who are matriculating this year. Below is the list of learners who achieved Matric Exemptions:
- Noziphiwo Bioli
- Anelisa Dick
- Andwiswa Fandesi
- Tshepo Kamvelihle Sergio Goba
- Yomelela Hlwatika
- Sandisiwe Khonzani
- Boginkosi Nkosana Mabandla
- Fundile Makhosi
- Philiswa Mnukwa
- Xola Unathi Mnyamana
- Xola Ngcosholo
- Mileka Ngindo
- Wanga Nogophe
- Nompelo Nomaxabiso Samantha Sizani
- Nwabisa Tisani
- Anelisa Tuswa
- Nobathembu Zide
Heritage Day Festivities
On 23 September, 2011, Walmer High School's students and teachers celebrated their Xhosa heritage in honor of National Heritage Day, 24 September. Both learners and faculty alike wore traditional African dress and the day was spent in the school's courtyard as various groups of learners, teachers, or both danced and sang. A play was also performed by a self-organized student drama club. Click here to view an album of pictures from the event!
Literacy Week: September 2011
Walmer High just launched its first annual Literacy Week!
In honor of International Literacy Day, 8 September, 2011, Walmer High's Umthombo Wolwazi Library organized and launched a series of events to promote reading and writing. Literacy Week 2011 included:
- Poetry, essay, and short story writing contests
- A Read-a-Thon, in which high school students visited the neighboring primary school and clinic to conduct read-alouds
- Visits from the South African poet Mxolisi Nyezwa, as well as author Traci Mackie
- A spelling bee for grade 8 & 9 students
- A Friday Flick showing of "Freedom Writers," with popcorn, candy floss, and refreshments
- A student drama production
- A library open-house for parents and community members so that students can show off their newest learning space
Winter Vacation School: June/July 2011
In prior years, Walmer High School's learners were told that if they wanted to attend additional study classes over their winter break, they must travel to another school or town, which most of our learners cannot afford. However, after a successful appeal to the Eastern Cape Department of Education, Walmer's learners were given the opportunity to attend two weeks of additional classes with extra tutors right at their own high school this winter, from June 27th - July 8th, 2011! All Grade 12 learners were required to attend, in efforts to increase the matriculation passing rate this November.
This website has been sponsored by Dimension Data & Walmer's 2011 Fulbright ETAs.
