CURRENT EVENTS
Feeding Scheme:
Giving Hope to Our Pupils and Community
By: Damane Lonwabo (11)
19 April 2013
The feeding scheme creates jobs and
increases attendance rates.
Just a few years ago, Walmer High School was faced with a rapid increase in the absenteeism rate due to poverty. Thanks to the new feeding scheme that was introduced in the fourth term of last year that has finally come to an end. “This started as a soup kitchen, which was sponsored by Pick n Pay, St. John’s and Alfadah. It could only cater for plus minus two hundred students. This bothered us because we knew that the whole school needed the service,” said Mrs .Ngqakaza.
The new feeding scheme now caters for the school at large and is sponsored by the Department of Education. “Before we were in Quintile Five, meaning we were categorized as a Model C school. This automatically enabled us from receiving the feeding scheme. The principal had to fight and we are now in Quintile Three,” Mrs. Ngqakaza elaborated.
The new feeding scheme consists of different nutritious menus which are set by the Government. This helps accommodate different pupils with different diets. “I know their favourite dish, which is the African salad, is served on Friday,” she said. She said that they have also introduced pasta and the response they receive from the students is very constructive.
“We as the students used to not come to school due to the fact that one has no lunch money. Now classes are almost jam packed every day because we know that the day won’t end with our stomachs empty,” said Calico Juneta, a grade 11 pupil. She predicted a swift increase in the passing rate, and she said that this left students with no reason of being absent from school.
Making this new feeding scheme more auspicious is the fact that not only Walmer High School is benefiting from this but also the community. The left overs are given to Mrs. Veto, who gives them to an old age home.
It has also created job opportunities as the cooks that prepare the meals get paid. Mrs. Ngqakaza said that she is highly satisfied and advises other schools to also include this programme in their school. She believes that every child should be fed in order to participate in class and do well in school. As a result, the programme will be available for generations to come.
The new feeding scheme now caters for the school at large and is sponsored by the Department of Education. “Before we were in Quintile Five, meaning we were categorized as a Model C school. This automatically enabled us from receiving the feeding scheme. The principal had to fight and we are now in Quintile Three,” Mrs. Ngqakaza elaborated.
The new feeding scheme consists of different nutritious menus which are set by the Government. This helps accommodate different pupils with different diets. “I know their favourite dish, which is the African salad, is served on Friday,” she said. She said that they have also introduced pasta and the response they receive from the students is very constructive.
“We as the students used to not come to school due to the fact that one has no lunch money. Now classes are almost jam packed every day because we know that the day won’t end with our stomachs empty,” said Calico Juneta, a grade 11 pupil. She predicted a swift increase in the passing rate, and she said that this left students with no reason of being absent from school.
Making this new feeding scheme more auspicious is the fact that not only Walmer High School is benefiting from this but also the community. The left overs are given to Mrs. Veto, who gives them to an old age home.
It has also created job opportunities as the cooks that prepare the meals get paid. Mrs. Ngqakaza said that she is highly satisfied and advises other schools to also include this programme in their school. She believes that every child should be fed in order to participate in class and do well in school. As a result, the programme will be available for generations to come.
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Corruption at School
By: Thozi Mbongolo (11)
18 April 2013
Walmer High School is faced with an extreme corruption. Each and every week or month, students are faced with highly dangers of robbery, theft, bullying and stalking. Students often feel that they are not safe at school because of these aspects stated above, as girls complain about boys stalking them in their toilets.
In regards to stalking, there is another matter that is extremely dangerous. People come from outside the school to rob and take student's pocket money, cellphones, and accessories. They force them by taking out knives and even threatening them by means of stopping them from speaking, even holding them hostage inside their classrooms.
These are the matters that Walmer High School is faced with often. Students steal other students’ backpacks every now and then take part in bullying. Especially boys are intensely bullying one another by calling each other names and fighting sometimes they even use knives. Now the question is how do these students feel and how will this end? In reference to teachers and students, what can be done?
I first spoke to Mrs. Sana, one of the teachers who has experienced lots of corruption around Walmer High School.
Q: As a teacher and as a parent, how are you coping with this kind of situation?
MRS SANA: I’m not coping well. It’s too frightening, especially the use of drugs by learners. I don't feel safe around the school.
Q: Does this affect you?
MRS SANA: Yes, it does affect me as teacher because I feel that some of the parents are not concerned about their children. They go to work and come home late. They don't even care about what is going on around their children.
Q: What can you do or suggest to these crisis?
MRS SANA: I think that the school needs to have the code of conduct and action taken against a corrupt learner. We also need to include the arm of law.
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I next spoke with Millicent Mhlophe, a Grade 12 student who is full of experience of such situations and has been around the school for a while.
Q: As a student of Walmer High School, what can you say about this situation?
MILLICENT: First of all, crime isn't a pleasant thing to do. We as students of Walmer high school must fight against crime, because this is our school. Everyone who commits crime must be sent away for a very long time to prevent Walmer residents from taking the law into their own hands.
Q: Can you suggest any ways to end this?
MILLICENT: Students must not be outside the school. Police must wonder around in and outside the school so that everyone can be safe.
The fire is on at Walmer High School, as teachers are trying by all means to fight with the situation. In February of this year, class representatives were chosen as body of the school to guide and report corrupt moves inside the school. They were also chosen to represent the school in meetings about such matters. There you have it, students, teachers, and residents of Walmer. The teachers have spoken now it is up to you and the arm of law to take action.
Tips to stay safe:
-Do not bring cell phones to school.
-Tell class reps or the teachers if you feel unsafe or see something that looks wrong.
-Tell the principal if you are meeting in classrooms after school hours.
In regards to stalking, there is another matter that is extremely dangerous. People come from outside the school to rob and take student's pocket money, cellphones, and accessories. They force them by taking out knives and even threatening them by means of stopping them from speaking, even holding them hostage inside their classrooms.
These are the matters that Walmer High School is faced with often. Students steal other students’ backpacks every now and then take part in bullying. Especially boys are intensely bullying one another by calling each other names and fighting sometimes they even use knives. Now the question is how do these students feel and how will this end? In reference to teachers and students, what can be done?
I first spoke to Mrs. Sana, one of the teachers who has experienced lots of corruption around Walmer High School.
Q: As a teacher and as a parent, how are you coping with this kind of situation?
MRS SANA: I’m not coping well. It’s too frightening, especially the use of drugs by learners. I don't feel safe around the school.
Q: Does this affect you?
MRS SANA: Yes, it does affect me as teacher because I feel that some of the parents are not concerned about their children. They go to work and come home late. They don't even care about what is going on around their children.
Q: What can you do or suggest to these crisis?
MRS SANA: I think that the school needs to have the code of conduct and action taken against a corrupt learner. We also need to include the arm of law.
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I next spoke with Millicent Mhlophe, a Grade 12 student who is full of experience of such situations and has been around the school for a while.
Q: As a student of Walmer High School, what can you say about this situation?
MILLICENT: First of all, crime isn't a pleasant thing to do. We as students of Walmer high school must fight against crime, because this is our school. Everyone who commits crime must be sent away for a very long time to prevent Walmer residents from taking the law into their own hands.
Q: Can you suggest any ways to end this?
MILLICENT: Students must not be outside the school. Police must wonder around in and outside the school so that everyone can be safe.
The fire is on at Walmer High School, as teachers are trying by all means to fight with the situation. In February of this year, class representatives were chosen as body of the school to guide and report corrupt moves inside the school. They were also chosen to represent the school in meetings about such matters. There you have it, students, teachers, and residents of Walmer. The teachers have spoken now it is up to you and the arm of law to take action.
Tips to stay safe:
-Do not bring cell phones to school.
-Tell class reps or the teachers if you feel unsafe or see something that looks wrong.
-Tell the principal if you are meeting in classrooms after school hours.
Students Doing It Big in and out of WHS
By: Lesedi Moyo (12A)
8 March 2013
Lihleli Kutase and Dulwana Siyabulela
Walmer High School, as we all know, is situated in the not so popular township of Walmer. By now, you can imagine what a lot of people think about it. It is dragged down and often overlooked by others due to Walmer's negative reputation. Immediately when a person says Walmer Location, people predict that the person is will talk about all the thing happening in Walmer, such a violent acts against women and children. I am also going to talk about Walmer but I will not focus on the negative things because that would be an insult to my nature.
Today, I am going to talk about our very own W.H.S students that have been doing great things at our school as well as outside its mighty gates. They are young leaders and should be role-models to some students that are hiding their potential talent. These include editors and artists that write and paint their problems away.
Lihleli Kutase is a young lady that has already let destiny push her to the media side. She’s in matric and is best known for excelling in all that she does. Her peers view her as a leader and a young role-model, and she demonstrated this in the following interview.
Q: I heard that you are doing it big outside of W.H.S. What do you have to say about that?
A: I have been part of the Walmer's Own Magazine team since 2009 and at some point I was the editor. I learned a lot about proof reading, editing and dealing with other people's ideas.
Q: What did you love about what you were doing?
A: What I loved about what I was doing was that it offered me to expand my knowledge on writing as a profession.
Q: When and why did you join the group?
A: I joined in 2009, because it seemed cool at that time plus I wanted to improve my writing abilities.
Q: Since you're in matric, how do you manage to juggle things from the group to school?
A: Now that I'm in matric, I do not attend as often as I'd like but I try and make time to be present.
Q: What do you plan to achieve or gain from this?
A: I had planned to have been a part of at least seven editions.
Q: Would you advice others to join? Why or why not?
A: I would advise others to join because it surely improves a person's team work ability and English as a language.
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Dulwana Siyabulela is a learner who is also in matric. Siyabulela is a a cricket player who plays for both our school and an outside team called Walmer Warriors. Surely you'll agree with me when I say that W.H.S is a school that has it all! Dulwana was kind enough to take time off his busy schedule and answer what I had to ask him.
Q: What exactly do you do?
A: I am a cricket player, a wicket keeper on the field, and I'm also the Vice Captain of our school team.
Q: When did you start playing?
A: I started playing when I was in primary school and that was in 2007.
Q: What do you love about cricket?
A: I love the fact that cricket is a sport that requires discipline, commitment and focus. It is also a fun sport to play.
Q: What are the positive and negative effects of cricket?
A: The negative effects are that I’m in matric so that means that there is less time for me train and the positive effects are that it keeps me grounded, away from what my peers are doing.
Q: How do you manage your time?
A: As for managing time, I made myself a time table which I follow very well and it helps me manage time.
Q: Would you advise others to join?
A: Yes, but people should know that cricket isn't as easy as it looks. It needs time and a lot of practice.
Q: What do you plan to achieve from this?
A: Big things. I want it to be my option B just in case option A doesn't work as planned.
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I was fortunate enough to interview our very own Brenda Fassie, Amanda Mncono. She is a beautiful and talented yet humble song bird. I asked her about what she does and this is what she had to say.
Q: What is it that you're involved in?
A: I am a member of the Masifunde Film Group. I work with editing and cameras.
Q: When and why did you join?
A: I joined in 2009 and I joined because it involved doing what I loved.
Q: What do you love about it?
A: I love the fact that I get a chance to get to know a lot of people during interviews.
Q: Would you advise to join?
A: Yes, because when you're in matric you get a chance to work with Bay T.V.
Q: What do you plan to achieve from this?
A: I hope to my first year in film and if I get a chance to do so, I will have more knowledge because of my past experience.
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It seems to me that our school has a wide variety of awesome people doing awesome things in and out of our school. That shows that our school is not like the site in which it is situated in.Walmer High is similar to a Lotus flower, since it is very unique. It grows in the dirtiest of dirty places but that does not stop it from being admired by people and blooming strong and beautiful. W.H.S is a factory known for producing only the best products. The question that still remains is are you one of them?
Today, I am going to talk about our very own W.H.S students that have been doing great things at our school as well as outside its mighty gates. They are young leaders and should be role-models to some students that are hiding their potential talent. These include editors and artists that write and paint their problems away.
Lihleli Kutase is a young lady that has already let destiny push her to the media side. She’s in matric and is best known for excelling in all that she does. Her peers view her as a leader and a young role-model, and she demonstrated this in the following interview.
Q: I heard that you are doing it big outside of W.H.S. What do you have to say about that?
A: I have been part of the Walmer's Own Magazine team since 2009 and at some point I was the editor. I learned a lot about proof reading, editing and dealing with other people's ideas.
Q: What did you love about what you were doing?
A: What I loved about what I was doing was that it offered me to expand my knowledge on writing as a profession.
Q: When and why did you join the group?
A: I joined in 2009, because it seemed cool at that time plus I wanted to improve my writing abilities.
Q: Since you're in matric, how do you manage to juggle things from the group to school?
A: Now that I'm in matric, I do not attend as often as I'd like but I try and make time to be present.
Q: What do you plan to achieve or gain from this?
A: I had planned to have been a part of at least seven editions.
Q: Would you advice others to join? Why or why not?
A: I would advise others to join because it surely improves a person's team work ability and English as a language.
____________________________________________________________________
Dulwana Siyabulela is a learner who is also in matric. Siyabulela is a a cricket player who plays for both our school and an outside team called Walmer Warriors. Surely you'll agree with me when I say that W.H.S is a school that has it all! Dulwana was kind enough to take time off his busy schedule and answer what I had to ask him.
Q: What exactly do you do?
A: I am a cricket player, a wicket keeper on the field, and I'm also the Vice Captain of our school team.
Q: When did you start playing?
A: I started playing when I was in primary school and that was in 2007.
Q: What do you love about cricket?
A: I love the fact that cricket is a sport that requires discipline, commitment and focus. It is also a fun sport to play.
Q: What are the positive and negative effects of cricket?
A: The negative effects are that I’m in matric so that means that there is less time for me train and the positive effects are that it keeps me grounded, away from what my peers are doing.
Q: How do you manage your time?
A: As for managing time, I made myself a time table which I follow very well and it helps me manage time.
Q: Would you advise others to join?
A: Yes, but people should know that cricket isn't as easy as it looks. It needs time and a lot of practice.
Q: What do you plan to achieve from this?
A: Big things. I want it to be my option B just in case option A doesn't work as planned.
____________________________________________________________________
I was fortunate enough to interview our very own Brenda Fassie, Amanda Mncono. She is a beautiful and talented yet humble song bird. I asked her about what she does and this is what she had to say.
Q: What is it that you're involved in?
A: I am a member of the Masifunde Film Group. I work with editing and cameras.
Q: When and why did you join?
A: I joined in 2009 and I joined because it involved doing what I loved.
Q: What do you love about it?
A: I love the fact that I get a chance to get to know a lot of people during interviews.
Q: Would you advise to join?
A: Yes, because when you're in matric you get a chance to work with Bay T.V.
Q: What do you plan to achieve from this?
A: I hope to my first year in film and if I get a chance to do so, I will have more knowledge because of my past experience.
_____________________________________________________________________
It seems to me that our school has a wide variety of awesome people doing awesome things in and out of our school. That shows that our school is not like the site in which it is situated in.Walmer High is similar to a Lotus flower, since it is very unique. It grows in the dirtiest of dirty places but that does not stop it from being admired by people and blooming strong and beautiful. W.H.S is a factory known for producing only the best products. The question that still remains is are you one of them?
All About Netball
By: Chuma Nangu (10G)
5 March 2013
Netball at Walmer High School has been played for a long time and it has not changed. We want to change our boring high school netball and make an interesting netball team so that other teams would like to challenge us. If the other learners participate and play the sport that we all love, we could be a wonderful team especially if we have positive team spirit. There are many students who have the ability to play the sport. If you believe in this, you can do it. There are many learners here at school that can play netball. Some I even played with at primary school. Even John Masiza players can play, so please participate because we need you.
The other students who want to play netball can come and play with us because we can teach them how to play. If you want to be seen as a netball player, you must act as one and we will know you want to challenge other schools. There will be games and tournaments that we will play and we will play with the following schools: Pearson, Victoria Park, D.F Marhelbe, and more. Remember to use your skills and join our growing netball team!
The other students who want to play netball can come and play with us because we can teach them how to play. If you want to be seen as a netball player, you must act as one and we will know you want to challenge other schools. There will be games and tournaments that we will play and we will play with the following schools: Pearson, Victoria Park, D.F Marhelbe, and more. Remember to use your skills and join our growing netball team!
Valentine's Day
By: Damane Lonwabo
215 February 2013
OBF performing a play about underage drinking.
As the nation celebrated Valentine’s Day with their loved ones, we at Walmer High School also saw the day as one that should be spent with great felicity. It should be a day involving time with loved ones and binding the universe with love. Our own entertainment committee (Mrs. Sana, Mrs. Mfama, Miss April, and Mrs. Ngcozela) put on together a fantastic show that united the juniors and seniors of the school and got them wearing smiles under one roof.
The show was blessed with a stunning opening play based on under age drinking and peer pressure performed by the OBF (One Big Family) club. The play grasped the audience’s attention and got the crowd dying with laughter as it was presented in a comedic and educational way.
Afterwards, it was time for the beauty pageant and the judges had to choose the most dazzling and distinct couple out of the 12 contestants that took part in the competition. Things appeared pretty tough for the judges as the contestants were highly competitive. After a long consideration period, the judges finally came up with the results and landed us with Yolanda Mlindi (8A) as our female winner and Olwethu Ngqowana (11F) as our male winner.
Just when everyone thought the show had come to an end, DJ Bakkie and DJ Jason got the house in flames and the dance floor was open to everyone.
As a result of all the hard work of the entertainment committee, it was a successful show that satisfied every individual present and will forever be one of our blissful memories as W.H.S.
Students dancing in between events. |
The Mr. and Miss Valentine contestants walk around for their adoring fans. |
Mr. and Miss Valentine: Olwethu Ngqowana and Yolanda Mlindi |
Teacher Shortage: Who Will Fill the Gap?
By: Damane Lonwabo (11G)
14 February 2013
Nolunsindiso Jam-Jam, a 2013 Matriculant.
For the past three weeks, Walmer High School has been operating with a massive shortage of teachers. Classes are jam packed with students thirsty for education but there are not enough teachers available to attend to them. The available teachers are going out of their way to make sure that all the students are on the same level and no class/student is left behind. However, the kind of load they have on their shoulders and the kind of pressure they are working under makes it impossible for them.
I spoke to Nolusindiso Jam-Jam, one of our 2013 matriculants who spoke on behalf of the learners expressing their views about this situation.
Grade 12 is a very short year and we do not have enough teachers at the moment. How is this affecting you?
Nolusindiso: First of all, our syllabus ends in six months and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done in this period. This will put us behind…not only the grade 12’s but the lower grades too.
How are you coping or what means are you doing to meet the present teachers halfway?
Nolusindiso: We’re studying in groups, exchanging notes with students from other schools and we use study guides to guide us.
If this problem persists, what ramifications can you foresee or predict?
Nolusindiso: Passing rate might decrease. For instance, grade 9 will be writing external papers for the first time so they need as much guidance as possible. I also think if it continues for a long time, it will cause children to drop out of school and put the school’s reputation at stake but we believe that the principal is working on this crisis.
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I spoke to Nolusindiso Jam-Jam, one of our 2013 matriculants who spoke on behalf of the learners expressing their views about this situation.
Grade 12 is a very short year and we do not have enough teachers at the moment. How is this affecting you?
Nolusindiso: First of all, our syllabus ends in six months and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done in this period. This will put us behind…not only the grade 12’s but the lower grades too.
How are you coping or what means are you doing to meet the present teachers halfway?
Nolusindiso: We’re studying in groups, exchanging notes with students from other schools and we use study guides to guide us.
If this problem persists, what ramifications can you foresee or predict?
Nolusindiso: Passing rate might decrease. For instance, grade 9 will be writing external papers for the first time so they need as much guidance as possible. I also think if it continues for a long time, it will cause children to drop out of school and put the school’s reputation at stake but we believe that the principal is working on this crisis.
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Principal Dyani
As the students sit back and wonder when this will come to an end, I had a conversation with the principal and got some of the questions students are dying to ask answered.
Sir, as you know, we currently do not have enough teachers available in school. I’m aware that this is affecting the students in a negative way but what effect does it apply to the teachers?
Principal Dyani: The available teachers are overloaded and students are not being taught. It also disturbs the teachers because as he/she is busy teaching, the other class is making noise because there’s no supervision. This is putting the teachers under a lot of strain.
As a person who goes up and down doing what’s best for this school, what steps have you taken so far to solve this problem?
Principal Dyani: I’ve consulted my bosses and I’ve seen for myself that the department is working very hard on this, so I’m optimistic that in a few weeks this will pass.
Has Walmer High School walked this process before?
Principal Dyani: Yes, it has. Teacher shortage has always been a challenge especially in township schools and particularly in schools that are poor; this is quite common. In this case, if a teacher goes for a leave it’s not easy to get a substitute, but in rich schools this is done in a minute because of the large budgets they have.
Some students are waiting for a teacher to start the first chapter with them. What advice would you give them?
Principal Dyani: If one is thirsty for education, then nothing should stand in their way. I’ve always believed that 80% of the work should be done by students. Yes, a teacher should be there but only to guide them. So I encourage them to work as groups and they shouldn’t be despondent at all because this is just a passing phase.
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This is taken into account as the school’s current and major problem, since it is occurring at the most demanding and occupying term. Students are asked to bear with the present teachers and meet them halfway for a few weeks and the principal says in no time this will come to an end.
Sir, as you know, we currently do not have enough teachers available in school. I’m aware that this is affecting the students in a negative way but what effect does it apply to the teachers?
Principal Dyani: The available teachers are overloaded and students are not being taught. It also disturbs the teachers because as he/she is busy teaching, the other class is making noise because there’s no supervision. This is putting the teachers under a lot of strain.
As a person who goes up and down doing what’s best for this school, what steps have you taken so far to solve this problem?
Principal Dyani: I’ve consulted my bosses and I’ve seen for myself that the department is working very hard on this, so I’m optimistic that in a few weeks this will pass.
Has Walmer High School walked this process before?
Principal Dyani: Yes, it has. Teacher shortage has always been a challenge especially in township schools and particularly in schools that are poor; this is quite common. In this case, if a teacher goes for a leave it’s not easy to get a substitute, but in rich schools this is done in a minute because of the large budgets they have.
Some students are waiting for a teacher to start the first chapter with them. What advice would you give them?
Principal Dyani: If one is thirsty for education, then nothing should stand in their way. I’ve always believed that 80% of the work should be done by students. Yes, a teacher should be there but only to guide them. So I encourage them to work as groups and they shouldn’t be despondent at all because this is just a passing phase.
___________________________________________________________________________
This is taken into account as the school’s current and major problem, since it is occurring at the most demanding and occupying term. Students are asked to bear with the present teachers and meet them halfway for a few weeks and the principal says in no time this will come to an end.
