PARKLANDS COLLEGE

The Parklands College Outreach Society

Our goal is to make a positive impact on our community by not only giving but by empowering others through the attainment of skills and knowledge.

Sophakama School in Du Noon

In 2005, teachers and parents visited schools and selected a school that could be adopted by Parklands College for a long term project. It was agreed that a focused effort would have the most impact and Sophakama School in Du Noon was selected as our long term project. At the beginning of the year, Sophakama compiled a list of identified needs within their school and we have endeavoured to assist them in these areas, in addition to others.

Our main focus is to further the educational experience of previously disadvantaged learners through enrichment and sponsoring scholarships.

Art supplies including paper, plasticine and paint were donated by parents and KV Art Supplies. The Pre Primary Faculty collected much needed first aid supplies and kits were made up by a group of parents. The Preparatory Faculty collected shoes and educators and learners delivered them to the school. The Secondary Faculty’s Grade Tens visited Sophakama and as part of their curriculum, presented an Interactive Workshop and play which was thoroughly enjoyed by the Parklands College and Sophakama learners.

Our most exciting project to date, has been setting up the IT lab at Sophakama. When Parklands College upgraded the computers in the Preparatory Faculty, the old computers were donated to Sophakama. At the beginning of March 2007, Lightedge donated and installed a network for Sophakama Primary.

We successfully secured the necessary software through the Microsoft Agreement and negotiated with the ICDL Foundation to certify Sophakama as a training centre. It was a proud day when David Bierman from the ICDL Foundation handed over the certificate and training began. Some of the educators have already passed ICDL modules 1 (basic concepts) and 2 (managing files) and have begun with module 3 (Microsoft Word). The Sophakama educators will not only be computer literate but by the end of the project they will have the internationally accepted ICDL certificate. This is an ongoing project which we hope in the long run, will enrich and empower the educators, the learners as well as the Du Noon community.

Outreach Fund-Raising Evening

The PCOS Spring Dance was a fantastic opportunity to socialise and raise funds for projects in 2007. A delicious three

course meal was served, spot prizes were enjoyed and R5000 was raised from the auction. Thank you to the parents who enjoyed the evening with us, the Dance Committee for their hard work and to the parents who donated prizes and items for auctioning.

In 2007, Hezel Ndlovu from Sophakama Primary joined us at Parklands College on a scholarship. The PCOS will be assisting with extra items that are needed for Hezel.

2008 continued to be a very busy year for the PCOS and working with Sophakama Primary school for the past four years has been a rewarding experience. We are proud of the many accomplishments this partnership has achieved along with the additional benefits to Sophakama Primary and the Du Noon Community.

After focusing on Sophakama Primary for the past four years, the committee has decided to support the Cape Town Youth Orchestra and we believe that our learners, parents and teachers can make an enormous impact in this area.

The Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

The Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) embraces education through entertainment and has embarked on a far-reaching educational and outreach programme. The orchestra plays not only in the Cape’s premier venues but also visits smaller venues in previously disadvantaged areas. Most of the members of the CPYO come from previously disadvantaged communities and we are looking forward to building a relationship with them and organising joint events to benefit the disadvantaged.

In March, all three of our faculties were involved in an X-ray collection and raised an amount of R400.00. With the help of many Pre-Primary and Preparatory parents, a bumper cake sale was held and an amount of R2048.60 was raised. This was an overwhelming response and a great effort from our parents.

Due to the generosity of Mr Kucera and the Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays, the PCOS “raised the bar” and hosted our special evening in The Arabella’s Grand Ballroom. Mr Bikwani organised an auctioneer and Mr and Mrs Gerber provided “Slapjack” for our musical entertainment.
Our parents once again gave generously and we are very appreciative of their support and the many donations of items for the auction.

A special thank you must go to the PCOS Committee as well as the dance committee headed by Donna Swart for arranging a spectacular and much talked about function. 152 guests ‘dressed to the nines’, enjoyed a great evening of unwinding, socialising, dancing and succeeded in raising an amount of R35 581.60.

In celebration of World Book Day on 23 April, the Pre-Primary, Preparatory and Secondary Faculties collected second hand books to build up the Sophakama school library. A roll of plastic was amongst the donations and Parklands College parents covered the books before they were delivered to Sophakama. Again our parents showed their whole hearted support of this project and a bus load of books were delivered to the overjoyed Sophakama learners and staff.

Our Electronic Auction in July brought in R3210.00 and the Sophakama learners thoroughly enjoyed eating the delicious fruit that Parklands College collected on the first day of Spring!

The PCOS are passionate about enriching the community through selected outreach projects and greatly value your input and support. Please email any of the members, should you wish to contribute or offer suggestions.