Penreach students fly high against all odds

250 Grade 10-12 Maths and Science learners were congratulated for their outstanding achievements in the 2011 exams by Penreach at a ceremony today in Nelspruit. Teachers who demonstrated dedication and passion through the year and who went beyond the call of duty to arrange extra lessons after school for their learners were also acknowledged as well as principals for their strong leadership.  Among the dignitaries present was Ms Lerato Mphachoe, the Head of Physical Science at the Mpumalanga Department of Basic Education.  Despite their limited resources, students in this group are among the country’s high achievers and are now planning university careers.  This thanks to the Penreach tutorial programme and funding from Sasol and other corporates.

Grade 12 learners wowed their tutors and teachers as they produced 15 A’s and 35 B’s in in the 2011 NSC Mathematics and Physical Science exams, paving the way for a professional career.  David Wylde, Chief Executive Officer of the Penreach programme said, “Mathematics and Physical Science are the most challenging gateway subjects to tertiary education.  The logic of Mathematics underpins all careers in the sciences, while Physical Science provides the practical insights into how the world works opening up a huge variety of careers. For these reasons Penreach, with the assistance of corporate South Africa, has focussed on a Maths and Science programme in rural schools where the need is greatest.” read more >>

CSI Making The Difference Awards, Mpumalanga

Penreach was honoured to have been selected as 2009 Joint Winner in the Education and Training Category in the CSI Making the Difference Awards for Mpumalanga (see www.making-the-difference.org).

The winners were announced at a gala celebration held in the Nelspruit Legislature on Thursday evening, 25th February 2010. The Awards are sponsored by local organizations in partnership with the Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Department. The national Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Ms Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, delivered the key note address.

The event was preceded by the launch of the new Mpumalanga CSI Forum, with provincial and national CSI and CSR managers discussing strategies to improve existing programs.

As a leading whole school education development program, Penreach is definitely making a difference. Annually it reaches more than 2,000 teachers from over 900 schools, impacting on at least 350,000 learners. More than 90% of the teachers currently registered with Penreach are women. Through Penreach they are able to improve their teaching skills and in so doing, improve their positions in their schools and in their communities.

The judges praised Penreach for making a difference on such a large scale. “It's a very good model, and its value is indicated by the fact that so many teachers turn up for training on their weekends off, often at their own expense.”, the Judges said.

Penreach would like to thank its donors and friends for their outstanding contributions to our program. Please continue to support our work and our vision to make a difference in education in South Africa.

Penreach Tutorial Learners Excel in 2009

Two best friends from KaBokweni who have been attending the Penreach tutorial lessons regularly at Penryn College, rose above challenging circumstances to become some of the top achievers in the Province in the 2009 matric examinations.

Lindokuhle Methule and Ntando Nyoni (pictured below with Mr Bailey Nkuna, the Penreach Mathematics and Physical Science Program Manager) from Mthombo Secondary School (a Penreach target school) in KaBokweni near White River, received 10 distinctions between the two of them.

Lindokhule achieved a 95% pass in Mathematics, and distinctions in Life Science, Physical Science, English, Afrikaans and Life Orientation.

Ntando received distinctions in Mathematics, Life Science, English and Life Orientation.

“I am very happy with my results,” said an ecstatic Ntando, “I wanted to do well in my matric exam.  That was my goal and now it’s done!”

Lindokhule on the other hand confessed that his results exceeded even his own expectations and broke some of his personal and school life records. “I am the first one in my family to do so well and to be able to go to university.” “And I’m also the first one in my school to achieve so well” he added.

Lindokuhle and Ntando have always dreamed of becoming doctors and both are going on to study medicine at Medunsa and the University of Cape Town in 2010, having received bursaries from the Provincial Department of Health.

Well done to Lindokuhle and Ntando from the Penreach team! And well done to our other learners who did well in the final exams in 2009. Keep up the good work and know that you are special!.