St Idas turned 80 years old last month and has started a campaign to help the school raise R180 000 to ensure the school remains financially sustainable and for e-learning in the classroom.
The school was established by a group of Dominican nuns in 1939 after the nuns had purchased land in Rustenburg Road and built a hall and two classes on the property. While construction of the school was only completed in 1941, 143 learners from across Stellenbosch were already enrolled there as early as 20 February 1939 in the old building of the AME church.
St Idas’ first principal was Sister Baptiste and one of its first teachers, Sister Henry. At the time, none of the teachers who worked there would accept remuneration for their work.
In 1962 St Idas became a state-aided school. Today the school, attended by 280 learners, relies on supplementary funding of R1 100 per child received from government and school fees from parents who can afford to pay so to remain sustainable.
The R180 000 raised will be used to provide much-needed education resources for learners, many from underprivileged areas in Idas Valley, Jonkershoek, Welgevallen Experimental Farm, Khayamandi and Cloetesville. Items needed by the school include textbooks, exercise books and stationery for learners as well as funds to appoint additional teaching staff where needed, and to upgrade facilities such as classrooms.
“Most of our learners come from underprivileged areas where parents are often unemployed, single parent households with only one income, or from families where parents do not earn enough money to cover our school fees,” says school principal Mrs Glynis Rippenaar.
Many teachers often have to dip into their own pockets for resources.
“For a long time we were unable to utilise our Khanya lab, which houses 23 computers and was installed by the Western Cape Education Department to help learners with their literacy and numeracy skills, because it was too expensive to maintain. We just did not have funds to upgrade software as it became outdated, or do regular maintenance.”
In 2014, the school received support from the Click Foundation, who started a literacy programme at the school in 2014 called the Reading Eggs. Through this initiative, computers in the school lab were also upgraded and today they have 39 slimlab computers.
Rippenaar says that while times have been tough, the school has had amazing support too, which has made a world of difference to the teachers, but in particular the learners.
Organisations that have supported the school either through mentorship and skills programmes, monetary or in-kind donations, or infrastructural or fundraising contributions include the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), Superspar Simonrust, Het Jan Marais Fonds, Pam Golding, Stellenbosch University, the University of Stellenbosch Business School, Cash & Carry, the Catholic Network, Symphonia for South Africa, local municipal council member Netisha Mcombrink, Cash Builders, Tokara, Rustenburg Wines and the Dominican Sisters.
Despite its financial difficulties, says Rippenaar, learners are still doing exceptionally well.
Some of the school’s successes include its performance in the literacy and numeracy systemic tests, with the school faring better than the provincial and national averages. In 2016 the school was also awarded a language award from the WCED.
“As an educator, I believe that a good education and access to resources that can aid learning are very important. We do our learners a disservice, especially those from underprivileged areas who depend on education as a way out of poverty, when we do not offer them the best that there is.
“Where you come from should not determine how successful you are, but as we know, in South Africa this is still the case. Through this campaign, we want to change that fact for our learners and help them reach their dreams.”
V If you want to get involved in St Idas’ fundraising campaign by offering your skills, time, monetary or in-kind donations, you can get in contact with the school in the following ways: by phoning 021 886 6021, email stidas.prim@wcgschools.gov.za or visit Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/stidasschool and leave a message on their wall or in their inbox.
