Dear Friends,

 

Welcome to our third quarterly newsletter.  As usual, a lot has happened at Talhado, all positive I’m happy to report, as the school continues to flourish. The Montessori classrooms give children the opportunity to explore and learn freely within a controlled and safe environment. It allows curiosity to develop and questions to be asked without the sinking feeling of being singled out. The classroom is a hive of activity, with teachers encouraging children to select activities that satisfy their individual thirst for knowledge. The children are able to assist one another, or request help from a fellow learner – one of the many benefits of combining a three-year age span. The teacher (actually called a directress) oversees the activity in the classroom and ensures the materials are used correctly, often giving group demonstrations during circle time and individual demonstrations throughout the course of the day.

 

THANK YOU ROTARY AND SHAKTI SHANTI:

 

On the topic of giving the gift of education, Talhado is happy to announce that one of our assistant teachers, Leigh Anne Mofu, will be given the chance to become a qualified Montessori teacher next year.  With the generous financial  assistance from Shakti Shanti (using the sales from their children’s range of active-wear) and Rotary St Francis (with funds provided to them by the Rotary Club of Marr Dyke Valley in Essex, UK), Talhado will be able enroll Leigh-Anne in the course and gain another valuable Montessori teacher. Rotary also sponsored a water tank for the school.

 

        

Photo:  Leigh-Anne Mofu with one of our learners

 

O.R.T. SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED:

 

I was recently approached by a sponsor wishing to offer a full scholarship to a child from Talhado Montessori. The recipient would be one who shows potential as a future leader and academic. The benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, told me “Oliver Tambo was the head and the conscience of the ANC in exile. His character was formed by the values of his rural background and his education in mission schools. That education was funded by two English women who wanted to give opportunity to a child in Africa.  In honour of ORT, a new scholarship has been established in Kouga to give opportunity to a child of today in the same way.”

 

Talhado is very proud and excited to announce Danielle Browers as the worthy recipient of the ORT Scholarship!  Danielle will attend St Francis College, starting Grade 1 in January 2019.  We look forward to following her progress throughout her schooling career.

Photo:  Danielle Browers, recipient of the O.R.T. Scholarship

 

MANDELA DAY:

 

Probably the most FUN event of the year was our annual charity golf fundraiser held on Mandela Day in July, where we raised a grand sum of R95 000.  Huge thanks go to St Francis Links and all our sponsors and players. This year I decided to join in the festivities and teamed up with the Brooker family to see how many holes we could play in 67 minutes.  It was a huge de-stresser to get out there and hit the ball as hard and fast as possible, using sneaky tactics like throwing and kicking (the ball, not each other).  Some even went so far as to bring tennis rackets and hockey sticks, but all in the name of fun and to raise much needed funds for Talhado.  Our team managed to complete 16 holes, but the winning team played a whopping 23 holes in a little over an hour.  Speed golf at its best!  Please put your name down with me if you wish to enter a team for next year.

 

Not forgetting that the children should also be celebrating Mandela’s birthday, Talhado’s founder Leslie Moore, presented the children with limited edition R10 notes printed specifically for the centenary of Nelson Mandela. She explained to the children how to keep their new money safe as it would be worth a whole lot more in the future. They also got to plant seeds and enjoy some party food as part of the celebration.

                      

OSTEOPATHY FOR ALL THE CHILDREN

 

A visitor from France, Aurelia Chretien Pomes, has been volunteering her services as an Osteopath to the children of Talhado.  Lia has been visiting the school each week to give every child a half hour session of osteopathy, where she offers cranial massage, checks for alignment in the spine, and gives the children a general once-over.  Even the teachers got treated to a session.  Thank you Lia for your valuable service and dedication to the children of Talhado.

THANKS ALSO GOES TO:

A bus full of lovely tourists from Belgium who visited Talhado from the Cape St Francis Resort and brought with them food and gifts for the children!

       

Jordan Bendamin made beautiful spring veggie planter boxes and helped the children to plant seedlings.

 

Thank you Silverlake Marine for donating two brightly coloured boats for our playground!!

 

Thanks to Georgie Tovell, who does yoga with the kids every Friday and then treats them to yummy sandwiches and fruit.

Huge thanks go to the Julien De Aussy foundation for kindly donating these knitted items for the children.

 

Talhado children made a new young friend when Luc from France spent a day teaching them how to count in French and entertaining them in the playground.  The children always love having visitors to teach them something new.

 

We were able to purchase Montessori Afrikaans language material with the donation from Wendy & Craig and Southrop School in the UK.

 

 

And that about concludes our third term news.  We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about all the fun we’ve had and progress we’ve made during the year.  Until next time please look after yourselves!

 

Best wishes,

Cathryn Hempel

Principal (in a volunteer capacity)

Talhado Montessori Preschool

Contact:  0764126090

www.talhadochildrenshaven.org