Wynberg Girls’ High played host to a big day in the lives of more than 40 children who received high school scholarships from a charitable foundation.
The 42 children – 25 Grade 8s and 17 in Grades 10 to matric – took part in The Spirit Education Foundation’s annual registration day, on Saturday December 3.
The non-profit organisation was created in 1994 to support disadvantaged pupils. It offers, on average, 20 scholarships a year to Grade 8s at selected high schools in Cape Town, covering their school fees all the way to matric.
The application process gives priority to needy pupils who score well in maths, English and natural science.
The latest induction – overseen by the foundation’s managing director, Dr Armand Bam, and facilitators Saskia Wiese, Nzele Omari and Courtney Kalis – brings to 137 the total number of pupils that the foundation will be helping, according to Ms Wiese.
The pupils recited a summary of the foundation’s code of conduct, pledging to uphold the values of honesty, kindness and responsibility; to act with integrity and strive towards academic excellence.
The pledge was a way to demonstrate commitment to being a Spirit Foundation scholar, said Ms Kalis.
The 25 Grade 8s will be spread across high schools that work with the foundation. They include the Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology; Reddam Constantia; and South Peninsula, Claremont, Wynberg Girls’, Pinelands and Westerford high schools.
The 17 seniors will be spread across the Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology; Paul Roos Gymnasium; and Wynberg Girls’, Pinelands, Claremont, Rondebosch Boys’, Wynberg Boys’ and Westerford high schools.
