Thirty-six matrics from five local township schools sacrificed the last week of their midyear holiday to attend a winter school hosted by the Rhodes University Community Engagement office.
Thirty-six matrics from five local township schools sacrificed the last week of their midyear holiday to attend a winter school hosted by the Rhodes University Community Engagement office.
From 9 to 13 July the pupils from TM Mrwetyana, Nathaniel Nyaluza, Nombulelo, Ntsika and Kutliso Daniels high schools received tuition in English (grammar and poetry), maths, maths literacy and physical science.
The classes were given by Rhodes University students and staff from the statistics, chemistry and English departments. The winter school programme aims to ensure that the pupils are as clued-up and prepared as possible for their final matric exams in November.
The enthusiastic pupils attended the winter school from 8.30am until 4.15pm every day except Friday when the programme ended at 12.40pm. They were provided with lunch and breaks for tea in the morning and afternoon.
The classes held at the Barratt lecture venue complex were given by nine students and academic staff Jeremy Baxter and Lizanne Raubenheimer, and Joyce Sewry from the chemistry department assisted by organising tutors and material for the physical science lectures.
While mathematics proved to be the most popular subject among pupils, they managed to keep interested and lively even through the potentially hazardously boring lectures on English Grammar.
Hopefully the effort put in by the organisers, pupils and teachers will result in passes strong enough for the learners to earn matric exemptions and gain entrance to tertiary institutions next year.
