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Christel House

60 full scholarships for disadvantaged learners in Cape Town

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:43

Christel House South Africa, an independent school for disadvantaged children in Ottery, is inviting parents from surrounding communities to take advantage of 60 full scholarships available for next year’s Grade R classes.

The school provides free education to disadvantaged children in Cape Town. With the help of corporate and individual sponsorships it is able to take in children from some of the poorest communities in the area and provide them with a top class education at no cost to the parent. They will take in 60 Grade R students next year.

Christel House endeavours to break the cycle of poverty by providing a child with comprehensive care which covers meals every day and transport to and from school as well a holistic education and development programme.

According to Sharon Williams, the Director of Development and Marketing at the school, the Christel House model is all about developing and moulding the whole child intellectually, emotionally and physically. Williams says that the school also strives to begin this process from a very young age, which is why they established a Grade R class almost two years ago.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for young learners to begin one of the most comprehensive academic and development programmes in South Africa,” said Williams. She added that if the child comes into the school at age five, they will be getting free education for the next 12 years until they matriculate.

“Learners who come into the school at Grade R level will spend the rest of their academic careers in a fun-filled, creative and innovative environment, which is both incredibly nurturing and impactful in terms of learning,” said Williams. “The success of our model is evident in the fact that in 2009 we celebrated a 97% pass rate of our first matric class. This was significantly above the national average.”

Every year the school opens this recruitment process early so as to afford enough time to interview parents and to assess a child’s development potential.

Williams says that there are a few things parents should know before applying. Firstly, they have to be permanently residing in surrounding areas of the school; these areas include Bokmakierie, Pooke-se-bos, Hanover Park, Manenburg, Vygieskraal, Langa, Athlone, Freedom Park, Parkwood, Lotusriver and Flamingo Crescent. The child must turn six years old in 2011 and very importantly the family should have a maximum income of R2500.00 per month.

“If they meet these requirements they should definitely apply. If learners are successful, parents can be assured that their child will be getting an excellent education as well as safe environment in which to grow,” she said.

Applications close on 31 March 2010 and parents wishing to learn more about the requirements and how to apply can contact Christel House South Africa on 021 407 9400.