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PROVIDING pupils with the opportunity to start empowering themselves at school level for a possible career in agriculture, a farm school in the Elgin-Grabouw area did some pioneering work by adding new, relevant subjects to their curriculum. At the same time an appreciation for a career in agriculture is cultivated, addressing one of the fastest growing problems in agriculture today, the waning interest in a career in agriculture.
Subjects like agricultural farming practices, agricultural technology, information technology, hospitality studies and tourism are all part of the new curriculum of De Rust Futura Academy near Grabouw. All these new subjects form part of the agricultural component. With the school being situated in a fruit growing area, well-known as a tourist destination and with quite a number of guest houses, these new subjects on agriculture and hospitality also address the issues of providing skilled employees to both industries. The vision of Mr. Wandred Theunis, the principal and the devotion of the staff led to this previously one-man school, becoming a model school with a unique basis. The school, until 2003 only a primary school, had their first Grade 10 class in 2007, their first Grade 11 class this year and in 2009 they will boast their first matric class!
A second phase is also in the pipeline where subjects like welding, electricity and mechanics will form part of the curriculum. According to farmers there is a huge need for skilled farmworkers in these three fields. By addressing these needs through technical school education, more job opportunities are created, whilst a pupil has the opportunity to empower him- or herself at a very early age. What distinguishes this school from other agricultural schools, is that both genders receive ample opportunities to choose and train for a career in agriculture, while also accommodating those who are not interested in agriculture as a career.
As an industry, we welcome initiatives and visions like these of De Rust Futura Academy. Initiatives like these should be encouraged in other production areas, says Anton Rabe, CEO of the Deciduous fruit industry. We will keep record of their progress, supporting them where ever we can.
The school was started in 1957 by prof. Paul Cluver and his wife, Gertrude, of De Rust farm as a one-man school. Later on the school was managed by the VGK Church, after which they gave it back to the Cluvers in 1971. The Cluvers established a Section 21 company, involving surrounding farmers. Good crops in the following years ensured that many of the farmers could help erect some additional buildings. In 1991 the Department of Education as well as Sanlam, the latter by means of a loan, helped to build the library, science laboratory, biology laboratory and woodwork classrooms. In 2007 the trustees, parents, pupils and teachers decided to change the schools name from De Rust Futura Primary to De Rust Futura Academy. The staff members accounted for 21 teachers, in addition to seven other cleaning and administrative personnel, since 2003. Pupils are transported to and from school by bus.
The school boasts several triumphant achievements such as winning the 2002 SA Championship for Primary School Majorettes. One of their former pupils was SA champion in the 800 metre and 1 500 metre boys under-15 athletics. The school also produced two under-13 SA Craven week rugby players, as well as a Junior Springbok rugby player. Their under-13 rugby team have been league champs for the past five years. Several other pupils have been awarded provincial colours in athletics, netball and rugby. This year, for the first time, they participated in the high school rugby league and their under-19 team won by ending at the top!
According to Mr. Theunis the schools literacy level improved with twenty percent over the past three years. A high premium is also placed on excellence for cultural activities. Seventy-five pupils between Grades 4 and 6 received a Gold Plus award for their performance in a mass choir for primary schools. The play, Choices, written by Lu Anne Rossouw, a teacher at the school, will also be produced later this year.
In 2003 the school started hosting ABET (adult basic education and training) classes. Parents and other adults studied after hours at the school, doing ABET levels 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as matric. Since then five parents have finished matric! One of them is a member of the schools board of management. He completed Grade 7 nine years ago and quit school then, only to come back and finish his matric. Three months courses in computer literacy are also presented to adults, as well as classes in mathematics and engineering science, as part of the N1 exams.
In 2006 they started a school uniform project. The object is to ensure that the school uniform is affordable and available to each and every child, as well as on skills development and job creation. Parents who are adept in needlework, were given the opportunity to make the uniforms. A sponsor from England bought industrial sewing machines and due to the success of the project, 85 percent of the pupils are fitted out with tracksuits and blazers. Accommodation for the workers became a problem and eventually the project was discontinued for the time being.
The school also runs a feeding scheme where pupils receive meals from Monday to Friday, with Fridays being extra special because of a chicken dish, thanks to the WI Ladies of Birmingham in England. For some of the children it is their only piece of meat for the week. Pupils are also very much involved with the vegetable garden, learning and being co-responsible for tending to the plants to provide food for the table. Four hundred and ten children are fed in this way.
Due to strong associations with different entities the school is going from strength to strength. Mr Theunis tells with enthusiasm and zeal about all the plans and dreams they have for the future, a lot of them already taking shape. Strong friendship bonds with the Swedish Fred Kulla Scholen led to a visit from the entire Grade 9 class, parents, teachers and two politicians from Sweden in 2007. In March 2009, three learners and four teachers from De Rust Futura Academy are going to visit the school in Sweden. During these visits a lot of ideas and information are usually exchanged, curriculums compared and strong friendships formed. Learners from the different schools become e-pals, communicating on a regular basis via the internet.
Mr Peter Brooks, principal of Altrim Charm College of Art in Trafford, England and five others are also coming to visit the school, situated amongst the apple orchards, in February 2009. During their visit the focus will be on comparing curriculums, monitoring and evaluating, improving and exchanging knowledge regarding English and Mathematical Teaching.
Mr Theunis believes in motivating his staff by keeping them positive, enthusiastic and devoted. All kinds of awards are presented on a regular basis throughout the year, with himself and the pupils voting for and nominating the teachers. There is the annual award for the teacher who has succeeded in creating the most positive learning environment, as well as the Teacher of the Month award that goes to the teacher who is most involved with his or her learners projects and helping them to complete with success. The International Teachers Day on October 5th, also created quite a stir. A lot of trouble and effort go into planning this day in order to surprise and motivate the staff by giving recognition and showing gratitude for all their hard work and enthusiasm. |
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