LEAP Debate Teams doing well in the Rotary Inter-schools Debating Competition

The junior and senior debate teams at LEAP are involved in the Rotary Inter-schools Debating Competition. They recently debated at Sophumelele Senior Secondary School and won both rounds of the competition. Well done guys - we’re holding thumbs for you!

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

On Saturday, 11 April 2009, a group of Grade 11 learners from LEAP 1 (Langa) and LEAP 2 (Gugulethu) cheered on the runners participating in the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon.

“We were happy because we saw our teachers running and also the mix of blacks with whites running together. It was an unforgettable day.”

Bongekile, Grade 11, LEAP 2 (Gugulethu)

LEAP 1 and LEAP 2 visit LEAP 3 in Johannesburg

Learners from LEAP 1 (Langa) and LEAP 2 (Gugulethu) travelled to Johannesburg and were hosted by LEAP 3 (Alexandra) during the April school holidays.

52 learners, 5 teachers and 4 student teachers were hosted by LEAP 3. There was some initial hesitation amongst LEAP 3 learners about hosting strangers in their homes but once they realised that it was not the nature of the home that was important but the nature of the welcome, they came forward enthusiastically to volunteer. In fact some of the biggest disappointments of the visit were those who wanted to host and did not.

The collaborative preparation in one afternoon for performances at the celebratory evening with parents and guests produced amazing results. The LEAP 3 students who have been learning to play marimba were delighted to perform on the marimbas generously loaned for the occasion by Redhill. A tour of Soweto included a visit to the Regina Mundi Church, the Hector Peterson Museum and the Mandela home. Students and staff of LEAP 3 learned much from the challenges of organising the visit. A return visit of students from LEAP 3 to Cape Town is planned for the July school holidays.

"To be in Jozi was exciting because I was meeting new people. Before I went to LEAP 3 I was thinking that maybe LEAP 3 is not the same as LEAP 1 and LEAP 2, but when we arrived there I found out that LEAP is LEAP everywhere. The trip was about breaking the walls that separate LEAP 1, 2 and 3 - to be one school, to be together as one!"    Siyanda Fokazi, Grade 11, LEAP 2

Different cultures with one spirit; we made a leap.

Different styles with one code of conduct; we made a leap.

Different languages, with one expression of how we feel, we made a Leap.

Different skills, we encouraged any skills, we appreciated anyone’s ability.

Different values, we appreciated the beauty in others, although there was diversity.

Different knowledge we shared, we were learning with sympathy.

Patricia Mudiayi, Leap 2 Science and Life Science Teacher

Astronomy Picnic hosted by Dr Thebe Medupe

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) hosted an Astronomy Picnic for LEAP’s learners interested in astronomy on Saturday, the 18th of April 2009 at the Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town. The event was hosted by Dr Thebe Medupe, a South African astrophysicist and founding director of Astronomy Africa. He is best known for his work on Cosmic Africa, a feature length documentary that explores traditional African astronomy and attempts to reconcile science and myth.

The science theme for 2009 at LEAP is “the telescope” as it is the telescope’s 400th anniversary and the main project is the construction of a reflecting telescope by a group of Grade 11 learners. The picnic was a wonderful opportunity for our learners to learn more about astronomy and to have all their questions answered.

Dr Medupe commented that this was the best session and the most exciting group he has ever hosted! This a great compliment for our learners as Dr Medupe has travelled internationally and interacted with a number of learners across the globe.

LEAP USA Ambassadors Tour

What a wonderful opportunity for a group of 8 LEAP graduates and two teachers to travel to the West Coast of the United States of America. They visited three major cities, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, exploring, meeting old friends, making new friends and gaining some perspective on the world in which we live.

When Teach With Africa planned their fundraising event for the 12 February 2009, an opportunity was created for possible travel for people from LEAP to be part of that event. The opportunity grew as a variety of friends in the United States of America and in Cape Town supported the idea of the first Ambassadors Tour from Cape Town to the United States of America.

Thank you to our sponsors and funders who made this tour possible. We can assure you that this experience has brought life-changing perspective and commitment from each of the travellers and has certainly enabled us to build relationships in a way that we would not have been able to do without undertaking this journey.

One of the intentions of the travelling party was to share with everyone that we met, our own perspective on the history of Africa with its complex struggles and deeply spiritual strengths and this we did in the form of a presentation involving narration, poetry, drama and music. It was a privilege to be able to workshop together to create a gift that we could leave in the consciousness of many people that we met. As a group, we presented, we sang, we shared, we challenged, we asked questions and we discovered at levels that surprised us as we grew together as a group and found strength individually not previously recognised.

Download the LEAP USA Ambassadors Tour Report here

LEAP 3 Property Investment

The property that LEAP 3 (Alexandra) is currently leasing is going to be sold by the owner and LEAP Science and Maths School would like to purchase the property to provide LEAP 3 (Alexandra) with a permanent property on which it can establish itself. The property is large enough to house a second LEAP school on the same property. The model of having two LEAP schools on the same campus is currently being used in Cape Town and LEAP 1 (Langa) and LEAP 2 (Gugulethu) have been able to take advantage of many synergies that have resulted from both schools being on the same premises.

Purchasing this property will also serve as LEAP Science and Maths School’s first property investment which also assist in the sustainability of the schools and improve the organisation’s balance sheet. The property needs substantial renovation in order to better meet the needs of the school. It will cost R10 million to purchase the property, complete renovations and equip the school with the necessary facilities and equipment. If you are ale to assist us with this project, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

LEAP 2 (Gugulethu) has a matric class!

LEAP 2 in Cape Town, serving the communities of Gugulethu and Cross Roads, is now at full size and is preparing a group of 40 learners to matriculate at the end of the year.