Season's greetings

Holiday Jobs

Its never to soon to start taking responsibility for yourself and ensuring that our minds don't get to lazy over the long break. What better way to keep stimulated and earn a little extra pocket money while at it.

Many times students have an eye toward how to make extra money. One way is to work a temporary job during the Christmas break. There are many holiday jobs for students, most of them in retail. The remainders are in warehouse and shipping jobs which, if you land one, usually pay better.

 

Holiday Jobs Are a Learning Experience

Holiday jobs for students are usually their first real job; and can provide a wealth of knowledge and experience. Here are just a few things you will pick up other than a paycheck.

• Interactive skills - customer service, people skills, interaction with others not close to you
• Time management - prioritizing, project or task management, deadline management
• Efficiency - using the least amount of time to help the most amount of customers
• Inventory control - you must be aware of any goods, orders, or items placed in your care at all times
• Team skills - you will most likely be working with other people and must complete tasks as part of a group or in support of another person
• Problem solving - customers will have problems and issues; orders will be misplaced or mishandled. You will need to be able to answer concerns about these situations. 

One can temp as a receptionists as many people will be taking leave

The Key to Finding a Job

With so many of your friends looking for the same job that you are, the amount of holiday jobs for students will shrink quickly in the weeks before Christmas. The key to finding yourself a job is, above all else, timing.

• Target potential jobs - the best way to do this is to pay attention to where you shop; if they look like a good candidate keep them in mind.
• Apply early enough - start looking around the third week of October. By mid November all the jobs are filled.
• Consider all options - don't go for just the obvious, brainstorm and check every option that might be an opening
• Don't limit yourself - many holiday jobs for students will provide you will the skills needed in future jobs and can help build your resume

Holiday jobs for students can be found in a wide range of positions and companies. You must be willing to consider all options, be willing to learn new skills, and start early. Simply using these methods will help you after graduation when looking for your first full time position as well.

Reading is vital for our country to prosper

Since democratisation in the 1990's READ has been working alongside government to make reading a national priority. It is however, up to us as students to adopt a culture of reading. Making reading a habit and part of our recreational activities.Reading should be a pleasurable experience.

Speaking at a Chevron-sponsored library and learning centre the minister said she cannot overemphasize the importance of books and reading. Illiteracy is a national threat. There is no better time to start promoting reading and the value of books than now. Working towards a prosperous developmental  state will remain a dream if we do not commit to the creation of a better life for all people. Doing this requires young people who can read and write.

In the triangle of education, We all have a part to play, not just parents or our teachers but once they've done their bit, we need to find our motivation to read more and excel at what we are responsible for, ensuring that we pass each grade.

Subject choice in grade 9

Subject choice in Grade 9 is always a stressful time! Most learners (and their parents), find it difficult to choose subjects for grade 10.

There are so many questions. Which subjects will keep my options open for further study after school? Should I take Maths? What about the other subjects? With the introduction of the new curriculum, learners and parents need information about the new subject requirements and the entry requirements for tertiary study.  

When choosing subjects, it is important that one does the necessary research to reduce the risk of regret. 

"The more a person knows, the better informed they are, the more likely a person makes the best possible decision"

The National Senior Certificate (NSC) has replaced the Matric Certificate. Subject choice in Grade 9 is based on the following:

 

• Seven subjects- The National Curriculum Statement requires all learners in grade 10 to 12 to do seven subjects of which four are compulsory and three are of their own choice.
• Four compulsory subjects- two of these must be be South African languages. Of these, one must be the language of teaching and learning, referred to as the Home Language (HL), and the other, a first additional Language (Add Lang)
• Mathematics or Math Literacy - In addition to two languages, all learners must take either Mathematics or Mathematical literacy and Life Orientation.
• Three further subjects- Learners can take up to four languages as part of their seven-subject package. Some of the approved subjects have been classified as designated subjects, which are suitable for tertiary study.      

 

Requirements for NSC are as follows:

4 compulsory subjects - obtain at least 40%

2 Languages - obtain at least 30%

Mathematics or Mathematical Lit - Obtain 30%

Life Orientation - Obtain 40%

3 Additional choice subjects - Obtain at least 40% in one of the subjects

                                              Obtain at least 30% in the other two subjects.

For more information just ask Blogger and I will try my best to source informed responses to your questions.

Without fear in heart nor doubt in mind

I was looking at the calender reflecting on the year gone by when I realised that in a week or so, matriculants across South Africa will be sitting down for their final exams that will determine their careers and lifelong opportunities.

We all know its been a long and difficult year for education in South Africa, with the world cup and the never- ending public servant's strike, Matriculants were more than crippled and preparation time shortened.

Now the countdown to final exams begins, Vuvuzelas are finding their silence and the strikes have calmed but this is when the heat is turned on for the matriculants.

It is when the heat is on that we boil over!!! On behalf of all the matriculants I'm saying BRING ON THE HEAT!!!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."-Coach Carter

Big screen education

Gauteng Education invites grade 12 learners to revise at cinemas

The Gauteng Department of Education in partnership with Ster Kinekor cinemas has organised free audiovisual screenings of learning material for grade 12 learners. The screenings will assist learners with revision and preparation for the final matric examinations and will take place from 18 October 2010 to 22 October 2010. This is part of the support to the Matric Class of 2010.

Tickets are free and available on a first come first served basis at the cinemas listed below. Learners are invited to take advantage of this programme. Topics that will be screened have been carefully selected to address those areas that learners usually struggle with during exams.

These topics include organic chemistry, popular theories of mass extinction, financial maths, essay writing, transactional writing, and calculus. Subjects that will be screened are Maths, Maths Literacy, English First Additional Language, Accounting, Life Sciences and Physical Science.

The screenings (click here for the schedule) will take place at the following Ster Kinekor cinemas and admission is free to all Grade 12 Learners:

• Brooklyn Mall
• Carnival City
• East Rand Mall
• Eastgate Mall
• Fourways Mall
• Greenstone Mall
• Key West
• Maponya Mall
• Randburg Cresta
• Sandton City
• Westgate
• Wonder Park

The GDE encourages learners to take advantage of this programme and visit cinemas closest to them. We urge parents, educators and communities to continue supporting all learners and especially the matric class of 2010.

Tackle matric successfully

Hello Bloggers

So after a request from our follower, I thought to go out there and find out if anyone has any helpfull hints on how to combat the tension of matric final exams. I found an article wont give you the answers to the exams but should certainly help with preparing for the exams.


Tackle matric successfully


With just a few weeks to go before the 2010 matric examinations, learners should be hard at work preparing for the challenge.

Shereen Dindar, Demartini life coach for the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Skills Training, who is a former English matric teacher, advises matriculants to "keep calm, eat healthily and exercise during this time to keep stress levels down".

"The key is to work consistently and constantly, pacing yourself with a scheduled timetable according to papers," she said.

The Western Cape education department has compiled a booklet, Tips for Success, which provides advice on how to prepare for the final exams. The booklet advises learners to start studying as early as possible on a daily basis so as to manage time effectively; attend school regularly; practise reading and writing skills, which will improve with time; ensure that you have all your textbooks and work systematically through them; eat healthily and exercise throughout the year; surround yourself with positive, happy people who will support you throughout this time; plan and work hard; make sure you have handed in all your practical assessment tasks or you will receive a "999" rating, which means incomplete. Such a mark will prevent you from matriculating.

The Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy, an NGO that helps people improve their literacy skills, advises learners to make use of the five top preparation tips for exam success: read, review, revise, relax and plan. According to the chief executive of Molteno, Masennya Dikotla, learners should keep the following in mind. First, read carefully through your work. The key is to summarise the content in your own words so that, when the time for revision comes, you should be steering away from textbooks and revising your own notes.

Use helpful study techniques such as mind-mapping. This entails using diagrams to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. These symbols can help with memory recall by remembering picture cues. Whatever you're drawing, the key is to use pictures and words to help you recall concepts easily.

Work with study partners. Team up with someone who has different strengths from your own so that you're able to help each other. Before the exam, take time to relax. Spend no more than an hour reviewing key concepts as taxing the brain at this late stage can cause you to panic.

Time management is crucial to exam success. Spend the first 10 minutes simply reading through the paper and allotting time to answering each section of the paper according to how many marks have been allocated.

Tips for Success advises learners that, on the day of the exam, they should arrive early; take time to read and understand the instructions; preview the question paper and allocate writing time appropriately; tackle each question systematically; write down something for each question; and set out your answers clearly. If you feel you are unable to answer a question, don't panic; and stay in the exam until the end.

Source: theTeacher
September 2010
Page 2

Tribute to Cynthia- Contribution

Tribute to Cynthia

I think that I am the oldest person at READ and have worked here for many many years so I can claim to have known Cynthia the longest. Also our friendship started even before Cynthia thought of READ.

 

So first I want to talk about Cynthia as a friend. All this time she has been a true friend and a great comfort and support in times of trouble, not only to me but to all who have come to her for help. She has done whatever she can to see us through some of our life shattering struggles.  So Cynthia as a friend is very important to me. There are other aspects that I want to talk about as well.

 

Cynthia as a person with vision: Her vision for READ a long time ago became reality because she put determination together with her dynamic personality. She was determined to do whatever she could to help the underprivileged children of SA develop their potential and get people to help her achieve this.

 

The first project I worked on with Cynthia was to put reference libraries into high schools in Soweto and we needed money for the books.  I will always remember Eve Jammy , the manager of Exclusive Books at the time saying that yes, of course the business community would listen to Cynthia and provide the funds because Cynthia  was so dynamic and convincing and believed passionately  in what she was doing. And this proved to be true as we know. In all my years at READ this determination to do what she can for the children of SA has meant that many more ambitious projects like the Business Trust have been a great success.

 During our work in the high school libraries about 25 years ago I will never forget the fright we gave a little two year old boy who took one look at us and screamed-we were the first white people this child had ever seen.  He bravely overcame his fear though when we gave him some sweets and quite liked us in the end though he wasn’t quite sure what we were

.

Cynthia as a developer of people: One of the qualities I most admire in Cynthia as a person is that she always sees potential in other people and gives us opportunities to grow.  The very first time I came to READ Cynthia wanted some flowers arranged. From this she somehow saw hidden abilities and I then went on to do many different jobs for READ. Cynthia has always been delighted with the success of all whom work at READ and very proud of our achievements.  You just had to say that you wanted to try to do something and she would be so glad to let you have a go and her confidence gave us confidence too.

Cynthia as an intellectual: Cynthia has recognized the importance of working with world renowned experts in literacy like Professor Elley who introduced the book flood, Edie Garvey who taughtus the value of working with stories and Shelley Harwyn, a famous American teacher of creative writing and more recently Sue Ellis who gave us a wonderful workshop on using a small selection of excellent books to inspire children to read and write.  So many people like this have visited READ through the years and their vision together with Cynthia ‘s ability to use their work, has helped READ develop into a respected literacy organization and kept us in the mainstream of world literacy research and development.

Cynthia as an artist: When I look around at the beautiful READ building that looks like an art gallery I think of Cynthia as an artist. She has an eye for art with the wonderful prints and colours we see every day. The art and architecture of this building show us that you are an artist.  Thank you for making our working environment so lovely.

The combination of friendship, vision, generosity to develop others, intellectual and artistic ability all put together make Cynthia into a truly amazing person and this has been proved by her achievements through READ for the children of SA. I think we will all try our best to make Cynthia proud of us through continuing where she has left off and doing whatever we can for the children who need us more than ever.

Signed

Bettine Nixon

Tribute to Cynthia

Readathon is over but the celebrations at READ aren't. We are celebrating a woman of great virtue and tremendous courage, Cynthia Hugo had the vision and the drive to see South African learners as more than just pupils in a classroom, but also as the light of the nation with a burning desire to achieve more, see more, be more and read more. She worked tirelessly to ensure that our educational needs as learners are met and that we are not just kept occupied with books that are irrelevant to our needs.

There can never be enough words to describe our sincerest gratitude to Cynthia Hugo but each and every learner in South Africa who's lives and view on education has been changed by the work of this remarkable woman over the past 30 years is sure to carry on the waves of change and be the light that shines for all. This nation is meant to shine as children do but it is only when we find and share our source of light that we can become a nation with a bright future...

Thank you Mrs. Cynthia Hugo

Readers are Leaders

Welcome to an interactive blog created just for you and I. I am not only a blogger but also a READER and one day I hope to be a LEADER! staying ahead of my game in whatever I choose.

We'll discuss issues relevant to the learner and only the learner. With the year drawing to the end I think we should look back on the year, reflect on what we were able to achieve, and work together at making sure that at the end of this year we are all happy with our accomplishments.

If you are ready to go on this journey with me as well as other READERS and LEADERS, click on the button and follow our blog.


Signed

Reader