Third Quarterly Newsletter

WRITTEN BY Bitou 10 Foundation

 

It has been a full and eventful term! So much so, that it is exciting just putting this newsletter together to update you all.
Firstly, a big thank you to all our donors, sponsors, and partner organisations, whose continued support is changing the lives of hundreds of children daily in the Bitou region.
DONORS: January 2023 – September 2023
Johann Maree
Gail  Ractliffe
Adrian Speight
Charities Unlimited
Tom Grieve
Des Harrison
Citadel Philanthropy
Dr. John Donald 
Michael Allen 
 
Ron MacMillan
Dianne Kloka-Speight
Hilton Davies
Alain Leger Technidev (Pty) Ltd
Bitou Municipality
SASFIN Securities
Peter Hawkes
Anonymous donors
 
SPONSORS: January 2023 – September 2023
Insite Solutions
The Village Deli & Diner
The Bungalow
The Garden Spa
Sol Kitchen
 Kay & Monty Vineyards
Lodestone Wines 
Robberg Fine Foods
Ferreira & Partners Chartered Accountants
Tweak Design Studio
Engel & Völkers Estate Agent
Ruby Kiss’s
Tsistikamma Water
 
PARTNERS:
  • Wordworks
  • Biblionef
  • Bitou Municipal Libraries
 
 Annual Bitou Spelling Stars Celebration
In a remarkable collaboration with Bitou Municipal Libraries, we joyfully hosted our Annual Bitou Spelling Stars event in August 2023, involving all 11 WCED (Western Cape Education Department) schools in Bitou—a truly momentous first-time accomplishment!
 
We extend our deepest gratitude to our generous donors and sponsors for making this incredible opportunity possible:
DONORS:
 
SPONSORS:
  • Ruby’s Kisses
  • Tsitsikamma Water
 
The Bitou librarians diligently compiled the spelling word lists, distributing them to all WCED schools in Bitou during the second term, granting learners ample time to prepare for the challenges that awaited them in the third term.
Bitou Spelling Stars Judges – Bitou Municipal Librarians, from left to right: Stella Jantjies, Verencia Deal, Elrisia Breda
 

Despite unexpected obstacles like the taxi strike and protesting, we triumphantly executed all planned challenges right on schedule.
The Awards Ceremony, held at Formosa Primary School, was a splendid gathering, uniting the 11 Bitou schools.

Mr. Michael Spies, a retired WCED IMG Manager, presided over the ceremony with grace. Our esteemed guest speaker, Mrs. S. De Villiers, WCED Circuit 4 Manager, wholeheartedly congratulated our budding 'Spelling Stars' on their outstanding accomplishments, inspiring them to persist and share their talents with their peers.
 
Every first, second, and third-place winner received a certificate and medal, per language, per grade. Our winning schools in each language category proudly received a coveted floating trophy:
English (HL) Category -
SASFIN Trophy English Home Language Grade 2 – 7:
Plettenberg Bay Primary School
 
English (FAL) Category -
Speight Trophy English First Additional Language Grade 8 – 9:
Murray High School
 
Afrikaans (HL) Category -
Speight Trophy Afrikaans Home Language Grade 1 – 7:
The Crags Primary School
 
Afrikaans (HL) Category -
J. Maree Trophy Afrikaans Home Language Grade 8 – 9:
Wittedrift High School
 
IsiXhosa (HL) Category -
SASFIN Trophy IsiXhosa Home Language Grade 1 – 7:
Kwanokuthula Primary School
Donors of the event, Dianne Kloka-Speight and Barbara Price-Hughes, SASFIN Securities representative, handing over to Murray High winners
 
Ms S De Villiers, WCED Circuit 4 Manager, guest speaker
 
TIME Project
Empowering Young Minds through Fun Learning
We are thrilled to share some exciting news from the TIME (Together In My Education) Project! Our afternoon sessions at Wittedrift Primary School and Formosa Primary School are lighting up the educational landscape with their positivity and vibrancy.

Our secret ingredient? The fantastic TIME resources, crafted by literacy partners, Wordworks, designed to support early literacy and numeracy skills for Grade R and Grade 1 learners, are making a profound impact on young minds.

What's Happening in Our Sessions?
In each TIME session, we embark on a journey of learning and exploration. It all begins with an engaging story that captivates our young learners' imaginations. Then, the creativity flows as they dive into drawing and writing activities that nurture their budding skills.
But that's not all! We wrap up each session with an exhilarating game, leaving our learners eagerly anticipating the next adventure. These word games aren't just fun and games; they're powerful tools that reinforce letter recognition and vocabulary skills.

Why Word Games Matter
Our belief in the importance of these word games stems from their incredible impact on young minds. Not only do they promote healthy development, but they also boost children's confidence and sharpen their problem-solving abilities. Through play, they're learning, growing, and thriving.
Grade R learners at Wittedrift Primary School playing letter games at the end of their after-school session, facilitated by Gail Andrews
 
Join Us in Celebrating Literacy

We're not stopping there! We invite you to read about the first-ever Wordworks Word Early Literacy Festival, which took place on September 16, 2023, in Cape Town. This event was a game-changer, upskilling teachers, caregivers, and parents on creative game-making ideas for young children.

If you're curious and want to learn more, click the link below to dive into the festival's details and the incredible work happening in the world of early literacy:
CLICK HERE
At the TIME Project, we're all about turning education into an exciting adventure, and we're thrilled to have you join us on this journey. Together, we're shaping brighter futures, one word game at a time!
Formosa Primary School, facilitated by Anthea Wiesie
 
Plett Arts Festival
 
From Monday, October 2nd, to Friday, October 6th, 2023, our community came together to celebrate the beauty of nature and art at this exceptional showcase. During the event, visitors were welcomed to explore the art and floral exhibition, free of charge, and immerse themselves in the creativity and talent on display. The vibrant colours and inspiring pieces left a lasting impression on all who attended.

The highlight of the week was the Gala Evening on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, hosted by Confeti Events. This special night was filled with art, music, delectable food, and exquisite wine. It was heart-warming to witness our community come together to enjoy the evening and to support our cause: ‘Make your mark’.

We are immensely grateful for the generosity of those who added ‘their mark’ to our canvas during and after the exhibition. Your R10 donation for this initiative will go a long way in supporting our mission to create opportunities and change lives. We can proudly announce that our canvas art piece will be auctioned online by Confeti Events, raising funds that will directly benefit the Bitou 10 Foundation.

Your support is invaluable and makes a significant difference in the lives of children and young people in need of bridging education. 
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
and join the auction, going live on Monday, 16 October 2023.

Let's continue to work together and make a positive difference in the lives of those we aim to serve.
 
 
Join the Bitou 10 Education and Development Foundation as a Friend today and become a champion for change!

When you donate to the Bitou 10 Foundation, you're not just supporting a great cause; you're also tapping into fantastic benefits. Your generosity is tax-deductible, and you'll receive an official Section 21 18A Tax Receipt, keeping you in the know with our thrilling quarterly newsletters.

But here's where the excitement kicks in: We're rolling out the red carpet for you! Your contribution will shine on our website (www.bitou10foundation.co.za), light up our vibrant social media channels, take centre stage in our dynamic newsletters, and even steal the spotlight in the local media—unless, of course, you prefer to remain anonymous.

Join the excitement, be a Friend of The Bitou 10 Education and Development Foundation today, and let's make a positive impact together!
Please make a donation buy scanning the Snap Scan code
 
Or by clicking on this button
Or by EFT to the following bank details:
The Bitou 10 Education and Development Foundation
Nedbank Knysna
Branch Code: 108914
Account Number:  103 230 1597
 
Warm regards,
The Bitou 10 Team