Sinethemba Secondary School kindly made their classrooms available to serve as a venue for the workshops, and learners from Zisukhanyo, Sophumelela and Intsebenziswano were transported to Sinethemba from their respective schools.

The workshops had an average weekly attendance of 30 learners, with each learner ultimately receiving 7.5 hours of quality, exam-focused tutoring.

A wide range of subjects was covered during Spring School. These included Mathematics, Maths Literacy, Physical Science and English, as well as a group of subjects not tutored in our ordinary weekly sessions, i.e. Geography, Life Sciences, Accounting, Economics and Business Studies.

To keep energy levels up, learners and volunteers snacked on tasty hotdogs and fruit served during breaks. Learners were also given past papers and memos to facilitate studying at home, and on the final day of workshops 16 learners received certificates for 100% attendance throughout Spring School.

The feedback we received via learner evaluation forms was overwhelmingly positive. Learners commented that the tutoring they received was helpful and that they would even have liked more workshops.

Overall, the TeachOut Committee is very pleased with the smooth-running of our first Spring School. We hope to repeat its success next year.

Selected comments from learners:

“The Spring School helped me a lot and the quality I got was outstanding. I’m improving more and more.” ~Sophumelela learner

“Spring School was a very great journey for me.” ~Intsebenziswano learner

“Great work guys! Thank you so much for all the work you have done. Much love!” ~Sophumelela learner

The first of these was our annual Second Semester Volunteer Training Day held on Saturday, 30 July. Mr Jon Clark of the UCT Schools Development Unit was once again kind enough to be a guest speaker at the event, and shared his expertise and tutoring tips with volunteers.

New volunteers who were unable to attend the Training Day on the Saturday were invited to attend a Make-Up Training Session held the following Monday. At both training events volunteers signed up for their preferred weekly tutoring sessions.

This semester, a total of 35 ‘new recruits’ signed up for sessions. These volunteers are currently tutoring alongside the 42 first semester volunteers who have signed up for sessions again this semester. This, incidentally, marks our highest number of returning volunteers in recent years.

This semester has also seen a significant increase in the number of Semester Study Abroad (SSA) students tutoring with TeachOut, with many of our new volunteers hailing from the United States, as well as Canada and Norway. We hope that these volunteers will enjoy their time in South Africa and that their involvement in TeachOut will make the experience even more rewarding.

There are 14 positions available on the new committee. A description of all available positions is available here.

The closing dates are:
Director and Deputy-Director: Monday, 15 August
All other positions: Monday, 22 August

To apply, send a letter of motivation (maximum one page), a brief CV and your academic transcript to applications[at]teachout[dot]co[dot]za.

We look forward to hearing from you.

At the Training Day, TeachOut Committee Members explained to new volunteers the important logistical- and administrative details associated with volunteering. Volunteers were also introduced to the TeachOut worksheets used in tutoring sessions.

The Training Day programme included a variety of informative talks presented by guest speakers. These included:

• Jon Clark, Director of the UCT Schools Development Unit. Mr Clark spoke to volunteers about tutoring in disadvantaged schools and answered volunteers’ questions during a lively question-and-answer session.
• Emily Rudolph, Head of Yabonga’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Programme. Ms Rudolph spoke to volunteers about Yabonga’s youth programme, which TeachOut contributes to through the tutoring sessions we conduct four Yabonga centres.
• Jen van Heerden, Deputy-Chair of the Ubunye Board. Ms van Heerden introduced volunteers to the UCT Global Citizenship Programme. The programme includes short courses that focus on issues of social justice, citizenship and volunteering.
• Byron Ascott-Evans, a former head tutor at UCT. Mr Ascott-Evans gave a presentation on four important characteristics of a tutor, which included useful guidelines and practical tutoring tips.

At the Training Day, volunteers also signed up for their preferred sessions. By the first week of sessions, 99 new and returning volunteers had signed up to tutor during the first semester.

The Training Day was followed by a fun social event attended by volunteers from all three Ubunye projects.

The TeachOut Committee welcomes all new volunteers to the TeachOut family. We hope that your time with the project will be an enriching one.

Forming part of the University’s Orientation Week (O-Week), the Committee marketed TeachOut to students from 7-9 February, handing out flyers and speaking to students about the benefits of tutoring.

The Committee’s enthusiasm and hard work meant that by the end of O-Week 149 students had signed up as potential volunteers. A further 31 students who had tutored with TeachOut in 2010 signed up as ‘returning volunteers’.

Over the next week-and-half, 115 students were successfully interviewed and invited to attend our First Semester Volunteer Training Day.

Members of the TeachOut Committee form the team that runs TeachOut on a daily basis. Committee Members should be dedicated to and enthusiastic about TeachOut’s goal of helping disadvantaged learners. The ability to work in a team is essential, and creativity and taking initiative is always welcome.  There are 13 positions available in the new committee – for more information on the individual portfolios download this file: TeachOut Portfolio Information.

The closing dates for applications are as follows:

• Monday, 16 August: Applications for the Director-position close.
• Sunday, 22 August: Applications for all other positions close.

To apply, send a letter of motivation (maximum one page) and a brief CV to applications [at] teachout [dot] co [dot] za . All applicants will need to attend an interview.

The new Director will be announced on the 20th of August, and the new Committee will be announced on the 27th of August.  We’re looking forward to receiving your applications.

The second semester has begun, and TeachOut needs YOU to get involved!

Our workshops are planned to start on Monday, 2 August. This is the second week of the university term.  During the first week, Teachout will be recruiting some new volunteers, and you will be able to find us on Jammie Plaza (or in Leslie Social if it rains).  Come visit us to sign up or talk to a committee member about getting involved.  Or just send us an email at info [at] teachout [dot] co [dot] za, and we’ll guide your through the recruitment process.

Those of you interested in student leadership should also keep your ears open as we will be recruiting a new TeachOut Committee over the next few weeks.  Details about the applications process will be advertised soon.

Date: Saturday 13 February
Time: 09h20 for 09h30
Venue: Menzies 10

The committee has organised a comprehensive day so be sure to be there.  Everything should be done by 12h30, but you can stay a while afterwards for snacks and drinks and to get to know your fellow volunteers.