ANNUAL MAGAZINE - Dominican Convent School

progressive education
Career Expo
Every learner needs to be exposed to a variety of available
opportunities and options, as each has the opportunity to study
further if he/she applies themselves.
In August many institutions displayed and spoke to students
about what they had to offer, and we thank them for their
valuable contribution.
“The career expo taught me about the career I want to pursue. It taught
me that I have to work really hard to achieve my goals because it takes
a lot to get into university. The variety of exhibitions was very good
because they managed to cover most fields. Thank you, Ms Potgieter, for
organising such a successful event.”
Bongumusa MbaTHa, Gr 9
The conference was held at the Loris Malaguzzi International
Centre in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The Foundation’s aim is to
promote quality education in Reggio Emilia and in the world.
We were warmly welcomed by the mayor of Reggio Emilia,
Graziano Delrio, who made us feel like we are citizens of this
foreign country and immediately had a sense of belonging,
despite thousands of kilometres away from home.
Deidre MacKenzie
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the
world” – Nelson Mandela.
From this, our eyes were opened to a world of possibilities for the
younger children.
A speaker from Italy, Claudia Giudici, opened my eyes to a
world in which each child is the protagonist of their own future.
As teachers we must consider them being the investigators
and teachers and us being the students in their world. Think as
children would think. THINK WITH YOUR HANDS! As Loris
Malaguzzi, the founder, once said: “First and formost we must
believe in children. They are active agents of their process.”
Tammy Olding
The different teaching method was an eye-opener for me. My
experience of teaching is that the teacher tells the learners what
they are going to learn, not the learners deciding what they are
learning for the day.
The environment where the Reggio Emilia learners interact
daily took my breath away. Open spaces, light coming through
from outside, communication between the community, parents,
teachers and learners. The energy, calmness, organisation
between the learners when they are working. The learners do not
hesitate to explore inside or outside.
The equipment (anti-waste) that the learners used was amazing;
they do not throw anything away! The community helps and
cares for one another. They all are involved in everything.
The most important thing is that all learners are treated equally,
and the learners see everybody as their teacher.
Susan Steyn
Reggio Emilia
Conference
South Africa has become the 33rd country to join the Reggio
Children International Network, an official network created
with people in countries having constant and enduring relations
with Reggio Children. 2012 is proving to be a fruitful year
between Reggio Emilia and South Africa. The 100 Languages of
Children and The Documentation of Learning will be the key
focus at the upcoming Conference at St Mary’s from 26-28 June
2012. Although this is the second conference on the approach,
it will cover a different aspect of this internationally-acclaimed
educational philosophy with exciting new presentations on the
most recent research projects in the schools in Reggio Emilia.
112 Dominican CONVENT SCHOOL 2012