Bags of Hope

The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay campus recently celebrated 297 top academic students achieving an overall average of 75% and above during its 2020 academic year. These students achieved a total of 2 615 module distinctions.Students with a distinction average of 75% or above for a full module complement over an academic year are celebrated during the campus’ annual Celebration of Success event. Due to COVID-19 protocols this year’s award formalities took place during lecture times over a two-week period.“The Celebration of Success event recognises students for their academic achievements. Graduation is the ultimate goal. However, our Celebration of Success event is a highlight on the academic calendar each year as it bears testimony to our students’ academic excellence - a just reward for all their hard work and dedication,” said Paul Manson Campus Head The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay.

The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay recently partnered with Collegiate Junior School for Girls Eco Club. Two Stinkhout trees were donated to the school by the campus’ VC Voice committee which acts as a conduit of communication in a reciprocal manner, to the wider student body and The IIE’s Varsity College Senior Management.The Collegiate Junior School’s Eco Club is one of the extra mural activities on offer for girls who attend the school. “We are registered with WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment of South Africa) as an eco school, and we try to meet their target of completing a certain number of action projects per year. Everything we learn about is focused on caring for the environment. For example, this year we have done a rhino fundraiser, we have taken up a water-saving challenge and we have been visited by representatives of the Sustainable Seas Trust and SANCCOB. We are constantly learning,” said Robyn Bentley (Eco Club Coordinator).Jaci Howell (Student Wellness Manager The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay) addressed the Eco Club pupils of Collegiate Junior School for Girls on the importance of the trees and the impact they have. “It is so heartwarming to see pupils so interested in the preservation of the environment. I applaud the Eco Club for the work they are doing to help make a difference within the environment,” said Earlene Jacobs Head Student Services The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay. “It was such a delight to be joined by familiar faces as two Varsity College Alumni students were present for the planting of the trees,” concluded Earlene.The IIE’s Varsity College focus is the holistic development of the student where a balance between studies and participating in a variety of sporting, social, cultural and community engagement initiatives is encouraged and facilitated.

Juané Oosthuizen (grade 10 Nico Malan High School Eastern Cape) is this year’s ‘Smartest Learner’ and the winner of The IIE’s Varsity College National High Schools’ Quiz 2021. Kenneth Janson (grade 11 Paarl Boys' High School Western Cape) came in 2nd place and Mayibongwe Ncube (grade 11 Balmoral College Gauteng) came in 3rd place. The National High Schools’ Quiz Finals were recently held at The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton. Juané walked away with a R10 000 cash prize, R10 000 for her school and her teacher Dr. Natasha Kruger received R5 000. Kenneth walked away with a R6 000 cash prize, R6 000 for his school and his teacher Miss McFarlane received R3 000. Mayibongwe walked away with R3 000, R6 000 for his school and his teacher Nkululeko Ndlovu received R1 500.Said Juané said: “I have participated in various general knowledge quizzes at my school and online this year which, I believe, partly prepared me, because you can never be fully prepared for these types of competitions. I enjoyed reading from a young age and have built up a good general knowledge from books as well as reading the news online daily for the last year. I was excited from the first day I found out about the quiz (thanks to my science teacher, Dr Natasha Kruger) as I enjoy my general knowledge being put to the test, I completed the first two rounds at The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay campus and was pleasantly surprised with the warm welcome I received there. Throughout the competition all the participants were generously rewarded, much different than other general knowledge competitions where only the winners get a prize. The travel to and stay at the final event was a special experience for my mom and I. I enjoyed the day of the final, especially the relaxed atmosphere created by the presenter/MC’s humour. I would definitely participate again! I have truly been spoilt with prizes throughout the competition, so I believe it’s wise to save my prize money for future use, such as university tuition. I do not see myself as the Smartest Learner in South Africa, by any means! I am humbled by the recognition, but I believe there is always more to learn”.“After months of planning and intense coaching of learners across the country, the 8 finalists were welcomed onto The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton Campus to attend the National Finals. These finalists were thrown into the tumultuous world of COVID-19 over the past 18 months with classes being online and then face-to-face and then back to online. At their young age, being able to adapt so quickly and have the discipline to study consistently and independently at times is commendable. These learners, along with their guardians have so much to be proud of. Pride which can be heightened even more by the extraordinary skill and knowledge we witnessed during the finals. The Schools’ Quiz has proved to me that the youth of our country is resilient and able to tackle any challenge that comes their way,” said Kimberly McIntyre (Campus Head at The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton).“I just want to thank all of you at The IIE’s Varsity College again for the lovely opportunity and the great experience of being part of the National High Schools’ Quiz. From the first round at The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay to the finals at The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton, both Juané and I enjoyed every moment. Juané prepared by reading a lot of newspapers as well as news online, she will save the money for time being. Thank you again for everything you do to make learning fun!” said Ilze Oosthuizen, Juane’s mother.

The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay campus’ VC Cares committee (student volunteer body) recently handed appreciation gifts over to the rescue workers of the South End Fire and Emergency Services Station.The campus’ Student Wellness Manager Jaci Howell and the VC Cares committee celebrated the Public Servants Appreciation Day. “The VC Cares committee wanted to show their appreciation to these local rescue workers by delivering a small token of appreciation to them,” said Jaci."We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to your staff and the Campus for the gifts received by staff at the South End Fire Station. It is through projects and people such as yourselves that we as Firefighters still feel appreciated and worthy of the functions that we perform in serving our community," said Godfrey Gelderbloem (Divisional Officer South End Fire and Emergency Services). Mr Gelderbloem shared the mission of the Fire Station: "It is the mission of the Fire & Emergency Service to create a safer environment by providing an effective and efficient firefighting and rescue services within the ambit of available resources".

(B.f.l.t.r): Delray Woods (Head of Department - Papenkuil Primary School), Deneal Williams (Teaching Experience Co-ordinator The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay) and Bianca Els (4th year IIE Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching), (front): Jaci Howell (Student Wellness Manager The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay) at the recent handover of gifts for the Foundation Phase pupils of Papenkuil Primary School in celebration of Universal Children’s Day. The day is celebrated annually on 20 November. Said Jaci: “Universal Children’s Day is a day to not only celebrate our youth, but it is also a day to remember the importance of our future, which means investing in our children. VC Cares (student volunteer body) and the campus’ School of Education love celebrating this day as developing the children of our Nation is what we are passionate about.”

Some of the staff members of Sydenham Primary School with some of The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay students at the recent handover of sweet treats for the staff and teachers of Sydenham Primary School in celebration of World Kindness Day celebrated annually on 13 November. Said Jaci Howell (Student Wellness Manager The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay): “World Kindness Day is a day to promote the importance of being kind to each other. In this spirit we wanted to show the staff and teachers of the Sydenham Primary school a little kindness and appreciation to brighten their day.”