Khotso Mmatli (Gr 6) is a student at the Parktown Kumon Centre which I run on behalf of Kumon Education South Africa. I and two colleagues recently attended an assembly on a Friday morning to present Khotso with his Gby6 awards which were given to him to congratulate him for studying up to High School Maths whilst still in Primary school. I have written an article on this occasion for the Kumon SA newsletter and I thought that you might like to read it.
It was a most enjoyable function and we were so impressed by what we saw of Saxonwold Primary, it really seems like a child friendly school!
Best wishes

Claudia Alexander

Team Leader, Information Team

Kumon Education SA (Pty) Ltd

     www.kumon.co.za

Tel: 27 11 459-2600
Fax: 27 11 459-2611

                                                KHOTO'S Gby6 ASSEMBLY
Last month I told you that I was planning to present Khotso with his Gby6 Plaque at his school assembly. I would like to share this event with you.

Khotso attends Saxonwold Primary School, which is close to both Head Office and Parktown Kumon. When I phoned the school to ask permission to do this presentation at assembly they were quite delighted and very supportive. Weekly assembly at Saxonwold takes place on a Friday morning and we agreed on Friday 25 May. Assembly starts at 8.00am which meant we had to be there at 7.45am (groan...)
When I broached Khotso about the idea, he seemed somewhat reticent and not too keen. I could not understand whether he was being modest or if he really did not want a fuss to be made. I had already given him both the Gby6Plaque and his Silver certificate in centre when he started Level G so he had already seen the Plaque. I was wondering if he could have been embarrassed that a fuss was being made about such a small insignificant trophy ... compared with the sumptuous trophies that are handed out at any given occasion at schools...

I think he was actually very pleased with the idea but made a specific request for Miss Loney to be there as she had instructed him throughout last year. Mom and Dad were also invited which meant that they would have to take some time off work but they were thrilled! The day arrived and we duly turned up at school at the appointed time. We had invited Thomas Neumann who was visiting from the KEA offices in London to come along as we thought it would be interesting for him to see a typical South African ex Model C School. So the Kumon contingent consisted of Rozanne, Thomas and me.
We were ushered into the school hall and asked to sit along a side wall, observed by a sea of curious faces. Khotso's Mom and Dad were with us. It was that VERY cold week in Jo'burg and needless to say the hall was freeeeezing... fortunately most of the children seemed blissfully unaware of this.

Saxonwold seems like a very caring, child-centred school, I was so impressed by the activities which took place during assembly. Also of course it is very multi-cultural, so all contributions reflected this.
Assembly started with a non-religious but uplifting and inspiring song accompanied by a teacher playing the piano with gusto; the appointed monitor conscientiously moving the transparency up verse by verse on the OH Projector. We were then treated to a contribution by the Grade 7's on "Tolerance". This consisted of a singing and dancing routine and a short drama conveying the advantages and benefits of being tolerant towards one another. The participants had been well rehearsed and their enjoyment of their own performance was evident ...T...O...L...E...R...A...N...C...E...TOLERANCE!

We were then called up for our presentation. Roz and I went forward. I took the opportunity to explain very briefly what Kumon was and what could be achieved through Kumon. When I announced that Khotso was studying high school Maths although he was only in Grade 6 there was a gasp from the assembly. Clearly this made a big impression! Roz presented him with his certificate and the Gby6 Plaque. His parents were then asked to come forward to receive their certificate for the Kumon work that they have done, not only with Khotso but also with his two younger sisters, who both do Maths as well as English. 

Sports results for the week were then announced. The captains of each team came forward and onto the stage and each captain announced the results of his/ her team. I thought this was a great idea!

The names of all the children who had had birthdays during the previous week were read. Those learners stood up and the whole school sang Happy Birthday to them.

The highlight of the week was when the house points for the week were announced. There was a hushed silence until it became clear which house was the winner for the week, whereupon a great roar of triumph from learners in that house echoed around the school grounds.

The teacher-in charge then said a short, simple and sweet inter-denominational prayer and assembly ended off with a fine rendition of the National Anthem. Eager learners and teachers dispersed in various directions to their sundry activities.

We all felt that this had been a very worthwhile event. Khotso and his parents felt proud and motivated to continue with Kumon; his achievement had been acknowledged in a forum which was important to him. We were so impressed by the school, the teachers and the constructive caring atmosphere. And we had thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!