Spring 2021 Newsletter Highlights

Bringing Reading Alive through Virtual Author Visits

With nowhere to go on the weekends, we launched our first-ever virtual reading celebration.  Celebrating reading is crucial to help children grow their love for reading, gives them ideas about what to write about, and lets their imagination wander (especially when they themselves can’t!).

In collaboration with First Book Canada and Manulife, more than 100 students enjoyed a morning of learning and giggles with award-winning author, illustrator, and broadcaster Kevin Sylvester and author Basil Sylvester.

Students in grades 1-3 tuned in for an animated demonstration of creating illustrations and a read-aloud of Splinters. Creativity was at the forefront as students joined breakout rooms to write or sketch their own twist to the story.

Students in Grades 4-6 witnessed firsthand a conversation between co-authors Kevin and Basil Sylvester.  As co-authors of The Fabulous Zed Watson, they shared their experiences of writing and illustrating the book. Basil read an excerpt from the book and Kevin demonstrated how to create illustrations.  The big emphasis was that it’s okay to make mistakes.  The students discussed the meaning of friendship, identity, and belonging. They then shared an object that represented their identity.   

Each of the students received their very own book along with signed bookplates.


Vision of Excellence in Action

The Get Ahead Project has launched its exciting new Vision of Excellence to become the leading STREAM school in Africa. After opening a 4iR classroom in late 2020, staff and students at GAP took part in a week-long training session with experts from a local organization, The Sakhikamva Foundation. Some highlights included the teachers using the 3D printer and tinkercard to design and print a personalized key chain; Grade 4 students learned how to use Makey Makey and their bodies as conductors of electricity, and Grade 7 and 8 getting into the thick of things with app-building. We are proud to be partnering with such a trail-blazing school that is working hard every day to offer all children the opportunity to build the skills for future success!


Grade 8 App-Development Team

Our grade 8 app development team who presented their app, No Poverty, during the goIT Challenge final round today.
Their app seeks to match donors with needy recipients in disadvantaged areas.
From left to right are: Kuhle Balintulo, Sikholiwe Mahlimza, Lilitha Nduku, Zukhanye Nqanqa and Ambesa Mpendukana


Hiba Mohammed

Saturday Morning Literacy Club (SMLC) past participant and program volunteer Hiba Mohammed is a fan of the Leacock Foundation programs.  As the first child in her family to grow up in Canada, her mom wasn’t certain about the education system.  One thing her mom was certain about was that she wanted for Hiba to have all of the academic support opportunities.  As a SMLC student, she learned literacy in a fun way.  She recalls enthusiastically waking up to attend SMLC. In her words, “That wasn’t an easy thing to convince a child to do!”

She shared, “For me, it’s more than just volunteer hours and opportunities to move forward. I have a sister who has been diagnosed with ASD (she is currently in the Leacock Programs). She has trouble learning things in a way that other kids may learn. Through the Leacock programs, I have heard that kids all learn in so many different ways.  The strategies I’ve learned help me support my sister at home with learning. I love to interact with kids and learn about how they learn.”  

She has fond memories of SMLC.   

“I remember we did coding and that was really special to me because we didn’t have anything like that at school at the time. The high school volunteers were really helpful and I looked up to them.” 

Fast forward, she started to volunteer with the Leacock Foundation at the end of Grade 8.  Her volunteering experience was an instant success.  She was about to start high school and the older volunteers and program assistants guided her as she prepared for high school life.    

Throughout her first volunteer experience at LEAP into Literacy Summer Camp, she developed confidence and motivation to become a leader.  Throughout her volunteer role, she focused on communication which helped her gain essential skills to utilize in school and beyond.    

Her peers even encouraged her to run for student council. She reflected, “My peers believed in me and it was encouraging to feel the support. This shaped my whole high school experience.  I am now in Grade 11 and next year I’m going to be school President!  I’m so glad I volunteered as it led to so much.” 

She continued to volunteer for SMLC which has allowed her to interact with many students and teachers. She noted the importance of powerful resources, learning, and friendships.   

Hiba has been promoted to a Program Assistant role for the upcoming March (April) Break Math Literacy. 

“My volunteer experience also taught me about the Leacock Foundation, it made me realize that in my future career, I want to help people. The mission and vision of the Leacock Foundation really resonated with me and helped me get a direction of what I want to do with my life.” 

In the future, she wants to work with kids but leaning towards a career in medicine where she can help people.  She plans on going to McMaster, UofT, Western, or Queen’s to study medicine.


Azafunde Wins Speaking Competition 

Azafunde Ndelu won the 2020 national final of the On the Tip of the Tongue public speaking competition in the Grade 10-12 motivational speaking competition; she was the only speaker from the Eastern Cape. We are exceptionally proud of Azafunde!

We decided to catch up with her in Queenstown to hear what the experience was like for her. Here is what she shared:

“Participating in the ‘On the Tip of the Tongue’ competition has to be one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. I learned a lot of things from the competition, particularly the process of preparing for my speech. I learned that discipline and consistency is key to mastering your craft; I learned that when I do something I should do it 100% and never give up, in spite of the circumstances I find myself in.

After months of practice with help from our public speaking coach, Mrs. Visser, we had to present our speeches in the competition. At first, doubts and nerves crawled in but with the work that I put in and the motivation I got from my family, schoolmates, and public speaking coach, I was assured I could do it. When I performed my speech I was really nervous because I was competing on a national level with big schools, with people in higher grades and I was already preparing my heart for the worst. Imagine my surprise when I was announced as the national winner of the English motivation speeches. I couldn’t believe it – I was over the moon! The pride and happiness of my school, family and community added to my joy and I was so grateful to be given a platform to express myself and my views on life.

Posted in Uncategorized.