With two computer labs, an Engineering Graphics and Design facility and internet access in all classrooms, we are constantly working to increase the computer skills of our pupils, to prepare them for the world of work. Pupils can choose to take Computer Applications and Technology (CAT) or Information Technology (IT) as subjects from Grades 10 - 12.
As part of the school's commitment to ICT, we created the post of IT Education Manager in 2011. This position was created to lead the school's IT direction into the future.
During 2012 we will be doing trials on two ICT initiatives. The first is Obami, which is a completely secure website that allows teachers and pupils to collaborate online after school hours. It also has a facility for secure online testing, as well as the usual social networking aspects such as blogging and chat rooms. Because it is completely secure, no-one outside of the school community will be able to access it or view it. Staff are currently working on developing the public portal, which will give parents access to more detailed information about subject specific content. In due course, parents will also be invited to become users, allowing them to see the work their children are doing, and to interact more closely with subject teachers.
Our second initiative is the "Flipped Classroom", which a few teachers at the school will be trying. This model of teaching has been proven to work effectively. It calls for the pupils to take greater responsibility for their learning, by working through some of the content at home (instead of doing traditional homework), using pre-prepared videos. Class time is then used more effectively for one-on-one interaction with the teacher. Pupils are able to work at their own pace through consolidation exercises, extension exercises, projects etc.
The school is also seeking to increase our electronic communication with parents in order to reduce paper wastage and reduce our carbon footprint. All school information is available on School Communicator. If you, as a parent, do not yet have access to School Communicator, please download it here.