The Shine Centre
- Bringing literacy and language enrichment to school children with reading difficulties
SUCCESS STORIES:
WCED Results:
Every two years since 2002, the Western Cape Education Department has tested the literacy of all Grade 3 learners in the Western Cape. The results show a significant, measurable and continuing improvement among learners who have been supported by the Shine Centre.
In 2002, after the Shine Centre had been working for two years, 50% of Observatory School's Grade 3 learners were coping in literacy at Grade 3 level. We do not have a comparable benchmark for earlier periods, but this figure is very strong compared to the national and regional averages for Xhosa-speaking children. In 2004, we achieved a 57.5% rate for coping in literacy. At this point the Shine Centre had an average of 12 volunteers working with 18 Grade 2 and 3 learners, focusing on language and literacy development.
In 2006 the WCED tested our Grade 3's once again. By then, the Shine Centre's capacity had increased to 43 volunteers seeing over 60 Grade 2 and 3 learners. Results showed significant gains in our Grade 3 learners' literacy: 71.1% were coping, which is an improvement of 13.6%. The official surveys clearly show that we are achieving what we set out to do: the Shine Centre's literacy programme is making a real and important difference.
An independent evaluation by the Western Cape Education Department shows that Observatory Junior School, where we have been operating since 2000, has increased literacy results in grade 3 from 50% in 2002 to 71% in 2006. The 2008 grade 6 literacy results rose from 48% to 78%.
Project Plans for 2008: With the approval of the Western Cape Education Department, we are about to roll out more Shine Centres in the Western Cape. We are hoping to implement 5 new centres in 5 hand picked schools in need of our assistance. Our goal is to have 20 successful centres in place by 2010. In addition we would like to provide training for communities who would like a centre but do not qualify for our support. In the long term we would like to have 50 Shine Centres in each province countrywide.
Success Stories
Leigh Anne Nathan writes..
Approximately 3 years ago I read an article in our local Southern Suburbs newspaper -The Tatler, which featured Maurita Weissenberg and the work she was doing at Obs Junior School. From the time I walked into the school and was introduced to the two children I was assigned to work with - I was hooked!! I noticed that Zahra’s and Lufefe’s self esteem improved so quickly, the effectiveness of one on one teaching and to have some other dependable adult to be able to chat to and share their lives with. It is all such a good recipe for a child's advancement and ability to want to learn!
Lufefe and Zahra, who are now in Grade 3, proudly received their Certificates of Progress on break-up day of the 2nd term. I will miss our special times together, but will look out for them in the corridors to give them a hug and continued encouragement!!
And then of course, I will start with some more young stars who will Shine!!
But there would be no Shine Centre without the volunteers, so I encourage anyone who can spare one or two hours a week during the school terms, to join in and enjoy the pleasure of helping the children of Observatory Junior School. It truly is addictive!!!!
Mihlali's Story:
Louise Kerby writes...
"I started working with Mihlali at the start of 2005. What a journey it has been for both of us. She was really struggling with her reading at the start. She struggled with the letters and her spatial awareness was not good (top, bottom, left and right). We started very slowly and it is a testament to her courage, motivation and enthusiasm that she has come so far.
This has truly been a very rewarding journey for both of us, even for me and it brings tears to my eyes when I think of how much Mihlali has grown over the two and a half years we have worked together. What I truly admire is her motivation, her courage, her willingness to learn and grow. I will follow her progress even after we stop work at the Shine Centre and I look forward to seeing her fly!"
Mihlali writes...
"When I was starting at the Shine Centre, I couldn't read stories. It made me feel sad because I couldn't read. When I looked at a page I saw lots of words I couldn't read. I used to look at the pictures to help me read. I was guessing sometimes.
Then Louise was helping me write 'f' from top to bottom. We read little cards with words and then I became better at reading. When I could read all 100 words on the cards I felt very happy. I wrote my own stories and drew pictures too. We also played card memory games. I found this easy because the pictures helped me. We also did sums and spelling.
I felt happy and excited when I could read. Reading has made me able to do everything. I can now read the boxes of food, in the shops, books, signs, magazines and newspaper stories and the TV guide. I can also read a recipe. Now I feel proud of everything. I got a wire peacock for reading all my 100 words. I felt very proud and happy. When I came to my class all the class wanted to see. They felt happy for me!
I had to work hard to read and now I can read nicely. I understand the stories I read. I am a big girl now and I can read on my own. It's nice now to be at school!"
Sihle's Story:
Sihle came to the Shine Centre programme but after a year was still battling enormously. When a company was prepared to offer him further specialist assessments we were also able to help with his convergence and other speech difficulties. Using the information provided by the Educational Psychologist an Independent Educational Programme was set up. Margie, his volunteer, offered to come in and work with him each day. She also helped scribe for him during exams. When we tested him in Grade 5 he was still reading at a Grade One level. Sihle is now in Grade 7 and is able to read at an age appropriate level. Margie tells of the day (while doing paired reading) that he indicated to her that he was able to continue on his own: "I can understand everything the teacher writes on the board now." It was one of the happiest days of her life.
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The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) administered a numeracy and literacy test to all Grade 3 learners in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.
Observatory Junior School RESULTS
(Grade 3):
2002: 50%
2004: 57.5%
2006: 71.1%
(Grade 6):
2002: 48%
2008: 78%