Despite boasting high-tech facilities and Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, reading skills remain paramount for a local secondary school in Stellenbosch.
This is according to Robyn van de Rhede, headmaster at Apex High School and winner of the 2022 Provincial Teacher Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching.
Apex High School, located on the outskirts of Kayamandi, started the academic year with a “baseline test” to assess the level of language proficiency of the students, said Van de Rhede.
“With these results, we immediately activate intervention programmes to support learners facing language-challenges,” she said.
Robyn van de Rhede, headmaster at Apex Stellenbosch, believes in early language intervention strategies. PHOTO: Rentia Weber
Out of the 345 learners at Apex Stellenbosch, 10% are English, 65% Xhosa, and 20% Afrikaans home language speakers, according to Van de Rhede.
“Teaching at Apex Stellenbosch happens primarily in English,” said Van de Rhede. “[Parents]donʼt always understand how big the difference is between English Home Language and English Additional Language, and that’s why language intervention steps are necessary,” said Van de Rhede.
Language intervention steps include “reading programmes where comprehension, grammar, and opinions are tested”, said Van de Rhede. They also include “weekly spelling tests, an immersive reading program, as well as having a reader or scribe to assist during exams”.
“We encourage home reading, putting on English subtitles when watching movies, and to practice speaking English, every day,” said Jason-Lee Jansen, another teacher at Apex Stellenbosch.
Books and technology are both important devices to support language intervention strategies at Apex Stellenbosch, said headmaster Robyn van de Rhede. PHOTO: Rentia Weber
The school’s intervention strategy addresses concerns raised by minister of basic education Siviwe Gwarube at the release of the 2024 National Senior Certificate results.
“[The results] show that too many of our learners cannot read for meaning in any language by Grade 4,” said Gwarube in a statement at the time.
Classroom decorations at Apex Stellenbosch welcoming grade 4s. PHOTO: Rentia Weber
Principal Robyn van de Rhede believes in implementing language intervention steps. VIDEO: Rentia Weber
(Audio file in Afrikaans) Principal Apex Stellenbosch Robyn van de Rhede. AUDIO: Rentia Weber