Outreach   Home Contact Us Contact Information Map and Directions About Bellavista Bellavista Handbook    Code of Conduct    History               Outreach       Promotion of Access Manual School Curriculum    School Song    School Uniform    Sports Policy               Staff    Calendar Academic Calendar 2012 Events Calendar Provisional Academic Calendar 2013 News Bellavista Bears    Golf Day Registration Form In the Classroom     Newsletter    Last Months Newsletter    Principals Report AGM 2011 Gallery Admissions School Fee Schedule Step by Step Guide Batu Assessment Costs BATU Introduction Batu Talks Bellavista Graduate School Payment Process 2012 Procedure for Assessment Questionnaire Weblinks Adobe Reader Bendels Tax Consulting British Dyslexia Association Central Auditory Processing Disorder I S A S A                      Kelly Kaye Social Worker                        My School           Private Property           S A A L E D           Santon S P C A                             SA Schools Collection           T H R A S S                             Wikipedia  Outreach in our Community  Bellavista Community Projects Bellavista School continues to be involved in Community Projects of a diverse nature.  These encompass serving the educational needs of both adults and children within the Gauteng region,and at times beyond these perimeters in other provinces of South Africa, on an invitational and voluntary basis.   Workshop and Training for Educators Bellavista Staff were involved in the training of educators in Soweto with a focus on language, literacy and numeracy during the 1990’s. From January 2002 to December 2008, Bellavista Staff embarked on a journey, in partnership with the GDE and 13 of the Ivory Park Primary Schools to share in their vision of developing the Educators and the Learners of these schools.  The focus was on empowering the Educators to ensure sustainable development of themselves and by extension the enrichment of the learning opportunities of the children in their care. During these 7 years, extensive attention was given to Literacy, Numeracy, Design and Technology and Personal Development. Many of the Educators following their attendance of Bellavista Schools’ workshops, expressed the effect that these had had on their personal development and opportunities for growth within their respective schools, as well as the assumption of more senior positions within the educational environment.  Educators conveyed an increased confidence within themselves and an improvement in their teaching skills. Motivation and excitement that was generated was reflected in the zest, with which many of the educators encouraged their colleagues, who were not part of the programme to become involved, and as a whole school, participate in the Design and Technology exhibition held in 2006, as well as the YDI/Pick n Pay Programme, supported by Bellavista in 2006 and 2007. The children benefited immensely from being fully engaged in meaningful learning experiences.  Three of the Ivory Park Primary Schools achieved recognition for their efforts in the YDI/Pick n Pay national Innovation category, rating within the top 5 in the country, for which they won significant sums of money for the further development of their respective schools.  The Ivory Park initiative came to a natural closure at the end of 2008, as many of the Educators have embarked on upgrading their skills with formal University training.  However, Bellavista remains committed to making a difference and with continued determination, has since January of 2009, initiated a Community Project with the Educators of Bertrams Primary School.    During the course of 2009 and 2010 the focus of workshops has been on Design & Technology; provision of workshops to develop underlying skills for learning by our Speech & Language and Occupational Therapists, as well as Literacy and Interpersonal/personal Skills. Our special partnership with Bertrams continues this year 2011, in the way of workshops focusing on Cognitive Development, Literacy, as well as Sponsorship of individual educators to attend the SAALED National Conference, Reggio Emilio Conference, as well as the Bellavista Post Graduate year long Diploma in Literacy and Dyslexia. The children from our respective schools will share in cultural activities during the course of the year.  Sewing Classes Bellavista has employed the services of a qualified sewing teacher for the past 16 years.  The lessons focused on teaching basic and advanced courses in dress making at our school, to previously disadvantaged people within our immediate vicinity, on a twice weekly basis.  Certificates have been awarded for mastery of basic and advanced skills respectively. Many of these women and men, have established their own enterprises to supplement their income, which Bellavista School has encouraged, and supported, when opportunities to apply their skills have arisen.  This year sees these classes coming to a close and we thank Bernadette van Rensburg for her interest and support of the programme since taking over last year.  Ukukhanya Kwe Zwe Nursery School Our Community Project with the Ukukhanya KweZwe Nursery School in Alexander, has been underway since 1990.  Our involvement has been and continues to be with both the educators and the children. Teacher training workshops which have been facilitated involved: Designing and planning of schemes and the acquisition of suitable resources. The integration of Art, Music and Drama into the teachers’ theme work. The organization of their library according to Themes and Stages of child development, so that meaningful use could be made of these wonderful resources. General Health and Safety Requirements Communication Skills. The Bellavista Children bring vegetables on a weekly basis, to form the basis of a healthy lunch for the 120 children in the Nursery School.  This is usually their main meal of the day. The Bellavista Children donate toys, books and useful equipment to ensure that the children of Ukukhanya KweZwe School, have ongoing learning opportunities.  In addition to dispatching boxes of Easter eggs in April each year, Bellavista School Staff organize an exciting Christmas Party each year, for the children and teachers of the nursery school.  The funds are derived from ongoing fund raising initiatives, supported by the children and parents of Bellavista.  The intention is to culminate the year with an enriching and enjoyable day for the KweZwe children.  The Bellavista Children have opportunity to appreciate the part that they have played, in contributing to the well being of these children, and develop a sense of social responsibility and altruism.  Grade 7 Community Project Over the past eight years, our Grade Sevens have been involved, and continue to engage in a service programme within the community.  This has covered a myriad of activities that include visiting the elderly, CHOC patients, adoption homes and the SPCA.  For the last few years, the Grade Seven children, supervised by Bellavista Staff, have assisted the children of Vuleka school with their homework and reading at their Aftercare Centre, as well as prepared activities for the children at Scallywags Nursery School. New initiatives linked to the Grade Sevens’ Life Orientation lessons have been implemented this year.  Bellavista has established a relationship with Thusanani – a safe haven for babies and toddlers who are requiring interim support.  The Grade Seven children attend to these children in small groups on a rotation basis, along with visiting Scallywag Nursery School and preparing vegetables for the Ukhukanye KweZwe Nursery School’s soup kitchen.  General Community Service As a whole school, Bellavista children, parents and staff have continued to support charities and respond to drives in the event of dire situations.  Phenomenal generosity of spirit, empathy, and practical consideration have been observed from our small community. Last year, each phase of the school elected to support specific charities, i.e. Guide Dogs, Smile Foundation and The Free Me Project.  Adoption of these charities for the year served as an enriching experience for the children as it allowed for a depth of understanding and sense of pathos to develop. This year the Community Projects continue in a similar vein, with the Grade R’s, 1’s and 2’s endeavor to adopt a ‘Brown Bear’ from the Johannesburg Zoo; the Grade 3’s and 4 ’s linking up with an inner city school – The Albert City School and the Grade 5’s and 6’s supporting Animals in Distress.  SAALED – South African Association of Learning and Educational Difficulties As a member school of SAALED some of the Bellavista Staff play an active role within this organization, on a voluntary basis. They are involved in the initiation, planning and organization of workshops, as well as give of their time generously to share their knowledge of education and their experience of working with children within the inclusive environment, as well as in situations where higher support needs are nrequired.  Bellavista Staff Since 2000, Bellavista School, in keeping with the Skills Development initiative has ensured the development of their own, previously disadvantaged staff. This has been established on a needs basis, identified by the employee in consultation with the Skills Development Facilitator, in an attempt to up skill the person in his/her specific line of work, or alternatively assist in developing each individual in area in which, he/she has not had opportunity, but is motivated to learn and grow.  Opportunity has been provided within the Bellavista School infrastructure, as well as the extended environment for the implementation of their newly acquired skills.