An emotional farewell

Larbert high singing their national anthem

After and amazing week of fun, laughter, new friends and tears of joy today marked the sad departure of our Scottish friends of Larbert High School. They have without a doubt made their mark on Woodlands and in Heideveld. All 16 students left their hand print on our Library wall and after an emotional assembly with songs dancing speeches and displays they were on their way!

The best way for to express this unbelievable trip is to share some of the stories of the students starting with 2 of our students.


'I enjoyed Larbert High very much and got to know them better, and as Woodlands started knowing them they soon became part of Woodlands Primary School family and they will also now and forever more. The reason why I enjoyed them coming here is that they were just so wild and mad, crazy like us and they played soccer, skipped and even danced with us. what I remember the most about them and my favorite memory is that they didn't care who were were, what colour we were and they loved us for just the way we are. I want to say thank you very, very, very much, you guys were great Woodlands will always love you!'


Naeelah Davids, 12 years, grade 6

'I enjoyed hacing Larbert High at our school, it brought warmth to the learners and educators of Woodlands Primary. My favourite memory of them was when they first arrived and the excitement we all had. I remember that they let us read and taught us the waka waka dance. Thank you for choosing our school love Adiela.'


Adiela Safter, 11 years, grade 5

Check back later for more storied from the the students!

By 
GCU and the students of Woodlands Primary

Rope Skipping girls at the Nationals!

My name is Aasheekah Lakay and I am 13 years old. I am part of the GCU rope skipping team and I am on the highest level in our group, level 4. We had a Western Province competition where myself and some of the other girls qualified for the Nationals in Pretoria. After some last minute fund raising at our local mall we set of on the 29th September on the long bus journey to Pretoria. Some of us were a little sick from all of the travelling, the heat and from the excitement for such an amazing opportunity and a trip none of us had been on before. We arrived the next day at the Holiday Express, our home for the next few days, it was a really nice place and the breakfast was really lekker!
The first competitions was for levels 1-3, our team did well winning 3 silver and 3 bronze medals! The next competition was for my level 4-6, unfortunately I did not get a medal but the experience is something I will never forget. The competition has inspired me to push more so that next time maybe I can get a medal.

The week ended on the 5th October where we made our way back on the long trip again. This time we were all used to it and none of us got sick. We arrived early on Saturday morning all tired form the journey. I just want to thank Mario and all of the GCU group for what they have done for us. I really appreciate is and if it wasn't for GCU we wouldn't have rope skipping and we wouldn't have this opportunity to go on these amazing trips.













By Aasheeqah Lakay
GCU rope skipping team

Trip of a lifetime!

Codi on on the right with one of his fellow leaders

I just want to take this time to thank all the people of Laureus who gave me the opportunity to work with such amazing group of leaders.

We started off the second phase of the YES program with all the leaders coming together at sport science, I was completely excited to see my fellow leaders from the different parts of South Africa. When we arrived my heart was jumping with joy to be in the same room as the man who made all of this possible Mthokozisi Madondo.

The toughest part of the whole training was waking up at 7am and finishing at 18H00. Some mornings I was so tired but the smell of Gita’s eggs always got me out of bed. Most of the leaders (mostly me) were complaining about the long hours of work and short hours break but at the end off the day we pulled threw and was joking about what went wrong at night.

The training we had with all the people and organizations was great. Personally it helped me a lot and it helped all of the other leaders. From Gita, Prudence, Marvin, Rubel, CRS, sport trust, sport science, George and everyone who I didn't mention thanks for taking time out to be with us, you guys really inspired me.

On Friday 5th October  we came to GCU, it was fun being around the boys and girls again after a whole week. On Saturday we went to waves for change the surfing project and for the first time I was on a surfboard it was really cool. Getting into the wet suit was toughest part. I had a 16 year old boy teaching me how to surf I was completely bad at it kept on falling off the board but he kept on encouraging me. The Sunday we went to Table Mountain, it was really difficult going up but with the help of the leaders we all pulled threw.

 

The day everyone had to leave to there home town was the sad part of all the 10 days. Leaders were crying even me (but didn't show). I cant wait for the next time we re-unit I am counting the days already.

By Codi Damons

GCU Head Coach

Fun day with Laureus and Ryan Sands!

Ryan Sands with our GCU boys!

The morning started off on a busy note with coaches and tutors finishing off final touches and preparing for the day ahead.

When Laureus finally arrived to our training ground we started by putting up Laureus banners on the field we then got all the kids together in six lines starting from ages 7-15. We then proceeded to the field where Laureus taught the kids the importance of work together and reaching for you’re dreams as well as leadership skills.

The kids also met with one of the world’s fittest men Ryan Sands and they loved every moment with him sitting still and listening to what this man has accomplished. I think it was great having him there with the kids because he brought a sense of hope and running from Durban to cape says a lot that’s says that nothing is impossible and the kids loved that because they need positive role models in their lives.

 

Having these people here on cape flats was really great and all the kids enjoyed themselves with all the fun activities that were given to them. All these kids need is someone to motivate them because the potential is there we see it everyday as we continue to go forward in faith GOD bless.

Laureus talkng to the GCU members about working together

by

GCU coaches 

A little help goes a long way!

Avron demonstrating how to play the game, read the word on the grid and get a point!

A grade 2 student playing racing game

As you may have read before, the GCU tutoring team are now attending a training program with International House in Cape Town. Last week saw the team in their 3rd workshop to date with Kerryn, Assistant Director of Studies. It was a blast with the focus of the workshop on how to deliver a lesson, it was great fun to pretend to be a kid again. It also got us all in the mood and really having fun which is what learning                                                        should be!

2 student compete in writing words

Monday has come and what better way to put the new skills to the test than to try it out on grade 2. We used an old lesson using 'sh', 'ch' and 'th' sounds in words for all our games. The children loved it and a little bit of competition really got them motivated. The first game of run and touch was a great way to get rid of some energy, introduce the sounds and test their listening skills, running round the classroom AND learning at the same time is definitely a winner. The lesson finished off with teams running to read a list of words and writing them on the board, it was a close call but group 1 just got the winning point with 4 points to 3. A truly successful lesson that everyone got involved in and more importantly gave a whole new meaning to the words fun and learning! As the title suggest a little training goes a long way for GCU and our tutors, thank you to IHS and well done to the tutors!

Run and touch the sound!

By Jennifer Pickett
GCU

Heritage Day 2012

Juniors in action!

We started the morning off with a bang with the rope skipping girls and the juniors of G.C.U playing on the soccer field. All around the soccer field we had smiles and laughter with everyone carrying huge smiles.

Our juniors started the morning playing numerous amounts of games and mite I add doing extremely well in the process. G.C.U supported all the other juniors from the other various teams and even all the other teams supporting our juniors as well these young ones are always full of energy and always have a positive attitude when on the field right there and then we knew that this day was going to be special a day where everyone came together and united for these young boys because they are the future and we are here to give them a boost.

The rope skipping girls gave a wonderful performance and attracted a large crowd in the process the way these girls skip with a rope is something else with the various tricks that they do with the rope and the movement it’s truly amazing. Watching this kids progress day by day is something so special something that not even money can buy these kids put huge smiles on people’s faces on a daily basis and deserved the crowd that was there on Monday.

Its always great being with juniors of the club they tend to turn your frown upside down as we continue to go forward in faith GOD bless.  

 Girls Rope Skipping team!

By

GCU Coaches