Located on the beautiful iThemba Campus, just 5.4km outside of Hillcrest, Focus on iThemba is a non-profit organisation with a vision to Grow Hearts and Minds by investing in children through quality education resulting in life-altering positive change. Located on our Campus, Waterfall Schools, encompassing Waterfall Pre-Primary, Waterfall Preparatory and Waterfall College, offers quality education from 12 months to Grade 12. These co-educational independent centres of excellence provide quality holistic education with a caring, innovative, personalised approach interwoven with Christian values, community outreach initiatives and affordability.
“We are fortunate to hold the position as the schools’ non-profit partner and enjoy the fruits of our symbiotic relationship” said Tayla-Anne Goss, Focus on iThemba Team Leader. “Focus on iThemba has committed to investing in education through our extensive Early Childhood Development initiatives and life-changing iThemba Scholars Programme and are privileged to collaborate with Waterfall Schools on both of these.” The management teams of the respective education hubs share overlapping philosophies of prioritising growth through education, reinforcing the relationship of symbiosis.
Early Childhood Development:
Focus on iThemba believes in the power of Early Childhood Development (ECD) as more and more research is highlighting the significance of the first 5 years of a child’s life in terms of crucial brain development. The team currently works alongside ten Pre-Schools in the Valley of 1000 Hills and Molweni areas to ensure tomorrow’s generation gets the best start today. The model aims to upgrade existing Pre-Schools to become legal and sustainable enterprises. Through this programme, more than 650 children are reached, as their principals and teachers are empowered to provide quality ECD. The team partners with relevant organisations for nutrition and educational materials. In the past two and a half years, almost 60 teachers have benefitted from teacher and business training. Waterfall Schools staff and pupils engage with these Pre-Schools through visits, age-appropriate donations and mentorship initiatives, developing a true sense of community.
iThemba Scholars Programme:
In 2016, Focus on iThemba initiated the life-changing iThemba Scholars Programme, through which selected pupils from partnering Pre-Schools who demonstrate the potential to thrive academically, are offered scholarships to attend Waterfall Schools. In 2019, ten children spanning Grades 000 to 5 are being supported within the programme and receive quality, holistic education where they can enjoy the freedom to unearth their potential. Focus on iThemba has an ambitious masterplan of supporting 30 scholars in the programme by the year 2029.
Goss expressed her commitment and appreciation for the mutual partnership and its growth, “through great partnerships comes great reward and we look forward to continuing this relationship of bringing hope to children through quality education well into the future.” To partner with Focus on iThemba to Grow Hearts and Minds and contribute to significant positive change, please be in touch with Tayla, Team Leader on tayla@focuonithemba.org or 031 710 1801.
