A state-of-the art e-learning hub at the Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has given learners who live there a new source of support and inspiration for their studies.
This after a cottage at Harmony Village was refurbished to incorporate 10 learning stations, seven of which have computers. Additional facilities at the new hub include a printer, stationery, a small kitchen, toilets and a small library. Teacher Kathryn Couzens is on hand to offer support and guidance to learners every afternoon.
The facility was opened in September and is currently available to Grade 8 to 12 learners, 18 of the 24 eligible learners having used the facilities to date and eight visiting regularly.
The development of the facility was a team effort by committed estate staffers, with the enthusiastic support of managing director Wayne Coetzer. Key participants have been IT manager Warren Daniel, security manager Carl Langenhoven, finance manager Dean Carlse and hospitality and human resources manager Sharon Hosking. The estate’s social media manager AJ van der Vyver also offers extra maths lessons weekly.
“It is important to keep the children busy and ensure they have the necessary resources to make more choices,” said Langenhoven. “We want to prepare them for adulthood and tertiary education. Our dream is to facilitate from Grade R to 12, with the children having the tools to get ahead and enter university.”
Daniel, who brings facilitation skills from working at Damelin College and IT expertise, said the hub is intended to bridge the gap between school and home. “Technology is ever-evolving, and we can’t let learners fall behind. This is the starting point, and it is going to develop further. The hub lends itself to more uses in future, such as adult literacy classes and holiday workshops.”
Kathryn Couzens, who has 16 years of high-school teaching experience, said: “The response from the children has been overwhelmingly positive, especially with the core group who attend regularly. One feels one can make an impact by working with their strengths and weaknesses. It’s wonderful to be able to share my experience.”
The staff do not wish for the hub to be a classroom environment, as the children already have this at school. Instead, they hope children will feel comfortable and relaxed, and eager to learn new things.
The learners are positive about their experiences so far. “It helps a lot when we study” and “our teacher helps us if we are struggling” were some of the comments from regular visitors Andrew-Lee Ninon, Natalie Lange, Miceala Jackson and Chanelle Jonkers.
