The dawn of new beginnings filled with purpose and a bright future started at Hope and Light independent school, which recently celebrated its excellent matric results despite tough circumstances and constant challenges.
The school, situated in the Helderberg Rural are adjacent to Sir Lowry’s Pass, obtained a 94% matric pass rate – an impressive 24% jump from the 70% pass rate obtained in 2022. It acknowledged the leadership of the headmaster, Blackie Swart, and the academic staff for their dedication and commitment to ensuring an excellent standard of education was upheld.
Although the school receives partial funding from the Western Cape Education Department, it is otherwise dependent on donors, and this can often present many challenges.
“The school serves the communities surrounding us,” said one director, Anthea Jacobs. “Most of the children come from Sir Lowry’s Pass, Lwandle and Chris Nissen Park. The school exists as a beacon of hope, providing a place of safety where they can be nurtured and can grow. We have broken barriers with education.”
Along with the two other directors, Neville Petersen, and Judith Hill, the school has collectively praised not only the matric results of 2023, but the overall effect the school has had on the families of its learners.
Said Jacobs: “There are so many instances of lives changed, of unique circumstances children come with and how our professional teachers, social worker and support staff deal with these daily challenges, and we can proudly say that ultimately Hope and Light independent school, through it all, has striven towards being true to its name, giving hope and light to our children in our communities.”
Petersen added that Hope and Light strives not only to instil discipline and build character, but also to nurture and guide young minds, giving them a sense of belonging and motivating them to reach their full potential.
He elaborated that school projects such as equipping a hospitality skills centre, science laboratory, media centre and other support and sport development programmes are top of the agenda. Judith Hill (Director) said the organisation can only grow according to what funds allow.” She added that many of the children attending the school have found sponsors for school fees. The school had a total of 390 children enrolled.
“We have happy children at our school and that’s one of the most important endeavours that we have ensured prevails here,” Hill added.
“Our structures are all in place, now its a matter of building onto what we have achieved here.”
Jacobs stressed the school doesn’t just need funds to continue to be effective, but any type of support and resources will go a long way, such as volunteers assisting children with reading and maths, arts, music and culture, a sports coach to train the children, admin assistants to help with the administrative workload and retired professionals to assist in academic and skills development.
“Kids who normally struggle are actually doing so well now at school, and this is testament to what is being done at Hope and Light. We invite the community to join forces with us, to collaborate and make a bigger difference that can be seen.”
Hope and Light independent school falls under the umbrella of Hope and Light Community Welfare NPC, which also operates a Children’s Home for 24/7 care and an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD), also in Sir Lowry’s Pass.
. To get in touch with the school, send an email to anthea@hopeandlight.org.za or visit www.hopeandlight.org.za.
