By Nikki Matthew | Chief Operating Officer
Start of Year Update
As we begin the year, our spaces are once again filled with noise, movement, questions, and possibility. Across our ECD centres, afterschool programme, and Digibus classrooms, around 1,400 children are now registered and taking part in learning and sport each week. It is a privilege to start another year alongside so many young people who show up with resilience, curiosity, and determination, often in the face of real challenge.
Our latest academic assessments show steady improvement, which we are encouraged by. At the same time, we remain honest about where we are: overall academic standards are still well below where they need to be. This reality reflects the broader education context our children are growing up in, and it sharpens our focus. If children are going to move beyond the limits imposed by inequality, education has to be strengthened early and consistently.
While rugby continues to be the drawcard that brings children into our programmes, academics are what will ultimately open doors. This year, we are intentionally shifting more energy, resources, and leadership into academic development.
We are particularly excited to be expanding our SEED programme, which runs in our afterschool programme as a structured follow-on from the ESL work done in our ECD centres. SEED supports children through Maths, key curriculum topics (including Life Orientation), and mediation, helping them develop both academic skills and the social and emotional tools needed to cope with school demands. We have already seen strong gains in confidence, engagement, and learning outcomes, and we are excited to formally embed SEED into our core curriculum this year..
We are also pleased to welcome a new Head of Academics, a key appointment as we work to improve curriculum planning, assessment, and academic support across all programmes. If South Africa is ever going to experience greater equality, we need to invest far more deeply in education, and this role reflects that commitment.
Next week also marks the start of our Digibus programme for a new cohort of Grade 4 learners. For many, this will be their first experience learning on laptops. Grade 4 is a demanding transition year, as children move from learning in their mother tongue to learning in English, while navigating a heavier workload that includes content subjects and formal assessments. The Digibus supports children through this critical phase, helping them build academic confidence, digital literacy, and the skills needed to stay engaged at school.
Looking ahead, we are hoping to raise funds to take our Under 13s on a rugby tour in June. Tours provide more than sport. They expose children to new environments, build independence and teamwork, and reward commitment to both academics and training. For many of our children, it would be their first opportunity to travel beyond their immediate community.
Please also take a moment to view our end-of-year newsletter, linked below, which captures the energy and range of activities from a packed and inspiring final term of 2025.
At a time when the world can feel unsettled, your support continues to make a very real difference in the lives of children who need consistency, care, and opportunity. Thank you for your generosity, your belief in this work, and for walking this journey with us.
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By Nikki Matthews | Chief Operating Officer
By Nikki Matthew | Chief Operating Officer
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