Mobile classroom empowers 1000+ kids in Langa CT

This mid-year report provides a comprehensive overview of the progress, challenges, and strategic initiatives undertaken by VUSA Rugby & Learning Academy from January to June 2024. The report highlights key achievements and areas for improvement across various age groups and programs, including Reading Eggs, coding, and the Digibus initiative.

The introduction of token rewards has significantly improved student attendance. This incentive system has proven effective in motivating students to attend regularly and engage more actively in classroom activities.

Grade 5 students have demonstrated significant strides in coding skills, particularly in HTML and CSS. Projects like the "Planets" project have reinforced the practical application of coding concepts.

Despite challenges such as copying and pasting URL codes, students have remained enthusiastic and engaged. Attendance in coding sessions has been consistent, with a total of 1013 students participating.

Grade 4 students have shown rapid progress in phonemic awareness, sounding, blending, and reading skills. The comprehensive placement tests have successfully grouped students by ability, allowing tailored learning at appropriate paces.

There has been a steady increase in Lexile scores, indicating improved reading proficiency among students. Advanced tasks and Jolly Phonics integration have further supported reading comprehension and spelling.

• Improved understanding and reduced login times for Matific.
• High engagement in activities despite challenges.

• Late Arrivals: Impacting student progress and workload management.
• Attendance Discrepancies: Some students skipping academic sessions but attending rugby practice.

• Enhanced Learning Environment: Improving coordination and communication with interns and teachers to create a more conducive and safer learning environment.
• Backup Transportation Plan: Addressing bus breakdowns with a backup plan to ensure timely arrival.
• Advanced Learning Materials: Providing more challenging assignments for advanced students in the Reading Eggs program.
• Intern Goals: Setting individual goals for interns to enhance their contributions and development.

• Early Attendance: Increased early attendance has provided students with more time for activities.
• Motivated Participation: Strong drive among students to complete activities and earn tokens.
• Improved Logging Experience: Fewer students require assistance with login details.

Activities:

• Placement tests on Adventure Island.
• Coding sessions and arithmetic sequences.
• Number sentence activities.

Challenges:

• Difficulty teaching younger children and new participants to use Matific or a laptop.
• Delays in the coding program due to lack of access to Code4codes.

Goals:

• Ensure all children complete their assigned work before the end of the term.

Activities:

• Continued focus on number lines, arithmetic sequences, and operations.
• Introduction to rounding off whole numbers.

Challenges:

• Latecomers falling behind in their work.
• Wifi connectivity issues when the bus is full, causing students to lose progress and time.

Highlights:

• Improved understanding and reduced login times for Matific.
• High engagement in activities despite challenges.

Activities:

• Adventure Island activities and arithmetic operations.
• Introduction to place value and adding three-digit numbers.
• Coding sessions focusing on "The Earth and Beyond" and environmental topics.

Challenges:

• Latecomers continuing to struggle with keeping up.
• Wifi issues persisting when the bus is full.

Highlights:

• Increased completion of activities during sessions.
• Positive impact of token rewards on attendance and engagement.

Activities:

• Reflection symmetry, polygon identification, and counting vertices and edges.
• Catch-up sessions for students to complete outstanding work.
• Coding sessions focusing on practical applications like shopping scenarios.

Challenges:

• Late arrivals affecting student progress.
• Discrepancies in attendance between academic sessions and extracurricular activities.

Highlights:

• Improved attendance and engagement due to token rewards.
• Enhanced logging experience with fewer students needing assistance.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you, who make this project possible. Your generous support enables us to continue providing these essential programs and opportunities to our students, helping them to thrive both academically and personally. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission.

Kind regards

Nikki Matthews

C.O.O.