Live & Learn

Covenant College
Selecting the right school to suit your child’s personality and interests is one of the most difficult decisions a parent can make. At Covenant College, we endeavour to develop and nurture learners holistically, placing equal importance on their spiritual, educational and physical development. We believe that each learner has within them the potential to achieve greatness. Teaching takes place in a loving, caring and disciplined environment where they are encouraged to strive for Godly excellence. As qualified, dedicated and professional staff members, we work as a team, together with our parents, to equip learners with the necessary skills, drawing upon their God-given talents and abilities, to become confident individuals and to take up their place in making a meaningful contribution to society.
Established in 1988, consisting of 100 students and 11 staff members, Covenant College has grown from a small school into a thriving community school with a strong Christian ethos.
The College was established out of a vision to provide education based on Christian principles. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year, speaking to our commitment to this vision. We have been privileged to see the school grow, develop, and look forward to seeing what the next 30 years will bring. Our academic staff is currently 39 members from diverse backgrounds, all registered with SACE, and specialising in specific fields.
Tuition offered is from Grades R to 12 following the CAPS curriculum. Matriculants write the IEB matric exams. A large selection of FET phase subjects are offered, including computer application technology, engineering and graphic design, geography, history, accounting, life science, physical science, visual arts, economics and business studies.
Classroom environments are tailored to include the CAPS curriculum and to meet the academic needs of the learners. Classes are kept small to ensure students receive individual attention. Examinations, term tests, class tests and continuous class assessments form the bases for formative and summative learning to occur.
At Covenant College we a put a high priority on growing our learners in their personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. Our Bible education classes form a pivotal part of the weekly curriculum. Praise and Worship at Assemblies are where students can freely bask in the presence of the Lord. It is the most rewarding thing to see learners becoming Christ-like, Spirit-filled and maturing in their Christian Journey.
What a Partnership
Calvary Christian College has entered into a partnership with Super Sport United Soccer Schools (SSUSS) to promote soccer as part of their physical education during a normal school day.
This partnership was concluded towards the end of the second term and offers the learners, from Grade R through to high school, the opportunity to receive expert coaching as part of their normal timetable.
The coaching is on a four tier basis:
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All the learners receive coaching in their PE periods.
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Learners who have certain skills then get coached after school as part of the school’s teams.
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Super Sport Untied Soccer Schools can invite certain learners to join their soccer academy for additional training in the evenings.
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Should clubs show an interest in a learner, there is an agent who will advise them on contracts and the way forward.
“We are really thrilled about the prospect of working with Super Sport United Soccer Schools,” said Reeva Robertson, the principal of Calvary Christian College.
“To make sure we give our learners the best possible chance to improve their skills, we have laid a FIFA approved Futsal soccer field. This surface is fantastic to play on,” she added.
Brendon Lohan, who owns the Super Sport Untied Soccer Schools franchise in the south, has been coaching for many years and coaches one of the Super Sport United teams. He said he was excited about the prospect of working with a school like Calvary.
“There is so much potential out there and now we can identify and grow the talent while these children are still very young. That is what makes it so exciting,” he said.
The great thing is that all the children at the school will be able to play soccer. In years gone by, soccer was primarily a boy’s game but these days girls are increasingly showing an interest in the game.
“It is easy for learners to move into the 11-a-side game after acquiring the skills on a smaller field. “The other advantage is that Futsal has become a game in its own right with national teams competing in a Futsal World Cup,” said Lohan.
Parents, who are interested in enrolling their children in Calvary Christian College, should contact the school at 081 756 8952 or visit their website at www.calvarycollege.co.za for more information.
Rapid Growth Since the ’50s
FROM humble beginnings in the early 1900s, Alberton experienced a boom and kept on developing, growing into a town to be reckoned with. In 1950 the bus service was established amid the traditional storm of protest from ratepayers. Nine buses were provided for white passengers and 10 for blacks. The public library opened and the first maternity home opened its doors.
The 1960s began with Alberton being declared an independent magisterial area, and circuit court hearings took place from 1964.
A pavilion for the rugby grounds at the Piet Fick Stadium was erected, new fire-fighting equipment acquired and the proclamation of Alrode Extension Two, as well as Randhart, occupied the attention of the town council. More new suburbs where proclaimed: Alberante, the elite area, receiving some public jeers for being placed on the site of the old sewage disposal area and General Alberts Park saw the light. Plans for a new civic centre was also brought to light with a huge public outcry of course.
Tar roads where proposed in both old and new suburbs and 63 industries where established – prosperity was steadily growing.
More buses where purchased, bringing the total to 12 for whites and 29 for blacks. The registered voters in Alberton in the ’60s were about 9 000 and the population figure for Thokoza (then described as the most modern Bantu township in the Republic) is given as 24 000 in 1967. The town council took over the remainder of Palmietfontein to make room for the expansion of the township. By 1970 there was a new fire station, administrative offices for the new Non European Affairs Department, mechanical street cleaning equipment, a new bridge over Natalspruit, administrative offices for the Parks Department and two new white suburbs. In 1975 there were five new white suburbs, the new Civic Centre was under construction and the council announced a R20-million budget.
Almost unnoticed was the establishment of the coloured suburb Eden Park (deriving from Edenvale and Kempton Park, since this township would house families relocated from these areas). The first house was handed over in 1976, but development was hampered by a financial snarl-up and the area was only proclaimed in 1982. Interesting to note that street names in Eden Park derived from motor cars.
Frieda Lindique was the first woman to be elected to council in 1977. Another break in tradition came with the election of the first English speaking mayor. Doug Harris held this position for two terms and later in 1983, his wife Louise became mayor of Alberton. She again accepted the responsibility of mayor in 1987, despite the recent death of her husband, and in that year the council tabled a budget of R108-m. While life was appearing to be all good and well in the white areas of Alberton, the late 1980s and early ’90s was a time of horror and fear for black people. Hard to pinpoint the exact cause of violence in Thokoza and its satellite settlement of Phola Park, it has gone down in history as a vast conflagration of many things: intense unease that goes with political change, traditional enmity between cultural groups, feuds between hostel dwellers and residents. Thokoza, once known as the place of happiness became a war zone.
February 11, 1990, changed the lives of every South African and the freedom of one man brought freedom to all. Violence began to wane and the first democratic elections was held on April 27, 1994, and Alberton responded with its first black mayor, Nomsa Maseko, for many years an energetic head of the ANC Women’s League. The council’s budget for the year of 1997 was well in excess of R150-m and the focus was moved to bring upgrades and services to Thokoza and Phola Park.
In this time Alberton could proudly boast its road from rags to riches being ranked the 13th largest town in South Africa.
*Taken from An Alberton Album, published by the Alberton Town Council 1997.
Ligstad, the Burning Light in Alberton
FROM their humble beginnings five years ago, the little candle flickering in the dark has grown to a bright shining light for the community.
Born in a building, the Old Eeufees Church where a congregation died, Ligstad has truly become a beacon of hope for the community. The work of those at Ligstad has improved the lives of many through the opportunities offered by this NPO.
The “Ou Eufees-kerk” on Van Riebeeck Avenue, Alberton North, has been a landmark in the area since 1938. Residents and passers-by will have noticed an uptick in the activity levels at the old building over the past five years where Ligstad, as an NPO started a community project with the aim of getting the community to uplift the community.
Ligstad has reached out to the local community with various ministry projects under the Ligstad banner.
These include a pre-school, aftercare centre, developmental social services centre, training for counsellors, counselling, elderly care and music tuition. Ligstad is a non-profit organisation with a mandate to lend a helping hand to those in need, especially children and the elderly.
Through each of these services rendered to the community runs the golden thread of ministering the Word of God. Whether at the elderly Bible study group or the Good News Hour for the children, or the training and counselling – walking in the Light is what drives those involved at Ligstad to uplift the community.
Ligstad has a vision to empower the community of Alberton North to be a beacon of hope in the world we live in, and a mission to uplift the community, in dependence on God, by means of proactive community development services rendered by the community to the community, in order for the community to function independently of the welfare system.
Forty Years of Grooming Equestrians
For the past 40 years, the Johannesburg Equestrian Centre has been the beacon of horse riding in the South giving birth to some of the country’s most notable equestrians.
Following the location of its properties, the centre has been operating in the South since inception giving it a central and accessibility advantage to many.
The centre aims to teach children and adults the value of building a relationship with a horse, and the value of treating the animal with respect and care.
“We offer riding lessons, stable therapy, pony camps, as well as a safe environment for children to enjoy. Over the years we have produced a lot of equestrians who have gone to run their own stable yards and compete at top levels in South African sport,” said Johannesburg Equestrian Centre owner, Natasha du Plessis.
The centre is the oldest running equestrian school in Johannesburg which offers horse riding facilities, as well as an easily accessible platform that allows children to be children while they enjoy outdoor activities like climbing trees, grooming ponies and having a good time out.
Apart from riding lessons, the centre supports children through several community engagement initiatives which have seen a number of children riding and getting trained for free.
“A lot of children come and get an opportunity with the horses and enjoy the environment with us,” Natasha added.
Harvest Christian School
Harvest was founded in 1991 with the aim to offer high-quality education from a Biblical viewpoint to children of Christian families.
We give life to our vision “building a firm foundation” by developing our children holistically, i.e. spiritually, academically and socially through various programmes offered at our school.
We teach the National Curriculum Statement from Grade R to Grade Seven. In addition to the curriculum, we also offer Bible education, discipleship and basic computer literacy. It is compulsory for all students to attend weekly assemblies where a Biblical message is shared. We also give our students the opportunity to praise and worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in certain periods allocated on the timetable.
We bring technology to the classrooms through Wi-Fi, the use of tablets and other multimedia devices.
Harvest enjoys full Umalusi accreditation.
We offer the following sports: soccer, netball, cross country, athletics and cricket across the grades and archery for Grades Four to Seven. We also offer the following cultural activities: choir, crafts, art, chess, eisteddfod, speech and drama, public speaking, variety shows and the Royal Servants group.
We offer aftercare on our premises which is safe and reliable until 5.30pm on weekdays.
If you are interested, please contact Taryn Clarke for application forms for 2019, on 011 432 5752 or email at info@harvestchristianschool.co.za
