In a fun and informal chess tournament to thank educators for their valuable contribution to the Tsogo Sun Moves for Life chess programme, Nokukhanya Primary educators in oSizweni pitted their skills against each other, in a series of friendly games and quizzes in September at Blackrock Casino.
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Nationally, Tsogo Sun Moves for Life operates in 57 schools around the country, with 23 766 participating learners, 569 educators, and 22 tutors from the local communities.
These programmes are sponsored by eight of Tsogo Sun’s casinos, which also sponsor annual chess tournaments for learners from the schools in their catchments areas, as well as separate chess tournaments for the teachers, to give them a well-earned break from teaching for a day.
John McGregor, Director of Operations and General Manager of Blackrock Casino said the aim of the Moves for Life chess programme was to use chess as an education tool, to help improve maths, science, and problem-solving in learners, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
“We’re extremely aware that the strength of the programme is dependent on the dedication, and enthusiasm, hard work that the teachers put in, as well as the sacrifices they make to ensure the success of the programme. We’re indebted to them and this is one way we can treat them to a day of entertainment and fun at our participating casinos.”
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In the Educator Tournaments, different work stations were set up where educators competed in friendly games such as quizzes and board games that tested their chess knowledge, as well as classroom activities and integrated lessons they have implemented during the year.
Mr McGrego said this was the first year a Tsogo Sun Moves for Life Teacher Tournament had been hosted in the Newcastle area. As it was not a formal tournament, and there was no overall winning teacher, there were constant small prizes to be won at every work station during the course of the games.
“We’re delighted at the growth and success of the Tsogo Sun Moves for Life chess programme over the past few years and proud of the youngsters who are moving up to participate in major chess championships around the country, but we’re also thrilled that the programme is proving to be an effective tool that is equipping teachers to master maths concepts, which in turn is helping children to master the basic building blocks of maths in a fun and incidental way,” said Mr McGregor.
