A different kind of school
Attention, learner-centred, small and intimate – a recipe for success.
Founded in 2004, Combretum Trust School (CTS) offers Grade 8 to 12 classes, but its learners are exempted from writing Grade 10. The school prides itself in learner-centred education. It has a total number of 135 students and 16 teachers who work on a fulltime and part-time basis.
Principal Ndinelago Uushona says the school is not like the usual or average school. “We are a school with a difference and we do not only concentrate on the academic performance of the kids but all the development a child needs that includes social skills and sports. Uushona said that at CTS, they put emphasis on the individual needs of every learner. “We develop the child individually and find out what is unique about a child and then we focus on that unique skill,” said Uushona. Uushona also says the methods used to teach at school are not traditional and are very flexible to make sure that learners get the best quality education their teachers can provide. “Our teaching methods are not traditional and fixed. They are very flexible based on the type of learners we get every year and we plan the kinds of methods to use on the learners we receive every year. Due to their robust teaching methods, learners are excelling in a few subjects at school. We have English and learners are excelling in that subject as well as the arts and physical science,” said Uushona.
Since the school is a non-profit and non-government organisation some of their challenges include financial difficulties. “We depend entirely on school fees and sometimes parents are slow to pay them and if they are not paid we have a lot of problems,” Uushona said. She described the school as a homely and comfortable because of its small size. “Unlike other big schools and because we are close to each other, when a child is going through some challenges, we are able to pick it up.” Because of the school curriculum, Uushona says the learners are exempted for writing the Junior Secondary Certificate (JSC) (Grade 10) examinations. “Our curriculum for Grade 8 and 9 is developed so that all our learners cover all the necessary work from Grade 8 to Grade 9 and so we do not have Grade 10 at our school,” said Uushona. She also said the objective at the school is not only to educate the children, but to empower them. “One day when the children leave the school, I want them to know they are prepared for life. We want to teach them to be disciplined when they start working one day and they should be able to get along with anyone in society,” said Uushona.
The school also offers afterschool activities to improve the learners' experience at school and to keep them occupied. Through its Combretum Girls' Club the female learners discuss issues that affect them. “We speak about problems that the girls are facing at home or even at school and we even involve the parents so that they understand what their children go through,” said Uushona. Another club at the school is called Combretum against Abuse and its purpose is to make learners aware of abuse and how they can avoid it. “We want learners to understand their own rights and we teach them about abuse so that when they experience it they know what to do about it.” Amongst a host of activities at school, they also have a swimming club, boot camps, music lessons and afternoon classes.
“Our school has kids that are sponsored and we also have parents that cannot afford to pay for their children's education. Our philosophy is to provide private education to those who cannot afford to do so,” said Uushona.
Bonita Shirongo an alumnus and a teacher at CTS narrated her experience as a former learner at the school. She said the school is different from other schools. “We were always encouraged to think outside the box. The attention we got was different compared to other schools because we were less in class and teachers had time for us.”
Hafeleni Hamunyela, a Grade 12 learner and one of the top performing learners says the environment at the school is welcoming and that teachers encourage them to study hard. “It's a welcoming school and you feel comfortable. The quality of teaching is good and we get lots of attention from the teachers and we get a lot of freedom to do what we want,” said Hamunyela.
Susan Brown, a director at the school says the school is always working towards improving the relationship with its learners and ensures that they are always taken care of. “We are a school that cares about its learners,” said Brown.
Shona Ngava
Principal Ndinelago Uushona says the school is not like the usual or average school. “We are a school with a difference and we do not only concentrate on the academic performance of the kids but all the development a child needs that includes social skills and sports. Uushona said that at CTS, they put emphasis on the individual needs of every learner. “We develop the child individually and find out what is unique about a child and then we focus on that unique skill,” said Uushona. Uushona also says the methods used to teach at school are not traditional and are very flexible to make sure that learners get the best quality education their teachers can provide. “Our teaching methods are not traditional and fixed. They are very flexible based on the type of learners we get every year and we plan the kinds of methods to use on the learners we receive every year. Due to their robust teaching methods, learners are excelling in a few subjects at school. We have English and learners are excelling in that subject as well as the arts and physical science,” said Uushona.
Since the school is a non-profit and non-government organisation some of their challenges include financial difficulties. “We depend entirely on school fees and sometimes parents are slow to pay them and if they are not paid we have a lot of problems,” Uushona said. She described the school as a homely and comfortable because of its small size. “Unlike other big schools and because we are close to each other, when a child is going through some challenges, we are able to pick it up.” Because of the school curriculum, Uushona says the learners are exempted for writing the Junior Secondary Certificate (JSC) (Grade 10) examinations. “Our curriculum for Grade 8 and 9 is developed so that all our learners cover all the necessary work from Grade 8 to Grade 9 and so we do not have Grade 10 at our school,” said Uushona. She also said the objective at the school is not only to educate the children, but to empower them. “One day when the children leave the school, I want them to know they are prepared for life. We want to teach them to be disciplined when they start working one day and they should be able to get along with anyone in society,” said Uushona.
The school also offers afterschool activities to improve the learners' experience at school and to keep them occupied. Through its Combretum Girls' Club the female learners discuss issues that affect them. “We speak about problems that the girls are facing at home or even at school and we even involve the parents so that they understand what their children go through,” said Uushona. Another club at the school is called Combretum against Abuse and its purpose is to make learners aware of abuse and how they can avoid it. “We want learners to understand their own rights and we teach them about abuse so that when they experience it they know what to do about it.” Amongst a host of activities at school, they also have a swimming club, boot camps, music lessons and afternoon classes.
“Our school has kids that are sponsored and we also have parents that cannot afford to pay for their children's education. Our philosophy is to provide private education to those who cannot afford to do so,” said Uushona.
Bonita Shirongo an alumnus and a teacher at CTS narrated her experience as a former learner at the school. She said the school is different from other schools. “We were always encouraged to think outside the box. The attention we got was different compared to other schools because we were less in class and teachers had time for us.”
Hafeleni Hamunyela, a Grade 12 learner and one of the top performing learners says the environment at the school is welcoming and that teachers encourage them to study hard. “It's a welcoming school and you feel comfortable. The quality of teaching is good and we get lots of attention from the teachers and we get a lot of freedom to do what we want,” said Hamunyela.
Susan Brown, a director at the school says the school is always working towards improving the relationship with its learners and ensures that they are always taken care of. “We are a school that cares about its learners,” said Brown.
Shona Ngava
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