Empowering local communities by being actively involved in improving the quality of education
Read to Rise is our English literacy-building program with Grade 4s from Floradale Primary in Nompumelelo. Why Grade 4s? Because in Grade 4 the language of learning and teaching switches to English and because studies show that 80% of South Africa’s cannot yet read for meaning. So, every Tuesday we enjoy the privilege of working with and learning from different sets of 20 Grade 4s throughout the year. Our tutors have established good routines in practising phonics, building vocabulary, developing reading confidence, and trying out fun activities to consolidate learning.
We run after-school classes on the Merrifield campus for Grade 10, 11, and 12 in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Geography, and Computer Literacy. Our learning coaches also visit Sakhikamva Secondary School to reach larger numbers of students for Mathematical Literacy and Physical Sciences lessons. Being at Merrifield affords Sakhikamva students the chance to experience more hands-on learning in our laboratories and our student tutors and teacher facilitators allow for more individualised and small-group learning interactions.
Ntinga Ntaka believes that improving educational outcomes is linked to enriching experiences. Floradale soccer teams enjoy practices and matches on our fields and there is always keen interest in joining our new Learn to Swim program. In 2025 a cycling team is even on the cards! Our high school students love their Friday afternoons in the marimba band and it is exciting to see the joy and energy of these budding musicians.
In partnership with the Imijelo Yophulisa incubator program, 24 students from Nompumelelo signed up for financial literacy training in their Grade 7 year in 2023. They will take part in this interesting initiative all the way through to their Matric year in 2028, learning about saving, budgeting, investment and other key areas along the way.
Our educational interventions do not stop at academic support. Ntinga Ntaka provides step-by-step help with university and college applications. Gradesmatch is a wonderful partner in this process for those who qualify. For those who fall outside of the Gradesmatch criteria, individualised assistance with applications is given. We love to take students to university and career open days and, where possible, even help to settle students in once they are accepted. Ntinga Ntaka is interested in accessing multiple alternatives pathways and is keen to explore access to FET colleges, learnerships, job-shadowing, internships, or volunteering opportunities for young people in our community.
Adapted from David Mathews (2008)
To work collaboratively with our partner schools to raise learner achievement levels through interventions with learners and educators.
To develop long-term relationships to address educational needs identified by community stakeholders and informed by research.
To open post-school pathways to further education and employment opportunities.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners whose generous contributions are instrumental in helping Ntinga Ntaka thrive.
As a whole school from the Pre-primary, through the Prep and into the College, Merrifield has a long history of being actively involved in Community Engagement. A key element of the school’s vision statement is “to be rooted in the Eastern Cape.” From the outset, Merrifield has recognised the imperative to be relevant and connected with our surrounding communities and the social realities of our neighbouring areas in East London. As a mid-to-high, fee-paying school, Merrifield is very conscious of being a well-resourced and privileged institution within a context of inequality, historical disadvantage and poverty in our region.
As such, the school has worked hard to develop a progressive, community-based outlook aiming to contribute to the needs of local communities in a collaborative way. In a variety of forms, Merrifield staff, parents and students have worked together with the elderly, charitable organisations, hospitals, schools and children’s homes towards seeking to address social needs.
The approach has always been twofold: to engage collaboratively to improve social conditions, but also with the important intention of confronting and sensitising the Merrifield community to the social realities of historical inequality and under-resourcing in our broader society to harness the key values of social awareness and community responsibility amongst our students.
In addition to the variety of CE projects underway, Merrifield has enriched its CE programme with a particular deep-level project, centred around providing learning support programs to the Nompumelelo schools: namely Floradale Primary and Sakhikamva Senior Secondary. Valuable partnerships are being made towards providing students in Nompumelelo with access to quality academic and technological resources, ultimately with the aim of bettering their performance and improving their long-term tertiary training and employment prospects. This initiative has taken wings under the “Ntinga Ntaka – Soar like a Bird” banner – the ambitious details of which can be viewed here.
Dr Guy Hartley
Executive Head
We invite everyone to support Ntinga Ntaka. Your contributions make a significant impact in the lives of young people in our community, helping us provide essential educational resources and opportunities. Donations are tax deductible under Section 18A of the South African Income Tax Act.
Ntinga Ntaka relies on external funding and does not draw from the school fees of Merrifield students. Donations can be given in the following forms:
The whole idea behind Ntinga Ntaka is that we are positioning young people at the right time and creating favourable factors to help them soar to new heights.
Paraphrased from a reflection at All Saints Educational Trust meeting.
Merrifield Preparatory School and College
PO Box 15681
Beacon Bay
5205
East London
South Africa
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