NEWS
Bambisanani Partnership Christmas Message 2015
Christmas message from the Mnyakanya community in South Africa to the St. Mary's community
Christmas message from the Mnyakanya community in South Africa to the St. Mary's community
“The wonderful time of the year has come, to celebrate our success of partnership with St. Mary’s. Christmas time is that time of the year again when we as Mnyakanya High School think of our best friends of St. Mary’s, High School Christmas time is that time that brings all memories of happy moments that we ever shared with our St. Mary’s friends for the past 9 years of our partnership.
It is the time of love, peace and happiness to embrace our partnership and the spirit of togetherness. It is a great blessing indeed to work with you as our partners. Partnership with you makes us feel so special, honoured and blessed. We wish you all in St. Mary’s a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. We wish you all and your families a wonderful Christmas time. May god prosper you in everything you do. May God’s mercy be in you always. ”
A Christmas Message from Simphiwe Ndlovu
The trainee teacher that the Bambisanani Partnership are supporting through his teacher training programme has sent this message from South Africa.
““I just want to wish you the St. Mary’s teachers and staff a very merry Christmas and a prosperous year in advance. May the rise of Lord help you and your families to kick start your new year with full of blessings and love.
With kind regards”
”
Photo: Mr Wilkes, Simphiwe Ndlovu, Mrs Chattoe, Mr Pringle, Mnyakanya High School, June 2015
Visit to the University of Leeds December 2015
28 St. Mary's students visited the University of Leeds and cemented the partnership between the university and Bambisanani
28 St. Mary's students visited the University of Leeds and cemented the partnership between the university and Bambisanani
Visit to the University of Leeds December 2015 gallery (24 photos)
St. Mary's are grateful to Andy Lockwood, Professional Development Manager at the university for the insight into the university and the opportunity to use their state of the art facilities.
The visit took place on Thursday 10 December 2015.
We look forward to meeting the students from the University of Leeds in South Africa in June 2016.
““The visit to the university campus gave us an insight into all that the University of Leeds has to offer, as well as what it can inspire us to take on our trip to South Africa. Thank you to all involved, a great experience and opportunity.””
Menston school's partnership brings technology training to South African classrooms [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]
Bambisanani Partnership develops computer skills in South Africa
The Bambisanani Partnership has recently provided twelve hours of training for teachers to be able to use tablets to enhance teaching and learning across the curriculum at Mnyakanya High School.
The Bambisanani Partnership has recently provided twelve hours of training for teachers to be able to use tablets to enhance teaching and learning across the curriculum at Mnyakanya High School.
The computer giant Intel contributed to the training costs and next week thirty more tablets, provided by the Bambisanani Partnership, will arrive at the school for students to use in lessons.
Mrs Pk Zondi at Mnyakanya School said “The two days of training was excellent and the teachers participated enthusiastically – it opened another page in our minds. It was easier than we thought and we are now confident to use the devices with our learners who are very excited at this new opportunity. We thank the Bambisanani Partnership for making this possible”
Mr Tony Moodley, Chief Education Specialist for the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal added “I would like to thank all involved with the Bambisanani Partnership for pursuing this project. The training has been a great success and we hope that this will now be a springboard to fully utilize digital technology in the teaching and learning process.”
Chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership, David Geldart said “This initial training and the tablets are a starting point for us. More training and hardware will hopefully follow but our goal is to establish full internet connectivity at Mnyakanya. We have made the all-important first step and look forward to even more significant developments in this area in the year ahead.”
““All our staff members received training on how to use tablets in the classroom situation and to link them with different subject content. We also received 31 tablets, charging trolley and cap device. We as Mnyakanya High are so grateful with the donation and promise to take good care of it for future use. Hopefully, our children will benefit a lot from this project and it will change their lives too.
We as staff members in conjunction with the Board of Governors wish to express our sincere appreciation and thank all the funders of the project, the people who made it possible for us. They have laid a foundation for better, brighter and promising future for our learners.
May God bless you all.””
Bambisanani Partnership involved in UK South Africa Forum
Today, David Geldart was invited to the South African High Commission in London to help establish a Sport + Education Forum linking the UK and South Africa
On Monday 16 November, David Geldart was invited to the South African High Commission in London to help establish a Sport and Education Forum linking the UK and South Africa
The Forum was hosted by the South African High Commissioner Obed Mlaba
““The Sport and Education Forum involving the UK and South Africa is an exciting development that has the potential to bring real benefits to both countries. The Bambisanani Partnership and indeed Leeds as a City have much to contribute to the process. The Forum aims to create ways of sharing best practice in both countries and develop effective ways of working in partnership. I am delighted to be involved and look forward to the group making a real impact””
The Bambisanani Partnership is now on Instagram
Instagram is an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking service that will improve our charity's communications
Instagram is an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking service that will improve our charity's communications
Follow us on Instagram @Bambisanani
David Geldart, Founder and Chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership is posting a 'Quote of the Week'
Tag us in your Bambisanani photos!
We will post photos from the 2016 visit to South Africa. Look forward to it!
Bambisanani Partnership team meet South African High Commissioner
Bambisanani founder David Geldart together with Rob Wadsworth and Andy Lockwood from the University of Leeds meet the South African High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Thembinkosi Obed Mlaba at a Civic Reception in Leeds.
Bambisanani founder David Geldart together with Rob Wadsworth and Andy Lockwood from the University of Leeds meet the South African High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Thembinkosi Obed Mlaba at a Civic Reception in Leeds.
Photo: LEFT TO RIGHT: David Geldart, South African High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Thembinkosi Obed Mlaba, Rob Wadsworth, Andy Lockwood.
The University of Leeds is now a key player in the work of the Bambisanani Charity and the High Commissioner praised the collaboration and the partnership's ongoing work in South Africa using sport for the greater good.
Rotary International Honour for Bambisanani Partnership
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Certificate of Appreciation presented to St. Mary's Menston on September 29, 2015
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Certificate of Appreciation presented to St. Mary's Menston on September 29, 2015
Photo: LEFT TO RIGHT:
Bill Hudson, Rotary Club of Aireborough International Committee, David Geldart, Founder of the Bambisanani Partnership, Marilyn Harbage wife of Keith, Keith Harbage, President of the Rotary Club of Leeds, Hazel Haas, District Governor of District 1040 of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, Tony Scaife, President of the Rotary Club of Aireborough, Mrs C Chattoe, Bambisanani Partnership Co-ordinator
Rotary International have honoured St. Mary’s ground-breaking work in South Africa with one of its highest award, the Certificate of Appreciation. Known as the ‘Bambisanani Partnership’, the schools work in South Africa has gained world-wide acclaim for its work using sport to promote education, health, global citizen and leadership in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas.
The special Awards Dinner was organised by the Rotary Club of Aireborough with representatives from Rotary clubs throughout the region attending. The prestigious award was presented to the Founder of the Bambisanani Partnership, David Geldart and Mrs Catherine Chattoe, the partnerships Coordinator at St. Mary's, by Mrs Hazel Haas, District Governor of Rotary International.
The District Governor explained the background of the award and praised the exceptional humanitarian and educational work of the Bambisanani Partnership
“When the Rotary charity, the Rotary Foundation was created, it was decided to create a Paul Harris Award in recognition of the Founder of the organisation. The Certificate of Appreciation is the equivalent award when given to an organisation of which St. Marys School and its Bambisanani Partnership are such worthy recipients. Led by David Geldart the amazing partnership has achieved remarkable outcomes and epitomises the Rotary motto of ‘Service above Self’. The Bambisanani Partnership demonstrates just what can be achieved even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is wonderful to hear that the partnership has recently become a registered charity and I am sure it will go from strength to strength and inspire others in the process.”
In his acceptance speech David Geldart said “It is a wonderful honour to receive this prestigious award from Rotary International. We began the Bambisanani Partnership nine years ago and we have worked closely the Aireborough Rotary Club and Eshowe Rotary Club in South Africa from the very beginning. The help, advice and genuine interest in the project from the two Rotary clubs has been nothing short of amazing. We would not have achieved all that we have achieved without their help and I would like to thank all the Rotarians involved for their tremendous support and guidance.”
Aireborough Rotary gives award to school [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]
The Bambisanani Partnership gains Charitable Status
Founded nine years ago by David Geldart the Bambisanani Partnership has gained charitable status from the Charities Commission.
Founded nine years ago by David Geldart the Bambisanani Partnership has gained charitable status from the Charities Commission.
The partnership has gained international acclaim for its work in one of South Africa most deprived areas using sport to promote education, health, leadership and global citizenship.
Photo: Working together, learning together at Mnyakanya High School, June 2015
““Quite rightly it is a long and rigorous process to become a registered charity but our new status will enable us to have an even greater impact in the future and ensure our long term sustainability. Our proven track record and ambitious plans for the future were important factors in us gaining charitable status; special thanks must go to all those that have been involved in the partnership over the past nine years. This is a really exciting time and all of us involved cannot wait to get started on developing our work further both here in the UK and in South Africa. I would like to take this opportunity thank Kevin Emsley, Duncan Milwain and Jack Irwin at Solicitors, Lupton Fawcett Denison Till in Leeds for not only their long term support of the partnership but specifically for helping us with the legal aspect of becoming a charity.””
““I am delighted that The Bambisanani Partnership has become a registered charity. This is further recognition for the hard work and commitment of all the staff and students who have been involved in the partnership, both at St. Mary’s and also Mnyakanya High School.
We see this as the beginning of a new chapter for the partnership and this is a further demonstration of our commitment to Global learning, bringing together young people from different countries, promoting education, health, global citizenship and leadership.””
There was also national praise also for the achievement:
““It is wonderful news that the Bambisanani Partnership has become a registered charity. For the past nine years staff and students at St. Mary’s and Mnyakanya have worked tirelessly to create an amazing partnership that has used the power of sport to promote wider educational goals in a genuine international collaboration. Becoming a charity demonstrates the commitment of both schools to global learning which will now lead to further opportunities to involve more schools and young people in both countries in this inspirational work.”
”
““I am delighted that The Bambisanani Partnership has become a registered charity. This is further recognition for the hard work and commitment of all the staff and students who have been involved in the partnership, both at St. Mary’s and also Mnyakanya High School. We have been honoured to work with the Bambisanani Partnership over the past five years, helping shine the spotlight on over one hundred incredible young people who have selflessly dedicated their time to improving the lives of others in one of South Africa’s poorest rural communities. We are delighted that the Partnership have been granted charitable status and we look forward to celebrating many more young people, who continue in the footsteps of Diana, Princess of Wales.””
Bambisanani Partnership Registered Charity details [CHARITIES COMMISSION]
The Founding Trustees of the partnership are:
- Mrs Katie Campbell
- Mr Darren Beardsley
- Mr Duncan Baines
- Mr David Geldart
- Mrs Diane Maguire
- Mrs Barbara Pounder
Additionally the school has recently appointed Mrs Catherine Chattoe to coordinate the work of the partnership.
St. Mary's, Menston - Charitable Status for work in South Africa [DIOCESEOFLEEDS.ORG.UK]
Bambisanani Partnerhsip well represented at National Global Learning Conference
St. Mary’s Menston's internationally acclaimed Bambisanani Partnership in South Africa was afforded two sessions at a national Global Learning Conference at Leeds Trinity University in Leeds.
St. Mary’s Menston's internationally acclaimed Bambisanani Partnership in South Africa was afforded two sessions at a national Global Learning Conference at Leeds Trinity University in Leeds.
Mr David Geldart, Assistant Headteacher at St. Mary’s and founder of the project, spoke about the partnership’s work in using sport in one of South Africa’s poorest communities to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
Five St. Mary’s students who were volunteers and leadership mentors in South Africa last year also spoke at the conference. Karl Verspyck, Megan Haskins, Eleanor Thompson, Myles Hanlon and Caroline Turnbull outlined the impact of their work in South Africa with the focus of two schools from very different parts of the world ‘having worked together and learned together’ for over nine years, creating an equitable and sustainable partnership.
Photo: David Geldart and Diane Maguire with St. Mary’s students Megan Haskins, Eleanor Thompson, Myles Hanlon, Caroline Turnbull and Karl Verspyck
““St. Mary’s made a most significant contribution to the conference. The students were so articulate and passionate about their remarkable work in South Africa; truly inspirational.””
Unique Items on Offer to Support The Bambisanani Partnership
The following unique items have all been donated to raise money to support The Bambisanani Partnership.
The following unique items have all been donated to raise money to support The Bambisanani Partnership.
The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its work using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of South Africa’s poorest communities.