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10 years of Bambisanani Editor 10 years of Bambisanani Editor

10 Year Anniversary of Bambisanani Logo Competition

During 2016 we are celebrating 10 years of the Bambisanani Partnership. Jack Lynn's (7 Gwyn) design was chosen.

 

During 2016 we are celebrating 10 years of The Bambisanani Partnership. Jack Lynn's (7 Gwyn) design was chosen.


Photo: Jack Lynn with his winning design

Before Christmas we asked students to design a logo for us.

We had many great designs which meant it was very difficult to pick a winner. Jack Lynn (7 Gwyn) produced a winning design that will be included on Bambisanani communications during this special year.

The result was announced in assembly when Jack received a framed copy of his winning logo.

Well done Jack!


The Winning Logo

 It is a successful logo design because it works well:

  • At different sizes

  • In colour and also in black and white

  • Both with and without a background colour

  • On screens and when printed out


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Editor Editor

Bambisanani Quiz Night

The first ever Bambisanani Quiz Night will be held at St. Mary's Menston on Friday 11 March 2016 in the Main Hall from 7pm–9pm

The first ever Bambisanani Quiz Night will be held at St. Mary's Menston on Friday 11 March 2016 in the Main Hall from 7pm–9pm

Photo: Mr Wilkes with pupils from both the 2015 and 2016 Visits to South Africa

Photo: Mr Wilkes with pupils from both the 2015 and 2016 Visits to South Africa


  • To enter, you will need a team of eight.
  • Tickets cost £5 per person and are available from Pupil Reception each lunchtime.
  • The ticket price includes cheese and a glass of wine.
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2016 Visit to SA Editor 2016 Visit to SA Editor

New Fundraising Ideas for The Bambisanani Partnership

Marienn Collins (Year 13) and Amy Collins (Year 12) have both taken on the role of fundraising seriously

Marienn Collins (Year 13) and Amy Collins (Year 12) have both taken on the role of fundraising seriously.

Amy Collins, Year 12

Amy Collins, Year 12

Marienn Collins, Year 13

Marienn Collins, Year 13


Amy Collins has instigated the design and purchase of collecting tins in order to raise money for The Bambisanani Partnership. Collection tins will be distributed to local businesses as a way for people to donate any spare change to the Partnership.

Moreover, Marienn Collins has also seized upon a fundraising opportunity. Marienn has designed and sold Bambisanani Partnership lanyards. Sixth form students at St. Mary’s now have to wear an identification badge. Marienn is hoping the staff and sixth form students will purchase the lanyards for £3 in order to display their badges.

Marienn worked in South Africa in June 2015 and Amy will be delivering a sports leadership programme to the students of Mnyakanya High School in June 2016.

Anyone wishing to support the Bambisanani Partnership can contact Catherine Chattoe at c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org

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2014 Visit to SA Editor 2014 Visit to SA Editor

Karl Verspyck receives the Sponela Magwaza Outstanding Leader Award

St. Mary's Menston's Year 13 Presentation Evening saw the presentation of the Sponela Magwaza Outstanding Leader Award

St. Mary's Menston's Year 13 Presentation Evening saw the presentation of the Sponela Magwaza Outstanding Leader Award

Photo: Mr D Beardsley, David Geldart, Mgr Paul Grogan, Karl Verspyck, Mrs C Chattoe, Mr R Lavery


Karl Verspyck visited South Africa In June 2014. From the onset Karl did everything that he could to ensure that he was fully prepared for his work in South Africa. He was adamant that he wanted to get the most out of his visit.

Karl was keen to share his educational experiences with students living in KwaZulu-Natal. He knew that he wanted to share Mr Priestley’s plate tectonic lesson and teach the students of Mnyakanya High School the geography he had so enjoyed learning.

Way in advance of the visit Karl set to work producing lesson plans and resources. He knew that he wanted to bring the students out of the classroom to teach his geography lesson. Karl worked hard to ensure that the students from Mnyakanya High School had the privilege of an all action, dynamic lesson on plate tectonics.

It is without doubt that Karl and his lesson made a massive impact on the students in South Africa. When St. Mary’s returned a year later the students and teachers both asked, “What was Karl was doing now?”

Photo: Karl in South Africa, June 2014

Photo: Karl in South Africa, June 2014


“It is such a privilege to receive such prestigious award for the work I did in South Africa. I had a really fun time working with Mnyakanya and fellow St. Mary’s students. The trip itself was rewarding enough so to be honoured with the Sbenelo Magwaza Award for outstanding leadership its truly humbling. The whole trip has affected my outlook on life and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to go out to South Africa.

I look forward to keeping involved with the partnership I am excited to see it grow and become a real force for change both in the UK and internationally.”
— Karl Verspyck

In June 2015, the same award was presented in South Africa to a young student called Magwaza Standiwe.

Photo: Mr T Pringle, Magwaza Standiwe, Mr G Wilkes

Magwaza Standiwe was given this award because he had demonstrated that he had a positive attitude, good communication skills, new ideas, was good at listening, great at sharing and making decisions, but above all was someone who is keen and able to help others.

Like Magwaza Standiwe, Karl has all of these qualities and always uses them to good effect. Along with his unforgettable lesson it is without doubt that Karl Verspyck is very deserving of The Sponela Magwaza Outstanding Leader Award.

Well done Karl your work had a massive impact on the people in South Africa!

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Christmas Message Editor Christmas Message Editor

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.
— From Mnyakanya Community.

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”
— Simphiwe Ndlovu
Photo: Mr Wilkes, Simphiwe Ndlovu, Mrs Chattoe, Mr Pringle, Mnyakanya High School, June 2015

Photo: Mr Wilkes, Simphiwe Ndlovu, Mrs Chattoe, Mr Pringle, Mnyakanya High School, June 2015


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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.”
— Oliver Armitage, Year 12


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Computers Editor Computers Editor

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.”
— William Vilakazi, Principal of Mnyakanya High School

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Editor Editor

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”
— David Geldart, Founder and Chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership

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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!



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