NEWS
New Trustee for Bambisanani Partnership Board
David Thorpe has recently joined the Bambisanani Partnership charity Board of Trustees. A former St. Mary’s Menston student, David attended the London School of Economics before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
David Thorpe has recently joined the Bambisanani Partnership charity Board of Trustees. A former St. Mary’s Menston student, David attended the London School of Economics before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
David Thorpe, Bambisanani Partnership Trustee
With vast experience working in both the Public and Private sectors, at Senior and Chief Executive level, he has operated nationally and internationally including working with Government Departments.
Clearly delighted with his appointment David said:
“I have joined the Bambisanani Partnership Board because I have been inspired by the accomplishments of the partnership and the life changing impact it has had on both the communities in South Africa and in Leeds through St Mary’s School, Leeds Trinity University and the University of Leeds. As a practising catholic I aspire to make a difference and through the invaluable work the charity is pursuing I believe this represents an opportunity to contribute to changing the lives of those most in need. I strongly believe in the values that the Bambisanani Board upholds, such as teamwork, dedication and above all creating opportunities through sport and education. It is these values that I believe have been fundamental to the partnership’s success and look forward to playing an active role in shaping the future of the project.”
Bambisanani Founder and Chairman, David Geldart said:
“It is absolutely wonderful to have David join the team. He has the expertise, experience, motivation and commitment to help take the charity to the next level. We have ambitious plans for the future that will expand and extend our work in one of South Africa’s most deprived areas using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership; David’s appointment brings us a step nearer to achieving this.”
David will join existing Board Members David Geldart, Darren Beardsley, Barbara Pounder, Diane Maguire and Andrew Lockwood who lead the work of the charity.
Bambisanani Quiz Night 2019
Friday night was another successful Bambisanani Quiz Night. It was a change of venue this year but just as much fun was had.
Friday night was another successful Bambisanani Quiz Night. It was a change of venue this year but just as much fun was had.
Mr Harvey and Mr Keefe were extremely entertaining quiz masters to a packed clubhouse of staff, parents, students and friends.
Our ex colleagues, Miss Jackson, Mr Hamill, Mr Wilkes, Mrs Gee and Mr Leigh, all returned to Guiseley Cricket Club to defend their title hoping to win for a third year running. It was great to be also joined by Mrs Carmichael, Mrs Nixon and Mr Geldart. Miss Jackson and her team did not manage to retain their title after they were beaten by one point by a staff team headed up by Mr Dennett.
The best team name award went to our team of teaching assistants with ‘Quizakabusi’.
Ciaran Hammond collected the student trophy on behalf of the Bambisanbani 2019 team. Ciaran and thirteen Year 12 students will be working in South Africa in June.
A massive £610 was raised for The Bambisanani Partnership. Thank you to everyone who supported this event.
Special thanks go to:
Bambisanani Partnership Assemblies to Primary Schools
Primary schools in our Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are going to raise money for a sock appeal.
Primary schools in our Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are going to raise money for a sock appeal.
They will raise money and then our charity we will buy school uniform socks to give to the students of Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Bambisanani Partnership inspires at International conference in Australia
David Geldart, the founder and Chairman of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership, was recently invited to speak at the Australian Council for Health and Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia
David Geldart, the founder and Chairman of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership, was recently invited to speak at the Australian Council for Health and Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia
From Left to Right:
John Stokes CEO ACHPER, Pierre Comis, Sport Australia, David Geldart, Bambisanani Partnership, Dr Shane Pill, ACPHER President
The conference, one the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracted delegates from over forty nations. At the conference, David Geldart explained the foundation, development and impact of the charity’s work in South Africa, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of the countries most deprived rural areas. The presentation highlighted the pioneering work of St. Mary's School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University in the partnership and encouraged other schools, colleges and universities from around the world to also become involved in similar projects, stressing the mutual benefits for all concerned.
““The 2019 ACHPER International Conference was a showcase where contemporary and innovative physical education, health and sport practices were presented to over 300 professionals from Australia and overseas. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for international presenters to highlight their work in many different settings. One of the outstanding international presentations was made by David Geldart from the Bambisanani Partnership. David’s unique insights on a project that uses sport to change the lives of children in one one South Africa’s poorest regions struck a chord with all attendees. It demonstrated the vision, commitment and dedication of the partnership in truly making a difference to the lives of children in another country. Attendees had many take-aways from the presentation including the power of working together (partnership), the importance of the teaching profession to inspire, motivate and lead and the impact of global leadership and citizenship in influencing young lives in a positive long-term way. The Bambisanani Partnership is an inspirational story with an inspirational message.” ”
““The Bambisanani Partnership demonstrates how sport for development has the potential to change and enrich lives beyond the playing field. The project represents a powerful demonstration of what education in, through and about sport can be.””
““With the conference theme of ‘Enriching Communities’ the inspirational Bambisanani Partnership was a perfect fit. Teachers and other educators in attendance in the large workshop audience could see that something that is now a long term arrangement and making such a positive impact upon so many lives could start with a decision that they to could make, to join together with an underserved or impoverished community. This session was highly valued and we hope that David will consider visiting our shores again.””
““I was touched and inspired by the presentation made by David Geldart. The proactive values of community development and building capacity for action and learning of the young people and their adult supporters, both in the UK and South Africa were admirable. Powerful stories were told of the real differences this made in the lives of the participants and in their communities. David’s presentation highlighted the need for rigorous planning and preparation for the experience. It also illustrated the power of learning in the partnership of which the impacts were evident. It would be great to see further research systematically capturing these powerful stories of change and the impact on attitudes, life outcomes and community well being.””
The Australian Institute of Sport
““I was delighted that David Geldart recently presented at the ACHPER conference in Canberra, Australia on the topic of the Bambisanani Partnership which represents a truly authentic approach to educating children about health, global citizenship and leadership. St Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University should be applauded for creating and developing this inspiring project which uses sport to positively connect pupils from different cultures. It is a clear win-win innovation with boundless benefits for children in the UK as well as those in a deprived region of South Africa. The partnership clearly has the power to change lives for the good and develop long-standing friendships across nations. Many schools around the world would benefit from knowing more about this partnership and adopting similar innovative approaches to genuinely enhancing children’s lives.””
““The ACHPER International Conference has a world wide reputation for its influence and it was a tremendous honour and privilege to be invited to speak at the iconic Australian Institute of Sport about the Bambisanani Partnership. It is great to be able to celebrate the tremendous work of the Bambisanani team members and my hope is always that someone in the audience will see the potential in themselves or in their own institution and ‘pick up the baton’. The potential for genuine ‘two way’ learning through such programmes is limitless. Some great connections have been made in Australia and I cannot thank the ACPHER organising committee enough for the opportunity.””
Copies of the highly acclaimed Bambisanani book 'Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together' were presented at the Conference to ACPHER President Dr Shane Pill and to Pierre Comis from Sport Australia.
The Conference programme
Poster for the presentation
Bambisanani Talk at The Rotary Club of Aireborough
Lucy Hings and Lily Humphreys (Year 13) gave an informative talk to the members of The Rotary Club of Aireborough on 27 November 2018 at Horsforth Golf Club.
Lucy Hings and Lily Humphreys (Year 13) gave an informative talk to the members of The Rotary Club of Aireborough on 27 November 2018 at Horsforth Golf Club.
Photo: The members said it was a splendid evening
Read our Sawubona 2018 South Africa Visit Report
The report has been published today.
The report has been published today
Sawubona Report 2018 (PDF)
Article published in the Physical Education Matters Journal Autumn 2018
“Volunteering Work in South Africa reaches new heights”
“Volunteering Work in South Africa reaches new heights”
Read the article:
Bambisanani volunteer speaks at the Houses of Parliament
St. Mary’s Sixth Form student and Bambisanani Partnership volunteer, Sylvia Cullen, was elected to the UK Youth Parliament this year.
St. Mary’s Sixth Form student and Bambisanani Partnership volunteer, Sylvia Cullen, was elected to the UK Youth Parliament this year.
Damian Collins MP with Sylvia Cullen, Year 13
Last week she was chosen to give evidence to the Government’s Digital, Media, Sport and Culture Select Committee in the House of Commons about two projects in her local area. Alongside a choir school project, Sylvia gave a presentation about the Bambisanani Partnership, detailing the work and impact of its programmes, both in the UK and South Africa, before presenting the chair, Damian Collins MP, with the latest Bambisanani book. The meeting was part of an inquiry undertaken by the committee looking into the effects of sport and culture on local communities and education; the report will be published in January.
““It was fantastic to be able to take part in a meeting that will directly influence government policy and get to meet and answer questions with a senior figure in government. I had a great day””
Sylvia taking part in the June 2018 St. Mary’s visit to South Africa
““Sylvia’s election to the UK Youth Parliament is a fantastic achievement but one that does not surprise me at all. She is an exceptional young lady who first got involved with the Bambisanani Partnership at St. Mary’s when she was only eleven. For the past seven years she has made a remarkable contribution to the partnership which culminated her volunteering out in South Africa this summer. Her interest in politics does not surprise me either as she has always demonstrated a genuine interest and commitment to Human Rights and Social justice. Her invitation to speak at a Government Select Committee about the Bambisanani Partnership is indicative of her outstanding ability dedication and passion. Long may Sylvia’s interest in the Bambisanani Partnership and politics continue!””
Bambisanani, British Council and the Premier League team up for beautiful game in South Africa that is changing lives
This year the Bambisanani Partnership became involved in the British Council and Premier League Premier Skills initiative.
This year the Bambisanani Partnership became involved in the British Council and Premier League Premier Skills initiative.
Now in its twelfth year the Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its work in the rural Nkandla area of South Africa using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. From the very first visit by Founder, David Geldart, it was clear that despite lack of equipment, kit or facilities, football was of enormous importance to the Zulu community. Since that time the partnership has worked hard to use this fact to develop the game itself in the area but also to use to promote other aspects of education particularly English/Literacy through football. An example of this has been using football related books to teach reading.
This year the Bambisanani Partnership became involved in the British Council and Premier League Premier Skills initiative. Premier Skills has two distinct strands of its international work: developing local football coaches and teaching English through football related resources. All the volunteers who visited South Africa from St. Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University received training from Michael Houten from the British Council in use of the resources. In South Africa members of the Mnyakanya School and wider Nkandla community began training as football coaches with Premier League Coach Educators in courses held in Durban. Both strands of this work have proved incredibly effective and have added much to the impact of the partnership.
The Premier Skills resources were used to great effect by students at the John Wesley School in Eshowe and in Ntolwane Primary School in Nkandla.
““Premier Skills teaches English/Literacy through a range of football related resources eg the use of comics based on a young boy becoming a ‘soccer star’. It uses language that is simple but effective and allows children who speak English as an additional language to follow along, even if they can’t read the words. Even the children who were quite new to English could still say ‘you should eat fruit, you should eat vegetables’, and they could get that simple English. The children that were at a higher level could expand and speak for five minutes on the topic. The youngsters absolutely loved the fact that I was using a comic book because they almost didn’t see it as learning. They loved that it was about soccer because they could tell me about their favourite soccer team and they could ask me about mine. Premier Skills resources for teaching English/Literacy are excellent and can be used effectively in a variety of contexts.””
Members of the Nkandla community, Thulisile Zuma and Mholi Hlabisa have progressed to the second level of the Premier Skills Coaching programming where they have received training in the coach education of others.
““Attending the Premier Skills workshops helped me a lot as a young coach. I learned so much about training all kinds of people regardless of their ability or disability. The focus of our training was not just improving our ability to coach football but also on developing our confidence in communication. I will be able to pass on all that I have learned to people in my community so that we can work together as a team to promote football and other sports thus helping our youth to avoid involving themselves in criminal activities. Involving our community in sporting activities will also promote healthier lifestyles. We are also hoping that the skills we are passing on will help young people gain employment.””
““Premier Skills has helped me develop my love of sport as a person. To be part of the Premier Skills training workshops has helped me to organise football tournaments back in my community for both boys and girls so they can develop their talent in sport. Football helps our young people to forget about involving themselves in substance abuse and crime but makes them think about their bright future in sport. In Premier Skills training we learned to work with other coaches to develop our coaching skills. We also learned about Child Protection, on how to organise tournaments and how to train other coaches. This is all going to add so much to my community where there is real passion for sport. We have started now to develop football teams in the community.””
““Both these aspects of Premier Skills have the potential to make a significant impact on our young people in the rural schools and the wider communities. They are already starting to make a difference.””
““These programmes are so positive and are not only providing valuable education and skills but also aspiration and hope in this desperately poor area. Both elements are vitally important and we try and link them at every possible opportunity. In the year ahead we will continue to work with the British Council and Premier League with a specific focus on training more football coaches, coach educators and more local teachers in the use of the Literacy materials. Community football teams are already starting to emerge. We also hope to create a ‘proper’ football pitch for training and fixtures and a computer suite where teachers and pupils can access Premier Skills English Language resources online. Football really is a beautiful game!” ”
St. Mary's students honoured at Diana Award Event
We're so proud of our 2017 South Africa Visit St. Mary's students who were honoured at today's #DianaAwardNorth event
We're so proud of our 2017 South Africa Visit St. Mary's students who were honoured at today's #DianaAwardNorth event
Diana Awards North Photo gallery
The following students have attained the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts – The Diana Award:
Ewan Copsey
Tadhg Collins,
Laurence Patterson
George Powell
Larissa Meggitt,
Pauline Hall
Rosie Egan
Lorna Gilroy Turner
Ezra Cheng
Megan O'Connor
Phoebe Kendall
Niamh Devine
Tasha Cooper
Katie Fearnley
““Through their amazing work, the (Bambisanani) students have developed a genuine kind heartedness and emotional intelligence that they will continue to use as they start their lives as young adults.””
Discover the full stories of all the new Diana Award Holders from #DianaAwardNorth 👇https://t.co/mqjUfJceEb
— The Diana Award (@DianaAward) September 28, 2018