CELEBRATIONS FOR CAVERSHAM INSTITUTE!
We are so pleased to announce that Caversham Education Institute has officially received our Higher Certificates and Diploma Certificates for the class of 2019.
Just two days before our verification was due this year (2020) Caversham Education Institute was informed, much to our dismay and that of our students that the verification process would be postponed because of the lockdown. The lockdown which started off as 21 days and eventually lead to what is now 9 months of restrictions, from the strictest at level 5 to more leniency at level 1, which is where we find ourselves now. While the restrictions have dropped we are still working safely and cautiously.
As we all know the lockdown, especially at its onset- was a tough time filled with anxiety, job loss and death of loved ones and we are still picking up the pieces of its effects as we suspect we might be for a while. However, much to our delight there is always a silver lining! While many may be feeling weary at this time of the year, at Caversham we have been feeling motivated and inspired by the bright and optimistic attitude that our 2019 graduates have shown.
The online verification process was tough, but our team pushed through restrictions, temperature checks and sanitizer syndrome as we happily worked behind the masks to get these marks verified online! We are so pleased that at level 1 we have received the certificates for our students and they can now celebrate with a tangible Higher certificate and Diploma! We bring new meaning to the phrase “finish strong”.
We are so proud of our students commitment to complete their studies in record time and excel in order to provide quality ECD services in their respective communities. Some of our students have opened their own schools and while our sector may be going through a challenge we are so optimistic about the future of ECD and the quality of ECD practitioners that will educate through fun and play. We are confident in each and every recipient of the Higher Certificate and Diploma respectively and we are celebrating along with you as we end this year on a high note with many exciting features coming up for the future of Caversham and our students as we continue to innovate and adapt to the new normal.
A new era for Caversham Institute
July 07, 2020 By Denice Stainbank
The year 2020 has been filled with unprecedented changes. Caversham started the year on a high note as we introduced two new centres in Cape Town and Highways Durban. Although our academic calendar was affected due to the lockdown starting in March this year- Caversham Institute intends to end this year on a high note.
The value of ECD in communities isn’t a new one as we have started with community leadership initiative called ‘Inspiring the Inspired’ which, although we have had to put this on hold with restrictions on public gatherings, is one exciting aspect of what we have always stood for at Caversham Institute, inspiring ECD teacher / practitioners to live and leave a lasting legacy. Where better to do this but in communities that are in need of quality and inspiring ECD centres. We look forward to finding new ways to inspire leaders in communities within this ‘new normal’ era.
As much as it hasn’t been business as usual we have really found that our team has been able to quickly adjust to the changes and work together to creatively to use this time to upgrade our systems, initiate on-line teaching & learning, update our core material and affirm our values of accountability, collaboration and lasting legacy. Our team decided early into the lockdown that it is highly important that we prioritize our students and staff.
This decision lead to us unanimously adopting a new aspirational goal for 2020 which is going to remain at the core of our decision making: To complete the academic year with our staff and students safe, well and inspired to rebuild ECD in their communities.
We are really excited to find new ways to communicate with our staff and students and although some of us have felt we have had more blonde moments than usual with blunders such as leaving the microphone on while we boil water/ enjoy a hearty breakfast or forgetting to switch the camera off while we actively participate with our eyes wide shut. It has been fun to see us all get used to the many platforms and with the intimacy of being in our homes it has made us feel closer as a whole staff. These new ways have also allowed us to connect and support our students as it really has been difficult in many ways, especially financially as many people have lost their jobs, many preschools have shut down and for some the stress of having to retrench staff has been extremely difficult. We have been able to share these heart-breaking moments and offer consolation, empathy and virtual hugs-this has strengthened our team communication.
Ultimately we are looking forward to our intake for 2021 and with the support of our Board, Central Team, facilitators, mentors, students, and investors we are emerging from this National Lockdown stronger, more cohesive and yet more agile and flexible. We are inspired to explore alternative ways to communicate and offer training that will expand our reach in providing an invaluable service in the sector. We are excited to step into a new era with endless possibilities for collaboration and growth as we welcome a new normal.
VERIFICATION NEWS
We regret to announce that the 2019 Diploma & Higher Certificate verification booked for the 24th March 2020 did not take place due to the Corona Virus. Please see the attached communication from the National ETDP SETA stating that all verification processes have been put on hold until further notice. We will keep you informed of developments.
Stay safe, stay well and stay positive! God bless you and your families at this time.
Kelly Smith
Testimony: It’s never too late to go for it!
Studying at Caversham has enabled me to pursue my passion of teaching small children. It has also shown me that I am never too old to pursue my dreams, seeing the children grow and flourish warms my heart every day-Kelly Smith.
Kelly’s words are so encouraging to anyone who feels they are called to teach the precious little ones that at any age you can live out your purpose. If you can relate please comment below about how you pursued your passion. We are so proud of you Kelly, your testimony is both heartwarming and encouraging to others to just go for it! Well done!
New Center Alert
We are excited to announce that our Durban centers are growing. In 2020 we will have a new center in Durban in addition to our centers in Durban (Glenwood); Port Shepstone; Ballito; Pietermaritzburg; Cape Town and Zululand. Please send us a message with your email address or call us on 031 2062000 or 0605219027 to get information on registration for 2020.
Cape Town Open Days- New Centers in Cape Town.
HELLO OCTOBER! Great News 🙂
Caversham Education Institute is growing and we are inviting you to our OPEN DAYS in Cape Town THIS MONTH!
To book your place please send us a message, a whatsapp/ call us on 0605219027 or send us an email: marketing@cavershameducationinstitute.co.za and we will forward you all the details. See you there!
Spaces are filling up fast so book your space today
Testimony by Bridgette Sithole
Testimony #longbutworthit #getyourtissuesout
Bridgette Sithole was washing cars for a living when she heard about Caversham Institute. Through relying on customer tips and temporary jobs, she raised funds for registration.
As time went on she quit the car-washing job to focus on her studies. She then did more piece jobs like washing her neighbor’s laundry so that she got money for transport to go to College. She then got hired as a cleaner at a Pre-Primary school where she was able to do her assessments.
Bridgette’s heartfelt gratitude was expressed in her testimony where she said: ‘I would like to thank the family I have in Caversham: especially Jabu Mtheku; Janet, my lecturer, and my friend and mentor Phindile Khumalo. You have all been supportive and encouraging throughout my studies and often went the extra mile for me. Lastly, I would like to thank my family for hanging in there just for me and respecting my journey.
We are so proud to have you young lady. You are an inspiration to us all and a key example of what one can achieve with perseverance and hard work.
Testimony: Sandy Janton
#fromourstudentsheartstoyours
The legacy Sandy wants to leave:
In Sandy’s third year at Caversham she wrote ‘I have always wanted to own a well-run nursery school that is fully equipped and of service to my community. There is no nursery school within a three kilometer radius of where I live. The legacy I hope to leave is someone who saw and provided their community with a service they so desperately needed’.
Sandy has realized this dream. Sandy has run a successful nursery in Nazareth (Pinetown). She is now in part-time retirement for health reasons however she still does the administration for her school. She is an amazing and courageous woman with a big heart and we are proud to have her as an alumni and part of our lasting legacy. She is a a prime example of courage and has brought a new depth to our core values of leaving a lasting legacy for the next generation.
WE ARE EXPANDING IN 2020!
