Life Orientation and Physical Education (Perivale Primary School) -Started July 2010

The latest addition to our projects is an extension to our school involvement. We now offer NCS based life orientation lessons from Grade 1 -7 at Perivale Primary School, as well as a Grade 1-7 physical education programme to complement the LO classes. Learners are benefitting from this as they get an opportunity to engage in meaningful physical activity and learn about health promotion, social development, personal development and the world of work.

Sport & Fitness Development  (Constantia Primary School)

Constantia Primary School is located on the corner of Ladies Mile Road and Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia. Many of the learners at the Constantia Primary School are the children of farm workers or domestic workers in the areas surrounding Constantia. Although the school is situated in an affluent area, it is a school where great need exists. Bottomup offers the “Lifestyle Schools” package to the school. “Shape Up” is a core component of the Bottomup Lifestyle Schools Programme offered to Constantia Primary School. It involves a extra curricular Sports & Recreation programme for the learners. Physical training and recreational activities are essential to the growth and development of young learners, as the school does not have any extra-mural activities, Bottomup has undertaken to employ a Sports & Recreation Coordinator to take responsibility for the development of such programmes at Constantia Primary School.

In 2010 We hope to expand the Bottomup Sports & Fitness Programme into another school. We are currently in the process of identifying a school with real needs but good management. If you would like to persuade us why we should approach a school in your community or one that you are involved in please write to us.

Mathematics & English Literacy Tutoring (St. George's Home for Girls)

BottomUp co-ordinates a tutoring project for forty girls from abused and abandoned backgrounds, residing at the St.George’s Home for Girls in Wynberg, Cape Town. The project has been running since October 2007 and was initiated in response to the pressing concern that many of the girls were failing one or many subjects at school. The learning difficulties at the home are compounded by the emotional struggles and questions of identity the girls have to grapple with each day. As BottomUp, we recognize that quality tutoring demands more than academic expertise. Developing a warm and positive relationship is a critical success factor in establishing the foundation for learning. For this reason we encourage our tutors to spend time at the home outside of the tutoring time schedule to form positive nurturing relationships.

** As of January 2010 Bottomup has handed the management of this project over to the St.George's Girls Home & SHAWCO Volunteers, with the knowledge that the tutoring programme is at a stage where it has become routine within the home and can be independently managed. **