ST MARK'S COLLEGE - INTRODUCTION

Sekhukhune in the Limpopo Province of South Africa is remote from amenities.

Without St Mark’s College the chances of even literacy for children in this area are slim. These children could become just another statistic in the cycle of poverty. Education is the key to unlocking their potential - and what potential! Since it’s establishment in 1985 St Mark’s has had a huge impact on the upliftment of the surrounding communities and in the past twelve years has maintained an average pass rate of 92% at grade 12 level. (Current state school pass rates are around 45%)

However St Mark’s not only provides an excellent education, it also strives to turn out well-rounded individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to society. Pupils, now doctors, engineers, lawyers and teachers working back in their communities, are living proof of this fact.
South Africa is desperately short of skilled people to develop our economy. St Mark’s with its infrastructure and staff has a duty to be a centre for excellence for the nearby village of Jane Furse and the surrounding areas. The dedicated teachers at the College are doing a tremendous job through existing outreach programmes developed over the years. The need however is great and we want to continue to expand these programmes, but to do so we have to strengthen our resources, human, financial and otherwise.

To achieve our goals we need your assistance. St Mark’s College is like water in a desert - transforming rural hopelessness into an oasis where young people can bloom.

Thank you and God Bless
Desmond M Tutu Archbishop Emeritus

A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST

At one time there was a small mission school for the community of Jane Furse, a village of grinding poverty and struggling people but nevertheless a focal point for Sekhukhune. This mission school was closed down when Bantu Education was introduced in 1953.

St Mark’s grew out of the strong desire of the community of Jane Furse in Sekhukhune to create a new, better and non-racial education for their children that would give them the opportunities and inspiration they would not get in the rural State schools.

The college opened in 1985, in the derelict buildings of the mission, as a school that would dedicate itself to repairing the damage of Bantu Education and to setting a new standard of excellence in the values and learning it imparted. (George Abraham, Vice Principle)

In the days of Bantu education only a few beacons of light relieved the darkness. St Mark's College in Jane Furse in rural Northern Province was a particularly bright beacon. In those turbulent days St Mark's provided an education to our children not possible in any government school. (Archbishop Desmond Tutu)

LESSONS AT ST MARK'S

Much has happened in the seventeen years since St Mark’s started. St Mark’s has become a centre of excellence in the Limpopo Province. The School is proud of the positive spirit, motivation and drive of its staff and pupils. Together, we are committed to achieving excellence in our academic work, in our sporting and cultural activities, in our relationships with one another, as well as with the broader community around our school, and ultimately as well-rounded adult citizens.

The St Mark’s campus atmosphere creates a sense of security, continuity and belonging, and fosters an appreciation of the importance of life-long learning.

THE SUCCESS OF ST MARK'S COLLEGE

The first two Standard 10 classes produced pass rates of over 90 percent and dozens of youngsters who moved on with confidence to universities and technikons all over South Africa. The average Matric (grade 12) pass rate of pupils from state schools at that time was 10%.

St Mark’s pupils achieved a Matric pass rate of 92% in 2003, with 74% achieving University entrance of which 9 pupils obtained distinctions. The current equivalent state pass rates are around 45%.

St Mark’s pupils are able to attend University without the need for bridging programs not only have they been well taught they have learnt for themselves the discipline of learning and of setting their own high standards.

ALL ROUND EDUCATION AT ST MARK'S

The responsibility taught in the classroom is lived every day by the pupils. They make their own beds, sweep their own dormitories and classrooms, do their own washing, clear the tables and help with the cooking.

The pupil’s council contributes to the running of the school. Sport is organised through a pupil’s committee, as is weekend entertainment. Pupil committees run the library and lead the chapel worship.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Involvement in the community is a top priority for St Mark’s. The College operates an energetic outreach initiative around St Mark’s and in the nearby town of Jane Furse - the centre of a scattered settlement of over 20,000 people struggling to survive in a harsh environment. Children still grow up illiterate and adult illiteracy runs at 50%.

Some of the programmes included in outreach are: -

Saturday School - provides supplementary teaching for around 200 children from disadvantaged state schools in maths, English, science, biology, accounting and computerized learning

Maths and Science Teachers Support Programme - where St Mark’s facilitates bi-monthly meetings of teachers from 27 different schools to exchange ideas and to share resources and expertise.

The Science Labs at St Mark’s are made available for use by other schools.

Additional English Classes are given by Gap Students to children in nearby overcrowded and understaffed state schools.

The Libraries at St Mark’s are run as a civic facility with pupils from neighbouring schools coming in for reading sessions.

Adult literacy classes, skills training and computerized learning are available to the domestic and cleaning staff of St Mark’s and to the community.

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

Amongst the many funding needs of St Mark’s, our priority projects are: -

Saturday School Programme - supplementary teaching for pupils from surrounding overcrowded and under resourced state schools, in maths, English, science, accounting and biology.

The annual tuition and travel cost per pupil is: - £68 (R960) in grades 1 to 9
£77 (R1080) for grades 10,11 & 12

Maths and Science Teachers Support Programme - provides the opportunity for teachers from 27 schools in the region to meet twice a month to share ideas, resources and study material. Visits to St Mark’s well equipped science labs are arranged for the pupils to undertake experiments. Various teacher exchanges between schools are organised to allow experienced teachers to step in temporarily and teach a section that the permanent teacher finds difficult.

The annual cost for equipment, materials and transport is:- £4,286 (R60,000)

Bursaries to enable disadvantaged children to attend St Mark’s - the fees at the College are modest, but still beyond the reach of many local parents. Unemployment rates in Sekhukhune run at 80%. As a result about half the students at any one time are on bursaries that cover from half their costs. The balance, based on family income, has to be borne by their parents.

The annual fee per day pupil is:- £429 (R6,000) for secondary school
£230 (R3,220) for pre-primary and primary.

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