News

The 78 MSLA Grade 9 learners participated in a special programme during their spring holidays from 23 – 27 September 2024. The focus was on maths problem-solving, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification training.

In March 2024, Anne Maclean, the Foundress and Managing Director, saw that it was very necessary to introduce Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), as part of the programmes offered.

It is a call by both the United Nations and the World Economic Forum that young people need to be offered more help and guidance with mental health issues.

Social emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision-making and relationship skills.

Research shows that school-based efforts to promote students’ social emotional learning skills is an effective approach to enhance children's success in school and in life as a whole.

Sr Pru Cooper OP was able to assist with the SEL sessions that Anne and I had put together with video inputs and lots of challenges and groupwork activity-based learning.

The young people really loved the programme and are now wanting it to be offered to all students in their schools. They themselves are the ambassadors talking about their learnings, new understanding of their lives and the challenges that life will present to them.

We invited the parents of the Gr 10 and 11 learners to come for a day to experience a shortened version of the same programme. 13 parents came with their children.  This was an eye-opener for them and gave them opportunities to listen to their children on a one-to-one basis, about what may be troubling them at this time.

Both parents and children found this to be a really important help in their family communication and understanding. For most parents, it was the first time they had had a deep, personal conversation with their teenager child. The adolescence years are always so critical and the more open conversation they can experience, the better.

32 of the MSLA Gr 10 and 11 kids who had already passed their MOS Certifications in Word, PowerPoint and Excel, volunteered to teach the Gr 9 kids. They had been prepared and worked in teams.  ‘Kids teaching kids’ is a big part of the philosophy of MSLA, teaching them to give back to the community, because they have received so much from their programmes.  

They worked together and many came every day of the week.  This was a holiday week, but they were super-generous and spent many hours helping the Gr 9s become familiar with the online learning they need to do to gain their own MOS Certifications.  

Once young people have these certifications, they are better equipped for success at tertiary level and in the workplace.  

The two weeks in Kimberley at MSLA went by very fast, and I am so happy that I can be of help to this non-profit organisation, helping to raise the educational standards of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and help them get ready for the future.

Text Sr. Pru Cooper OP
Photos Sr. Pru Cooper OP

November 2024