|
|
Three2Six newsletter - May 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This month marked the start of term 2 and it was heartwarming to see classrooms once again filled with smiling faces, lively conversations, and the joy of being reunited with friends and teachers.
|
|
With new goals, renewed enthusiasm, and a spirit of curiosity, we look forward to a term filled with meaningful learning experiences, personal growth, and memorable moments. We wish all our learners a successful and joyful second term!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Meaning of Home exhibition
|
|
|
We attended the opening of the inspiring exhibition “The Meaning of Home” at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). It brings together more than 70 porcelain vessels and clay sculptures created by our children, art therapist Kate Shand, and ceramic artist Nina Shand. They explore themes of home and belonging through art.
|
The opening featured powerful speeches by UJ's Executive Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, the Head of UJ’s Art Therapy Programme, the art therapist behind this project and exhibition, and our Three2Six coordinator.
|
|
We were especially proud when our children took the stage - their speeches, joyful Marimba music and energetic dances filled the space with life and emotion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seeing their artwork displayed in a university gallery, listening to their voices, and witnessing their performance was a moment of deep pride for all of us.
|
|
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this project possible, and especially to Kate - your support gave our children the opportunity to express themselves freely and be truly seen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sport session with a Marist student
|
Our Grade 6 students were excited to participate in a physical education session led by a visiting student from St David's Marist Inanda. The session was both engaging and energising, offering our learners a fun and active way to connect with the broader Marist community.
|
|
It was great to see the enthusiasm our students brought to the session as they learned new skills and interacted with a peer from a Marist school. Shout out to Adam for leading the lesson with such generosity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before the start of term 2, our teachers joined a debriefing session facilitated by Johanna Kistner from our partner Sophiatown Community Psychological Services. It provided them with a valuable space for reflection and open dialogue. The group was guided through a structured discussion, allowing our teachers to share their experiences from term 1, raise concerns, and identify areas of growth. There was a strong emphasis on collaboration, inclusion, and the importance of consistent support in addressing the challenges faced in the classroom. The session ended on a positive note, with teachers expressing appreciation for the facilitators’ guidance and a shared commitment to implementing the strategies discussed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Africa Day celebrations
|
For Africa Day, a group of our students had the incredible opportunity to take part in the vibrant “HEY HILLBROW! LET’S DLALA!” parade - a joyful celebration of unity, culture, and community spirit.
|
|
Held in the heart of Hillbrow, the event brought together people from all walks of life to dance, sing, and honour the rich heritage and diversity of our continent. The word Dlala, meaning “play” in isiZulu, perfectly captured the spirit of the day - full of energy, movement, and connection.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walking and dancing through the streets, they stood in solidarity with others across Africa, embodying the values of togetherness and hope that Africa Day represents. This experience will remain a special memory - a reminder that we are all connected and that Africa's strength lies in its unity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We were excited to join the Marimba Festival hosted by Dainfern College Preparatory School. Together with the talented young musicians from St Catherine’s School, St Andrew’s School for Girls, Trinityhouse Glenvista, and the Grade 6 Marimba Band from Dainfern, the stage came alive with rhythm and joy!
|
One of the most memorable moments was when all the schools came together on stage to perform a brand-new piece they had learned that same afternoon - a celebration of the joy of making music together.
|
|
We’re incredibly proud of our students for their energy, courage, and passion. It was truly a day to remember!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outing to a Marist school
|
|
|
Our Grade 7 learners attended a joint mass hosted by Marist Brothers Linmeyer. This event brought together learners from all the Marist schools in a spirit of unity, faith, and reflection. Following the mass, our students spent the rest of the morning playing soccer and netball with their new friends.
|
|
These activities created a wonderful space for informal interaction and fun, strengthening the bonds between the students of the various Marist schools. Thank you so much to the Marist Brothers Linmeyer school for inviting us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We are grateful to Caroline, a member of a community near Sacred Heart College, for her generous donation of clothing to the project. Her kindness will help keep our families warm this winter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We welcome donations of new or gently used clothing year-round, for both children and adults. To arrange a drop-off, please contact Charlotte at advocacy@three2six.co.za.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We extend our sincere thank you to St Benedict’s College for their generous donation of pasta, in support of our feeding programme. It helps us provide nutritious meals to our learners each day, which is a vital part of our broader commitment to education. A well-nourished learner is better able to focus and engage in the classroom.
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to the ongoing support of partners like St Benedict’s College, we are able to meet this need and continue building a stronger foundation for learning.
|
|
|
|
Visitors
|
|
We had the pleasure of welcoming a group from Emmanuel College in Boston - 3 dedicated staff members and 6 enthusiastic students who are all training to become primary school teachers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
They spent time with our staff members, engaging in an open and thoughtful discussion about the history and mission of our project. We explored the roots of our work and the unique challenges of supporting refugee children in education.
|
|
After gaining context, they stepped into the heart of it all: the classrooms. Some of them taught a class for the very first time, while others supported our classroom teachers. Across the board, their energy, curiosity, and warmth were so appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alumni Day
|
|
During our Alumni Day this month, our former students took part in a powerful and thought-provoking session about the impact and future of Artificial Intelligence (AI). They actively engaged in discussions, raising questions about how AI is already shaping our world and what ethical considerations must be kept in mind. It was inspiring to see how confidently they expressed their thoughts, applying strong communication and presentation skills throughout.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each donation counts and helps us make a valuable change in the lives of our learners.
|
|
|
|
|
|
    
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
