March 2024 - Teneo Online School

Students Choice: Celebrating Teneo’s Top Teachers!

Posted on 28 March 202410 April 2024 by Megan Taylor

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.” – Bill Gates

One of the biggest assets of any online classroom, and any online school, is its teachers. A good teacher will offer guidance and support, but more than that they’ll provide a safe, engaging and productive space where each student can thrive. And at Teneo online school we could not be prouder of our team of amazing teachers.

Each member of our team of teachers understands the nuances of teaching in an online school, and of managing virtual classrooms. They’re experienced and adept at bridging any digital distance, to create lively and interactive learning spaces that ensure every student can thrive and succeed.

In December, we asked our students and parents to nominate a teacher they wanted to express their gratitude to, for making their Teneo online schooldays a pleasure, and helping them to achieve their best. Let’s see how some of our wonderful teachers help to shape our students’ experience here at Teneo…

Noelle Hackney (English)

“She is very kind, loving, patient and humble. The knowledge and life lessons she taught me is something I will forever remember and cherish. She made learning so much easier.”

Mari-Lize de Villiers (Maths)

“Not only did she have the kids actively engaged and learning with her passion for her subject, but as a parent I loved listening to her lessons just as much. My son looked forward to maths every day”

Matthew Visser (Coding)

“He truly enjoys teaching, and loves his students. I always looked forward to attending his classes, and a teacher like him makes you want to turn your camera on! (which is a good thing!!) He’s an awesome person and I hope he is my teacher again next year.”

Student Chef, Uvile Mvaphantsi, Featured in SA Chef Magazine

Posted on 20 March 202410 April 2024 by Megan Taylor

We want to celebrate an amazing achievement by one of our talented Grade 10 students, the Chief Chef himself, Uvile Mvaphantsi. Uvile is a passionate and innovative chef, centring his culinary creations around quality local flavours and produce.

Recently he has been featured – along with two of his recipes – in a double page spread in the prestigious SA Chef magazine! Pick up a copy today, or see below, to try his recipe for Spicy Samp and Beans, or Amarenth and Honeysuckle cake.

Congratulations Chef Uvile, it looks like you have found your recipe for success!

Sydney Lombard Wins Gold in KZN Athletics Championships

Posted on 9 March 20242 April 2024 by Megan Taylor

Once again congratulations are due to our Grade 11 student, Sydney Lombard! Sydney continues to excel in Athletics – this time at the KZN Athlietics Championships. held in Pietermaritzburg on the 1 – 3 March. Sydney won Gold in the U17 Javelin event, Silver in the U17 Discus, and Bronze in the U17 hammer event.

Sydney has been making headlines in athletics events for years now, and it’s just fantastic to see just how well all her training, dedication and hard work is paying off. Her commitment is a real testament to her, and we look forward to seeing where her skills and talent will take her next!

The Teneo family is always so thrilled to see our students achieve great things. As an online school, we understand the importance of fostering a strong community spirit among our students – and so much of that is down to students like Sydney. It is inspiring to witness so many of our students using the extra time and flexibility you have with online school to train hard and excel at your hobbies and pursuits, win competitions, and be recognised for your incredible talent and skill. We really couldn’t be more proud.

Shining a Spotlight on Women Making History

Posted on 4 March 20242 April 2024 by Megan Taylor

Did you know that Mozart had a sister, who was considered to have been as talented – if not more talented than him? That some people think it’s possible she was even the composer of some of his pieces? And did you know that Einstein didn’t actually come up with the theory of relativity on his own, but rather in full collaboration with his scientist wife, Mileva?

Throughout history, women have played roles in some of our greatest feats of culture, art, science, architecture and more, but have not made it into the history books. But that’s changing, and as more and more women become historians and begin to look at the untold stories of women, and to tell them, that’s changing.

To mark Women’s History Month, we asked our wonderful history teacher Hester Harmse what drew her to history, and why she thinks it’s important…

Hester, why do you think it is important to teach History at school?

History shows students models of good and responsible citizenship. It also teaches us to learn from our mistakes committed in the past . Through this we learn to examine ourselves and improve the world we live in. History equips us with the qualities we require to understand: compassion and tolerance. Through history, students students make sense of the past whilst coming into contact with other cultures and societies and in this way they gain knowledge and life skills,.

Where did your love of History come from?

My passion for History started at a very young age. My Grandfather participated in the Boer War from the beginning of the 1900s. As grandchildren, we often visited them. He always used to entertain us with his stories and events that happened during the Anglo Boer War. I used to sit at his feet and listen to these stories and voila! my journey of love for history started then. During my primary school years, I couldn’t get enough reading materials about what happened in the past. During my high school years, I had the most boring History teacher. It was during those years that I decided I want to became a history teacher, but never a boring one. I was always a very inquisitive person. Always wanted to know more about the past. I studied history and it opened new and exciting worlds to me. The need for knowledge was and still is the reason why I became an educator. I want to open new worlds and knowledge to my students, demonstrating the importance of knowing the past to make the present and the future a better place. I visited a lot of different historical sites, which made history real. Now I can share these stories and experiences with my students. Some of my students have even followed in my footsteps and we continue to share our knowledge with each other.

Month: March 2024