Dedicated pupils spend holidays at winter school

[caption id="attachment_41112" align="alignright" width="405"] HARD-WORKING: Humansdorp Secondary School Grade 12 pupils Nicole Moos, 18, left, Naz-Lee Bambo, 17, Maudene van Rooyen, 17, and Shermone Blaauw, 17, commute from Humansdorp to Port Elizabeth each day to attend a winter school for accounting and maths, run by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's school of accounting. Picture: NICKY WILLEMSE[/caption]

WHILE most matriculants are enjoying sleeping late during the three weeks of school holidays, determined Humansdorp Secondary School pupils are up at the crack of dawn each day to commute to Port Elizabeth in time for the 8am start of winter classes.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, which makes mathematics and accounting classes available to Grade 12 pupils, is helping 515 matriculants from all corners of the province, from as far afield as Queenstown and Graaff-Reinet.

Now known as the "AccMaths" school , the accounting component ran from July 7 to 11, with maths classes starting yesterday and ending tomorrow.

Humansdorp Secondary School pupils Maudene van Rooyen, 17, and Naz-Lee Bambo, 17, said they had no regrets, even getting up at 5am, and it was worth the effort.

"The school is very, very good. My marks will definitely improve with all the material we've received. The lecturers are also preparing us for next year, for university life.

"I got such a big shock the first day because the class was so big, but I've realised I just need to do what I do at school, which is to stay focused and listen to what the lecturer is saying," Maudene said.

"The lecturers are very impressive," Woolhope Senior Secondary pupil Tasneem Gaida, 17, said.

"They make the work seem easier, by giving us new techniques and study tips."

Pearson High School pupil Divu Mokonenyane, 17, said sitting in class could be boring at times but these classes were different and she had enjoyed every second.

The accounting and mathematics curricula, sponsored by major auditing firm Deloitte, is running for its third consecutive year in the hope that pupils will "pay it forward".

"It is hoped that those who attend the winter school will also share what they've learnt with others in their classes," Deloitte associate director Carin Langner said.

Third-year BCom chartered accountant student and tutor Kirsten Illenberger said the pupils were enjoying the lectures and the tutorials which followed afterwards.

"They can apply their knowledge straight afterwards. Most of the pupils are here because they want to improve their marks to get into varsity."

The highlight thus far for Framesby High's Sone van Vuuren, 18, was a motivational talk by Deloitte's Willem van der Post, which has inspired her to pursue a career as a chartered accountant.

"I can see where my faults are and where I need to focus," said Mieke Roberts, 17, also from Framesby High.

Accounting lecturer and AccMaths School coordinator, Ansulene Prinsloo, said the school shows that hard-working pupils can achieve the impossible.

"Of the 400 pupils that attended last year's winter school, 150 are now studying towards degrees at NMMU. The ultimate reward for me is to see learners who had not planned on studying after school make the mental shift of deciding to go to university, and then doing so well in their first year," Prinsloo said. - Nicky Willemse