GEORGE EMMANUEL: Doing things differently

28 Jun, 2015 - 00:06 0 Views
GEORGE EMMANUEL: Doing things differently George Emmanuel College students in their winter uniforms

The Sunday Mail

George Emmanuel College is one of the new upmarket schools located in Westgate. They have a unique way of teaching and The Sunday Mail Bridge visited their premises to find out just how different they are.

George Emmanuel College students in their winter uniforms

George Emmanuel College students in their winter uniforms

The Bridge’s Charles Mushinga spoke to their school administrator Taurai Bhidhi and he revealed that they have not only a fancy winter uniform but also have a unique way of studying and making education fascinating and beneficial to the students. Read on to find out what makes this college tick . . .

CHARLES MUSHINGA: I see your students wear boots in winter, that’s different.

TAURAI BHIDHI: At George Emmanuel College, we thrive on being different, as long as it benefits our students. The boots may look nice but they serve a bigger purpose in the warmth they provide to our students making them comfortable in otherwise harsh winter conditions.

CM: So what else is unique and beneficial about the way you do business here?

TB: I believe we are the first school that uses psychological consultation when identifying areas of strength and weaknesses in our students. We are also the first boarding school that does not believe in supervised study. Rather we use this time to do remedial lessons with our students.

CM: What is wrong with students studying on their own?

TB: Most students end up sleeping when there is no interaction. We believe pupils are different in their own way, some have better listening skills than reading skills.

We would rather use the study time for remedial classes. Its during this time that our teachers will be teaching one on one, hence making up for concepts that could not be grasped during the day.

CM: During the day? You mean these remedial lessons happen at night?

TB: Yes, since we are a boarding school, lessons start at 8am and end at 9pm on Monday to Thursday. On Fridays we start at 8am and finish at 6pm.

Saturdays boarders are at the college from 10am up to 3pm. Sunday they have three hours after church and teachers will be there to assist students one-on-one during all these hours.

CM: This being both a boarding and day school, how do you enrol given you have a less than 1:20 teacher to students ratio?

TB: Our enrolment procedure is quite different. I think we are the first school that requires the services of a Residential Psychologist for assessment. She is well known as “Aunty” and is heavily involved in our functions as a school.

The students and their parents or guardian are to book for an appointment with the psychologist, where the student’s weaknesses and strengths are identified. The teachers would then use programmes that are tailor made to suit these individual qualities and provide special remedial action.

CM: So you take any students and work on their weaknesses?

TB: Yes, our philosophy here at George Emmanuel College High is very simple; we believe all students can make it if the right approach and pace is used.

Learning is like a relay, it requires more than one person to win the race and if you hand over the stick with the wrong hand, it is bound to fall and disturb the whole chain. Our team comprises of the parents, administrators, teachers and at the winning point is the students who then win the race.

Our acting Head Mr Ringanayi always says, “Academic Success is incredibly important to us at George Emmanuel but we do not measure success through that and extra curriculum activities alone. We put much emphasis on what our pupils become and what they achieve.”

CM: Religion wise?

TB: George Emmanuel is a Christian School, and all children are taught the tenets of the Christian Faith. Outside the box of Christianity, we are the only school that believes in cultural values of kneeling when greeting elders, whether at home or at school.

CM: Your boarding conditions?

TB: We offer an attractive and well resourced environment in which to learn and play. We believe school should be enjoyed with classic facilities. We provide the best meals, five times daily. And our students do not bring groceries (tuck) as in-between snacks and eats are provided timely.

CM: Do your students take part in sports and compete with other schools?

TB: Yes, very much. We are actually playing soccer against St Johns Emerald Hill today.

Sporting activities offered include athletics, soccer, netball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, rugby, basketball and cricket. At George Emmanuel High School we celebrate each child for who they are and guide them accordingly. So if their strengths are in sport, we also help them realise their potential.

CM: Thank you so much ma’am for your time.

TB: You are welcome Charles.

 

George Emmanuel may be contacted on 0778847204. Students, YOU CAN SEND YOUR ARTICLES THROUGH E-MAIL, FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP or TEXT Just app Charles Mushinga on 0772936678 or send your articles, pictures, poetry, art . . . to Charles Mushinga at [email protected] or [email protected] or follow Charles Mushinga on Facebook or @charlesmushinga on Twitter. You can also post articles to The Sunday Mail Bridge, PO Box 396, Harare or call 0772936678.

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