“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” - James 1:17

Dear ACSI School Principals 20 July 2021

1. Leading an Authentic Christian School. “The heartfelt compassion that hastens forgiveness matures when we discover where our enemy cries.” Abba’s Child

2. ACSI / NAISA Advocacy 2.1. Amended 2022 School Calendar as circulated by DOE. Click here to view. 2.2. Amended Government Gazette No 44858. relating to the return to school with particular reference to Primary School learners. Click here to view. 2.3. Vaccination of Educators Report. See the slides from NAISA meeting which was held on Saturday 17th July. Click here to view. 2.4. DOE Request for support for the National ECD Census. Click here to view notification. 2.5. ECD Vaccination roll-out. Media Statement from Minister of DSD. Click here to view. 2.6. ECD Vaccination Reps for each province and district. Click here to view. 2.7. PEPUDA Amendment Bill Feedback. Please see report from Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services. Click here to view.

3. ACSI Initiatives 3.1. Regional Teacher Conferences. Covid continues to disrupt scheduled gatherings around the country. ACSI supports the government protocols in reducing gathering sizes as we share concern for the effects of this 3rd wave. We will continue to prayerfully discern the structure of all our events yet will prioritize the care and safety of our leaders and teachers. As things change, ACSI will re-evaluate and where possible, reschedule some of these events.

DATE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION Saturday 21st KZN North Teacher Conference. Confirmation of Conference by August 2021 Northland School. 30 July 2021 Saturday 28th North West (MAHIKENG) Teacher Conference Confirmation of Conference by August 2021 Victory Primary School 30 July 2021 Saturday 9th North West (BRITS) Teacher Conference Confirmation of Conference by October 2021 Rabboni Christian School 15 September 2021

ACSI From the Director’s Desk 20 July 2021 1 3.2. Financial Administrators Discussion Forums Please note the following discussion forums scheduled for Financial Administrators. Date Discussion Topic & Meeting ID 29th July Debt Collection

Join us as we have an open discussion around fee collection, school fee debt, handing over of 14h00 accounts to debt collection agencies, blacklisting parents, etc. We will also compare some options of Debt Collectors available to schools, the costs involved, and the requirements for handovers.

ZOOM - https://zoom.us/j/98383381510?pwd=NmpJRS8vcXV6SEJjSDRXUXIrbC9aQT09

Meeting ID: 983 8338 1510 - Passcode: 702782 16th Sep Budgeting

ZOOM - https://zoom.us/j/92810915629?pwd=K3lHblc3MlREVVRteTNQVm9tWmMwZz09 14h00 Meeting ID: 928 1091 5629 - Passcode: 307145 28th Oct TBC

ZOOM - https://zoom.us/j/92222578196?pwd=V043bzFjV1lXVWxKVXY1blUrRmJhZz09 14h00 Meeting ID: 922 2257 8196 - Passcode: 498289

3.3. ACSI National Conferences. Save the date for the following ACSI National Conferences. Details of each of these will follow in the next few weeks.

• ECD National Conference. Strong Mind Strong Child. 10-11 September.

• National Leaders and Teachers Conference – Let’s Talk about SexEd - Comprehensive Sexuality Education Conference. 22-23 October.

ACSI From the Director’s Desk 20 July 2021 2

3.4. ACSI Emerging Leaders Initiative • Space is limited for this Leadership Programme. This promises to be an excellent opportunity not to be missed. Please Click here to view. • Registrations are open. Click here to view. • Payment Plan. For schools not able to afford the full registration costs now, the following payment plan may be an option for you: o On registration – 1st Payment of R1000 o 1 November 2021 – 2nd Payment of R1000 o 1 March 2022 – 3rd Payment of R1000 o 1 August 2022 – 4th Payment of R1000

3.5. ACSI Principal Meetings Invitations to these principal meeting have been sent from Annerie. Please prioritise this time of connection.

DATE Meeting Title and ZOOM Details 3rd Aug Principal Meeting Group A

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83882233426?pwd=bG5Ecjk0Skk5SjdaM0tEY1lEdnRUdz09 10h00 – 12h00 Meeting ID: 838 8223 3426 - Passcode: 810 288 3rd Aug Principal Meeting Group B

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271020955?pwd=MXVFS1UxRjVmeTJ2ek1oemRmQUUvUT09 13h00 – 15h00 Meeting ID: 872 7102 0955 - Passcode: 107 591 4th Aug Principal Meeting Group C

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85277272069?pwd=R0hhVGlVWW54SGNPMTQxbkp2Qm05UT09 10h00 – 12h00 Meeting ID: 852 7727 2069 Passcode: 130 463 4th Aug Principal Meeting Group D

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84317521602?pwd=eUZCR0hpNnJGWGpVRHhscCtRSkdVUT09 13h00 – 15h00 Meeting ID: 843 1752 1602 - Passcode: 124 979 5th Aug Principal Meeting Group E

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89585380771?pwd=Z3lMV0V6SC8vNUVjcmIyNTc0MFVVZz09 10h00 – 12h00 Meeting ID: 895 8538 0771 - Passcode: 538 134 5th Aug Principal Meeting Group F

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85938042379?pwd=VmRFVTIzdmdIdzlEajJ1dUdXRzNiQT09 13h00 – 15h00 Meeting ID: 859 3804 2379 - Passcode: 245 996

ACSI From the Director’s Desk 20 July 2021 3

3.6. ACSI Upcoming Events

DATE Upcoming Head-to-Head & Discussion Forums and Meeting IDs 28 July Head-to-Head: Resource Partnership – Ed Admin

There are several school management programmes available to schools, with a wide variety of features and 14h00- different cost packages. Legally, all independent schools have to submit certain information to SASAMS. This 15h00 system is freely available from the DBE. Some schools choose (dependant on their available budget) to use alternative packages that have the functionality to export data to the SASAMS system for compliance. EdAdmin is one such system and offers learning management software within a tailor-made educational solution. They provide easy-to-use software to educators, students, administrators, and parents to manage all the aspects of educational administration. Join us as they showcase their software and the functionality across sections of the school. They will also look at costing and discounts offered to ACSI schools, as well as answer any questions.

ZOOM - https://zoom.us/j/93313063435?pwd=cG1GL1ZBRU9tbzlxK0xmWDYvNGFodz09

Meeting ID: 933 1306 3435 - Passcode: 803 773 11 Aug Head-to-Head: Resource Partnership – Registered emails

A school occasionally has to send communication via registered mail to employees or parents. With the 14h00- significant delays in the postal system, these notices often get delivered much later than required. Registered 15h30 Communication has developed a system to legally serve notices via registered “post” in a digital manner. Join us as Norman Colling, CEO of Digital Communication, explains their system, cost to schools, and the benefits of going digital.

ZOOM - https://zoom.us/j/95409699759?pwd=dWpmUXpCbGhJZWZzQStZbWlIaHNqUT09

Meeting ID: 954 0969 9759 - Passcode: 469 399 17 Aug Head-to-Head: Child Abuse Tool Kit How do Educators identify a child who has been abused? What does the law say the Educator’s responsibility 14h00- is if they know or suspect a child is being physically, mentally or sexually abused? Join us in a discussion so 15h30 that we can take you through the required processes.

ZOOM- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81118711423?pwd=MW9mUmFGYmJacW9MWHdWakdXQlc3dz09

Meeting ID: 811 1871 1423 - Passcode: 016 458 19 Aug Head-to-Head: Technology Roadmap for your school

Riaan van der Bergh runs the centre for Technology in FEDSAS and helps schools discover and reach their 14h00- goals in technology development within a school. He will give us insight into how to initiate a technology 15h30 Roadmap for your school.

ZOOM - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87840229744?pwd=bE1FTGpvcHFqcVgrUGpKQ2JNQmQxZz09 Meeting ID: 878 4022 9744 - Passcode: 781 437 24 Aug Head-to-Head: Emotional Wellbeing of our Communities

Candice Cowen is a qualified Clinical Psychologist, and she will be talking to us about managing the emotional 14h00- well-being of staff and learners in the context of South and the Covid pandemic. Candice was recently 15h30 featured on Jacaranda FM where she spoke about the impact of bullying, the Covid pandemic, and peer pressure on children.

ZOOM - https://zoom.us/j/92612145278?pwd=LzNxVTdBcVZMNXRsY0g4K1hwaWE2QT09

Meeting ID: 926 1214 5278 - Passcode: 740 949

ACSI From the Director’s Desk 20 July 2021 4 26 Aug Head-to-Head: Resource Partnership – Greenleaf Web Design

Green Leaf Web Design discusses the importance of being present on the Internet and the importance of a 14h00- school website as part of a marketing strategy. They offer ACSI schools a variety of discounted packages on 15h00 design, hosting, and monthly “upkeep” of websites.

ZOOM - https://zoom.us/j/95961701314?pwd=SC83Mk5KMUNrWVhob1Zud1phV3REUT09

Meeting ID: 959 6170 1314 - Passcode: 891 713 21 Sep Head-to-Head: Focus on Bullying

Join us for a workshop on bullying in schools, and its impact on children. We will discuss what schools can 14h00- do to manage bullying and what policies you need to have in place, as well as anti-bullying campaigns and 15h30 other pro-active measures you can put in place.

ZOOM - https://zoom.us/j/93112947024?pwd=Y2FoT3pyQVhQN2F5LzJzREZ3dER4QT09

Meeting ID: 931 1294 7024 - Passcode: 400 395 22 Sep Discussion Forum: Life Science Teachers

Book Title: Evolution, Creation and Science. The author of the book, Dominic Statham, will present his 14h00- thoughts and perspectives on this important topic. His question-and-answer session will include tips on how 15h00 to teach this important, yet sensitive topic in our schools.

ZOOM - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82017760715?pwd=V081TUxHYUNtZDlBdVpUTUdUUXBIUT09

Meeting ID: 820 1776 0715 - Passcode: 493 864

4. ACSI Prayer 4.1. Prayer for Principal of Ebenezer. - Our thoughts and prayers are with Ebenezer Academy of Excellence during this time as they mourn the loss of their Principal Mrs Winfred Mbongwa. 4.2. Next ACSI Prayer Hour: Wednesday 25th August at 15:00

5. ACSI Partnerships 5.1. PAIS Movement South Africa: Richard Jumbe National Director - [email protected] PAIS offers teams of volunteers to serve full time in schools as positive role models for a minimum of a year commitment. They also offer missions year opportunities for students who have completed matric in 20 countries. This includes free training, accommodation and meals during the time of volunteering with PAIS. Countries include , , , Denmark, England, , , , USA and more.

5.2. Recommended Book: Evolution, Creation and Science. Evolution, Creation and Science is a new book which explores the origins debate and explains why people have such very different views on this subject. It also deals with the scientific arguments, presenting them simply and with many helpful diagrams. The book will be helpful to teachers in Life Sciences Grades 10–12 and Religion Studies Grade 12. Barnabas digital produces free resources for teachers and learners in subjects where there is a need to understand the relationship between science and faith. These can be downloaded free from https://barnabas.digital. ACSI has received a donation of 40 books. If you are interested in receiving a copy. Please contact [email protected] Further copies can be purchased from [email protected] or if you have received the book and would like to provide feedback to the author, please email Henda Marais at [email protected].

ACSI From the Director’s Desk 20 July 2021 5 6. ACSI Resources Wise Counsel for teachers and parents in helping our children deal with our National Crisis. Click here to view and the document downloaded, created by Natalie Hutton. Educational Psychologist.

Please feel free to call Sean (082 332 9718), Philip (068 184 3578) and/or Cathy (082 459 2542) for any advice and assistance. We will endeavour to advise and help where we can.

With much love and prayer for you.

Sean Moore ACSI DIRECTOR

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