Highlands Primary pupil place second in literacy competition
A Grade 6 Highlands Primary School pupil placed second in the 2022 Growsmart competition.
Madison Davids made it all the way to the finals for the literacy category and obtained second position in the Western Cape.
The Growsmart Educational Programme is a corporate social initiative by Growthpoint Properties in collaboration with the Western Cape Education Department.
The Growsmart 2022 top five pupils in literacy and mathematics and top three pupils in story writing and teams in entrepreneurship were announced at a prestigious prize-giving ceremony at The Avenue Conference Venue, at the Two Oceans Aquarium in the V&A Waterfront on Saturday September 10.
“Madison worked extremely hard in preparation for the competition rounds. She was dedicated and gave her all. We are very grateful for her and the efforts displayed. Her mother has played a huge role behind the scenes, motivating her from home and believing in her capabilities,” said Fatima Segers, her Grade 6 class teacher.
Her mentors and teachers, Ms Segers and deputy principal Nicola Brown, have played a significant role in her participation too, guiding and coaching her every step of the way.
She won prizes worth R10 000. The school won R50 000, and the literacy mentor won a R5 000 voucher.
Some pupils from the school were invited to attend the event at The Avenue in the Waterfront.
“We are extremely proud of Madison's achievement, as well as all our participants,” she said.
Madison's mother, Cathy Davids, said: “Thank you to Growsmart for the opportunity to participate in the competition. A special thank you to Ms Segers for all her assistance and support. Thank you to Ms Brown for your hard work. I am very proud of Madison for what she has accomplished through her hard work and dedication.”
Ms Segers said: “Mentoring these pupils has been an uplifting experience and truly an honour. They have made me grow in ways I did not realise.”
The 25 finalists in the literacy competition were chosen from 400 participants and tested on their ability to correctly spell, define and use the words in a sentence, as well as on verbs, nouns, idioms and adjectives throughout the competition.
The winners were, in order, Kaylin Hufke: Kalkfontein Primary School, Kuils River, Madison Davids: Highlands Primary School, Mitchell’s Plain, Azra Hendricks: Pelican Park Primary School, Grassy Park, Zohan van Niekerk: Hermeslaan Primary School, Atlantis and Yumna Mlima: Pelican Park Primary School, Grassy Park.
As the winning literacy pupil, Kaylin Hufke has been invited to represent South Africa in the three-member junior African Spelling Bee South Africa Team to participate in the African Spelling Bee 2022 from December 6 to 11 in Blantyre, Malawi. Kaylin will be sponsored by Growsmart for this event.
"Congratulations to all the winning pupils, mentors and schools, and to everyone who participated in the programme this year in its online format, which is more relevant, fun and innovative than ever before," said Jewel Harris, founder of Growsmart and general manager of Growthpoint Properties Cape Town.
• In the mathematics competition, 25 finalists of the 405 registered participants faced questions varying from BODMAS to problem-solving and mental mathematics. The winners are:
1. Seanwin Christians: Dennemere Primary School, Blue Downs
2. Abdi Shakur Yusuf: Idas Valley Primary School, Stellenbosch
3. Steford van Kolver: Diazville Primary School, Saldanha
4. Imaan Pillay: Pelican Park Primary School, Grassy Park
5. Chanté van Rooi: William Lloyd Primary School, Paarl
The story writing competition is project-based and mentor-led, where pupils submit their own original written stories. Over 200 story books were submitted. The winners are:
1. Fatimah Shabodien: Newfields Primary School, Athlone
2. Nirico Buys: Helderkruin Primary School, Blue Downs
3. Daiyaan Hendricks: Belmor Primary School, Philippi
Also project-based and mentor-led, the entrepreneurship competition assessed unique business ideas from teams of three pupils to recognise profitable or exceptional business models. From the 25 creative business ideas submitted, seven reached the finals. The winners are:
1. Silverlea Primary School, Athlone
2. Dalweide Primary School, Paarl
3. Helderkruin Primary School, Blue Downs