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January 25 to January 31, 2012
R5,50 (incl VaT RSa) Reg No. 1920/002058/06
Making religion exciting in SA schools
Let there be living water Page 7
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No 4754
Positive upbringing, positive sounds Page 9
Catholic ethos is key in education By CLaIRe MaTHIeSoN
vant for the future of our society and country,” said Mrs Schmidt. HILE the National Senior Certificate Similarly, the CIE said the Catholic ethos results were released with very in education needs to continue to be develmixed reviews, the Catholic Institu- oped “for it is this bedrock of Christian values tion of Education (CIE) said the country’s and vocational teaching that enables schools Catholic results were “very commendable” to succeed,” said Ms Baker. and have shown that a Catholic ethos in eduShe said many teachers who worked closecation must be maintained. ly with the religious are ageing and it was 104 Catholic schools, with 7 440 pupils, vitally important that all Catholics inspire wrote the National Senior Certificate—and young people to become teachers by uphold6 565 passed. CIE deputy director Anne Baker ing the teaching profession and honouring said the 88,3% pass rate was actually a drop the teachers. She said it was the Catholic compared to what was achieved in 2010, but foundation that led to the positive results in still significantly higher than the 70,2% the matric exams. national pass rate. In fact, Catholic schools “The CIE will further analyse Catholic outperformed non-Catholic schools in every schools results once more data is received. province. Schools and pupils who worked hard to Ms Baker added that 26 Catholic schools achieve these results are to be congratulated wrote the IEB examination achieving a 99,9% and celebrated.” pass rate which was also above the national CIE’s research and IEB pass rate. communications offi“We can be proud cer Cullen Mackenzie of the Catholic said it was clear a schools in the Eastern more consolidated Cape, Western Cape, effort to education Limpopo and Northwas needed. “Teachers ern Cape provinces. have to be committed In the Eastern Cape, to doing their best, Limpopo and Northparents have to ensure ern Cape Catholic that their children are schools achieved subworking hard and stantially above the each child has to work provincial pass rate,” hard to make sure that the deputy director he or she realises his said. or her dream. Notably in the Every citizen of this Eastern Cape, the Bhekisisa Nyembe received seven distinctions country needs to schools achieved and is among the top learners in Gauteng. He think of ways to help 30,9% above the is one of only three who got 100% in Matheour children,” said Mr provincial pass, with matics and one of the ten learners who got Mackenzie. 29,7% above in 100% in Physical Sciences. Researcher at the Limpopo. The NorthCatholic Parliamenern Cape Catholic tary Liaison Office, Kenny Pasensie said schools achieved an 89% pass-rate, which is instead of criticising the results, we should 32,2% above the provincial average. “celebrate the successes of those who manMs Baker said the CIE would be looking aged to pass despite the serious hardships that into areas where the pass rate declined. “Even many of the candidates had to overcome durthough the Free State Catholic schools ing the long journey to matric.” achieved 10,3 % above the provincial average, He said it was an achievement just to make the pass rate declined from 88,7% in 2010 to it to matric, considering only 38% of those 86% in 2011.” There was also a decline in the who started school 12 years ago passed their KZN Catholic school pass-rate to 79,2%. final exams. Principal of St Martin de Porres high While minister of basic education Angie school in Orlando West, Duma Sithebe, said Motshekga said there was an increase in the the 2011 matrics recorded a 95% pass with overall results, there were 41 453 fewer fullone learner, Bhekisisa Nyembe having time candidates who wrote matric in 2011 achieved seven distinctions including a per- compared to 2010, and fewer candidates fect score in mathematics and physical sci- passed. ences. “He is amongst the top learners in Mr Pasensie said this decline in the numGauteng and one of only three who got 100% ber of learners finishing school was seriously in Mathematics and one of the ten learners concerning. “If fewer and fewer pupils are who got 100% in physical sciences,” Mr going to get as far as even attempting matric, Sithebe said. then despite healthy increases in the pass rate The principal added three other students, we will still be left with huge numbers of Siyabonga Mbonani, Mpeoane Khodumo and young people for whom the doors of further Nape Nkadimeng received 11 distinctions learning are effectively shut”. between them. But Mr Pasensie said there was hope. He Deputy principal of Maris Stella in Durban said the top performing schools have someJoan Schmidt said the Holy Family school was thing in common: “Strong school leadership very proud of another 100% pass rate. “60% with dedicated principals, department heads of our subject marks were As or Bs.” Mrs and governing bodies; teachers that have Schmidt said the positive results were attrib- good content knowledge and a good underuted to the dedication of teachers, parents standing of the best teaching techniques; and the formation encouraged by the Holy responsible and disciplined students; and Family sisters. families and communities that take an active “Maris Stella can be described in terms of interest in the education of their children.” the evident faith that underpins all that we Mr Pasensie says the challenge for all do and gives meaning and purpose to our schools across the country is to find ways of efforts, our family values, and the quality of making these factors the norm in our schools, our education which we strive to make rele- rather than the exception.
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archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town stands in front of a new banner which has been placed on the walls of St Mary’s Cathedral in the city’s centre. The archbishop blessed the banner and called on the National Council of Provinces, on behalf of the Catholic Church of Cape Town, to amend the Protection of State Information Bill in such a way as to “bring it in line with our constitutional right to freedom of information”. archbishop Brislin addressed a crowd at the blessing and said South africans are morally justified in opposing the Protection of State Information Bill because it does not serve the common good. The 3m tall banner, which faces parliament is emblazoned with the words “The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32) and “Say no to the secrecy bill”. (Photo: Claire Mathieson)
Priest who survived cancer takes on Kilimanjaro By LISa BouRNe
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PRIEST from a Des Moines, Iowa diocese in the United States has experienced a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with the hope that it will bring others to God. Mgr Frank Bognanno, 72, pastor of Christ the King parish in Des Moines since 2000, is among a group of cancer survivors who climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, a trip organised by Des Moines oncologist Dr Richard Deming and led by world triathlete Charlie Wittmack, of St Augustin parish in Des Moines. The group of 17 cancer survivors and 20 caregivers reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in January becoming participants in the world's highest “relay for life” at 5 896m. A priest for nearly 47 years, Mgr Bognanno had completed triathlons in the past and continued to run and walk regularly. But in the six weeks before he began the climb, his fitness regimen changed to prepare him to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Dr Deming, who is the director of the Cancer Centre at Mercy Medical Centre, led a group to Mt Everest last April, said that climbing a mountain is a metaphor that many cancer survivors use to describe their cancer experience. It has been 17 years since Mgr Bognanno’s initial diagnosis of prostate cancer, from which he experienced full recovery. Three years ago the cancer reappeared, but at a level so low that the approach had been to simply continue monitoring things.
He’d been seeing Dr Deming for treatment, who at one point asked Mgr Bognanno to join the cancer survivor expedition. “I was a little hesitant at first,” the priest said. “I mean, my idea of camping is a motel with black and white television.” Mgr Bognanno has moved on from his original hesitation toward taking the trip to embracing the expedition for its potential to evangelise. He’ll begin radiation treatment upon return to Des Moines. Mgr Bognanno celebrated Mass each day for the group on the expedition. He has also given the experience up to God for the success of his parish’s upcoming mission.—CNS
Dr Richard Deming and Mgr Frank Bognanno on their trek up Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The priest from Des Moines, Iowa, was in the group of 17 cancer survivors that reached the 5 896m summit. (Photo:John Richard courtesy of Mercy Medical Centre, CNS)