Day 14
Between Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th February 28, the school attended the three day iNET Sixth annual international conference in Cape Town. It was held at the prestigious Westin Grand Hotel, which is adjacent to the Cape Town International Conference Centre. Over one hundred and fifty delegates educators from all round the world took part. The theme of the conference was “Networking for Equity and Excellence” with a focus of challenge for delegates on four elements from the iNET Charter for Action.
- How do we respond to the growing numbers of children living in deep poverty, polarisation and exclusion?
- How do we ensure that networking and globalisation break down barriers and create a climate for meaningful dialogue?
- How do we prepare students as global citizens through respect, empathy and diversity?
- How do we prepare students to be leaders and agents of change where the voice of students is sought and honoured?
The excellent three day conference was thought provoking and practical. On Monday 22nd February the conference was opened by a number of South African Western Cape dignitaries including Helen Zille, Premier; Donald Grant, Minister of Education and Penelope Vinjevold, Superintendent General of Education. They all forcedly spoke of their visions, values and aspirations for the future and how education was the key to ensuring both economic and social change in these post apartheid years. They were under no illusion of the herculean challenges ahead in ensuing ‘excellence and equity for all. Key note speakers Professor Yong Zhao (Michigan) and Professor Erica McWilliam (Queensland) reflected the global educational changes ahead and possible strategies for all to consider. These very much continued on the thoughts of Thomas L Friedman from the conference in November 2009 Birmingham about globalisation, “Whatever can be done, will be done. There’s only one question for you. Will it be done by you or to you?”
In the afternoon the school gave a joint showcase presentation based on the three way Magical International link between Cardiff and Cape Town, highlighting the amazing relationship between Whitchurch High (Cardiff) and Macassar High (Cape Town) and Restoring the Sound (Cape Town). The presentation was given by Mr Huw Jones-Williams (Head teacher of Whitchurch High) and Mr Yusuf Abrahams (Principal of Macassar High). Unfortunately Trevor Sampson (Founder of Restoring the Sound) could not co-present, as he was overseas at the London College of Music, but we were able to show a recorded message from him. Through our presentation we were able to celebrate the successes of the partnership over the past six years and some of the future plans and challenges which lie ahead. We were able to reflect on the conference theme of “equity and excellence” and Action and show how our three way partnership supported and linked to the iNET Charter for Action.
On the Tuesday delegates went to visit schools in the Western Cape with us returning for the main party’s last day in Macassar Hjgh.
On Wednesday Messrs Jones-Williams and Abrahams returned for the last day of the conference when it was good to meet and discuss with other delegates their views and experiences. In the evening there was an opportunity for an outside look at the amazing Green Point football stadium at night with Mr Jones–Williams giving an impromptu interview to National Television, having been ambushed by a camera crew and reporter, on the impressions of the stadium. Diplomatically he said it was on at least a par with the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff! There is no doubt that it is an iconic Cape Town and South African landmark.
Click here for the iNet Charter for Action