Enthusiasm Reaps Rewards at St Thomas

The drive and enthusiasm of everyone involved in the establishment of the new Khanya computer laboratory at St Thomas Primary was celebrated with the launch of the laboratory on 28 March 2006. 

Staff, donors and guests were welcomed in the school foyer where snacks and drinks were provided on arrival at the school.  The donors had played a particularly important role in the project as they had been responsible for the erecting of the building in which the Khanya laboratory is housed.  Their generosity and commitment – from the moment they signed up at a lavish gala evening hosted by the school to raise funds for this purpose – have been unfailing.  In his speech, the Principal thanked them all for the significant role they had played in realising St Thomas Primary’s dream of access to technology for all the learners.

Kobus van Wyk,  Programme Manager for the Khanya Project, also addressed the gathering.  Mr van Wyk, who has been present at all the launches of Khanya laboratories in the Malmesbury area, urged the school to progress quickly towards technical independence.  He complimented the school community on all that they had contributed towards the establishment of the laboratory and he advised the school that it was now time to give back to the community by passing on skills and knowledge in this new facility.

The new Khanya laboratory is, in the words of Mr Trevor Arendse – Khanya Implementation Project Manager – a tribute to the determination of the staff at St Thomas Primary who had to overcome many obstacles to ensure that their learners too could experience the benefits of technology.  Mr Arendse also pointed out to the staff and the donors that the challenge would now be the maintenance of the laboratory.

After the official opening of the laboratory by the donors, learners demonstrated the software in the laboratory and guests then moved to the classrooms where they enjoyed lovely refreshments.

A lively spirit of enthusiasm and the desire to meet new challenges prevail at St Thomas Primary and while many thanks were expressed to both the donors and Khanya at the launch, it is this more than anything else which will ensure that St Thomas Primary continues to reap the rewards of their Khanya laboratory.