We are excited to announce the recent developments to our Schools Development Programme. The Saldanha Bay Schools Development is an initiative within our Innovation Campus and targets the 6 High Schools and 3 Primary Schools in Saldanha Bay which began in 2020.

Highlight #1: Launch of the Leadership Development Programmes for Learners & Teachers

This year our focus with the schools programme has been to consolidate, extend and augment the relationship the SBIDZ began in 2020/1 with the Saldanha Bay Education Community in Saldanha Bay. The 2022 programme was launched in June with the Western Cape Education Department, who provided funding support. The programme was concluded in October and had a range of education enrichment and development activities including:

• The Leadership Development Programme for Learners

This programme developed and supported a cohort of 20 young leaders, thinkers and influencers who will become effective agents of transformation.

• The Leadership Development Programme for Teachers

The programme aimed to establish, develop and support teachers as vital, dynamic and empowered agents and leaders of social and economic change. 30 Saldanha Bay teachers participated in the 2022 Leadership Development Programme. The course comprised of self-leadership, leading as a coach, leading teams and leading change.

Highlight #2: Launch of the Community of Mathematics Practice

The Saldanha Bay Mathematics, Physical Science and Business Studies Teachers’ Enrichment Programme continued its activities in 2022.

This programme aimed to consolidate, extend and augment the relationship the SBIDZ began in 2020/1 with the Saldanha Bay Education Community; and the Mathematics, Physical Science and Business Studies Teaching Community in particular. We continued our work with Wits and Stellenbosch University and have formed a Maths Community of Practice to support the teachers transition to a digitally enabled classroom and digitally supported learning. This programme has received funding support from the South African Agency For Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA).

We are presently engaged in preparatory work for the 2023 academic year.

Highlight #3: Collaborating on the Saldanha Careers Week

The Saldanha Bay Innovation Campus partnered with ArcelorMittal Foundation, Saldanha Bay Municipality, Genesis Hub, University of Cape Town and the Western Cape Education Department to host this year’s Career Expo in Saldanha Bay. The main objectives of the Career Expo was to expose the learners to opportunities offered within the West Coast Region and to prepare them for future careers by experiencing and engaging with exhibitors over the three days. The event was hosted at the Saldanha Bay IDZ Access Complex. The Expo had 6 sectors and more than 40 exhibitors. The 6 sectors were Maritime, Medical/Health Care, Manufacturing, Food and Beverage, Saldanha bay Municipality Law Enforcement, Agri and Aqua culture with the Genesis Hub, Maritime and Renewable Energy and finally the Education Institutions. A special word of thanks to all the exhibitors who participated at this year’s event and kept the learners engaged and entertained! We look forward to more collaborations as we fully anticipate hosting the event again next year.

Contact the SBIDZ Innovation Campus at innovationcampus@sbidz.co.za for details on how you can become involved in the Careers Expo for 2023 or any of our School’s programmes.