From celebrating women in our community to engaging scholars in service and welcoming the 2026 Spirit families, Q3 reflected the heart of our mission: nurturing scholars to grow in belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery.
The third quarter was nothing less than inspiring. We are proud to reflect on the work of the SF team that has granted numerous opportunities for connection.
During the school holiday in July, we began the quarter with an inspirational morning of upliftment and care launching our Women’s Empowerment Morning, a massive thanks to our donors at Salt, who provided a care bag for each of our female learners.
Dr Tracy Flowers presented on female health and wellness, giving an insightful opportunity for our scholars to ask questions and get answers from a professional. Alumni shared their journey and reminded us of the strength that comes from unity, growth and purpose. They encouraged our scholars to take hold of the support provided through the special Spirit Family.
In the spirit of giving back, Spirit visited several primary schools in Langa, a true highlight. Together, we made a tangible difference in the lives of young learners and strengthened our ongoing commitment to community upliftment.
In celebration of Women’s Month, the July holiday saw the programme’s first Women’s Empowerment Day at RISE Studios in Bergvliet, creating a safe, energising space for young women in our SF high school community to gather, share experiences, and celebrate strength. Scholars took part in a movement workout, listened to the insightful session from Dr Tracy Flowers on hormones, mental health, and caring for the female body, and heard from powerful female alumni who have gone on to achieve exceptional things beyond high school.
This term also saw the pilot of the Education Support Programme at SIFA, offering after-school tutoring to SF scholars in Mathematics, English, and Afrikaans, alongside guidance in test preparation, note-taking, and summarising to strengthen academic skills.
Community service in honour of Mandela Day was another highlight, with scholars displaying leadership, compassion, and initiative through projects such as building community libraries and organising food schemes, many of which continued beyond July. The quarter concluded with Orientation Day in early September, welcoming the 2026 scholars and their families through icebreakers, lawn games, music, and a picnic, setting the stage for Registration Day in December.
As we moved into Term Four, the programme continued with strong energy, kicking off our annual Learn to Swim programme, particularly supporting Grade 8s in developing essential water safety and swimming skills, and hosting the bi-annual Study Hall at Claremont High School—a safe, structured space for Grade 8–12 scholars to prepare for exams, with alumni volunteering their time to offer tutoring and practical study skills guidance.
We look forward to what the rest of Q4 has to offer—Registration Day, the Matric Lunch, and the Bonnievale staff development.
Term three was an exciting and successful period for SIFA, with the boys remaining unbeaten in the league and achieving strong results, including wins against Reddam Constantia, Curro Delft, Mandela High, and the Gunyacroph Board Team, while also showing growth in balancing football and academics through tutoring and study support.
The SEF/SIFA Orientation welcomed five new scholars who met both football and academic criteria, integrating enthusiastically into training and matches. As we moved into Term four, SIFA continued to build momentum with structured training schedules for all age groups, dedicated tutoring on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and weekly coaches’ meetings to ensure alignment. Term four fixtures already brought valuable experience, with results including:
Operationally, key developments included confirming Puma as the kit sponsor for 2026, maintaining and upgrading facilities, and progressing club registration with local football associations. Community engagement continued through scouting activations at Capricorn and iThemba Primary Schools, and the hostel tour welcomed new SIFA scholars joining CAMST next year.
The boys have embraced these routines with enthusiasm, balancing sport, academics, and personal growth, as the academy continues to develop well-rounded athletes and scholars ready to make an impact on and off the field.
The third term is always a period of great excitement at the Spirit Foundation Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme. A term jam packed full of events and activities for our learners to look forward to.
On 18 July, the Spirit Foundation ECD Programme joined the rest of the country in celebrating Mandela Day. Traditionally, organisations will take 67 minutes out of their day to make a difference, and the team from Van Loveren Wines did just that by sponsoring all the materials necessary for a Sandpit Project; visiting our two ECD campuses on Mandela Day to lend a hand in the construction of seven new sandpits for our learners to enjoy.
Spirit Foundation ECD Programme hosted a successful school concert on 25 July. Our theme was ‘In the Jungle’, and each class chose one animal to represent. The learners practised their dances and poems for weeks in anticipation of the big event, and they did not disappoint! With over 350 parents and family members in attendance, the concert was a huge success, and our learners had a wonderful time performing for them all. I wonder what the theme will be next year.
Every two to three weeks, our learners cover a new theme. In July, we learn about winter. In celebration of this theme, we host our annual Pyjama Day. Learners and staff get to come to school in their cosy winter pyjamas and enjoy a day of stories, movies, hot chocolate and freshly popped popcorn. Pyjama Day in particular is a favourite among all the Spirit Foundation ECD Programme staff members…
Another noteworthy theme that our learners explore in the third term is ‘People Who Help Us’. With this theme comes our annual Career Day which is the absolute highlight of the year for our little learners. Career Day is an opportunity for local professionals to come and visit our ECD campuses and teach our learners about what they do for a living, and all the ways the work they do helps others.
Career Day is a vital opportunity to broaden our learners’ horizons and get them dreaming big! The learners come to school dressed up in the uniform of their chosen profession and have the opportunity to engage firsthand with their heroes. This year we had the privilege of having Bonnievale SAPS, Langeberg Fire Department, Langeberg Emergency Medical Services, Langeberg Traffic Department, Nurse Liebenberg, and SEEFF Bonnievale come to visit us. Career Day is the perfect platform to ignite a spark in each and every one of our learners, making them curious about the world around them, and to give them hope for a bright future. At the Spirit Foundation ECD Programme, we believe that our learners are capable of great things through education, dedication, and lots of care!
“Just do Good” could not be more meaningful in the upcoming festive season, as we close off the year and reflect with gratitude on all that we have. The official launch of the Spirit Shoebox Campaign—a heartfelt initiative designed to bring joy and hope to children in need this festive season, gives you, our friends and supporters of the Spirit Foundation, an opportunity to join us on this “Just do Good” journey. The energy around this campaign has been incredible, and we can already see the positive ripple effect it’s creating. Watch the YouTube video to see the smiles of some of the beneficiaries of this campaign and may it move you too to donate.
As we look ahead, we invite everyone to get involved—whether by contributing a shoebox, spreading the word, or partnering with colleagues to make an even greater impact. Together, we can turn small acts of kindness into something extraordinary.
Let’s carry this momentum into the next quarter and continue to embody the true Spirit of community, compassion, and connection.
