The Michaelhouse Community Partnership Trust (MCPT) is proud to share the inspiring progress of our six partner high schools. Over the past eight years (2018–2025) MCPT has consistently focused on the five key components of school functionality as a place of learning; Principal leadership; Teacher support; Infrastructural dignity, education technology and learning outcomes. In all respects these schools have faced significant challenges – resulting in very low pass rates and abrupt dips – as seen in the comparative results graph below.
As the graph illustrates, previously many schools recorded pass rates in the 30–50% range. However, with sustained support of and engagement with both our principals and teachers, infrastructural upgrades, and the introduction of technology, our ‘outcomes’ have significantly improved.
- Asithuthuke and Jabula Combined have achieved an 100% pass rate.
- Shea O’Connor and Injoloba Secondary also posted strong results, each with 94.4% passes.
- Dabulamanzi and Emyezaneni Senior Secondary are rebuilding steadily (after considerable COVID setbacks): their pass rates are climbing again thanks to targeted efforts.
The MCPT role: CPT’s support programs played a key role in these gains. Some highlights include:
Principal Workshops; Twice annually workshops are conducted on governance, financial, discipline and legal competencies.
Quarterly Teacher Training: Regular workshops equip teachers with new teaching methods and curriculum strategies, creating a stronger learning environment in every school. And we have 25 ‘Eduhelpers’ (young graduates) assisting teachers
Infrastructural dignity has been improved on by regular Trafalgar maintenance team visits; kitchens refurbished; jungle gyms repaired, veggie gardens installed, Wi-Fi improved
SIMI MATH Tutoring: Led by Paul and Ruth De Wet, extra math tutoring sessions have boosted students’ confidence and grades in mathematics – a subject critical for many passes.
Eduvelopment Career Guidance: Online career coaching helps learners set goals and stay motivated. When students see a path forward to tertiary opportunity (to college, training, or jobs), they are enthusiastic regarding employment potential.
Early Childhood Development; We are now actively involved in 10 ECD centres, and building one in Lions River, ensuring that this essential aspect of education is available to all toddlers in our communities
Boys Service: Our boys are much more purposely involved in our schools, each House has ‘adopted’ a school and in conjunction with the principal laid out a clear plan as to where value can be added
Outcomes: These collaborative efforts are clearly paying off. However, the challenge remains sustainability. We work on the basis of ‘fair exchange’ where all parties have skin in the game. It is essential that our schools remain the centre of our communities. Our primary focus during 2026, in addition to the above, will be to implement a robust literacy development program for Grades 1-4 and grow the number of participants in Paul de Wet’s Pure Math SIMI programme
Congratulations to our 2025 matriculants, you have done as proud.
