Clarendon High School for Girls is proud of the heartwarming collaboration with Noncedo Combined School, aimed at teaching young pupils in the Ducats informal settlement life-saving water safety skills and how to swim.
This initiative, which began with the Noncedo School pupils in October 2023 and officially commenced in January 2024, takes place at the Clarendon School’s state-of-the-art Harrison Aquatic Centre.
A group of 36 grade 5 Noncedo pupils are transported by the Clarendon staff from Ducats to the aquatic centre every week, where they receive swimming lessons from a dedicated team of Clarendon staff and senior swimmers. The sessions provide essential skills that will empower these children to be water-safe. After completing the grade 5 cohort, the programme plans to extend the lessons to the grade 4s.
The programme’s success is thanks to the dedication of several key individuals: Kerry Voke, SSA level one coach and head of aquatics at Clarendon High, alongside head of sport Loryn Nel and head of water polo Hanna Muller. Senior swimmers Bambanini and Bambanqazibini Daka from Clarendon assist with facilitating the programme.
One inspiring development is that the Noncedo pupils’ teacher, Verinah, has also been participating in the lessons and is learning to swim alongside her students. This shows the power of the programme not only to teach children but also to uplift the entire community.
For many children in the Ducats area, this is their first opportunity to learn how to swim.
This initiative is part of Clarendon High’s ongoing commitment to community outreach and education.
By offering these swimming lessons, the school is helping to bridge gaps in access to vital resources, ensuring that more young people can enjoy the benefits of swimming and water safety.
