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Ad Talent // Newsletter September 2010 |
| Circle Of Excellence Focuses On Delivering The Leaders Of Tomorrow |
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Despite widespread recognition that learning is the key to a brighter future, South Africa faces a crisis in education. That's where the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation comes into play with its Circle of Excellence initiative, which encourages and rewards schools to go the extra mile in delivering quality education. The initiative recently hosted an event at the Royal Bafokeng Nation's Royal Marang Hotel at which it kicked-off a national conversation to support the formulation of strategies for education around the theme of ‘Tomorrow's Excellent Leaders Today'. According to Anthony Farr, CEO of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, principals from participating schools across the country came together to examine the role of mindset development, schools and their communities in helping support the vision of creating a new generation of entrepreneurial leadership. "Effective leadership is a cornerstone in creating opportunities not just for individuals, but for many other people. By engaging, encouraging and developing leadership at school-going age, we are working to ready a new generation for the sort of success that delivers employment for more South Africans," he says. The 100 Circle of Excellence schools are selected in accordance with strict criteria by the Foundation from around the country; some 51 principals from the Circle of Excellence attended the conference. Farr places an emphasis on the value of vision, discipline and long term investment in the country's emerging human potential. "We specifically selected this venue for the conference as educational excellence is key to the vision of the Bafokeng King, his majesty Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi. That dovetails with the work of the Foundation in working with school principals to drive quality education throughout the country." Farr adds that the Royal Bafokeng School will be officially launched in September to catalyse the educational vision of the North West provincial community. At the event, a diverse programme provided principals with perspectives on what constitutes excellence in education in South Africa. "We want to start and maintain a dialogue in terms of which we can understand how the leaders of tomorrow can be supported, encouraged and developed," says Farr. "In this regard, the participation and interaction of principals, who are typically lifelong educators, with other leading experts in education provides valuable insights. If we can find what it is that constitutes excellent schooling in South Africa, it means these lessons can be applied to spur quality in more schools." Farr says the interest, participation and contributions of broader society are essential if education is to improve. "For this reason, we are particularly honoured by the participation of Kgosi Molotlegi. The leaders of today can have a profound effect on the leaders of tomorrow." Visit www.allangrayorbis.org for a list of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation's Circle of Excellence schools. |
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