By Lize Kubersky WINDHOEK For the past three decades Ella du Plessis learners have sung the Latin anthem and Motto: ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra,’ in praise of the privilege of an education that enables them to reach for the stars. The school’s capacity is 1100 learners and in 2006 it accepted 1065 scholars. Registration for 2007 includes 850 scholars, excluding late registrations on Wednesday 17 January, when parents and scholars queued up to register. When registering, parents are must pay N$400 of the N$770 school fee, and the balance must be met by the end of the first trimester. ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ “We usually sign an agreement with parents who are unable to pay the full fees and then agree to different payment frequencies to suit their financial ability. This agreement is an attempt to show trust and above all that education is a priority,” the principal, Set January, said in an interview last week. With 70 % of parents still owing fees from 2005, the principal urged parents to consider the important function of school funds. According to the staffing norms of the Ministry of Education, 38 teachers should be on the staff at Ella du Plessis and not the current figure of 35. “The schools hopes to fill the vacancies in Mathematics for Senior Grades from 10 to 12 and English for Grades 8 to 10 as soon as possible.ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ We also aim to establish better communication with the parents via letters and meetings. With only 17 parents of the 1065 students attending the first meeting last year, the school realized that parents should embark on getting to know the school they send their child to,” Januarie said. Last week the first school assembly started with a message that unity and productivity is the order of the day. “Instill the basic norms of society into a positive attitude and use this to shape the school and society at large,” was the crux of the message last week. According to Januarie, Ella du Plessis invested N$ 300 000 last year in order to increase safety, effectiveness and appearance when the school was repainted, re-fenced and a state-of-the-art intercom system was installed. “Presently we have 41 classes and 37 students per class. Ella strives to introduce a multi-cultural environment proven by the productivity of the large number of extra-curricular groups in the school. The Drama and Debating Society, Science Club, Tada, Aids Awareness, Scripture Union, the Business Orators and the School Choir (a member of the Namibian Choral network) prove that the social curriculum is growing,” he said. The school also offers a platform for cultural diversity in languages such as Otjiherero, Oshiwambo, French, German, English and Afrikaans. “The cultural investment aims to eradicate cultural pressures the scholars might be experiencing. With the times having changed so much, we need to broaden our perspectives to see how others perceive a situation before they act. Socio-economic pressures suppress undesirable actions and decisions and the school focuses on improving the relationships between all stakeholders in education,” Januarie said. He also mentioned that the 25 SRC members are assisting the teachers in an effective way. While they focus on disciplinary problems, late turn-ups and the dress code, teachers can concentrate on the lessons and shaping of the attitude of students. “Though the academic performances of last year were satisfactory, the school encourages learners to do better. Trouble scholars are normally assisted by school counselors and counseling support group,” he concluded.