By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK Top quality academic standards – achieved by the appointment of the best personnel and control over the curriculum and enrichment thereof. In order to ensure good teachers for the future, we will provide bursaries to good prospective students, who can return to Windhoek Gymnasium after completion of their studies. The Namibian National Curriculum will be followed, and enriched where possible and necessary, and the Cambridge system for grades 11 and 12. Learners will complete an admission test, in order to ensure that the learners can maintain the above-average academic standard, so that all learners in a class can function on the same standard, and gifted learners can excel. MOTHER TONGUE EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY PHASE. At this stage our learner applications justify a complete English and a complete Afrikaans stream. The Afrikaans stream will gradually be exposed to the English terms, in order for them to be well-prepared for complete transition to English as medium of tuition in grade 8. ENGLISH AS ONLY MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN THE SECONDARY PHASE. Because English is our national and international language, as well as the language in the business world, we believe that learners should be taught in English from this optimal stage. A SCHOOL FOR ALL NAMIBIANS. No discrimination whatsoever with regard to race, colour or culture. In Windhoek Gymnasium we want learners of all races and cultures of our beautiful country to interact and communicate with each other, and learn and respect each other’s cultures and traditions. Because this is the only way to establish and maintain reconciliation and unity in our country. We believe that these positive relations built at Windhoek Gymnasium, will be built out to the rest of our community. Windhoek Gymnasium has an absolute holistic approach to education – our learners are not only educated as far as academic studies are concerned, but they are learnt to strive for excellence in every facet of their lives. Windhoek Gymnasium will be a primary school in 2007, presenting grades 1 to 7., and will now present grade 8 as well in 2007, as we have had numerous requests to do so. During 2008 the high school grades 9 to 10 will be added, with grade 11 the next year, and then grade 12. The high school section will be erected on land in the vicinity, for which negotiations are underway. The Primary Educational Director is Ena GÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¶ttert, who will be responsible only for the maintenance of top academic standards. Colette Rieckert will handle the general management of the school and the finances in 2007. From 2008 a Rector will handle the overall management of the school, including internal and external relations. Under the Rector, the Primary Educational Director will handle the academic studies of the primary school, the Secondary Educational Director the academic studies of the secondary school, the Financial Director the finances, and the Sports Director the co-ordination of the sport and social activities. The eventual capacity of Windhoek Gymnasium from grades 1 to 12 will be 1200 to 1500. These large numbers will strengthen sports teams and social interaction. For 2007, we will have place for 500 learners, for which many applications have already been received and placed. Equipment will be of the highest standards, including a complete computer centre where every learner will have his own e-mail address and where learners will learn to use the Internet, and the computer in general. The computer centre will be open in the afternoons between 14:30 and 16:00, and can be booked by learners. From grade 4 (when class rotation starts), every learner will have his own locker where sports bags and school bags can be stored when it is not used, and during breaks. Culture and art are also important in the holistic education of our learners. All learners will have a class music period and an art period every week. During the music periods, learners will be exposed to the different instruments and encouraged to play them, and they will sing songs and learn basic music skills. Mercia Kruger will handle the art periods, where the learners can express themselves creatively. Drama classes and performances will also be presented. – finishing classes. – Good manners and behaviour, which includes general politeness. – Our learners will learn, in small groups, the principles of a Christian lifestyle, share with each other, and encourage each other in the process. – Music – Art In 2007 the monthly fee will be N$1200 per learner for grades 1 to 7, and N$1500 per learner for grade 8, which includes all stationery and text books. When a learner completed the admission test favourably, a once-off registration fee is payable amounting to N$1500 per learner. An after school care facility will be available at an additional cost of N$400 per learner per month. Here learners will be assisted in their homework by teachers, they will get a healthy meal and juice for lunch, and they will be entertained creatively and play for the afternoon. At Windhoek Gymnasium we aim that learners will enjoy school, and that their lives will be enriched by the activities and interaction at school, as a bonus to the excellent education that they receive.