What is BottomUp?An education enrichment programme

Our Mission:To instil a sense of pride, belonging and identity within learners

and to empower them with foundational skills for a better future.

Term 2, 2012

NUMBER CRUNCHERS260 learners participating in Chess40 learners part of Afternoon Chess Club4 Learners passed the Chessa Scholar’s Exam (1 with Gold)2 Learners acquired Gold & Silver at WP District South Trials5 Learners qualified for the WP Closed Schools Chess Trials3 Volunteers from Fairmount High School involved7 Volunteers from Pneumatix College4 Learners have participated in the Vangate Mall Competition

BottomUp Chess ProjectCreative Thinking | Strategy | Spatial Reasoning

The BottomUp chess project is part of our extra-curricular developmentprogramme which aims to nurture multiply-intelligent learners by allowinglearners the opportunity to engage with various activities and to practicethem enough to develop a heuristic which is transferable into otherareas of learning.

The “Number Crunchers” below are examples of what we have achievedthis far in chess. Our desire for the short-mid range future is to introduceand empower teachers to coach chess learners so that chess may bedeveloped across the grades. We are confident that this will have a positiveimpact on learning and motivation.

At present we are analysing data and trying to understand what impactchess is having. It is already apparent that learners participating in chesson average perform significantly better than the average learner in thesame grade.

The BottomUp chess project is part of our extra-curricular development

them enough to develop a heuristic which is transferable into other

and empower teachers to coach chess learners so that chess may be

At present we are analysing data and trying to understand what impact

BottomUp Literacy ProjectFor the love of reading.

The BottomUp Literacy Project is making asignficant contribution to thedevelopment of reading and writing skillsin the foundation phase at Perivale PrimarySchool.

BottomUp utilises the WordWorksmethodology and curriculum to trainlearners. The ease and accessibility of theprogramme has made knowledge transferand volunteer development much simpler.

The success of this programme has beenlargely due to having a dedicated projectcoordinator and a team of passionate andhardworking volunteers. This is why we areexcited to have welcomed Neda on boardthe BottomUp team on a full-time basis.This will enable us to extend ourinvolvement in literacy to ParkwoodPrimary School (also a BottomUp partnerschool).

Creative Arts Day - A Volunteer Led ProjectMade possible by the friendly Invia Volunteers

On the 2nd of June , the team of Invia Volunteers ran an excellentCreative Arts Day of three workshops: Design & Building, Movie-Making, and Painting.

The Grade 7 Learners who participated thoroughly enjoyed theexperience and were afforded the opportunity to explore howcreativity is applied in very practical environments and to learn firsthand from creatives who have made a career from doing just that.

Our hope is that more such value-creating and immersiveopportunities may be offered to learners in the future.

Collaborating for GoodRotary Club | Perivale Primary | Bottomup

The Perivale Library Project is a collaborative venture betweenBottomup, Perivale Primary Staff & The Rotary Club.

We are excited at the progress in cleaning up the space which waspreviously unutilised. Jorn, our volunteer from Netherlands whohas recently moved back home acted as a catalyst in moving thingsforward by sourcing paints, involving learners in the library renewaland collecting books from Room to Read & Bargain Books. Jorn hasalso sponsored bean bag chairs for this space which are still onroute to the library.

Our hope is that this space will become a learning hub at PerivalePrimary School, fully used by teachers and learners. Bottomup willcontinue to collaborate to further transform this space and ensurethat our learners are able to discover the joy of reading.

We are thrilled about the opportunities this space creates for theconnection between our literacy project, the Dream Booksprogramme by Laura De Kok and further literacy interventions atthe school.

Dream BooksThanks to Laura De Kok for this awesome initiative

The Dream Books project is an initiative of Laura De Kok. It involvedlearners creating a list of their “most wanted” book. Laura then tookthis list and sought out individuals who would be willing to donatebooks on the list.

On Wednesday 13th June, Laura arrived at school with two boxesloaded with books that learners want to read. These books will formpart of a classroom library initiative which will allow the grade 7’s anopportunity to further their reading pursuits. In addition learnerswho wished for a book received their gift books.

Projects like these excite us as they embellish our literacy supportstrategy.

Thanks to Laura, and all those who donated a book toward thisproject.

ASHLEY VISAGIEBA: Theology and Leadership (2007)MA:Strategic Foresight (2012- 2013)

NEDA O’DONOVANMontessori EducatorB.ED (2010-2013)

HELENE VISAGIEB.Soc.Sci: Social Work (2008)

B.Soc.Sci(hons): Community Development (2009)Registered Social Worker (SACSSP)

ASHLEY VISAGIEBA: Theology and Leadership (2007)MA:Strategic Foresight (2012- 2013)

HELENE VISAGIEB.Soc.Sci: Social Work (2008)

B.Soc.Sci(hons): Community Development (2009)Registered Social Worker (SACSSP)

NEDA O’DONOVANMontessori EducatorB.ED (2010-2013)

GARTH PETERSENDiploma: Sports Coach (Exercise Training Academy)

Personal Fitness Trainer

Meet the Team“Work is love made visible”

GARTH PETERSENDiploma: Sports Coach (Exercise Training Academy)

Personal Fitness Trainer | Youth Leader

Theory of the ProblemLack of Extra-Curricular

Activities

Lack ofIntervention Programmes

for struggling learners

Adverse Childhood Experiencesand Chronic Environmental

Stressors

1. Learner Apathy caused bypoverty, trauma, learning

difficulty2. Underachievement 30%

pass systemic tests3. School Dropout 1 in 20

finish high school

1. Opportunity todevelop a talent,skill or hobby is

minimal ornonexistant.

2. Whole-selfdevelopment isneglected in anumeracy and

literacy “resultsdriven” system.

1. Feelings of Isolation2. Poor Academic

Performance3. Behavioural

Problems4. Drug Abuse

5. Cognitive Lags

Undermining the healthy development of children

Participation in Extra-Curricular ActivitiesCreates balanced,confident learners

Movement and Exercise haveA positive impact on the brain andLearning.

Reading empowers learners to becomeindependent learners and to participatein a global society.

Connect and Collaborate With Us:

Visit our website:www.bottomup.biz

Join us on facebook:www.facebook.com/bottomup

View our Flickr Gallery:www.flickr.com/photos/bottomup

For General Enquiries: email: info@bottomup.bizContact Ashley or Helene:+2721 789 0657 (land line)+2783 406 2355 (mobile)Email: ashley@bottomup.biz or helene@bottomup.biz

Registrations & Accreditations:

Section 21: 2007/034081/08)NPO: 062-289NPOPBO: 930033314Bottomup is Section 18A approved. This means we can issueyou donation receipts for SARS tax deductions.

If you are interested in financial giving please visit our websiteor email us for banking details: info@bottomup.biz

MySchool /MyVillage: Reference No. : 11346

Mural Art done bylearners and facilitatedby Frances Theleen