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the official opening of Phase One of the Engineering & Design Faculty
Friday 7 February 2020: Headmaster Mr Jan de Waal and CEO of Berman Bros, Mr Saul Berman’s academic dream became a bricks and mortar reality when Wynberg Boys’ High School officially opened phase one of its new Engineering and Design Faculty.
Not only has WBHS led the way in introducing technical subjects into mainstream academic schooling with National Senior Certificate subjects included in Wynberg’s subject choices from grades 10 – 12 since 2018, it launched the biggest capital development project in the school’s history, celebrated today with the opening of phase one of the two-part R40 million project which changes not only the landscape of the school’s magnificent campus, but the future opportunities and careers of Wynberg students.
Says Mr de Waal, “The lack of technical skills within the workforce is evident and our aim is to produce young men already skilled in these areas, ready to go on and study engineering, architecture, construction or enter a trade in their field of choice was the driving concept behind this project“.
Engineers
Electronics and Construction are already in the Wynberg curriculum with a third option of either Automotive or Electrical Engineering planned to be introduced in 2021. Boys opting to take these subjects are required to do Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering and Graphics Design as a minimum requirement as well.
The courses include theory classes with a substantial practical component. Wynberg has been very fortunate to attract considerable interest in the new faculty and has received numerous offers of partnerships from businesses in the building and engineering industry. They are keen to partner with the school by offering job shadowing and mentoring from industry experts. Many of these businesses are willing to offer scholarships and internships to boys whilst they are at school or once they have matriculated.
Entrepreneurs
Wynberg is further delighted at the launch of an innovative Entrepreneurial Course included as a compulsory module within the Engineering and Design Faculty Subjects. Here boys will complete the blended learning course, designed by Edge Learning Media, to teach and equip them with essential business skills.
Without the partnership of industry, donors and Western Cape Education Department this project could never have become a reality and WBHS is extremely grateful to the donors for their support in helping shape the future of this generation.
Artists
Phase two of the project beginning in February 2020 will add additional teaching spaces, another workshop, and will include the Department of Visual and Creative Arts to be housed on the top floor of the new Design Faculty building. This new home will include an exciting new space, The Studio, for creation and display of artwork, which along with new modern art and theory rooms will offer additional possibilities for exhibitions, presentations and other related activities.
Art teacher, Mandy Colman: “Visual and Creative Arts develop invaluable lateral thinking and problem solving skills, and are growing in popularity as subjects at Wynberg. A spacious studio is important to give the boys a comfortable area to explore contemporary forms of art, such as installations and mixed media, which can demand a broad spatial canvas”.
Positioning the Visual and Creative Arts practical rooms and The Studio, away from the hustle and bustle of the main school buildings will allow budding young artists to immerse themselves in their artwork in a space conducive to creativity.
The Studio will display the work of current art students and Wynberg Old Boy artists with the intention of proving to students that a successful career in Art is an achievable reality.
“We are extremely excited with the new faculty and would like to thank our old boys, donors and sponsors for the generous contributions that allowed this project to become a reality”, says De Waal.
There are plans to share the facilities with Wynberg Girls’ High School as well as offering opportunities for the Adult Education Night School, CWESI, to run practical courses in the evenings.
Should you wish to get involved with this project, please contact Headmaster, Mr Jan de Waal, for further information.
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