5 MARCH 2011

109 Teachers arrived for facilitation training on 5 March 2011 at the Conference Park in Rivonia. They were transported by bus from various pick-up points in Gauteng. The teachers were divided into three separate groups; each group was facilitated by two competent and highly qualified facilitators. The facilitators were Eloise Botha, Ananda Wassenaar, Lindiwe Ndaba, Dineo Morabe, Nadine Smit and Karin Petzer. The teachers’ activities were conducted following a highly structured programme.

 

 

SESSION	TIME	TOPIC
DAY 1 – 5 MARCH 2011
1	8:30 – 9:00	REGISTRATION AND TEA
2	9:00 – 9:15	WELCOME AND ICE BREAKER
3	9:15 – 9:30	SETTING OBJECTIVES AND TIME FRAMES
4	9:30 – 10:00	MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
5	10:00 – 10:30	VISION AND SWOT ANALYSIS
6	10:30 – 10:45	TEA
7	10:45 -11:15	THE ROLE OF THE FACILITATOR
8	11:15- 11:30	PARTICIPATORY VS CONVENTIONAL TRAINING
9	11:30 – 12:30	PRACTICAL SESSION 1 - THEORY
10	12:30 – 13:00	LUNCH
11	13:00 – 14:00	PRACTICAL SESSION 2 - PRACTICAL
12	14:00 – 14:15	EVALUATION OF FACILITATOR
13	14:15 – 14:45	FEEDBACK
14	14:45 – 15:00	COMPLETE FEEDBACK FORMS AND CONCLUSION
BUSES LEAVE AT 3:05
DAY 2 – 12 MARCH 2011
1	8:30 – 9:00	REGISTRATION AND TEA
2	9:00 – 9:15	WELCOME AND ICE BREAKER
3	9:15 – 9:30	SETTING OBJECTIVES AND TIME FRAMES
4	9:30 – 10:00	REVIEW 5 MARCH 2011
5	10:00 – 10:30	CULTURAL DIVERSITY
6	10:30 – 11:00	EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND DEALING WITH ADVERSITY
7	11:00 – 11:15	TEA
9	11:15- 12:30	PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 1
10	12:30 – 13:00	FEEDBACK
11	13:00 – 13:30	PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 2 PART 1
11	13:30 – 14:00	LUNCH
12	14:00 – 14:30	PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 2 PART 2
13	14:30 – 14:45	FEEDBACK
14	14:45 – 15:00	COMPLETE FEEDBACK FORMS AND CONCLUSION
BUSES LEAVE AT 15:05

Teachers were shown how to assess their own strengths, recognise their weaknesses, and consider their opportunities and threats. We briefly looked at crafting a vision and the importance of personal well-being as a pre-requisite for success in the classroom. Teachers then followed a step by step approach to analysing what makes a successful facilitator. They gained theoretical knowledge in how to facilitate meetings effectively and the key principles of facilitation namely;

• Preparation
• Begin the meeting correctly
• Start the session
• Manage the different types of participants
• Manage dysfunction
• Reach consensus
• Reward functional behaviour
• Close properly.

After lunch all teachers applied the theoretical knowledge in a practical session where they chose a facilitator in small groups of 8-10. They compiled either a grade policy or homework policy. The feedback was conducted and shared with the whole group. Sessions ended at 15:00 and teachers were transported back to their districts by bus. Please refer to feedback forms for teacher’s response to training.

12 MARCH 2011

120 Teachers arrived by bus for training at Conference Park in Rivonia. Sessions started with revision (briefly) of the knowledge they learned and the work covered on the 5th March 2011. Teachers were then asked to choose a facilitator from the group for a medium-sized group session. They were instructed to compile a brochure, talk or report on nutrition in schools in a group with the facilitator they had chosen. Facilitators allowed the teachers to present their product in any medium. The outcome of the activity was outstanding. After lunch was time for the staff meeting. The whole group chose a facilitator and all 30-40 teachers in the group were facilitated by this one person. Excellent decisions were taken and teachers also practiced dealing with difficult situations using the theory learned on the 5th March 2011 Training was done by 15:00 and teachers reported favourably that they acquired some very good skills for the challenges of group meetings at their schools. Please refer to feedback forms for teacher’s response to training.