PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Bahia Formosa Primary School has become the first international school outside of the UK to be accredited as part of The Harmony Project.
On Thursday, 13 February, the accreditation ceremony, hosted by the Kwendalo wellness centre, was endorsed by the founder of The Harmony Project, Professor Richard Dunne.
Teaching approach
Dunne is visiting from the UK to engage with other schools in the area to promote The Harmony Project's principle-based approach to teaching in primary schools.
The Harmony Project is a UK educational charity that develops a unique way of learning and teaching in schools.
Introduced strategy
In 2021, Dr John Cavill, the owner of Kwendalo and a trustee of The Harmony Project, approached Bahia Formosa Primary School principal Sarie du Plessis, to introduce the Harmony teaching strategy.
Richard Dunne with learners at the Kwendalo centre during the accreditation event Photo: Riaan Jordaan
The aim was to pilot the school as the first outside of the UK to become a Harmony school and incorporate the principles into the CAPS curriculum.
Project phased in
Du Plessis immediately came on board and decided to phase in the project, starting with Grade 3.
Under the guidance of Natasha Wilbert, the Harmony project coordinator, and the team of enthusiastic teachers at Bahia Formosa, they successfully incorporated the principles into the CAPS curriculum.
Seven principals
The seven principles of The Harmony Project encourage a different way of thinking, linking theory to real-life examples and experiences based on nature.
Learning from this and applying it to the daily curriculum has inspired learners and teachers, transforming lives, communities, and academic results.
Shared experiences
The Grade 7 learners, the first class to start Harmony, attended the Thursday event.
They shared their experiences; how Harmony has changed their behaviour and academic performance, and how they can "learn from and with nature". This inspires leaders and ensures critical thinking.
Harmony's proven impact has been reflected in the Western Cape Education Department's results.
These results show that Bahia Formosa School has surpassed provincial averages since adopting the Harmony approach:
• Maths (end of Foundation Phase - grades 1-3)
2019: School: 24% | Province: 58%
2021: School: 69.2% | Province: 44.3%
2023: School: 73.2% | Province: 42.5%
• English (home language - end of Foundation
Phase)
2019: School: 24% | Province: 44.9%
2021: School: 84.6% | Province: 36.9%
2023: School: 73.3% | Province: 42.5%
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