Inanda Seminary 2009-2010 Report
2010 Enrollment at Inanda Seminary is 392 and the dormitories are filled to capacity. There are 15 classes in the school, three classes per grade. Any further enrollments are limited to new students coming into eighth grade each year or to fill spaces created when other students leave.
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
KwaZulu-Natal Region
June 2009 to March 2010
2010 Enrollment at Inanda Seminary is 392 and the dormitories are filled to capacity. There are 15 classes in the school, three classes per grade. Any further enrollments are limited to new students coming into eighth grade each year or to fill spaces created when other students leave.
Inanda emphasizes staff development both through in-service training offered by the Seminary and external courses and workshops. Examples of some recent staff development opportunities are a conference focusing on 21st Century thinking skills, bereavement workshop, and math camps.
Student Opportunities
Leadership opportunities have been expanded for the current grade 12 students. The areas now include first-aid monitors, recycling monitors, technical monitors (for chapel and events), orientation monitors, events and function monitors (for property and catering), hair and uniform monitors, and health and safety monitors. Leadership training has been offered in most areas.
Academic Issues
Inanda students achieved a 100 percent pass rate for the last year.
Inanda Seminary was an official site for National Science Week held during the first week of August. This provided the school with a contribution of R17 000 (US$2,210) from the Department of Science and Technology to host a program of events for the school and community.
Extracurricular
Inanda participated with other schools in the Durban leagues of netball, softball, touch rugby, karate, cross country, and volleyball. Two teams won bronze medals in the action netball league at the end of last season.
The newly formed band performed in the National Field Band competition during the September holidays. They placed third in color guard, first in percussion, and third overall. The Band is invited regularly to play at functions – community, provincial, and at the stadium in Durban for soccer games.
Administrative and Financial Matters
The school is in a healthy financial position where the fees and a small government subsidy fund the running of the school – salaries, general maintenance and boarding. This is despite the regional Education Department notifying Inanda of an immediate cut of 30 percent of its subsidy. This had a direct impact on the fee increase for 2010 as the school had to cover this loss of income. Inanda still is reliant on other income to deal with major maintenance projects.
In 2009, donations and grants totaled nearly R 1million (US$130,000). Inanda is very grateful to these sponsors of the Seminary. These include monies from Global Ministries and other sources.
Events
2009 was celebrated as the140th year of Inanda Seminary. The theme of the year was “From those to whom much has been given, much is required.” The Sports Festival, an Environment Awareness Week, an evening of reunion for Old Girls (alumnae), and an inspiring At Home were some events that took place in the latter part of the year. Inanda also attended the eThekwini Mayoral Awards function for schools with a 100 percent pass rate.
Property
The estate of an Inanda supporter and the Natal Women’s Resource Centre donated funds for a swimming pool at the Inanda Seminary. This gift reflected the donor’s desire that all girls should learn how to swim.
Phelps Hall, which offers the most student housing was in need of routine maintenance and the building (excluding bathrooms) has recently been repainted. Bunk beds were purchased to create more floor space and have improved the dormitories.
Work began March 2010 on the extension of the existing sports center to convert it into a new dining hall. The existing dining hall will be refurbished to act as the sports centre.