St. Mary's DCC

27/08/2025

✨💡 At St Mary’s DCC, children don’t just participate they lead! 🌟
This week, our amazing Grade 2s took charge of creating the Welcoming Board, filling it with colour, creativity, with the book Character they’ve been reading. 📚🌈👧🏽👦🏽
Their voices remind us that when children shine, our whole space comes alive! 💕🙌
👉

26/08/2025

📚✨ Grade 7 Book Showcase at DCC ✨📚
Our Grade 7 learners proudly shared their favourite books and the stories that inspire them. 💡 From exciting adventures in celebration of book week to heartwarming tales, each book reflects the joy and power of reading.
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” — Joseph Addison
Let’s keep encouraging a love for books and the imagination they unlock! 🌟📖

25/08/2025

📚✨ Book & Adventure at St Mary’s DCC ✨📚
What an adventurous journey into the world of books we had! 🚀💡
Our children took part in a creative and interactive “Book & Adventure” day where they:
🎨 Artistically decorated their favourite book covers with colour and imagination.
📖 Peer reading in action! Our Intermediate Phase (IP) learners became story guides, choosing small groups of Foundation Phase (FP) learners to read to and explore stories together.
The magic didn’t stop at reading – children also discussed the book content, shared ideas, and brought the stories to life in the most fun and meaningful way! 🌟
We are so proud of our little readers and artists who showed that books are not just for reading… they’re for adventure! 💛

25/08/2025

🌿🚶‍♂️ St Mary’s DCC Children & Scouts Hit the Trail! 🚶‍♀️🌿

As part of our Scouts fundraising adventures, the St Mary’s DCC Scouts organised an exciting hike from DCC to Grey Dam and wow, what an unforgettable journey it was! 🎉

The day was bursting with laughter, teamwork, and smiles all around. Even our tiniest adventurers from Grade R and Grade 1 joined in, walking with so much joy and excitement every step of the way! 💛

And guess what? This is only the beginning… we’ve got more fun-filled fundraising events lined up to keep supporting our incredible Scouts. 🌟

Thank you to everyone who cheered on our little explorers your support means the world! 💚

22/08/2025

✨ Protective Behaviours at St Mary’s DCC ✨
At St Mary’s DCC we believe that safeguarding our children is a shared responsibility. 💛
As part of our Protective Behaviours Programme, we empower children each quarter with practical skills to keep themselves safe. This includes:
✅ Learning and remembering their parents’ details.
✅ Understanding safety when they are home alone.
✅ Identifying their transport the driver’s name, contact details, and even the colour and model of the vehicle.
To make this fun and engaging, children received Safety License Cards with their parents’ information. They also created paper-bag houses with their home addresses and made wristbands with their parents’ cellphone numbers. 🏡📞
We were so proud to see our Grade 7 learners assisting the younger ones, showing true child participation and peer leadership. 🌟
Through these activities, we are building children’s confidence and awareness, helping them to stay safe wherever they are. 🌈

22/08/2025

🌟👏 Celebrating Excellence 👏🌟
Today we shine the spotlight on Nosipho Moyika from St Mary’s DCC Scouts Troop! 💚✨
Nosi has been nothing short of amazing and phenomenal in her journey with the Scouts. She has shown true courage, leadership, and love living out the values of Scouting in everything she does. 🌍🔥
We are so proud of you, Nosi! Keep inspiring our children and your peers showing us what dedication and heart can achieve. 💪🌟
Let’s all celebrate Nosi’s achievements in the link below! 🎉👏

https://www.facebook.com/100064631801938/posts/pfbid02xJF8bcXgE14XSUMGWezRYZYd8yvecJ9oi5VmTyz7DpBpkgPr6ohfbyCdeHaaNxcSl/?app=fbl

Meet Nosipho Moyikwa, Troop Scouter at Saint Mary’s DCC and a proud woman in Scouting!

In 2019, Nosipho Moyikwa was training as a Social Auxiliary at St Mary’s Development and Care Centre when she first encountered Scouts. “Weekly, student volunteers from Rhodes University would lead the Cub programme. I was drawn to the life skills, the outdoor education, and the strong sense of belonging the children found. I could see how Scouts was helping kids overcome challenges in their community. Starting out, I often felt underprepared. But, knowing I could lean on our Scout Group Leader and founder Anna Talbot Kinsler and on Centre staff for guidance, helped me persevere. Their trust and support helped me grow in confidence and skill.”

As someone living with a disability, Nosipho feels Scouting taught her that nothing can stop her from achieving her dreams or serving her community. “My proudest moment came during the 2021 River Rescue campaign. It showed me the power of caring for our environment, and in the process I earned my Warrant as Saint Mary’s DCC Troop Scouter. I also really enjoyed the spirit, the unity, and meeting new people at the Eastern Cape Kontiki.

I believe that small acts of kindness teach Cubs that they can make a real difference. My Troop’s steady growth means the world to me. Watching children learn new skills and seeing their pride makes me smile every day. I also draw strength from my Regional Commissioner, Mr Neil O’Brien, and the East London Troop Scouters. They remind me that it’s never too late to start over.”

Her advice to young women in Scouting: ”Believe in yourself. Keep going until you see the light. Women can lead change if given the chance!” This is advice she applies in her own life too as she supports social auxiliary students in gaining confidence and leadership, proof that Scouts builds life skills. To Nosipho, being a woman in her community means serving quietly but powerfully. It means giving children role models and a place to belong - courageously.

By Caroline Boshoff, SSA Youth Influencer
Eastern Cape South - Scouts

13/08/2025

This week, we partnered with the Rhodes University Psychology Department to guide our Grade 4 & 5 learners through why we have emotions and how to handle them in healthy ways.
💡 Why Do We Have Emotions?
Emotions are our body’s way of telling us what’s happening inside and around us:
😊 Happiness – something good is happening.
😢 Sadness – we care about something we lost.
😡 Anger – something feels unfair.
😨 Fear – there might be danger.
✨ What Makes Us Emotional?
• Events: winning a prize 🏆 or losing a game.
• People: kind friends 🤝 or someone being mean.
• Thoughts: remembering something happy or scary.
• Our body: feeling hungry, tired, or sick.
🥤 The Coke Experiment – Suppression vs Regulation
We showed the class what happens when you keep emotions bottled up!
• Shake a Coke bottle without opening it.
• Open suddenly → 💥 explosion! That’s suppression – keeping feelings inside until they burst.
• Open slowly → gentle fizz. That’s regulation – letting feelings out in a calm, healthy way.
🌟 Ways to Regulate Emotions:
🗣 Talk with someone you trust
💭 Use kind thoughts – “I can handle this.”
🎭 Activity – What Emotions Are They Feeling?
Through pictures and role-play, learners spotted emotions, shared why someone might feel that way, and suggested healthy responses.
Because when children learn to understand their emotions, they learn to understand themselves 💛

11/08/2025

🌟 DCC Heroes in Action 🌟

At St Mary’s Development and Care Centre, we believe every child has the power to uplift another — and that peer support is one of the most beautiful lessons we can nurture.

💛 Meet our two incredible young heroes: Athandwa Tala and Uyanda Gotyi.

Athandwa has gone above and beyond to support his friend Uyanda, carrying their friendship beyond the DCC walls and into the community. From reading together at home using DCC books, to encouraging one another during daily activities, their bond is a shining example of kindness, leadership, and growth.

Thanks to Athandwa’s consistent support, Uyanda has blossomed especially in reading and Scouts where his confidence, curiosity, and leadership now shine brightly.

Their story is a powerful reminder that our programmes go far beyond academic learning. They build empathy, responsibility, and teamwork that ripple through homes, schools, and communities.

✨ Every day, our children show us that even the smallest act of kindness can spark big change.

11/08/2025

💙 Fathers Matter Too – Building a Brotherhood & Sisterhood Society 💜
The Makhanda Children’s Rights Coalition and St Mary’s DCC, in partnership with the Department of Social Development and the Khulumani Support Group, proudly hosted a transformative Fathers Matter Too event.
What began as a day to highlight fathers’ inclusion in child development soon grew into a powerful movement for Children empowerment. The conversations shifted towards equipping young men to become positive role models and community heroes, while also inspiring young women to stand alongside them not in competition, but in solidarity creating a society rooted in brotherhood and sisterhood.
🌟 Key takeaways from the day:
1️⃣ Self-respect & self-awareness – Understanding your worth, values, and the role you play in building a better community.
2️⃣ Mutual respect & support Young women being mindful of young men’s emotions, and both lifting each other up to succeed together.
3️⃣ Community responsibility Recognising that positive change starts with us, and that every voice matters.
Learners from Nathaniel Nyaluza High School participated with enthusiasm and honesty, sharing real-life perspectives and calling for ongoing dialogues and school-to-school engagements to keep this movement alive.
💬 Together, we are shaping a generation grounded in respect, empathy, and unity one conversation at a time.

05/08/2025

📣 Dear Fathers, Brothers, and Guardians
You are kindly invited to our special event:
🎉 Fathers Matter Too
📍 Venue: St Mary’s Development and Care Centre (DCC)
📅 Date: 9 August 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 13:00 PM
Join us for an inspiring and empowering day where we shine a spotlight on the vital role fathers and male caregivers play in a child’s life. 💙
Expect real conversations, shared experiences, and powerful reflections on nurturing children, parental involvement, and positive fatherhood. 👨‍👧‍👦✨
Let’s grow together, learn together, and build stronger families and communities.
See you there!

05/08/2025

🌟 HEALTH DAY CELEBRATION BRINGS HOPE, HEALING & TOGETHERNESS! 🌟
What an incredible Mandela Day at St Mary’s DCC! 💛💉🩺
The community came out in numbers—107 community members showed up to access free health services from passionate health professionals who gave their time, love, and expertise freely. 🙌🏽
But it didn’t stop there! ✨ Over 100 children from Kingswood College, along with 4–5 amazing teachers, created a magical space full of play and storytelling for the little ones. Pure joy! 🧸📚🎈
💫 Special shoutout to our heroes of the day 💫
👏 Dr Swanepoel
👏 South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
👏 Department of Social Development
👏 Association for Persons with Disabilities
👏 Dr Davies Optometrist
👏 Dr Moller
👏 Rhodes University Community Engagement
👏 South African National Blood Services
👏 Mr Weston Du Plessis
👏 Mr Isaac
👏 Sir Oliphant
👏 Mr Gert & Lindo from DSG
Lebone Centre
Your generosity and dedication made this day unforgettable! 💙💚
Together, we are building a healthier, more connected community!

26/06/2025

🌟 Day 1 | Teacher Development Workshop 🌟
Yesterday was the first day of an inspiring two-day Teacher Development Workshop hosted by the St Mary’s Development and Care Centre in Makhanda. The workshop brought together passionate educators from a variety of local schools, including Grahamstown Primary, George Dickerson Primary, St Mary’s Primary, Ntaba Maria Primary School and Good Shepard Primary School.
The sessions created a valuable space for sharing experiences, learning together, and building support among teachers. Topics explored included:
🧠 The everyday challenges faced by teachers
🚸 Barriers to learning that impact learners in the classroom
💚 Self-management and mental health for educators
It was a powerful day of reflection, growth, and solidarity reminding us that investing in teachers is investing in the future of our children.