RET Centre adds school building

MOKOPANE – “We are so much more than just a school,” says Mokopane Destiny Academy (MDA) principal Fred van der Merwe. “We are making a difference in the lives of our learners and allowing them to settle into  secure futures with confidence.”
Learners will start 2017 in a new, double-story 1012 m² school building situated at the Resource, Education and Training (RET) Centre on the corner of Geyser and Fourie Streets.
The school was founded in 2006 with 14 learners by Ps. Thomas and Minda Marshall from Destiny Alive Ministries. “Our children have since graduated from MDA and it is part of our vision to continue to invest in the future of Mokopane’s youth,” says Thomas Marshall. “We are proud of the teachers and staff employed at MDA who have proven that their hearts beat for the country’s next generation.” 
“This is only phase one, long-term plans are underway to expand further and to continue investing in the children of this town,” he says, adding that we, as a community, have a responsibility to equip our children to become the leaders of tomorrow.
The school, currently situated in Schoeman Street, will be able to expand from 84 learners to about 210 learners. Registrations for the 2017’s Grade 1's have started and MDA will be able to cope with an influx of learners while keeping the ratio between children and educators favourable (1:8). MDA has ten qualified teachers as well as several teacher assistants and offers education for Grade 1-12 along with additional programs to improve reading (Lab-on-Line) and mathematics (Mathletics). MDA will add a media centre and science lab in the new building. The school also offers sports, including soccer, gymnastics and MiniChess.
MDA introduced the Cambridge international senior qualification earlier this year, making it the only private school in the Mokopane-area to offer this sought-after curriculum. “Cambridge qualifications have a proven reputation for being an excellent preparation for university, employment and life beyond,” says Cambridge International Examinations’ Mark Barber on the Cambridge web site. Cambridge IGSCE and Cambridge International AS and A-Level are recognised by universities and employers worldwide as evidence of academic ability.“As a school which follows Christian values, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with parents to enable children to make a difference in their community,” says Van der Merwe. “We are teaching these children how to live and not only how to make a living.”
For information, contact MDA during school hours on 015 491 2049 or email: office@mda4life.com.