The John Walton Alumni Association, who will be officially launched over the Easter Weekend, will implement its first project at the school on Friday, 18 March 2011 at 10am, courtesy of a generous donation from students and staff members of the Stenden University (Qatar). In line with the business plan of the school and priority areas agreed to between the school and the Alumni Association, Friday will see the opening of the first computer centre at the school with the installation of 30 new computers and the required network facilities. The objective is to have at least 2 computer labs at the school that will ultimately facilitate the introduction of Computer Application Technology (CAT) as a subject at the school.

Nineteen students and three staff members from Stenden University Qatar will visit South Africa from 12 to 25 March.  The students have raised funds to support three projects focused around the education of young children in poor parts of the country. The other two projects are located in Port Alfred targeting repairs to a farm school and an informal Educare Centre.  Says interim alumni chairperson, Mr Alroy Taai, it was important for us to see the concrete implementation of at least one project coinciding with the launch of the Association. Even more exciting, Taai continues, is the fact that an announcement on the implementation of a major infrastructural project is eminent.

The alumni launch programme will also see the unveiling of a school song for the first time in the 38 year history of the school – written and composed by the daughter of one of the school’s alumnus. Another strategic project identified by the alumni to foster pride and ‘ownership’ around the Mama Walton brand, as the school is affectionately known amongst its alumni and the community. The other highlights of the programme which starts on Saturday, 23 April with a Golden Oldies evening at the Uitenhage Sports Club (opposite Central Field) include:

1.    Special Charity Church Service at Roselane Congregational Church on 24 April, starting at 16h00. A special offering will be taken during the service to capitalise a bursary fund for the school;
2.    26 April: HT Gamble Hall (starting at 10am) - Inaugural AGM where, amongst other things, the Association’s constitution will be adopted and the first Management Committee elected.
3.    26 April: Town Hall: Official launch of Alumni Association (cocktail evening), which coincides with the draw of the VW Polo raffle.
4.    29 April: Special School Assembly attended by Alumni-which will see the official unveiling of the school song at Assembly.

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Enquiries:

1.      Mr Alroy Taai: 072 4820423 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2.      Jeffrey du Preez: 082 3085578 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

3.      Lester Cunningham: 041-9881101/083 4615266 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it