LIST OF REQUESTS

PERSONAL MESSAGE

Hello, I’m Stephen Price. Since retiring from Bergvliet High School, I’ve embarked on a new journey as the caretaker principal of Lotus High. When I arrived, Lotus High was facing a myriad of challenges, being the lowest performing school in the Western Cape’s NSC exams in 2022.

In just four short months, we’ve ignited a transformation. From tackling high absentee rates to battling substance abuse, we’re instilling a newfound pride in our students. The result? Our matric pass rate soared from 32% to 49% in a single term, and we’ve even composed a school song to empower our students’ voices.

Despite these strides, Lotus High, a Quintile 5 school, is caught in a financial paradox. Historically seen as a school for middle-income families, our current demographic tells a different story. Most of our students come from Quintile 1 & 2 families, yet our funding hasn’t adjusted to this shift. We receive minimal financial support, barely covering the essentials, leaving little room for growth and development.

The annual school fee of R720 per learner is a steep mountain for many families here. Through this campaign, we aim to raise R720 for each student, which amounts to R60 per month. Meeting this goal would generate R350,000, a transformative sum that would pave the way for vital infrastructural improvements, enhancing both teaching and learning experiences.

How You Can Help:

• Sponsor a Student: A contribution of R720 can alter the trajectory of a student’s life.
• Spread the Word: Amplify our cause by sharing our story.
• Volunteer: Your time and skills are invaluable to us.

Every donation, no matter the amount, can make a significant difference. Whether it’s the full R720 or whatever you can afford, your contribution is a testament to the belief that it takes a “Village” to raise a child. This campaign is our collective effort to instil HOPE, show our children they are VALUED, and offer them a CHOICE in their future.

My goal is to leave Lotus High more STABLE, SUSTAINABLE, and liberated from the cycle of poverty that stifles our children’s potential. But I can’t do this alone—I need your support.

Join us in this mission by donating through our Backabuddy page. Help us reach our target of funding 100 students by the end of December. We’ve already raised R60,000 in just 10 days—your contribution could help us achieve even more by the year’s end!

‘Retired’ Principal Steps in to Turn Around WC’s Worst Performing School (goodthingsguy.com)

Thank you for your support,

Stephen Price

SCHOOL SONG

In the shadow of the mountains grand
0We strive to do our best
No challenge is too great for us
Just put us to the test
To make this glorious school of ours
A place for one and all
Along the paths, we’ll walk one day
To all lands far and wide
Each step we take, our voices sing
God bless our Lotus High.