New science lab for Trafalgar High

Trafalgar High school unveiled its new science lab on Tuesday.

It was made possible with support from Advancing Knowledge, a Lansdowne non-profit company; the Garden Cities Archway Foundation and the provincial education department.

The Archway Foundation is the social investment arm of the Garden Cities property development company.

Principal Salwa Southgate said the school was proud to receive such a generous donation from the three partners.

“It will give the pupils the opportunity to engage and interact with the technology and to renew their interest in their love and passion for science.”

Advancing Knowledge director Professor Shaheed Hartley said: “We are always committed to helping disadvantaged schools that show promise.”

His 93-year-old mother, Fatima Hartley, had been a pupil at Trafalgar High School many years ago.

Professor Hartley said his organisation had designed the lab, helped to train the teachers to use it and provided all the equipment.

Garden Cities Archway Foundation CEO John Matthews said: “We wanted to provide this for Trafalgar High to support the future education of our youth.”

The provincial education department said it had provided 40% of the R1.5 million funding for the project while the balance had been split equally by the other two sponsors.

The Trafalgar High lab is one of nine opened this year through the partnership at a total cost of more than R14 million.

Education MEC David Maynier said the partnership had provided science labs to 103 schools since 2011.

“Investing in the development of the labs and our teachers will empower our learners with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the sciences, and to take advantage of the career opportunities in scientific fields,” he said.