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VIDEO: St. Mary's South Africa Visit 2019
New video made available!
New video made available!
St. Mary's South Africa Visit 2019 News Stories
Libby Woffenden receives the Diana Award at the UK Parliament
Libby took part in the St. Mary’s 2018 visit to South Africa.
Libby took part in the St. Mary’s 2018 visit to South Africa.
On Monday 1 July 2019,Libby received her Diana Award on behalf of The Bambisanani Partnership from Wayne Bulpitt CBE. Warmest congratulations to Libby for this achievement.
Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, The Diana Award is the most prestigious accolade a young person aged 9-25 years can receive for their social action or humanitarian work. It is the longest running award for young people that is given to individuals and groups through a retrospective nomination process only. The Diana Award believe this is special because young people do not work towards the award, rather they demonstrate their suitability through their actions, without any expectation of reward.
The day ended with an opportunity of a lifetime. A private tour of the House of Lords by Angela Harris, Baroness Harris of Richmond. An opportunity to sit in the second Chamber of the United Kingdom Parliament and listen to a debate – seeing democracy in action! Thank you to the Baroness and thank you to Mr Harvey at St. Mary’s Menston for arranging the tour opportunity.
““When both teaching and sitting in on St. Mary’s student taught lessons at Mynakanya, it was incredible to see the enthusiasm of each student for every subject. In my geography lesson, even though the students had very little exposure to the subject, they all got involved at every opportunity. For example, some students asked me to write down what we had said to ensure they wouldn’t forget it, and others took pictures of notes and maps on the board. I found this determination and dedication to learning very inspiring.””
““Collecting the Diana Award on behalf of the 2018 Bambisanani Visit was an incredible opportunity which I will cherish for a long time. Learning about the work of the current and past award holders that I spoke to was both extremely inspiring and motivating. The opportunity to participate in the morning workshop taught me skills which I will carry forward into future interviews and public speaking that I do.
The awards ceremony, in The House of Lords, was a great way to bring the experience together as we all gathered to receive our awards and listen to inspirational guest speakers, such as Amika George, who was named as one of the most influential teenagers in the world in 2018. Finishing the day with a private tour of the House of Lords from Baroness Harris of Richmond was an amazing experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity.
My Bambisanani experience from start to finish has taught me lessons I will take with me and cherish throughout my life.””
New Trustee for Bambisanani Partnership Board
David Thorpe has recently joined the Bambisanani Partnership charity Board of Trustees. A former St. Mary’s Menston student, David attended the London School of Economics before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
David Thorpe has recently joined the Bambisanani Partnership charity Board of Trustees. A former St. Mary’s Menston student, David attended the London School of Economics before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
David Thorpe, Bambisanani Partnership Trustee
With vast experience working in both the Public and Private sectors, at Senior and Chief Executive level, he has operated nationally and internationally including working with Government Departments.
Clearly delighted with his appointment David said:
“I have joined the Bambisanani Partnership Board because I have been inspired by the accomplishments of the partnership and the life changing impact it has had on both the communities in South Africa and in Leeds through St Mary’s School, Leeds Trinity University and the University of Leeds. As a practising catholic I aspire to make a difference and through the invaluable work the charity is pursuing I believe this represents an opportunity to contribute to changing the lives of those most in need. I strongly believe in the values that the Bambisanani Board upholds, such as teamwork, dedication and above all creating opportunities through sport and education. It is these values that I believe have been fundamental to the partnership’s success and look forward to playing an active role in shaping the future of the project.”
Bambisanani Founder and Chairman, David Geldart said:
“It is absolutely wonderful to have David join the team. He has the expertise, experience, motivation and commitment to help take the charity to the next level. We have ambitious plans for the future that will expand and extend our work in one of South Africa’s most deprived areas using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership; David’s appointment brings us a step nearer to achieving this.”
David will join existing Board Members David Geldart, Darren Beardsley, Barbara Pounder, Diane Maguire and Andrew Lockwood who lead the work of the charity.
Bambisanani Partnership Assemblies to Primary Schools
Primary schools in our Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are going to raise money for a sock appeal.
Primary schools in our Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are going to raise money for a sock appeal.
They will raise money and then our charity we will buy school uniform socks to give to the students of Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Bambisanani Partnership inspires at International conference in Australia
David Geldart, the founder and Chairman of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership, was recently invited to speak at the Australian Council for Health and Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia
David Geldart, the founder and Chairman of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership, was recently invited to speak at the Australian Council for Health and Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia
From Left to Right:
John Stokes CEO ACHPER, Pierre Comis, Sport Australia, David Geldart, Bambisanani Partnership, Dr Shane Pill, ACPHER President
The conference, one the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracted delegates from over forty nations. At the conference, David Geldart explained the foundation, development and impact of the charity’s work in South Africa, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of the countries most deprived rural areas. The presentation highlighted the pioneering work of St. Mary's School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University in the partnership and encouraged other schools, colleges and universities from around the world to also become involved in similar projects, stressing the mutual benefits for all concerned.
““The 2019 ACHPER International Conference was a showcase where contemporary and innovative physical education, health and sport practices were presented to over 300 professionals from Australia and overseas. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for international presenters to highlight their work in many different settings. One of the outstanding international presentations was made by David Geldart from the Bambisanani Partnership. David’s unique insights on a project that uses sport to change the lives of children in one one South Africa’s poorest regions struck a chord with all attendees. It demonstrated the vision, commitment and dedication of the partnership in truly making a difference to the lives of children in another country. Attendees had many take-aways from the presentation including the power of working together (partnership), the importance of the teaching profession to inspire, motivate and lead and the impact of global leadership and citizenship in influencing young lives in a positive long-term way. The Bambisanani Partnership is an inspirational story with an inspirational message.” ”
““The Bambisanani Partnership demonstrates how sport for development has the potential to change and enrich lives beyond the playing field. The project represents a powerful demonstration of what education in, through and about sport can be.””
““With the conference theme of ‘Enriching Communities’ the inspirational Bambisanani Partnership was a perfect fit. Teachers and other educators in attendance in the large workshop audience could see that something that is now a long term arrangement and making such a positive impact upon so many lives could start with a decision that they to could make, to join together with an underserved or impoverished community. This session was highly valued and we hope that David will consider visiting our shores again.””
““I was touched and inspired by the presentation made by David Geldart. The proactive values of community development and building capacity for action and learning of the young people and their adult supporters, both in the UK and South Africa were admirable. Powerful stories were told of the real differences this made in the lives of the participants and in their communities. David’s presentation highlighted the need for rigorous planning and preparation for the experience. It also illustrated the power of learning in the partnership of which the impacts were evident. It would be great to see further research systematically capturing these powerful stories of change and the impact on attitudes, life outcomes and community well being.””
The Australian Institute of Sport
““I was delighted that David Geldart recently presented at the ACHPER conference in Canberra, Australia on the topic of the Bambisanani Partnership which represents a truly authentic approach to educating children about health, global citizenship and leadership. St Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University should be applauded for creating and developing this inspiring project which uses sport to positively connect pupils from different cultures. It is a clear win-win innovation with boundless benefits for children in the UK as well as those in a deprived region of South Africa. The partnership clearly has the power to change lives for the good and develop long-standing friendships across nations. Many schools around the world would benefit from knowing more about this partnership and adopting similar innovative approaches to genuinely enhancing children’s lives.””
““The ACHPER International Conference has a world wide reputation for its influence and it was a tremendous honour and privilege to be invited to speak at the iconic Australian Institute of Sport about the Bambisanani Partnership. It is great to be able to celebrate the tremendous work of the Bambisanani team members and my hope is always that someone in the audience will see the potential in themselves or in their own institution and ‘pick up the baton’. The potential for genuine ‘two way’ learning through such programmes is limitless. Some great connections have been made in Australia and I cannot thank the ACPHER organising committee enough for the opportunity.””
Copies of the highly acclaimed Bambisanani book 'Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together' were presented at the Conference to ACPHER President Dr Shane Pill and to Pierre Comis from Sport Australia.
The Conference programme
Poster for the presentation
Bambisanani Talk at The Rotary Club of Aireborough
Lucy Hings and Lily Humphreys (Year 13) gave an informative talk to the members of The Rotary Club of Aireborough on 27 November 2018 at Horsforth Golf Club.
Lucy Hings and Lily Humphreys (Year 13) gave an informative talk to the members of The Rotary Club of Aireborough on 27 November 2018 at Horsforth Golf Club.
Photo: The members said it was a splendid evening
Article published in the Physical Education Matters Journal Autumn 2018
“Volunteering Work in South Africa reaches new heights”
“Volunteering Work in South Africa reaches new heights”
Read the article:
