Schools Letter to Parents COVID-19 - 16 March 2020

16 March 2020

Dear Parents

COVID 19 UPDATE: ADvTECH SCHOOLS AND THE PRESERVATION OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

As communicated this morning our schools will not be open from Wednesday 18 March. All activities including tours and excursions and sport events are also cancelled. We will reopen on 14 April 2020 – whether we do so on our school sites or in virtual classrooms will be determined in the next few weeks. The 11 days of schooling that will be missed by some of our schools will, as far as possible, be caught up and we will communicate a new school calendar shortly.

Our three term schools will join the other schools on a modified four term calendar.  

Many of you would already know that your children have been participating in digital classrooms. ADvTECH schools make use of a Microsoft product called MSTeams and from grade 4 each child is enrolled in a Team for each subject area. While some other applications are in use too we will be working predominantly on MSTeams, as we are able to support this centrally and we have the skills in all schools to support the teachers who have not made much use of Teams to date – especially those below Grade 4.

For what remains of this week the focus will be on testing and strengthening our virtual teaching capacity through our MSTeams capability – please will you ensure that your Grade 4 to 12 child logs in to each of their class teams at least every couple of days. Our teachers will be posting material periodically – particularly from the 31st when school would have resumed normally. Curriculum coverage will begin again on the 14th. Our teachers will remain at school for this week to ensure that we have all the Teams tested and operating.

New Teams for parents are being set up for the lower grades (000 to 3) and you will be sent your log in details – material will be made available in these teams to keep up with numeracy and literacy. Teachers will engage with you as parents on these Teams. Curriculum coverage will begin on the 14th but we will post material during the break to assist you and develop the habits we will need later.

You may use the stasysupport@iie.ac.za helpdesk if you are experiencing access problems for the MSTeams AFTER your teacher has contacted you to test the Team from home and AFTER determining that your teachers cannot help you – please be mindful that we have almost 70 000 school and tertiary families so please only use this helpdesk when your school is not able to help you.

Please be assured that we will, from the 14th, be prioritizing catch ups for Grade 12 and if we are able to resume contact teaching, we are planning weekend sessions for them. More detail will follow.

If you have a child in boarding school, please try to collect them by Wednesday and communicate with the school if you are not able to do so – we will have staff on site for them until Friday.

Actions required from our parents and communities

1. Please keep your contact details up to date with the school and on STASY.
2. Please monitor your school website and Facebook pages and your sms and e-mails.
3. Please keep an eye out for messages and instructions on the MSTeams testing this week and the resources we will post in the next few weeks.  
4. As we increase our use of technology, please keep an eye on your child’s online presence and behavior and contact us immediately in any case of cyber bullying. There is more than enough stress in this situation without us allowing any children to also endure being bullied.
5. Please only use sites such as the NICD and WHO and the new Department of Health WhatsApp for information – there is much misinformation and fake news spreading and it causes harm and distress. Please do not circulate unverified information.
6. Anyone who has come in to contact with an infected person or has personally been in a high incidence region please follow NICD and WHO protocols and contact your health practitioner telephonically. 14 days self-isolation is the very least we expect no matter what precautions you took while travelling and how well you may feel.  
7. Please follow all the recommendations from the above bodies in this period to slow the spread of this virus.
8. Please keep us posted if you or a family member or your child are directly impacted in this period. 
We join the President in confirming our confidence that the country will prevail as the community stands together.

#flattenthecurve

Yours sincerely

Dr Felicity Coughlan
Academic Director 

ADvTECH Updates

By Tamara Thomas July 7, 2025
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By Tamara Thomas July 1, 2025
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By Tamara Thomas June 30, 2025
ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH” or “the Company”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY DIRECTORS, A DIRECTOR OF A MAJOR SUBSIDIARY, PRESCRIBED OFFICERS AND THE GROUP COMPANY SECRETARY In terms of paragraphs 3.63 to 3.74 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements (“JSE Listings Requirements”), the following transactions, in respect of which prior written approval pursuant to paragraph 3.66 of the JSE Listings Requirements have been obtained, is hereby disclosed.
By Tamara Thomas June 27, 2025
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By Tamara Thomas June 27, 2025
It is undeniable that AI in education, even though still in relative infancy, has a multiplier effect on student outcomes. An overview of the substantial impact of individualised learning on student performance over the past few years, combined with an insight into daily advances in real life, has the potential to raise concern about the role of human educators in classrooms. Are teachers becoming obsolete? Not quite. While it is true that AI’s role is growing by the day, it is in fact not replacing teachers, but rather changing the role of teachers, an education expert says. “We have, over the past 3 years, seen a 20% improvement in student performance, with AI and individualised learning having become the order of the day,” says Desiree Hugo, Academic Head at ADvTECH Schools. AI in education isn’t a case of students having access to ChatGPT – it is a vastly more considered strategy leveraging proprietary tools and platforms. ADvTECH’s ADvLEARN Intelligent Tutoring System is a prime example, utilising AI to craft individualised learning paths that allow students to advance at their own speed. This system empowers data-guided instruction while fostering independent learning across various subjects. “Adaptive learning technologies leverage data-driven analysis to personalise educational content, pacing, and assessments based on each student's unique needs. These solutions, which include intelligent tutoring systems and learning management platforms, enable educators to tailor instruction efficiently without increasing their workload, when integrated effectively,” says Hugo. “For students, this creates a customised, engaging, and encouraging experience, whether they’re building core skills or exploring complex topics. For educators, it delivers real-time insights to refine teaching approaches, ensuring all students achieve progress.” AI systems are fast moving in the direction of students being able to learn completely independently, which then raises the question – what about the teachers? Will in-person schools still be a thing? Or will future learning consist of young people working alone, in front of their screens? “Adopting best international practices in AI implementation is critical to staying at the forefront of educational excellence. However, the narrative around AI in education must be clear: AI is a powerful tool to support, not replace, teachers,” says Hugo. “The human element in teaching, in particular empathy, creativity, and mentorship, remains irreplaceable, and AI’s role is to enhance these supportive opportunities, ensuring teachers remain central to the learning experience, while time-consuming repetitive tasks become the domain of AI.” The integration of AI into education really is a best-case scenario, allowing overworked teachers to get back to their unique strengths, Hugo says. WHY TEACHERS WILL REMAIN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE While AI excels at processing data and delivering personalised content, it lacks the human qualities that ensures an exceptional, holistic education. In the age of AI, the role of teachers will remain important in the following areas: Emotional connection and empathy - Learning is deeply human, driven by relationships. Teachers understand students’ emotional needs, motivate them through challenges, and celebrate their successes. No algorithm can replicate the encouragement of a teacher who notices a student’s potential or the trust built through years of mentorship. Fostering creativity and critical thinking - AI can provide information, but teachers guide students to question, innovate, and think critically. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, skills like ethical reasoning, collaboration, and creative problem-solving, nurtured by teachers, are essential. Curricula, like the IEB, IB and Cambridge systems, emphasize these skills, and ADvTECH’s commitment to global standards positions its teachers as key drivers of this development. Cultural and contextual nuance - South Africa’s diverse educational landscape requires teachers who understand local contexts, languages, and cultural dynamics. Teachers bridge the gap between AI and real-life context, ensuring learning is relevant and inclusive. “The fear that AI will replace teachers stems from a misunderstanding of its purpose, combined with the stunning realisation of its ability to improve student outcomes. But AI is not a substitute for human connection. Rather, it is a catalyst for unlocking teacher potential. It empowers teachers to do what they do best: inspire, guide, and transform lives.  “Imagine a classroom where AI handles repetitive tasks, provides real-time student insights, and suggests tailored resources, while the teacher focuses on sparking debates, nurturing talents, and building confidence. This is the future that educational institutions must champion - a future where technology supports human excellence, not replaces it.”
By Tamara Thomas June 25, 2025
ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH” or “the Company”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY A PRESCRIBED OFFICER AND THE COMPANY SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY In compliance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements the following information is disclosed in respect of dealings in ADvTECH securities by a Prescribed Officer and the Company Secretary of the Company.
By Tamara Thomas June 23, 2025
ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH” or “the Company”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY PRESCRIBED OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATE OF A PRESCRIBED OFFICER OF THE COMPANY In compliance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements the following information is disclosed in respect of dealings in ADvTECH securities by ADvTECH Prescribed Officers and an associate of a Prescribed Officer.
By Tamara Thomas June 20, 2025
ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY PRESCRIBED OFFICERS, A DIRECTOR OF A MAJOR SUBSIDIARY, AND COMPANY SECRETARY: SHARE VESTING In compliance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements, the following transactions relating to prescribed officers, director of a major subsidiary and company secretary dealings are hereby disclosed, in terms of the provisions of the ADvTECH Management Share Incentive Scheme (MSI), regarding performance and retention shares that have vested after 3 years.
By Tamara Thomas June 19, 2025
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By Tamara Thomas June 10, 2025
Monde Nkosi presents his latest episode of the Education Investment Podcast in video on YouTube and audio on Spotify, Apple and all major podcast platforms https://linktr.ee/educationinvestment?utm_source=linktree_admin_share In this episode, Leading a Schools and Higher Education Group with Geoff Whyte (CEO of ADvTECH Group), we explore leadership in a combined schools and higher education group serving more than 100,000 students across multiple countries including South Africa, Kenya, Botswana and Ethiopia. Geoff presents his investment and social impact case for ADvTECH and independent education. Geoff also shares some personal stories about his journey from growing up in Scotland; to living and working in multiple countries including England, Russia and the Netherlands; and moving to South Africa in the late 1990s.