The day began with an interactive presentation from Polyco, where our children learned about recycling and met Binny, their cheerful mascot. Shoprite’s Act for Change team was ready with their soup truck and warm cups of soup that brought comfort and care as the rain began to fall.

Afterwards, the children took part in a clean-up that ended at Packa-Ching, where they applied what they had just learned; rinsing, sorting and dropping off their waste, ready for the recycling process to begin.

Capitec added to the excitement with fun quizzes, games and encouragement, and each child received a backpack to take home. The afternoon ended with boerie rolls and bright smiles but what stayed with us most was the message: Youth Day is about more than remembering. It is about equipping young people to lead the change, right where they are

Our littlest VUSA stars from Likhwezi Educare kicked off the second term with great excitement as they joined the Bishops Pre-Prep Sports Morning. A huge thank you to the wonderful Pre-Prep staff for creating such a warm, fun space for our children, and to the Bishops parents who cheered along the VUSA children as well as their own, helping them feel confident and celebrated. Beyond the races and playful relays, the morning gave our team valuable insight into age-appropriate motor skills in action, which we are excited to continue to adapt into our own Active Programme to continue supporting our children’s physical development.

This term’s parent event, themed “Be a Rock Instead of Sand,” focused on being steady and present for our children during uncertain times. The children were part of the session, listening in as parents shared, and responding. It was a simple but meaningful workshop that highlighted the value of showing up for one another.

Thank you to the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt, The Parent Centre and the Western Cape Education Department for helping us make this possible.

Invited by the Bishops Interact Club and supported by the Rotary Club of Claremont, our children joined the Fun Frenzy event hosted at SACS. The Rustenburg Girls’ High School Interact Club also helped make the day special with their warm support. It was a day full of laughter, fun, and connection, showing the power of young people coming together. We are grateful to everyone involved for including our children.

What an energising few weeks it was at the VUSA Hub! We wrapped up the “Reading for Meaning Saturdays”, an impactful collaboration between Taqa Africa and Ubumbo that brought stories to life across three inspiring weekends. Through engaging sessions in isiXhosa, English, and Afrikaans, our children grew in confidence as they explored language through fun, expressive storytelling. We appreciate everyone who shared their time, energy and creativity, transforming each session into more than just a reading space but a place of connection and learning. A special thank you to the DHL Stormers for joining in and helping to create moments the children will remember for a long time. We are proud to be part of a growing movement that champions bilingual education and puts children, language, and literacy at the heart of everything.

Our teams faced Bishops, Collegians, Fish Hoek, Kirstenhof, Wynberg, Sun Valley, Wet Pups this term, both home and away. Each match brought its own lessons, but the real wins came through teamwork, growth and the courage to keep showing up.

A special highlight was our game against Bishops, and to the children’s surprise, a quick hello from one of their biggest Rugby Heroes, Siya Kolisi. That moment lit up the day and reminded us how powerful role models can be.

We are grateful to our coaches who continue to lead with heart and consistency. Week after week, they create safe spaces for our children to grow, not just as players but as people.

At VUSA, rugby has never been just about sport. It is about resilience, support and becoming part of something bigger.

Behind every match day and outing is the quiet reliability of our transport partners. Thanks to the support of the HCI Foundation and Golden Arrow, our children travel to and from events safely and comfortably. Whether it is an early morning fixture or a weekend outing, we can rely on them to get our children where they need to be.

For many of our children, these trips are more than just a ride - it’s access. These outings are often their first time exploring areas outside their immediate community. Golden Arrow drivers greet us with patience and a smile, and every journey becomes part of the experience.

We are grateful to Golden Arrow and the HCI Foundation for making sure our children get to where they need to be and home again safely. Your support allows us to continue offering opportunities beyond the field and classroom, and we could not do it without you.

This Father’s Day, we celebrated all the incredible men who show up for our children, from fathers and coaches to mentors and role models.

Thank you to Langa Patrol, who not only stepped in to feed our children but who show up every day to keep our kids and staff safe.

Your strength, support and consistency are building a brighter future for us all.

When the Atlas Digibus starts working with Grade 4 learners, most of them speak very little English, yet they are expected to learn, write, and thrive in it. This shift from mother-tongue to English in Grade 4 is one of the biggest challenges our children face. The Digibus helps them catch up, but it is clear we need to do more. We are now working to secure funding for an earlier intervention in the foundation phase so that by the time the Digibus arrives, it is building on a strong base rather than starting from scratch.

In partnership with the Atlas Foundation and Coronation Fund Managers, who believe in more than potential. Their ongoing support keeps the Atlas Digibus moving and making a difference every day.

We have made a strong start to our renovations, thanks to the generosity and support of those who have already stepped forward. As we continue this important work, there are still a few items we need to complete the transformation of our space. If you or your business is able to assist in any way, whether through materials, services or time, we would be grateful. Every contribution helps us create a space where our children feel safe, proud and inspired to grow.