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Welcome to our 7th Edition of “Big School Buzz” and congratulations to all the winners
in our first “Reader Reward” treat, courtesy of Penguin Random House SA.
We trust that you will find this month’s edition of great value again as we
strive to provide you with ‘edunews’ you can really use – from
educational updates and lifestyle trends, to exciting
new product launches, technological breakthroughs,
and more. We’ll keep it light, fresh and informative,
and an absolute joy to read at all times. Please
feel free to pass it on to your fellow
colleagues, friends and family as we grow
the “Big School Community”, together.
And do keep in touch!
Yours sincerely
Editor & Crew
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------Chess Improves Academic Performance Amongst Children. Chess is a
classic game of strategy, invented more than 1500 years ago in India.
Legend has it that the ruler of India asked his wise men to devise a way
to teach the children of the royal family to become better thinkers and
better generals on the battlefield – chess was the result. The value of
chess for children may be much more than mere entertainment and amusement. Many parents,
teachers and researchers are convinced that “Chess Makes Kids Smart” (a slogan coined by the
USA Chess Federation). Chess has long been recognised throughout the world as a builder of
strong intellects and its ability to improve the cognitive skills, rational thinking and reasoning of
even the least promising of children. Chess increases mental prowess, instils a sense of selfconfidence and self-worth, and improves communication and pattern recognition skills. It
teaches the core values of hard work, concentration, objectivity and commitment and develops
a child’s mind, in a fun and engaging manner. >>>
Raising Bookworms – Why Reading For Pleasure Matters. Extensive
research proves that children who read for pleasure on a regular basis
will gain advantages that last a lifetime. The academic benefits of a
strong leisure reading habit are certainly not confined to improved
reading ability alone. Leisure reading makes students more articulate,
develops higher order reasoning, and promotes critical thinking along the way. And of course,
it’s imperative that your children see you reading for pleasure too in your spare time – an activity
with a purpose, so to speak. >>>
Big School® Buzz #7/2015. Copyright © 2015 by Big School® Enterprises. www.bigschooladventure.com
The Crayola Experience – discovering the magic of colour. The Crayola
Experience, located in the heart of downtown Easton, Pennsylvania
(USA), is the only place in the world where the true magic of Crayola
comes to life. Here, you are encouraged to let your creativity run free,
to colour outside the lines and to play, explore and learn to your heart’s
content. This one-of-a-kind attraction is where colour, chemistry and
technology magically combine to create a colourful adventure, for both young and old. >>>
Show Moms The Love They Deserve This Mother’s Day. The Children’s
Hospital Trust asks you to pay tribute to all of the moms who keep vigil
at their children’s bedsides at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s
Hospital. Celebrate your own mom by making a very special donation in
lieu of a Mother’s Day Gift via Groupon. 100% of all donations will go to
the Children’s Hospital Trust, and they may be as little as R50. You’ll also
receive an e-card to give your mom to show her just how much you really care. The Children’s
Hospital Trust raises funds for the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, where 260000 critically ill or
injured little patients are taken care of each year. And all the moms need our thoughts and
support too. Visit the Groupon site to contribute to Mother’s Day in the most special and loving
way that you can. >>>
MiniChess™ Educational Programme – empowering young minds for a
bright future. Developed by dynamic entrepreneur, Marisa van der
Merwe, “Shoprite-Checkers Woman of the Year 2012” recipient
(Education Category), and borne out of her immense passion for early
childhood development. This award winning programme, endorsed by the
Kasparov Chess Foundation, links chess concepts with Maths, Science
and Life Skills, and is aimed primarily at 5-9 year old children. >>>
Ster-Kinekor’s “Vision Mission” is the Group’s flagship CSI programme.
Vision Mission is a CSI project initiated and administered by SterKinekor and its corporate partners to assist the youth in underprivileged
communities by identifying and assisting those children with vision
problems. Funds for this worthy cause are raised through Ster-Kinekor
Theatres, its customers and the general public – who can make donations
as small as R2.50 when booking movie tickets, either through the self-service terminals in SterKinekor cinemas nationwide, or on the company’s corporate website. >>>
Big School Buzz Fast Fact Corner:
UNSUBSCRIBE

Oreo Pop-Up Café now buzzing at The Zone in Rosebank. >>>

Lego unveils innovative virtual toy system. >>>

Kidzworld.co.za site revamp now up and running. >>>

Bridgestone tyres keep mobile school libraries going. >>>
Reader Reward - March 2015
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“Winner Announcement”
The following 6 lucky readers have each won a copy of one of the six limited edition
books in our first “Reader Reward” for March 2015, courtesy of Penguin Random
House, South Africa. Prizes will be posted to all lucky winners early in May:
Bhekie Siphot, Johannesburg
Cindy van der Knaap, Midrand
Joseph Joubert, Alberton
Leslie Sedibe, Rosebank
Martin Sweet, Sandton
Nicola Brown, Chislehurston
Penguin Random House South Africa is the world’s largest English language trade publisher, bringing you the best in fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. The PRH South Africa local imprint, “Struik Children”, offers a great selection of English and Afrikaans
local fiction, for budding bookworms. Recent releases include the Karatekas, Saurus Street, and Lulu Bell series of books which are
available at all good bookstores, nationwide. Join the PRHSA Facebook page at http://facebook.com/PenguinRandomHouseSAKids.
“Reader Reward #2” - June 2015