R’fontein schools celebrate International Day of Chess
Chess is fun – it’s a cool sport that every child can enjoy. That was the message the Moves for Life chess programme set out to instil in primary school children in celebration of the International Day of Chess.
Four Randfontein schools recently joined others from Mogale City to celebrate the International Day of Chess.
The four local schools are Avante, Mohlakano, Hartzstraat and FJL Wells.
The Moves for Life programme, which is sponsored by Silverstar in seven primary schools in disadvantaged areas within the Mogale City and Rand West City municipalities, impacts 4 111 learners in 106 foundation phase classes. Overall, 17 732 learners in 463 classes around the country are sponsored by six Tsogo Sun properties.
The International Day of Chess activities took place during math lessons within school hours from 20 to 28 July. They included chess charades ‘Guess which chess piece am I?’ for Grade 1s; ‘This chess piece is me’ for Grade 2s, using recycled material to design themselves as a chess piece and explain why they chose that piece; and a Tic Tac Chess Tournament for Grade 3s, developing critical thinking, reasoning, strategic and tactical play, math confidence, spatial awareness, and more, as well as practising chess moves.
Marietjie Jansen van Vuuren, Moves for Life Product Manager said, “These special lessons amalgamate creativity and chess into fun activities that both chess players and non-chess players enjoy, making the game a lot more accessible to all children”.
She added the educators also had fun as it boosted their confidence and skills levels in teaching chess, and overall improved the quality of the impact of the chess lessons.
Anneke Potgieter, Director of Operations and GM of Silverstar added, “The International Day of Chess week of activities add great value to the overall chess programme being implemented in these schools, encouraging learning through fun and entertainment, which are always effective ways of learning.
“We are pleased by the positive responses from the learners and educators in the chess programme, and congratulate the team, the schools and the learners on their enthusiastic and whole-hearted participation in the International Day of Chess activities.”
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