During a student’s educational voyage they progress from primary, secondary to tertiary institutions either graduating; repeating; or dropping out along their journey. However, every student aspires to leaving school with the independence to take on their lives with the resources to face the future with confidence.

The Pick n Pay School Club, one of South Africa’s most dynamic and successful channels through which schools benefit from business participation, has recognised the importance of grooming students to be tomorrow’s heroes by delivering much needed educational support.

Currently in its seventh year, the Pick n Pay School Club is taking its vision to the next level. This year, in addition to teacher guides; classroom posters; and learner material covering issues from all aspects of nutrition to hand washing and health to global warming; financial literacy; and pet care, the Club has also launched the Hero Awards. This is a recognition programme that celebrates large and small heroic acts in South African schools over four months of the year culminating in the awarding of a teacher hero on National Teacher’s Day in October.

The Pick n Pay School Club was started in 2003 by retailer, Pick n Pay, assisted by youth market specialists, HDI Youth Marketeers, as a way of enriching the teaching experience for teachers and learners alike. In 2009, the programme reached over 1.4-million learners and their teachers in over 1 840 South African schools nationwide. Now, with 2 010 schools participating in the programme, Pick n Pay and partners such as Nedbank; Aquafresh; Dettol; Lucky Star; 5-a-Day; Pronutro; Safari Kids; Purina; QuadPara Association of South Africa; and Scott’s Emulsion, will provide schools, educators and over 1.5-million learners access to a world of fun-filled learning opportunities and material that is curriculum based and in-line with outcomes-based education policies.

The material is presented in a learning pack of resources that generates the kind of lateral and creative thinking producing above-average outcomes: from art works and business plans to inventions and eating plans. Additional support is also provided by way of teacher-training workshops, the effects of which are being felt in our schools.

"The Pick n Pay School Club is an amazing programme. The learning material they provide our school is extremely helpful to the teachers and is eagerly received by the learners. Pick n Pay brings colour to our classrooms, making the learning fun,” says Sabata Mosheshe of Newgate College.

This year’s theme is Inspired by Heroes, and that, coupled with the Hero Awards, gave rise to the competition whereby schools will compete for R100 000 worth of prizes as they show how they and their heroic learners go beyond the call of duty. Pick n Pay School Club 2010 has set its sights on identifying and rewarding those schools that are committed to responsible living while simultaneously equipping their learners to be heroes in every aspect of their daily lives. The hero stories that have emerged already are amazing, including everything from giving up lunch to a friend who hasn’t eaten that day and starting a charity for a poor community nearby to writing an award-winning essay and paying for a learner’s own school fees.

“The content and quality of the educational resource pack supplied in the form of posters and booklets is superb,” says Antony Radomsky of King David High School. “It is business interventions such as the Pick n Pay School Club that go a long way to enhancing the arsenal of educators and parents alike to equip children with interpersonal skills and a sense of humanity. I am glad that our school was given the opportunity to become part of this unique programme,” he adds.

The breakfast on 24 March featured highlights of the 2009-2010 Pick n Pay School Club programme and guest appearances. It was followed by a field trip to nearby Timour Hall Primary School to experience real-life School Club lessons.