ICP conference South Africa 8-12 August 2012

ICP conference South Africa 8-12 August 2012

The first day was filled with expectations and trepidation. The very scant programme did not help and not knowing where we were staying wasn't helpful either. We were collected from the hotel in central Johannesburg at 10am and travelled in two coaches with our luggage to the outlying area of Henley in Klipton, about 1 hour outside the spread of the city. The countryside was as expected: in this their winter, the reddish-orange land was barren and dusty. The odd, small collection of sheds formed homes for some and there was still evidence of gated houses and communities as we drove further and further away from what westerners would call society.

The Oprey Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls OWLAG, looked like an offshoot of a university campus. Low rise buildings, beautifully spaced out and architecturally elegant were gated behind a fierce looking security system. Our rooms, the girls' dormitories, were also like newly built university accommodation albeit 4 sharing a little suite. Underfloor heating, hot running water, tea and coffee provided whenever: it was lovely for us and must be unbelievable for the girls who come from the most deprived areas of S Africa.

OWLAG recruit 100 girls per year from over 10,000 applicants! The head told us that she looks for spunk, spark and spirit in the applicants; girls who look forward rather than back; who ignore where they come from and focus on what they want for the future. The culture shock for the successful candidates must be huge: they spend 10 weeks three times per year at the school, but have to return to their homes at the end of each term. We were told the majority live in mud huts or shanty towns, with no running water or electricity, so when they come to the school they have little or no general knowledge! The school has now been open for 5 years and the first graduates have all entered either S African or American universities. Oprah must be very proud!

The conference delegates, members of the International Confederation of Principals, come from the whole world; America, Australia, India, Europe and of course, Africa. We are all speaking English, but the variety of accents and vocabulary is astounding. The aim of the conference is to look at one of the Millennium goals, gender equity and girls' education!

The first day, we heard different life stories, discussed timelines, events and expectations. In terms of our own experiences, life, death, birth, marriages, career paths were all very similar across the last 30 years. They may be in different order, at different times, but in reality we all had the human trials and tribulations as well as the successes and failures which shape who we are. We also looked at world events, the social context of our own communities and the needs of girls in our own regions. The resulting discussion was reported in a fantastic 'infographic' produced by a very talented artist. I hope you can see it in the attached.

Regards

Louise Robinson