PHS Update

Disclaimer: I'm cheating on this one...I didn't write it. Mark gave the information to Kate in our office who turned out another great newsletter. I prefer not to think of as "stealing" so much as acknowledging the talents of a good writer and wanting to make sure the rest of you benefit from her talents. It does, however, explain the funny spacing, which I'm neither smart enough nor energetic enough to combat.

“There is an amazing spirit onthe campus. Students and staff are all working hard to ensure that PHS is a great school and a great place to live, work and learn. Everyone is committed to the vision of PHF and believe that their efforts matter!” Mark Hillman, PHS Director

The first class of 120 PHS students in Tanzania, East Africa returned to campus in January after the holiday break. On their first morning back, the students had gotten up, eaten breakfast, and were sitting in their classrooms 40 minutes early, before the teachers had even arrived! They were clearly eager to renew their studies and engage in all the activities at PHS.

After completing their preparatory courses in December, the 120 current PHS students are now
officially in Form One, their first full year of secondary school. Their classes include English,
math, physics, biology and civics. PHS teachers also continue to hone their teaching skills by spending structured time in teacher training, learning new methods to facilitate better instruction. This semester, among other things, teachers are experimenting with different desk configurations rather than just straight rows. While this may seem somewhat basic, it is a significant shift of thinking for both Tanzanian teachers and students.

February also marked the continuation of the Student Service Program started last fall. Students at PHS engage in a monthly service project in the surrounding
community. To date, students have spent time at other schools and villages cleaning the grounds, repairing paths, trimming trees and bushes and cutting the grass. They
have re-built roads and they helped to plant a field for an elderly woman who lives nearby. Giving to others is a core value being practiced by all PHS students. A goal for the future is for older students to identify and organize
their own service projects and recruit other students to join their work teams — supporting leadership, team work and creative problem-solving.

February was also an exciting month for PHS because it marked the beginning of the student selection process for the next class of 120 PHS students. Applications were sent out to church and community leaders and to nonprofit organizations that work with orphans and other vulnerable children. Once applications are turned in, there are three days of testing and then a team of PHS staff will conduct in-home
interviews to select the final 120 students. PHS anticipates the selection process will be completed by early summer, and the new students will start their new life on campus by the end of June.