Teacher Learning in a Community of Practice: A Case Study of ...

5.2.2 John's school: Neon Primary
Neon primary was a former Ex-HOD school located in one ofthe poorer former Indian
suburbs outside Durban. It had an enrolment ofthree hundred and thirty pupils. The
teaching staff was made up ofIndian teachers. Although the school was relatively small,
it had classes from grade one to grade seven. Individual class units were large, with
average class sizes offorty-five pupils. Pupils came from basically two race groups.
About sixty percent ofthe pupils were Indian pupils, with the remainder being Black
Africans with Sotho, isiZulu or Xhosa as mother tongue. English was the medium of
instruction. About five percent ofthe pupils came from very poor families living in
informal settlements near the school. Most of the children, although not from affluent
families, had most ofthe basic requirements for school.
Neon primary had a pupil-feeding scheme. Disadvantaged pupils were provided with
sandwiches on a daily basis. These were prepared by a local religious organization. The
school encouraged children to make available their used uniforms and clothing to less
fortunate pupils. The school had developed a good relationship with the local community
and often had local dentists and doctors administer medical check-ups to children free of
charge.
The school buildings, being only eight years old, were in excellent condition. High razor
. wire fencing surrounded the school. The school's electronic gates led into a huge car
park. Gardens were immaculately maintained, with a just-watered look. Flowerbeds were
freshly tilled. The school campus was in immaculate condition with a well-maintained
sports field. On entering the foyer ofthe administration building, one was greeted with an
appealing display ofwell-positioned posters, school achievement boards, and staff
photographs. The foyer was spotless, with shiny floors and a shiny staircase. The school
secretary was ideally positioned with a view ofthe school gate, which she could open
electronically from where she was seated. The school was equipped with the basic
necessary communication equipment, namely, a telephone, a fax machine and two
computers. It did not have Internet facilities, but did have a well-equipped library. The
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