In the late 1990's Michaelhouse elected to become part of an Intern Programme with other Independent Schools in KwaZulu Natal. The thinking was that each school would have an intern or two and that, during the course of their studies, the interns would move between schools, gaining added experience from their exposure to different environments. Subsequently some of the schools have disbanded their intern programmes. However, Michaelhouse has seen fit to grow ours significantly over the ensuing years. At present we have eleven interns based at Michaelhouse and we also contribute to the studies of a further two who will join us next year. Interns who are straight out of school and just starting their studies can be limited in their effectiveness in our secondary school environment because they are too close in age to our boys. For this reason Michaelhouse has retained partnerships with Treverton Prep School and Clifton Nottingham Road Prep School. Interns can start their studies in the prep school environment (where their age is less of a problem) before joining us after a couple of years.

Internship at Michaelhouse presents a wonderful opportunity to grow as a teacher. Our interns are quite distinct from stooges. Stooges typically fulfill some duties in return for board and lodging while studying for some profession other than teaching. A prerequisite for involvement in our programme is a desire to make a career of teaching. The vision of the Michaelhouse Intern Programme is simple but bold:
"To grow the next generation of great teachers for our school and country."

Each intern is assigned a mentor on the full time academic staff who guides him (at this stage all our interns are males!) and nurtures him, looking for opportunities for his further growth. The mentor is identified as someone with whom the intern shares a connection point, usually a shared teaching subject but sometimes they coach together or the intern is a tutor in the same boarding house. Interns at Michaelhouse are expected to get fully involved in all aspects of school life. They are not only given those awful tasks typically delegated to stooges - like chaperoning socials and doing bus duties. Our interns are treated like professionals and are given opportunities to get involved in all aspects of "growing boys", from teaching in classes through tutoring in boarding houses to coaching sport and assisting with Clubs and Societies. The privilege of being treated like a professional is accompanied by the responsibility of behaving like one. We demand high standards of behaviour from these young men, insisting that they are fine role models for our boys.

All of our interns are studying part time through UNISA, some doing degrees with a view to doing a PGCE while others are studying BEd degrees. In addition to accommodating our interns, we pay for their Unisa study fees and books and give them a monthly allowance. Our interns are offered positions on our programme on an annual basis. At the end of each year the intern's academic progress and contribution are evaluated and, providing both are up to standard, the intern will be offered another year on the programme.

The Michaelhouse intern programme has already achieved some notable successes in terms of the products of the programme. Sibs Ncamane graduated in 2005 and, following a year in the UK, has joined our full time staff. It goes without saying that a position on our intern programme is no guarantee of a position on our staff. However, interns who come here and make a great impression certainly have a "foot in the door" of independent education in South Africa.

Our interns are typically recruited through word of mouth. If you know of someone who you think would be suited to the programme please contact the Programme Coordinator, Paul de Wet (paudew@michaelhouse.org) Alternatively, if you would like advice in setting up a similar programme please do not hesitate to contact Paul.

David Smythe coaching squash

Sam Mofokeng assists one
of his tutees with his prep