CuriosITy | Learning CAT

The CuriosITy initiative began in May 2016, when four Grade 11 girls from Brescia House School started a project under the Microsoft Student Ambassadors program to impact their community. Noticing that few girls pursue IT as a career or matric subject, they decided to host a special event for girls interested in IT.

CuriosITy is for Grade 11 girls studying Computer Applications Technology or Information Technology to share their IT passions with peers and professionals.

Grade 11 girls from various Gauteng schools seek guidance on succeeding as women in the technology industry. They need help with tertiary education choices, building on their IT school subjects. What does it take to land a job in this competitive field? Is IT just coding, or a complex profession with many facets?

The CuriosITy event has been a resounding success, with former participants returning as career women to inspire the next generation. Hosted by Brescia House School grade 11 CAT and IT girls, this non-profit relies on generous sponsorships from individuals and corporates.

Generous sponsorship from corporates and contributions from attending IT professionals make these events possible.

CuriosITy 2024 Information Brochure

Past CurisITy Events

2016

On 25 May, 2016, four Grade 11 girls hosted a community-impact event to address the low number of girls choosing IT careers. They brought together 130 Grade 11 girls from 36 Gauteng schools, 100 IT/CAT teachers, and IT professionals. The event featured a three-course dinner, talks by Lori Milner, author of "Own Your Space," and Amukelani Mombedzi from WeThinkCode, with table rotations for networking.

2017

On 17 May, 2017, Brescia House School hosted its second CuriosITy Dinner. The event brought together 201 Grade 11 girls from 44 Gauteng schools, 136 IT professionals, and IT/CAT teachers. Participants enjoyed a three-course dinner and motivational talks by Ashley Veasey, CIO and Chief Digital Officer of Barclays Africa Group, and Sonja Delafosse, Senior Manager of Educator Strategy at Microsoft. The girls rotated tables to maximize networking with IT professionals.

2018

In 2018, Brescia House School expanded the CuriosITy Initiative to include afternoon workshops followed by a special dinner. The workshops covered topics like Micro-bits, Robotics, Coding, and Green Screen Movie Making. During dinner, girls sat with IT professionals to discuss women in technology.

The afternoon workshops had 157 girls participating, and the dinner saw 210 girls from 43 Gauteng schools and one from Kuruman, Northern Cape. A total of 350 attendees, including girls, teachers, Brescia alumnae, IT professionals, and special guests, enjoyed a three-course meal and inspiring talks by Sharon McPherson and Corien Vermaark at the Bryanston Catholic Church.

2019

In 2019, Brescia House School offered 18 workshops for 186 girls, focusing on the latest technologies, with a special workshop for teachers. The event included a free dinner for 213 girls and their teachers from 45 schools across Gauteng and Mpumalanga. A total of 350 Grade 11 girls, their teachers, and various IT professionals attended the dinner. The evening featured a panel discussion on topics relevant to both the girls and IT professionals, with questions from the audience. The panel included Corien Vermaak (Chair), Shaun Edmeston, Tony Christodoulou, Natasha Bezuidenhout, Soso Motloung, and Karmanie Govender.

2022

On 19 October, 2022, 14 Grade 11 CAT and IT girls from Brescia House School hosted an elegant dinner for 140 girls, 45 teachers, and 65 professionals. During the evening, table teams played Kahoot for spot prizes. Kamohelo Motloung discussed the CAT & IT Olympiads, Nicky Visten spoke about the gaming industry, Graeme Codrington addressed the future influence of technology, and Katleho Dihaba, a past CAT student and sister of one of the hosts, shared how CAT and IT prepared her for her career.