Trudi Newton is a Educational TSTA, based in the UK, with a passion for radical approaches to learning and community development.
For years I provided training in educational TA in the UK and Russia, and contributed to training programmes in several countries including South Africa. Now I only occasionally take part in TA training programmes (for instance with Karen Pratt in Cape Town). I do run workshops and courses for coach supervisors (including in SA), and I spend much of my time writing. Currently I am co-editing a book on educational TA, with contributors from 13 countries, and am also on the editorial team for another general book on TA.
I first came to SA in 1997, and immediately decided I wanted to come back. That opportunity came in 2003 when Colin Brett asked me to do some training for his TA group. Since then I have made maybe a dozen visits, short or long, and still feel a real connection. It’s hard to say what is most important and appealing to me about being in SA: the amazingly beautiful scenery and wildlife of course; the feel of being in Africa with its ancient human history; but more than these, the people I meet – always interested, open to change, engaged, energetic; and the heroes – Mandela, Tutu, Slovo, and – more personal – folk like Brigalia Bam (who we knew at WCC many years ago). It feels like a place where there is always something happening, where people don’t give up. That’s why I want to keep coming back.