Funworks - Publishers of the Exploring Series for coding & robotics and CAT > About Us

About FunWorks

The FunWorks CC was set up over 30 years ago as a base to co-ordinate the books produced by the 3 original member-authors: Genevieve Wilcock, Delia Kench and Craig Pournara.

1996

Pascal := Work + Fun series

The first series of books produced was the Pascal := Work + Fun series, which consisted of 5 workbooks, teaching Pascal programming, from beginner to advanced level.

2005

Introducing Java

When Pascal began to be phased out in South African schools, Genevieve and Delia changed to Java and produced the exploring JAVA series of workbooks for Grades 10, 11 and 12. What was significant about this series of books was the transition from structured programming to object oriented programming. Delia and Genevieve developed the Gogga class with the help of Tom West to help learners understand objects, classes and inheritance.

2006

Exploring IT series of books is launched

With the introduction of the FET in SA schools in 2006, Genevieve and Delia decided to address all the Learning Outcomes (LO) by producing a new series of books namely "exploring IT Theory and Applications" and "exploring IT Java Programming" for Grades 10, 11 and 12. The books are activity-based, assessment oriented text books for the new FET subject IT. Each Assessment Standard has been addressed in the books as well as many Critical Outcomes (CO).

2010

Space Camp in the USA

Unfortunately due to work commitments, Genevieve has been unable to continue working on the books. In 2009 Delia collaborated with a new author Dr Gary Blieden to update the Grade 11 Theory and Applications book. It was released in early 2010. In March 2010, Delia was granted a scholarship to attend the Honeywell Space Camp in USA. In June, Delia headed off to the US Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama looking forward to a week of astronaut simulations, space walks and more!

2011 - 2012

Exploring IT series revised for the new CAPS document

In 2011, Richard Bradbury at St Martins College and Lee-Anne Coker at Holy Rosary School for Girls took on revising the exploring IT series for the new CAPS document. Richard Bradbury converted the Gogga class for Delphi and Lee-Anne tested the class with her students with excellent results. Her girls easily grasped the concepts of OOP with Gogga! In 2012, Delia was invited back to Space Camp as an Alumni for doing the most work in 2010! Only one alumni teacher from every year worldwide is invited.

2014

Recognition of Contribution to STEM Education at Space Camp

Delia returned to Space Camp as an Alumni who achieved the most among the 2010 Space Camp graduates. She was recognised for her annual Space Camps held at St Benedict's College with over 100 boys and 20 teachers. Her contribution was celebrated with 10 other international Space Camp Alumni who had made significant developments in teaching STEM.

2015 - 2017

Delia completes her masters degree

In 2015 Delia was appointed head of Academic Innovation at St Benedicts. At the same time she was studying for her master degree at the University of the Witwatersrand. She completed her Masters in Computer Science in 2017. Her masters was a study in Grit and Growth Mindset in her Grade 11 boys, whilst they develop their PAT programming project.

2021

Start of a new era

After 25 years at St Benedict’s, Delia moved to Assumption Convent School as a part-time IT teacher, teaching Grade 11 and 12 girls. She continues to develop IT and CAT textbooks, teaching resources and coding programmes, while supporting IEB teachers through her online TeacherWorks service.

2023

IT Showcase for girls launched

The Girls' IT Showcase is an exhibit that showcases the Grade 12 Information Technology (IT) Performance Assessment Task (PAT) projects developed by South African girls. These exceptional projects are coded during the matric year. The IT Showcase aims to create a gathering place for Grade 12 IT students, businesses, and tertiary institutions. It was launched in 2025, after a three-year break due to COVID, and focuses on uplifting women in coding.

2025

Finalist in the 2025 Wired4Women Awards

Delia was nominated as a finalist in the Mentor of the Year category for the 2025 Wired4Women Awards. The finalists were selected based on their exceptional achievements and leadership, highlighting their contributions to growth and innovation within the technology sector, and opening doors for future generations of tech leaders. See the finalists here: Finalists for 2025 Wired4Women Awards.

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