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nelson mandela bay's family lifestyle
author:
xandre van der berg
a different kind of trilogy
photography:
zuko, lifegate photography
issue:
9, easter 2009
The education of our children is one of the most important responsibilities we bear. In issue 8 (December 2008) of people talk magazine, Xandre van der Berg, investigated the different options available in our city, when it comes to Christian Education and found three viable opportunities. With this edition she takes us on a tour of three different schools, offering special needs education in Nelson Mandela Bay. Cape Recife, the school at the end of Admiralty Road, just before you take the turn off to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, was the first stop in my search for schools catering for learners with special needs. Large gates and a long driveway made way to an impressive building with an obvious history. My hurried morning came to a standstill when I entered a cool, spacious reception area. While waiting for an interview with the principal, Dr Nell, I browsed through ample reading material, gathering information on a school with a history that dates back to 1956. A desperate plea for an educational opportunity for her little girl, born with cerebral palsy, forced Hannah Lurie to “find a teacher and start a school”. Cape Recife was established in March 1956 in the Congregational Church hall in Pearson Street, Port Elizabeth. Seven years later, the school moved to its current location in Admiralty Way. From humble beginnings it has grown to become one of the largest co-educational, dual medium schools for learners with special educational needs in the country, and has become well known for its excellent educational standards. Cape Recife is regarded as one of the leading schools, of its kind, in the country. The school follows the prescribed educational curriculum from Grade R to Grade 12, and is interactive with high schools in the city and surrounds on academic and the sport level, guaranteeing the pupils the same privileges as any other high school student. Dr Nell explains the school's vision: “Cape Recife strives to excel at providing quality education and support services for learners with special educational needs. The school attempts to empower its students to lead meaningful lives as productive members of society who are well prepared for the future.” That the school has been successful at realizing this vision is evident from the fact that for 17yrs the school has a 100 pass rate. Many students have enabled themselves to hold leadership positions at different levels in the community. Paging through their yearbook, I found them active in the Junior City Council, chess championships, a new drama group, Student Christian Association, Wildlife society, a Community Action Group and at practicing their music skills. On the sports field, Cape Recife excels at swimming, athletics, tennis, cricket and soccer. Not surprisingly, I found them gathering medals in Sport for the Physically Disabled, while sailing, gymnastics, angling, karate and diving form part of other extra mural achievements. “Our strength lies in our commitment to work together as one” explained Miss Dreyer, school counsellor and one of two Deputies' at the school. “The multi-disciplinary section combines the Educational studies, with Psychology, Medical, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Remedial Teaching to form a stronghold that influences the outcome of our commitment to learners and the school as a whole.” With my interview concluded, and stepping out into Nelson Mandela Bay's warm summer breeze, I paused a moment gazing at the buildings of a school built with a vision, enabling children to step with confidence into the mainstream of life, competing and bringing value to our community. My second stop was at the well known Westview School in Mowbray Street, Newton Park. Westview's school bell rang for the first time on the 18th of January 1961. The buildings not being completed, 15 teachers and 183 learners started their school year without desks and stationery, but with the overpowering need for a school catering for children with special needs. Today Westview is a well built, practical school catering for the needs of more than 600 pupils. The school has 42 staff members and is a testimony to their mission statement: “success through hard work.” Mr van Schalkwyk, Deputy Principal, welcomed me into his office and proudly shared a PowerPoint presentation on the school and its activities. “We acknowledge the dignity of every person, even if he or she is intellectually challenged or academically disadvantaged. This is our calling, to provide in every student's need for recognition and a sense of security. We acknowledge the learner's need for assistance in developing his full potential. We trust that by improving his self image, helping him gain self-confidence and orientating him towards adulthood, we are truly educating him and thus fulfilling our mission.” A powerful message. Mr van Schalkwyk futher explained: “We want to provide an education to the learner which would eventually allow him to fill his rightful place in the social and labour community. We make use of certain learning contents, attitudes and techniques to provide the learner with the necessary skills.” In line with the Educational Departments' policy – learners at Westview continue in the broader school system, until a special education need is identified. These children are then placed by the Education department. Westview learners follow a three year course which consists of prescribed academic learning areas as well as a technical subject. Due to capacity, it is not always possible for learners to follow the technical subject of their choice, as there are too many applicants for certain technical subjects. Every application is thoroughly considered and a technical subject is allocated to each learner according to his/her abilities. After successful completion of the course an official certificate is issued by the Education Department. Westview is a parallel as well as dual medium school and all academic subjects are taught in separate English or Afrikaans classes. The school has become familiar to us through their amazing sheet metal work, welding, spray painting, and panel beating. Hairdressing, nursing and home economics are popular practical subjects with the students. Learners are encouraged to take part in at least one summer and one winter sport. A wide variety of sport includes mountain bike riding,cross-country racing and swimming. On the cultural front, chess, “Wessie” the school newspaper and UCSA , are popular choices. Westview also have their very own in-house restaurant, “Camelot”, as well as three lapa's suitable for business functions – these can be booked in advance and will provide an excellent event. If you happen to be a parent or become a parent of this well established school, rest assured: “The future of our children is our passion.” Elsen Academy is an independent and private school registered as a non-profit organization catering for the needs of children with learning difficulties (i.e. dyslexia, ADHD, ADD). It has been established under the auspices of The South African Association for Learning and Educational Difficulties (SAALED) and is the youngest of the special needs schools in this trilogy. Their vision is to explore the hidden potential and strengths of each child, while guiding children with unique educational needs to be the best they can be. Also, to empower parents, to bring out the hidden treasure in their own child. “Our main objectives are to accommodate unique learning styles through differentiated instruction, our modified curriculum and the use of Individual Educational Plans, and to guide and support our learners to function independently and become productive citizens.” Phillipa Fabbri, Remedial Therapist, teacher and principal explains. Elsen Academy, established with the help and support from Educational Psychologist, Christina Russell, opened in January 2006 with 13 children from Grades 1 - 6. By April 2006, pupil numbers had doubled and the school moved to their present premises in Heugh Road, Walmer. The school currently accommodates children from Grades 1 to 9 and three years after opening its doors has 85 learners. The staff at Elsen Academy are committed to small classes, a personal and flexible approach, differentiated instruction, as well as cognitive and social skills development programmes. Teachers are selected on the basis of their qualification, experience, skills and special attributes. “While following the national curriculum, each child's individual learning style is catered for, as far as is possible. Each child will go through the entire syllabus for a particular grade in order to be promoted; however, we will apply various teaching methods to suit the various learning styles represented in a class.” Phillipa explains. “Each child will progress at a different pace, and may need additional assistance on a one-on-one basis. These individual therapies may consist of remedial, speech, occupational, physiotherapy, psychological or a combination of therapies.” An additional arts and culture component enable the children to take part in music, art, drama and dance. In a nutshell, Elsen Academy's main objective is to accommodate unique learning styles through differentiated instruction, a modified curriculum and the use of Individual Educational Plans, to guide and support learners to function independently and become productive citizens. They have a fresh approach to the special needs of children and offer an interesting alternative. Once again, we've found Nelson Mandela Bay to be at the forefront when it comes to education, offering a range of opportunities, to provide the education your child may need.
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