West Rand School

On the 23rd July 1968, the West Rand School for disabled children was officially opened. School begin this morning with 33 learners, 20 day-scholars and 13 hostel learners. There were 4 foundation phase classes, 3 pre-school classes and the hostel consisted of only 2 nursery hostels. The staff comprised of the principal, Mr Adriaan Louw, 5 teachers, 2 physiotherapists, 1 occupational therapist, 1 speech therapist, 2 office staff, 2 housemothers, 1 bus driver, 1 general assistants, 2 housemothers.

The school strives to provide quality education to the learner who experiences barriers to learning by creating a stimulating yet empathetic environment. Here the learner can feel emotionally and socially safe and will be able to attain his/her full scholastic potential.

The school will provide a service to the community by ensuring that each scholastically educable learner, whose barriers can be addressed at the discretion of the multi-disciplinary team, can be accommodated to allow him/her to function as a fully integrated member of society and has the opportunity to lead a full life.

A new events lapa was added to the school. Old trees and scrubs was replaced with new trees. The road around the school got a new tar level. A large waiting shelter was erected at the main gate for learners waiting for their transport. The main gate got a face lift and the side entrance of the school came in use for the traffic flow and the safety of our learners. For the safety of our learners a security guard was appointed and service the entrance of the school. Up to standard alarm and camera system was installed. 50th year memorial bell tower was erected. Every classroom has state of the art white boards to help with the education. Laptops were bought to help learners with specific needs to be part of the classroom environment. Old leaking parts of the roof was replaced.

An incontinent clinic open and 2 care assistants are appointed to help learners with their daily hygiene. A new medical wing open. The library was issued with new books and seating for the learners to enjoy reading. The school have 8 new mini busses and a new vehicle to transport learners to and from medical appointments. A cooking class and agricultural centre was open as part of the special classes curriculum. An Archery court was erected. A big utility store was erected. Cardboard for staff vehicles and entrances was installed. A memorial garden had erected. The gardens are beautified and accent lighting install. New beds and bedding for the hostel. Staff room got a facelift. A boardroom was opened. An old school learner operateS the copier office as an income.

The school cares for disable learners as young as 3 years old, and up to 18 years old. The earlier children receive therapy, the easier they will be able to adapt to and adopt normal positions and movements. At West Rand School provision are made for the development and adaptation of the child. Therapy plays a large part in a life of a disabled children to help them to unfold to the maximum of their physical abilities. In the class the intellectual abilities of each child are developed to the maximum. The number of learners in a class are according their disability.

Curriculum is according the criteria of the Department of education. Assistance is given to students who have physical problems in a classroom. Laptops and special electronic equipment and software are used to help the learner. The school also have teacher assistants appointed to help the teacher assist the learners in class. Regular educational excursions are done. These excursions not only serve as curricular assistance, but also teach the student social values where they can experience independence and adaptability in society.

The whole staff work wholeheartedly as a team to achieve our ultimate goal, namely that we will not only help our children to develop physically and mentally but that we will give them the necessary confidence and independence in their adulthood to have a place in society.

Our sporting calendar reaches a pinnacle in March every year, with the annual “Herman Immelman” athletics meeting. Learners participate in all the usual athletics events, and the learners with disabilities take part in Sport for the Disabled.

We have a sports club for disabled learners, training on Wednesday afternoons and competing at the National Championships. At the West Rand School it is tradition to bring back medals from the National Games, held annually throughout the country.

Some learners may even go further. A former learner of our school did us proud by representing South Africa at the Para-Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 and 2007.