Faith, hope and love

Jan Kriel learners and families are privileged to experience the knowledge and dedication of in-house therapy and support services. Most schools have a severe shortage of learner support and even in other special education schools it is a daily need.

For several years, Jan Kriel School has served as a Resource Centre for learners, educators and families from other schools and communities. This involves sharing study material and audio recordings for alternative assessment purposes as well as training educators. The IE (Inclusive Education) team supports learners through testing, diagnostics, identifying barriers and recommendations for accommodations and interventions. More recently, the Western Cape Department of Education launched a platform – 'No child left behind '. This further empowers the IE team to support other schools, learners and families outside the walls of Jan Kriel with their knowledge and commitment as a Resource Centre.

Training on a variety of topics (including Specific Learning Disabilities and Executive Brain Functions) is offered to staff at their own schools. Over the past two years, the IO team, consisting of an Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist and Learning Support Teacher, have presented two successful parent clinics at Happy Valley Primary School in Kuils Rriver. This involves a six-week program for Grade R parents where information on early childhood development is shared and ideas for stimulation and development are explained, while the necessary equipment and aids for use at home are provided to the parents. The Happy Valley community and school have no access to these types of services or support, while the need and demand for them is very high.

"We don't have all the answers,

but what we have, we give.”

– Dr. Mariette van Niekerk,

Educational Psychologist

The IO team listens to the parents' stories about the difficult path they walk with their children who are struggling, helps explain diagnoses and the impact it has on the child's overall functioning and its influence on family life.

“We reassure parents that what they are feeling and experiencing is normal. We help them see a detour and a T-junction rather than a dead end. In the end, our team gets much more out of it than the parents, because we feel we were able to share faith, hope and love.”

During the above workshop, parents learned how to creatively use everyday household and recycled items to encourage learning through play. Activities included clay, bottle cap games, shared reading, and using magazines in fun and educational ways. Take a look and feel free to share!

JKS IO span nuusbrief Maart 2025.pdf

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