We are a registered LSEN Preparatory School, GDE Reg: 700400348, and can accommodate a maximum of 59 pupils ranging in age from 2 years to 18 years of age. We do not work in Grades as our pupils levels differ in each subject. We have a separate premises for our Junior and Senior phase. Our children have varied “labels” that have been attached to them by outside sources.
The staff at our school are very passionate about giving all our children opportunities to be able to contribute to society in their own unique way. We believe that a child is able and valuable with much to offer to the world.
Our children have been rejected by both government and private schools because of their labels. Currently our pupil ‘labels’ are cerebral palsy. hearing impaired, asbergers, autistic, down syndrome, burn victim, near drowning victim, speech impediments, visually impaired, learning difficulties, ADD, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder and epileptic etc.
Every child has weekly oxygen therapy in our mild hypobaric oxygen chamber as well as weekly hydro therapy in our heated indoor hydro therapy pool with a qualified biokineticist
We take time to work out who they are and what their method of learning is.
Additional practical lifeskills:
- Snr section will cover vegetable gardening, sewing, woodwork, art and hospitality among others
- Individualised Learning Portfolios
We currently offer:
- Maximum 10 children per class
- Visual, auditory and kinaesthetic teaching techniques
- Audiblox Therapy
- Hydro Therapy in a heated indoor pool
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Physical education with a Biokinetisist
- Literacy program backed by James Patterson
- Interactive white board teaching – keeping up with technology
- Makaton
- PECS – picture exchange communication
- Coding
- Computer science
- We use tablet technology with every pupil
Support therapists available on site:
- Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Physio Therapist, Clinical Social Worker, Biokineticist, Spelling to Communicate Practitioner.
Our staff
Sharon Rowe
Qualifications
- NHED(PP)
- SDTA
- Audiblox Therapist
- ABR Therapist
- Usui Reiki Practitioner
- Jikiden Reiki Practitioner
- Makaton Sign Language certified
- Braille
- Level 2 First Aid certified
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy certified
Experience
37 years of loving my work, every day a new adventure filled with loads of learning from each child I have had the privilege to work with.
I started in Pre-schools going up to senior teacher then Principal in a main stream school. From 2005 I headed up the foundation phase of Footprints school and we then opened the Intermediate and Senior phases in 2009. I have taught each phase and can honestly say I love them all.
Why I do what I do
I believe every human being is able to contribute to society in their own unique and valuable way. I love a challenge and thinking out the box, this is why I enjoy working with children, they are creative and have a wonderful enthusiasm for life. My eyes are opened daily to new ways of thinking because I learn from the children I work with, we are a team and together we can conquer the world piece by piece. Life is full of exciting adventures and lessons to learn and teach, working with Special needs children is a blessing and I can honestly say “I LOVE MY JOB”.
“Treat children as if they were what they ought to be, and you will help them become what they are capable of becoming”. This is what I aim for each day
Stephanie Roux
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and English)
- Honours in Psychology
- Advanced Certificate in Play therapy
- Registered Lifeline Counsellor
- Advanced Certificate in Play Therapy
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education
- Makaton Sign Language certified
- CPR and First Aid certified
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy certified
Experience
I began my training in an ABA centre and then went on to work at the Centre for Autism Research and Education. While completing my honours degree I facilitate children with special needs in a mainstream environment. I went on to work at a Special Needs Centre when they first opened and joined Footprints in 2015.
Why I do what I do
I love the challenge as well as the rewards of working with children with special needs. I enjoy having to adapt lessons for each individual child and having to constantly think out of the box. I enjoy the sense of achievement I feel when a child finally achieves a goal and knowing that I’ve made a difference in someone. The quote below explains every child with special need s that I have worked with and that is why I do what I do.
‘Don’t become preoccupied with your child’s academic ability but instead teach them to sit with those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer their help. Teach them to be a friend to the lonely. Teach them to encourage other people. Teach them to share. Teach them to look for good. This is how they’ll change the world’.
Emma Howard
Qualifications
- B.Ed Human Movement Studies and
- B.Ed Honors in Learning Support
- Member of the Golden Key society
- Awarded Honorary Academic Colours for my thesis on Dyslexia.
- Makaton Sign Language certified
- First Aid certified
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy certified
Experience
As a special needs teacher and remedial therapist, I have experience working with children with autism, intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities as well as medical conditions and challenging behaviour.
Why I do what I do
My aspiration is to motivate personal growth, support academic development and help those to overcome learning barriers. I am passionate about individualized education and assisting others to achieve their potential.
Tamzin Rowe
Qualifications
- Masters of science medicine Biokinetics (WITS)
- BA Hons. Biokinetics (UJ)
- BA Sports Psychology (UJ)
- Level 2 First Aid & AED (PulsePoint)
- EMS Trainer (HFPA)
- Yoga Instructor (Trifocus)
- Athlete Nutrition (Trifocus)
- Sports Nutrition & Supplementation (HFPA)
- Sports Massage Therapy (HFPA)
- Essentials of Nitrition (HFPA)
- Vitality Wellness (Vitality)
- HIV counseling Skills Training (Life Assist)
- Chronic Stress, cortisol & Pain (eCPD)
- Ethics & SARS (eCPD)
- Behaviour Change Intervention (U. Stellenbosch)
- Healthcare Burnout (TUKS)
- Disease Modifying Therapies (TUKS)
- Cardiovascular Disease & Hypertension (SAHS)
- Dartfish Video Analysis (Dartfish)
- Dartfiah Tagging Analysis (Dartfish)
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy certified
Interests
- Orthopaedic
- Sports specific
- Special population
I am a current Karate All styles National athlete, National karate coach & 2nd Dan blackbelt. I love being outdoors & being active, adventures are my thing.
Star Vorrageiro
Qualifications
- BA Hons. Biokinetics (UJ)
- BA Sports Psychology (UJ)
- Level 2 First Aid (BLS)
- Personal Training Certificate (Trifocus)
- Sports Massage Therapy (HFPA)
- HIV counseling Skills Training (Life Assist)
Interests
I am a mom to a very active toddler and enjoy being active and creative. I love adding dance, music, aerobics and step to my sessions.
Michele Walters
Qualifications
- Port Elizabeth Technikon Secretarial Diploma
- University of Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- B.A. (Soc Science.) Hons. Social Work and Psychology
- Taught Computer Literacy and Logo at Parktown Convent and Houghton Primary
- Member of Teachers Federal Council
- Japari School
- Joined Footprints School
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy certified
Experience
- Numerous computer literary courses windows power point excel word at Joburg training college
- 10 Network knowledge Programme courses from beginners to advanced for Primary and Secondary schools
- Makaton
- Braille
- Numerous symposiums on Autism
- Sex education for Primary and Secondary schools courses at Bella Vista school
Why I do what I do
My aspiration is to motivate personal growth, support academic development and help those to overcome learning barriers. I am passionate about individualized education and assisting others to achieve their potential.
