History of our school

 

In 1918, the administrator of the Cape, Sir Frederick de Waal, attended a ceremony on the

 present school campus. He laid a foundation stone and named the school De Waal

primary. This school catered for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of

which suffered from malnutrition.

 

Miss Curle became the Principal in 1956 and was succeeded by Mr Pieterse when she

retired in 1978. Unfortunately the school was forced to close in 1988 due to a decrease

in numbers. The school lay vacant and was vandalised by vagrants. It was in a complete

state of disrepair.

 

The need for a school in East London for learning disabled children was recognised.

Previously, parents of children with Specific Learning Disabilities had to send their children

 to Port Elizabeth, which was the closest SLD school in the Eastern Cape.

 

Largely due to the efforts of Mr. Tom Haylock-Lyons of the Arcadia Rotary Club and

 Mr. Hans Botha, the head of the school clinic and a prospective Rotarian, Arcadia School

 opened its doors to the community in August 1989.

 

Mr. Alwyn du Preez was appointed as the first principal and he was very excited to welcome the first 28 learners in Grade 1, 2 and 3. From this humble beginning, the numbers steadily grew in and January 1990, the school roll was at 44 learners with 3 therapists, a remedial teacher and 6 class teachers.

 

Today we have grown to a school of 220 learners, a Principal, Deputy principal, 3 Heads of Deparment, 2 Speech therapists, 2 Occupational therapists, 1 Remedial therapist, a Psychologist and 16 class teachers.