New school in Apex takes unique approach

Jacobs Well is a school with the goal to give South African children more than a regular education.

Seen here are: Cheryl Velthuysen (Jacobs Well School Valhalla principal), Clr Haseena Ismail (Ward 29), Pierre du Toit (CEO and co-founder of Jacobs Well School Apex) and Fred Sprenzel (property owner).

The school opened in Range View Road, Apex, on October 15 and will focus on children who have trouble adjusting to conventional schooling.

The school, which is based on the Finnish educational system, offers transport of pupils, meals at the school, therapeutic activities and more.

Clr Haseena Ismail (Ward 29), within whose ward the school falls, attended the opening and was impressed with the facility.

“This initiative is long overdue in our area,” she said.

“It’s fundamental and, if our youth can be steered in the right direction through this, most of society’s problems will be solved.”

Haseena Ismail is the new Ward 29 councillor. Her ward consists of Actonville, the Wattville Hostel and Emandleni informal settlement. Ismail can be contacted on 082 378 4991.

Chief executive officer and co-founder of the school, Pierre du Toit, explained how the school will differ from most.

“We were approached by the Department of Health, to cater for kids with special needs,” he said.

Cheryl Velthuysen, principal of the original Jacobs Well School Valhalla, in Centurion, said: “We believe in a more personal connection with the children, where they can learn at their own pace and be properly motivated by themselves and their teachers.”

The school is open for admission to grades Eight and Nine, while entries for the higher grades will open over the following two years.