VICTORY PARK – Musicians, advocates, chefs, paramedics and newspaper editors met to say thank you to Crossroads School for all the school did for them when they were children with learning difficulties or disabilities.
The remedial school’s mantra, Let None be Left Behind, stood true when past and current pupils, parents, teachers and therapists met at the school’s 50th anniversary on 28 September. Old photos lined the walls to the amusement of much older affiliates of the school, who reminisced over snacks, while many encouraging stories were told from the stage.
“We are here to remember the last 50 years and reflect on this school’s amazing legacy,” said current principal, Val Witt. She added that many past pupils had achieved success in business, sport, entertainment and other areas and she hoped this event would encourage current teachers and therapists to push on.
Eight-time South African Music Awards nominee, Josie Field performed two songs at her old school. “I could not read or write properly when I came, and the caring teachers here helped me so much,” she said, recalling that the school was much smaller in 1996, and she loved seeing all the children raise silkworms in big boxes during silkworm season.
“Nothing is impossible; you must persevere and believe in yourself,” said past pupil, John Essey, now an executive junior chef and a hockey coach.
Advocate Mark Oppenheimer said when he attended Crossroads in the early 90s, he couldn’t write and had terrible hand-eye co-ordination. Crossroads helped him work around his challenges and he developed an excellent memory, which has helped him in court.
Sue Hill, who had been a teacher for 15 years, and then the principal for 15 years, said learning to teach children with learning difficulties was a ‘baptism of fire’ for her. “But I have never regretted my job,” she said. “It has been a pleasure seeing Crossroads grow since my retirement.” She joked that the buildings at the school now look much better than the early prefabs that acted as classrooms.
Speech and language therapist, Joyce Fein started the school in Hillbrow in 1967, at a time when remedial education was in its infancy. The centre consisted of Fein, an occupational therapist, a teacher and five pupils. The next year, the centre expanded to 36 children and moved to a dilapidated house in Parktown. A cellar was used as one of the classrooms and therapy was even conducted in one of the staff’s cars.
As Crossroads grew and remedial education became more recognised, the city council agreed to lease land in Victory Park to the school for 40 years. In 1977, Crossroads moved to where it is today.
Details: Crossroads School crossxrd@mweb.co.za or 011 782 5378.
