Polish teachers share ideas with St Martin de Porres
The teachers had not been to South Africa before and the South Coast was their warm welcome to the continent.
Six Polish teachers visited St Martin De Porres School in Port Shepstone recently. Specjalny Osrodek Szkolno (Special Centre for School Care), located in Przemyslu, Poland, has had a relationship with St Martin de Porres since 2014, where the schools exchange information and advice regarding the education of deaf and disabled children.
The teachers had not been to South Africa before and the South Coast was their warm welcome to the continent. They spoke highly of their experience and attributed the nature, weather and friendliness of the community as highlights of their trip. They also visited the Mzamba fossil caves on the Wild Coast and Lake Eland.
1KZN TV(channel 261 on DStv and 482 on StarSat) filmed a segment on the Polish visitors on Wednesday. They returned home yesterday (February 9).
St Martin de Porres was started by Catholic priest, Father Paul Schroder at Oribi Gorge in 1991 and moved to the Catholic Church Umzimkulu Diocese premises on Aiken Street, Port Shepstone in 1993.
The motivation behind the school began when Father Schroder witnessed a child peeking through church windows, but was found to be deaf after not responding.
An agreement was reached between the church and the Minister of Education, where the premises is free of use to the school, in exchange for the adoption of religious education and the Catholic ethos.
It is described by the beloved Sister Staff Dlamini, departmental head and acting deputy principal, as a ‘public school on private property’. A disability grant is allowed to parents and the school receives government subsidies, which is described as unreliable at times.
St Martin currently educates around 360 learners and focuses on the deaf, intellectually disabled and learners falling on the autistic spectrum.
From 2018 until 2022, the school boasted a 100% matric pass rate for deaf students, and a 83% pass rate in 2023.
Gymnastics, athletics and soccer are among the most popular sports offered, and learners are also reported to be passionate about drama and music in the cultural space. The school also offers a boarding establishment of which 120 learners use.
The school is in need of resources for coding and robotics, as wellas laptops. They are also planning a Valentine’s Day fundraiser on Wednesday, February 14 supported by a bake sale. If able to assist, contact the school on 039 6825725.
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