Winner of the National Teaching Award for Excellence in Special Needs in 2012, Formosa Primary School actively encourages equal access to basic education for all. Formosa Primary School is situated in New Horizons, just outside of Plettenberg Bay. The central location of the school means that it provides easy access for educators in and around the area to meet, when convened by the Western Cape Education Department.
Formosa Primary is the only school in Plettenberg Bay with an Education for Learners with Special Needs (ELSEN) Unit, catering for children with mental and learning barriers from around the area. As the pioneer of inclusive education in South Africa, a documentary is currently being made on the good work done in the unit. This will display the vision of the school – to mould learners into becoming holistically functioning citizens of our country. This is achieved via an emphasis on numeracy self-discipline and self-confidence.
In addition to the school programme, Formosa Primary School also has a specialist ballet department, with dance forming part of the school curriculum. Learners are also involved in sport, arts and culture. These extra-curricular activities include soccer, netball, cricket, mini-cricket and rugby, as well as drama classes presented by the Lunchbox Theatre and the school choir. Formosa Primary learners are also part of the editorial team for the Bitou 10 Inter-School Magazine – the first inter-schools magazine in the country. Learners also form part of the Plett Field Band.
2012 will see Formosa Primary School ELSEN learners hosting their first annual concert, involving children from “Die Sterreweg” Daycare Centre for the physically handicapped. National SAFTA Music Award winner, Su Lubner, will be choreographing the evening, which will be a fundraiser, and will be open to all. For more information, please contact Leigh on 082 083 2636 or e-mail him on leighdunn111@yahoo.com for more information.