Megan du Plessis Special Needs Centre is a Partial Care Facility that accepts learners with special educational needs.

Children with Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy or any other significant developmental delays or disorders are catered for. Megan du Plessis Special Needs Centre provides a structured, well planned, Christian environment, on Shelford Farm in Bushy Vales, Marina Beach, where learners are given optimal opportunities to develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually to their full potential. Due to the high educator to learner ratio, both the learners and educators are fully involved in the educational activities. Within limits, the children are free to select and explore learning activities at their own pace and according to their own interests and abilities.

Hanlie and Kingsley du Plessis had a 17-year-old daughter, Megan, with special needs. She sadly passed away in 2016. They bought Shelford farm, with a big shed on it, which they wanted to turn into a Special Needs Centre, for Megan and other older children. Lene Schnackenberg, from the St John’s Lutheran Parish in Shelly Beach, approached them and asked if Thuthukani Preschool, a school for Special Needs Children, could ‘join’ their project – and they approved.

So the doors of Megan du Plessis Special Needs Centre were officially opened on the 4th of August 2018. Thuthukani Preschool, which was opened on the 1st of September 2014, by Lene in the Manse, in Shelly Beach, joined the Megan du Plessis Foundation in January 2018 and gave up its Megan du Plessis Special Needs Centre in Bushy Vales Lene Schnackenberg, Shelley Beach year. In the long term, the kindergarten should be supported by contributions from “external” children. Every day here in Hutten Heights, Newcastle, we have the opportunity to raise our eyes to the mountains (according to Psalm 121). And indeed, we receive help from the Lord again and again – competent, experienced, Christian and committed teaching staff, fresh confidence in a fruitful and blessed children’s ministry, and happy children on the first day of St Martin’s Kindergarten. We thank God for this and trust in His help for the future.

Megan du Plessis Special Needs Centre 20 nam e – nothing else – on the 23rd of August 2018 when all the teachers, children, toys, equipment and material moved to Shelford Farm.

‘Megan du Plessis Special Needs Centre’ was opened in remembrance of Megan and to the honour of God. This new Centre is a Happy Place for many and our joy, expertise and passion continues…

Our Senior Section opened its doors in January 2019. As a Partial Care Facility we are not bound down to a specific Daily Routine with a specific curriculum. To ensure optimal learning and development, however, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) from the Department of Education is used as a foundation to all learning activities. This curriculum is adapted to meet the needs and circumstances of the learners. The preschool curriculum is based on themes selected by the educators. The daily routine in the Senior Section includes many activities that form the foundation of life skills. These include arts and crafts, home industry and maintenance, community and environmental projects, gardening, computer skills, basic hygiene and safety. Mathematics and Literacy is taught according to the abilities of the learners.

A trans-disciplinary-team, including the educators and facilitators, speech and occupational therapists and a counselling psychologist, work closely together continually. Learners are assessed on a continual basis according to observations, assessments, portfolios, learners’ behaviour and development and parent interviews. Detailed written reports are distributed in June and December in the Junior Section. There is a high teacher to learner ratio of 1:5; if a class has 8 learners an assistant will join the class.

The learners pay school fees and these are allocated to the salaries of the staff. All other expenses, maintenance, equipment, material, therapy, outings etc. are covered by donations we receive. Please do feel free to come and visit us, view our development and the happenings of Megan du Plessis Special Needs Centre on our webpage or Facebook page. Like and share our story… it is a cause well worth supporting!

Lene Schnackenberg, Shelley Beach