Depasa Newsletter One

Deaf Education Principals’ Association South Africa NEWSLETTER 1

DEPASA

D E P A S A Deaf Education Principals Association – South Africa 13 Delphinus Street, Lenasia, 1812 Tel: 011 787-5430/ 0825616691(SMS)/ 0718775914 (SMS) www.depasa.org

The establishment of DEPASA heralds a very exciting time for Deaf Education in South Africa. There has been a growing need for Principals in schools for the Deaf to have a platform to share common goals and challenges faced on a daily basis. Here is a brief synopsis of how it all began and the vision that DEPASA envisages.

Mission of DEPASA: To promote transformation and leadership in D/deaf and hard of hearing education

The Beginning

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t a Wisehub Conference in Cape Town (2016) a few principals of schools for the Deaf raised concerns about the gap in leadership issues they were experiencing.

Some concerns evolved around

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Vision of DEPASA: Members of the Deaf Education Principal’s Association – South Africa recognize and acknowledge their role as educational managers and leaders.

Through our collective and professional conduct at local, provincial and national levels, strive to excel in our task through selfdevelopment and interaction as an independent, nondiscriminatory and nonaligned association .

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The outcome of the voicing of these concerns lead to the formation of a steering committee. Members of the committee were M. Pillay (Northwest Secondary School), M Govender (MC Kharbai), I Parkin (St Vincent), B Campbell (Fulton), M Maluma, (Tshilidzini School for Special Education) and O Swift (Interim Administrator). The steering committee was tasked with the following tasks:   

To officially form an association that is unique to the needs of Deaf Education.

To establish an interim NEC. To draw up a constitution and decide on a vision and mission for the association.

Interim NEC   

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Lack of consultation in decision - making processes that directly impact on Deaf education.

Isolation experienced by principals in terms of challenges and success stories.

The motivational need for sharing excellence achieved by learners and schools.

The first inaugural meeting was held in May 2017 at St Vincent School for the Deaf in Gauteng.

30 schools for the Deaf were represented at this meeting.

An interim NEC was elected M Batchelor (Chairperson), M Naidoo (Deputy Chairperson), P Cook (Treasurer), I Parkin (Secretary), M Pillay (NEC member) and M Uekermann (NEC member) Constitution was adopted.

Mission and Vision adopted.

Interim Focus: Development of school leaders

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The voice of Principals of schools for Deaf learners -

The Interim NEC Achieved the following in 2017

SAVE THE DATE!!!

DEPASA Launch Conference 20 & 21 April 2018 Gauteng Registration Fee: R1900

per attendee.

Transport and accommodation not included.

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NEC roles clarified Name adopted: DEPASA – Deaf Education Principals Association of South Africa Slogan adopted: `Let us Lead’ Emblem designed and accepted Finance Policy drafted Membership eligibility clarified Bank Account opened Sign-Name for DEPASA accepted DEPASA website registered 2018 priority identified: Implementation of SASL as a subject Date and province of official launch of DEPASA identified Planning meeting for the official launch conference of DEPASA was held to formulate conference agenda, roles and responsibilities, etc.

DEPASA: The Way Forward 1.

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Formal DEPASA launch and conference: 20-21 April 2018.

Venue: Gauteng DEPASA quarterly newsletter as a way of sharing information.

Website: www.depasa.org Conference will include panel discussions on the implementation of SASL and the formulation of a position paper.

Annual Conferences / meetings will be held in different provinces Link schools – districts, province, national departments and NGO’s Post conference 2018 – Research opportunity into Deaf Education

Membership Information 1.

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Principals and Deputy Principals can become members of DEPASA Schools pay R1000 per school to become a member of DEPASA DEPASA Conference will have its own Conference fee per person attending

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The voice of Principals of schools for Deaf learners -