Inspan / Pro-Practicum School’s History

The first special school in the West Rand was opened on 8 August 1955 on Tornado Square, Georginia in Roodepoort.  The 87 learners were transported with two buses from Kocksoord and Krugersdorp.  With the establishment of a bus service from Albertskroon, the number of learners went up to 156 the next day. All these learners came from special classes in main stream schools.  The staff consisted of 7 teachers and an acting Headmaster.  With the conclusion of classes from Foutainebleau and Ferndale the number of learners went up to 323.  All these learners were transported by buses.  These learners could not go to Geoginia School.  Therefore learners West of Florida were sent to the old “Burger Hoërskool” (Touleier School) – recently Roodepark School.

On 30 January 1961 the learners from Florida up to Venterspost, all went to the Old Krugersdorp West English Medium School.  The School board named this school “Inspan”.  There were 147 learners enrolled with 9 staff members which included the Headmaster.

 

Buildings:

The old school buildings of Krugersdorp West English Medium School on more than 2 Morgen land, consisted of 5 classrooms, a staffroom, office, storeroom and the necessary outbuildings.  Additions that were added consisted of domestic science centres and trade centres.

On 12 July 1961 one big centre was divided by a wall into 2 welding centres with store Rooms.  During January 1962 one classroom was added due to the shortage of classrooms.  5 Classes were accommodated in 1962 at Morester School.

At the main building the staffroom was used as an office for 2 secretaries.  The flat was used as a staff room.  The prefab building was used as a hall and storerooms.  The school did not have sports facilities and had to hire fields for sports.

 

Finances:

Funds were obtained by Fétes, Donations and school fees.  (Contributions to school funds were about R28 in 1967).

 

Sport:

Because of high costs for transport and problems to get learners home after matches, they decided that rugby and korfball will be played on a friendly basis against High Schools in the area.  This brought biter understanding between the High Schools and Special Schools.

 

Academics:

Learners were divided according to home language and departmental policy.  Two trades, woodwork and welding were instructed.  They applied for a third trade namely panel beating and spray painting.

 

Current day:

Pro-Practicum has 24 classrooms where 9 learning areas are taught and 17 centers for pre-vocational training to enrich the learners.  Woodwork, welding, panel beating, motor mechanics, building, computer-typing, catering, hairdressing, home-nursing and needlework are all taught.

In the spacious administration building there is a staffroom, kitchen, conference room, 4 offices and a reception area.  A second hall and lapa “Tirisano” (Place of gathering), were erected in 1998.  This leads to a new area at Inspan School where learners from all cultural groups are accepted.  The name Inspan School was changed to Pro-Practicum School in 2000 to be môre representative of our multicultural learners.

The School consist of 780 learners, 52 teachers, 2 occupational therapists, 1 social workers, 5 secretaries, 18 ground workers, 9 heads of departments, 2 deputy principals and a headmaster.  Pro-Practicum has well developed sports grounds for netball, rugby and soccer.  Beautiful gardens decorate the school grounds.  The school annually opens its doors for hundreds of new learners to “enter to learn; leave to serve”.