VISION
We are involved with our learners, a light has gone up for them - they gain an insight into their circumstances, develop a good self-esteem, are proud of their successes and can enter the world as well balanced citizens of their country.
Our aim is that every learner must reach maximum independence so that he/she will be able to play an active role in the market place and become self-sufficient.
MISSION
To identify, prioritize and treat every learner to enable him/her to become a worthy and well-adjusted member of the community. He/she will be equipped to render service to his/her God, community, province and country. The uniqueness of every person is like a facet of a diamond, it must be polished before it can sparkle. At Elcon every "diamond" is encouraged, by exposure to different disciplines, to realize his/her full potential.
DISABILITIES
Physically Disabled
Learning Disability
ADD / ADHD
Autism
Spina Bifida
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscle Atrophy
Asthma
Epilepsy
Osteogenesis Imperfecta Neurofibromatosis
Amputations
Brain Injury (CP)
Developmental Delays
Letter from the Principal's office
It is with great joy and anticipation that I welcome you to a new academic year. Each year brings fresh opportunities for growth, learning, and community, and I am confident that this year will be no exception. To our returning families, thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Your support is invaluable in helping us nurture and guide our learners toward success.
Aan ons nuwe ouers en leerders, baie welkom by die Elcon-familie. Ons is opgewonde dat u by ons aangesluit het en sien uit daarna om die reis van opvoeding saam met u aan te pak. Our dedicated staff is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Hier by Elizabeth Conradieskool moedig ons kommunikasie en samewerking aan omdat ons glo dat ‘n sterk vennootskap tussen skool en huis lei tot leerdersukses.
Let us embrace this year with enthusiasm, resilience and a shared commitment to excellence. Saam kan ons hierdie jaar ‘n wonderlike ervaring vir elkeen maak!
Wishing you and your children a successful and fulfilling academic year ahead.
Elcon-groete
Skoolhoof
M van Zyl
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
In a unique co-operation between the National Departments of Defence, Health and Labour, boys with rehabilitative disabilities who reported for military service, were grouped during 1939 in special peletons at Voortrekkerhoogte in Pretoria.
Early 1941 these peletons grew into a battallion and from 1942 the Physical Training Battallion was launched under Major Danie Craven. Since September 1942 the Physical Training Battallion also became a school at Voortrekkerhoogte and by 1945 it was a very good school with 660 disabled boys and 32 teachers. After the Second World War, the school moved early in 1946 to the old Army Base in Kimberley.
The post office at the base was called Diskobolos, and so the school was also informally called Diskobolos. The then Union Education Department took over control of the Physical Training Brigade School. The symbol of the school was the statue of the discus thrower – the Diskobolos statue.
The 166 staff members of the school comprised of medical doctors, psychologists, vice principals, teachers, therapists, a statistician, a photographer, a sociologist, dieticians, a butcher, an investigator (policeman), a farm foreman and a sports organizer. Dr Danie Craven was the director (principal) of the school. In April 1950 the school ceased to exist as the Physical Training Brigade focussed on rehabilitative disabilities. Since 1948 pressure was put on the school to also enroll learners with non-rehabilitative disabilities.
So learners on crutches and in wheelchairs were also enrolled, and three different schools came into being: a boys school for boys with physical disabilities, a girls school for girls with physical disabilities, a high school ("beroepskool") for boys with physical disabilities.
In April 1955 the Girls School moved from picturesque and historical Alexandersfontein (where Cecil John Rhodes and his friends played) to Diskobolos. One school was formed, Elizabeth Conradie School. The school was named after the wife of the then Administrator of the Cape Province, Dr Johanna Elizabeth Conradie as she was the dynamic president of the National Cripple Care Council. When PW Botha, Minister of Defence, indicated that the military needed the Diskobolos facilities, a new school was planned and built in Kimberley.
On 1 December 1973 Elizabeth Conradie School moved to the current premises next to the N12 road.
