The Junior Primary learners from Fulton School for the Deaf participated in the Young Engineers programme during 2020 thanks to the sponsorship from eDeaf, a Deaf owned company that specialises in the employment and empowerment of the Deaf community and local business coaching firm, ActionCOACH Ignite.
“eDeaf recognise the impact of foundational learning. We have always enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with Fulton, as many of our top students come from there. Sponsoring the Young Engineers programme enables us to give back to the Deaf community and sow seeds that will reap a reward for bright young minds of the future,” says Nicky Bezuidenhout, eDeaf Marketing & Communications Manager.
The Grade R to grade 3 pupils at Fulton school for the Deaf took part in the Big Builders school readiness programme through Young Engineers. This CAPS-aligned programme creates a solid learning foundation for future engineering as well as robotics and coding skills.
“Our primary focus at ActionCOACH is education and we are extremely proud to have played a part in making a meaningful contribution and difference in the lives of these bright, young learners,” says Darryn Le Grange, Business Coach and Owner of ActionCOACH Ignite.
The Young Engineers programmes equip children with a 21st century skillset, empowering them with knowledge of Science, Maths, Engineering and Tech so that they may be very successful in meeting the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
“It has been a true privilege to take these children through their journey of discovery of the Big Builders programme. They have done exceptionally well and I am very proud of each one of them for their enthusiasm in exploring new concepts,” says Debbie Gironi – Young Engineers Durban West.
Nicole Robson, the Foundation Phase Department Head at Fulton School for the Deaf says it has been a joy to watch the children progress through the Big Builders programme. “The Young Engineers programme has been a highlight for our learners this year and a lesson which they were all wildly enthusiastic about. It provided them with a creative outlet which included critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork skills. Learners achieve success irrespective of their academic ability and this confidence then spills over to numeracy skills within the class.”
Odette Swift, the principal of Fulton School for the Deaf believes that Deaf children can do anything, except hear. To this end, her vision is to be a school that ensures that Deaf children have the opportunity to enter any career path they choose, including the sciences.
“The generous sponsorship from ActionCOACH Ignite and eDeaf to enable our Junior Primary learners to do the Little Engineers programme in 2020 is greatly appreciated and we believe that this is the beginning of greater opportunities for our Deaf learners – many of whom come from families who cannot afford to pay for extra programmes like this. Creating opportunities for Deaf children is an investment in their futures and we are deeply thankful,” concludes Mrs Swift.
Photo caption: Fulton School for the Deaf Junior Primary learners proudly displaying their Big Builders certificates with (back row L-R) Nicole Robson (Foundation Phase Department Head – Fulton School for the Deaf), Darryn Le Grange (Owner of ActionCOACH Ignite) and Michele Mayer (eDeaf Recruitment Specialist). Kneeling in front are Megan Strydom and Debbie Gironi from Young Engineers Durban West.
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