
Rev. George Thom
Rev. George Thom asked the synod in a letter
to pay attention to the education and care of
the deaf.
Educational Institute For The deaf
The synod of the Dutch Reformed Church decided to make an appeal to the whole church to establish an educational institution
for the Deaf.
Doofstommen Instituut
The ‘Doofstommen Instituut’ in Worcester began with Mr. Jan de la Bat as principal and Lenie du Toit of Wellington as the first pupil.
Section For The Blind
Division for the blind began and the school was renamed as ‘Instituut vir Doofstommen en Blinden’.
Seperated
The Deaf and Blind are separated into two
sections.
2nd Principal
Rev. Gawie de la Bat, son of Mr. Jan de la Bat, is appointed as the second principal.
School For The Deaf
Referred to as ‘School for the Deaf’ for the first time.
New Premises
New premises on the east side of Worcester and along the railway line to the north are acquired.
Multi Disabled Learners
Rev. de la Bat requested the management to pay attention to the care of Deaf adults with multi disabilities.
Nursery School
The first nursery school for the deaf is established in the Old Mill House (designed by Sir Herbert Baker) with 18 children.
Dr. Helen Keller visits
3rd Principal
Mr. JG Badenhorst is appointed as the third principal.
New Buildings
The Gawie de la Bat Nursery’s new buildings on campus are acquired.
4th Principal
Dr. Johan Hamilton is appointed as the fourth principal.
100 Years
With the 100-year celebration, the school was renamed De la Bat School.
5th Principal
Dr. Hamilton is appointed as chief executive officer of the Institute for the Deaf and Mr Eugene van Vuuren as the fifth principal of De la Bat School.
Public School
The school as a ‘church school’ becomes a public school.
Sixth Principal
Mr P.A. Cook is appointed as the sixth principal.
SASL
South African Sign Language Project is launched.
2022
Mrs H.Louw is appointed as the seventh Principal at De la Bat School and the first female principal.