History

1821

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.

1880
1881

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’.

1891
1905

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.

1927
1928

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.

1929
1935

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.

1944
1951

Dr. Helen Keller visits

3rd Principal

Mr. JG Badenhorst is appointed as the third principal.

1953
1957

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.

1976
1981

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.

1993
1996

Public School

The school as a ‘church school’ becomes a public school.

Sixth Principal

Mr P.A. Cook is appointed as the sixth principal.

2008
2011

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.