MERRYVALE SCHOOL / MERRYVALE-SKOOL, Mangold Park, [1] Port Elizabeth.
The arms may be blazoned:
Arms: Murrey, a bend sinister dancetty argent, the right angles forming a staircase of five steps; the second and third steps additionally forming part of the broad fimbriation around a cross Latin murrey; the whole within a border argent.
The arms are not registered, but they would seem acceptable for registration with the Bureau for Heraldry with a few small adjustments.
Firstly, the school badge is usually printed with the argent or silver portions in metallic silver ink, which gives the whole a murky appearance.
Secondly, the badge as usually presented has, in addition to the shield blazoned above, an additional murrey field (not a chief, but an additional afterthought) bearing the school’s name, surrounded by a further silver fimbriation.
Since the use of lettering is contrary to the heraldic tradition, it is suggested that this be omitted.
Thirdly, the heraldic tradition regards the dexter side (the right as seen from behind the shield) as being more significant and more honourable than the sinister. It is suggested that the bend be shifted from the sinister position to the more appropriate dexter.
The heraldic colour murrey (supposedly derived from the colour of mulberries) is the closest equivalent in that system to the maroon favoured by many South
African schools.
The staircase would seem to represent the pupils’ climb to a better position in life than they might have had without the benefit of the special education the school has to offer.
The cross, placed in the middle of the shield, emphasises the centrality of the Christian Faith in the school’s ethos.
About the school:
The school’s vision statement reads: “Merryvale, a multi-cultural school for mentally handicapped learners, strives as far as possible to empower its learners in their totality, to the maximum, in order to become dignified citizens.”
The mission is stated in these
words: “Facilitators commit themselves to their calling with ongoing and meaningful innovation, enthusiasm and empathy, to optimally empower the mentally handicapped learner with basic skills and a positive attitude.”
In 2003 the school had 270 pupils aged between six and 18, of whom 140 made daily use of school transport from specified pick-up points within 10 km of the school. The school has a hostel which in 2003 housed 60 pupils, but has a capacity of 104.
It is estimated that about 40% of the pupils are from disadvantaged backgrounds or poor families. In addition the subsidy paid by the Department of Education and Culture is between R15 000 and R20 000 a month too little to cover running costs. This all means that the school is reliant on the assistance of charitable organisations to supplement its funding.
An official introduction to the school has this to say about it:
“Since 1997, with a new dispensation in position, the Commission for Social Services of the church is no longer the sponsoring body. However, a number of congregations in Port Elizabeth still support this most meritorious cause.
“THE OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE OF MERRYVALE
“The school was started exclusively for the purpose of teaching, guiding and educating severely mentally handicapped children as well as neurally severely mentally handicapped children who are not strong enough to attend a special class at a normal school. Pupils admitted to the school include Down’s syndrom, Spina Bifida and Cerebral palsied children. They are admitted with the sole purpose of being taken care of and stimulated to his/her full potential.”
The school took occupation of its current premises in Alan Drive, Mangold Park, Port Elizabeth, in 1985.
