Kind words for language therapists

Communicating: Alicia Bock, one of the seven students at the speech and language clinic at Norma Road Primary, speaks to a parent at the group's "farewell" shindig.

Every year, students of the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders run speech and language clinics from local schools, gently nursing young learners through their respective maladies.

It's hard work much of the time, but the division's staffers and seven second- and third-year students who recently wrapped up their four-month stint at Norma Road Primary in Silvertown left the school with many warm memories. For one, the school was so chuffed to have the clinic in the area that it opened its doors to learners from neighbouring primary and high schools, reported lecturer Martha Geiger.

"It's been wonderful to see how the community embraced the service and made the most of it," she noted.

Then, of course, there was the hearty welcome - cakes and refreshments included - the staff and students enjoyed every time they arrived at the school. "These were little extras that made a huge difference when we came here," said Geiger.

The group received an equally wholehearted farewell when they finished off at the clinic at the end of September. School staff members - including principal Junaid Daries and teachers' support team co-ordinator, Kim Kearns, who had a hand in setting up the clinic - shared a few final words and a culinary spread with the UCT staff and students.

"It's been lovely here," said third-year student Fazlyn Baradien. "The welcome we got from teachers and students was amazing, and they really appreciated the work that we were doing."