Eastes worked at the institution for almost 30 years, where he spent 25 years as the headmaster before retiring in May this year.

He says what he loved the most about working at the school was working with the kids, who despite their physical challenges are cheerful and motivated to achieve success.

“My greatest dream for the school is that the Department of Education will start supporting special schools and learners with special needs by providing them with a realistic daily subsidy for balanced meals and the effective running of the schools and hostels,” explained Eastes.

He was born and raised in Port Elizabeth and completed his teaching diploma from Oudtshoorn Teachers College in 1979.

Eastes served two years in the army before he was appointed as a teacher at Tjaart van der Walt Primary School in Port Elizabeth in 1982.

Having spent almost three decades at the school, he learnt a lifetime of knowledge and experiences to handle most challenges.

“I think the most important thing I learned is that you never stop learning and cannot succeed without team work and the grace of God,” he added.

He has been serving on the Ethics Committee of the South African Council for Educators (SACE) for about 15 years and he is also serving as presiding officer in disciplinary hearings of SACE.

The former principal is in the process of establishing a mango orchard at the school for the atchar market with the help of Du Roi Nursaries.

He has been married for 38 years to Annette Eastes and blessed with two daughters who live in Ballito and Centurion.

His final words to the learners and employees of the school comes from the scripture of Habakkuk 3 verse 19 in the bible, which states that ‘the Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like the feet of a deer and he will make me walk upon high places’.