23-07-2025
Community rallies to rebuild and extend Chrysalis Academy
In the Chartwell community stands a beacon of hope for unique children with a range of neuro-diverse needs, Chrysalis Academy.
After a devastating fire decimated the property in October 2023, destroying the main dwelling and main storage facility on the property, the academy is not only striving to rebuild, but also to expand its crucial services.
Nadia Brink, a mother of a student from Chrysalis Academy, is rallying behind a BackaBuddy campaign to support this exceptional institution.
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Brink explained that for many parents, finding the right environment for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a daunting journey, one she knows well. After years of searching and therapy, she finally found Chrysalis Academy, a place that offered her son a supportive and 'normal' learning experience.
'They assisted me by keeping in contact and helping me understand what I should do in trying situations. As a parent of an ASD child, you need all the help and information you can get,' she said.
Chrysalis Academy's inclusive approach and small class sizes have helped her son thrive, sparking her desire to give back through a fundraising campaign to support the school's recovery and growth.
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Chrysalis Academy, led by Chuné Stucke, has served as a sanctuary for gifted and neuro-diverse children in need of learning support for the past 15 years. The school provides a safe space with small classes, with a maximum of 10 and a minimum of two children per class, allowing each learner to grow at their own pace.
'The intention behind the creation of the school was to provide affordable learning support for children with a range of unique needs in the greater Fourways area,' said Stucke.
She added that the fire had left Chrysalis Academy facing immense challenges. As an independent school in a lower fee bracket, and no government funding, the road to recovery has been steep. Yet the spirit of the school remains unbroken.
'Parents are the ones who thought of the campaign to help raise funds for building a better future for our school. We wouldn't want to have to close the school because of finances, and, due to a rising demand for early years intervention, we would love to extend our facilities by adding a centre for early childhood development to our school.'
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The BackaBuddy campaign aims to raise R50 000 to address immediate needs and expand the school's offerings, with funds going towards re-imagining, rebuilding, and replacing items in the school. These items include anything from desks and chairs to playground and sports equipment, as well as funding for the necessary learning materials and equipment for their early childhood development centre. This will support the school's mission to welcome more unique, gifted, and neurodiverse children.
To support this dream becoming a reality, you can donate to this BackaBuddy campaign: or contact Stucke on WhatsApp at 083 308 0701.
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