It was a morning filled with celebrations as Camps Bay High School hosted its Founder’s Day on Monday 23 May.
The primary school also held celebratory assemblies at both their preparatory and primary campuses to commemorate the school’s 116th year in existence.
This milestone puts the Camps Bay schools among the oldest in Cape Town.
Louis Mostert, Camps Bay High School principal, says: “Traditionally, Founder’s Day is the day when we get together as a school community to commemorate the history of the school and to celebrate how far our school has come.”
The original Camps Bay School opened its doors on 28 May 1906 in the church hall in Argyle Road. At the time, the ministers felt it was a waste to use the buildings only on Sundays.
There were just seven learners enrolled in grades 1 to 6 in 1906. This number grew to 42 in 1912 and Camps Bay Preparatory School was built.
By 1953, the number of learners enrolled had grown to 300. That was when the current primary school in Dunkeld Road was built.
Two years later, the soon-overcrowded primary school was given high school status and the newly founded high school temporarily moved to a premises located in Drive Road.
By 1960, the need for a new high school building became even more pressing but it would take seven more years for ground to be earmarked and plans to be approved. In 1967, the building of the current Camps Bay High School began. Two years later, the high school opened its doors on 7 October 1969.
Addressing the learners on Monday, Mostert focused on the previous principals of Camps Bay High School whose photographs can be seen in the foyer of the school.
Mostert says: “I had the privilege of working with the last three principals who all contributed an immense amount to the school. Mr Gush served as principal from 1950 to 1961 and fought for the school to be given high school status. He was succeeded by Mr Leeuwenburg who served as head for a brief stint from 1960 to1961 until the much-loved and remembered Mr Berman took the helm of the school from 1962 to 1973. He was the first high school principal in the current high school building.”
Matthew Harvey, who was head prefect in 2012, addressed the learners during the assembly.
After leaving school, Harvey studied at Stellenbosch University. He completed his master’s degree while simultaneously working full time as a data analyst for a pharmaceutical company and holding down two part time jobs.
He shared a word of encouragement with the learners.
“To work hard means to begin building an unconquerable mindset, to say I want to be better today than I was yesterday. My advice to you, speak the idea aloud, develop the vision, put a plan of action in place and execute it.
“No one is going to do it for you. Sometimes even the people around, those you respect and admire – friends, family and mentors – will question why you’re doing this, or think you are crazy and try to lead you off the path you have created for yourself. Stand fast, be resilient against their pressure and you will be successful.”
Kahlil Visser, who was a school prefect in 2019, gave a highly entertaining performance that had the audience roaring with laughter.
His passion for the performing arts, evident throughout his high school career, saw him founding the drama club where he designed and facilitated lessons specifically focused on the development of improvisation.
Kahlil studied at Michaelis School of Fine Art in 2021 but decided to rather pursue his love for dramatic arts. He is currently working in the film industry, both behind and in front of the camera.
Other performers at the assembly included Camps Bay High School’s Inkcubeko Yethu Society Choir which performed a rendition of Johnny Clegg’s The Crossing and Grade 10 learner Carla Bernal who performed a piano solo.
Thimna Tibisono, who was the head prefect in 2018, recited a poem.
Celebrations were also held at the preparatory and primary school campuses. Michael Hagglund was the special guest speaker at the primary school assembly. The former learner attended both the primary and high school and was head prefect of the high school in 2008.
Camps Bay Primary School principal Chris Storey says: “At a time where the world seems to be facing more challenges than ever before, it is a privilege to be a part of a group of schools that not only value good education but relevant education.
“It is an incredible achievement that since 1906, the Camps Bay schools have been intentionally striving to teach in a way which prepares our children for life and the future.”
Posted on News24.com
31 May 2022
https://bit.ly/3NFhIob
No comments:
Post a Comment