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School History

 

Early Years
After the Second World War, 1939 – 1945, an entirely new suburb of Cape Town was established to provide accommodation for ex-servicemen. The Bergvliet Housing Scheme attracted many young families and soon the completed buildings were occupied. A beautiful, modern primary school was built in 1949 ready for the first term of 1950.

The original main building consisted of twelve airy and gaily-painted classrooms and two adjoining K.G. rooms with an interleading sliding door so that this area could also be used as a place of assembly.

There was also a principal’s office (now being used as a secretary’s office), staff room (now being used as the principal’s office), bookroom and toilet facilities for the staff and children. There was also a kitchen which was sometimes used by the K.G. children when they baked gingerbread men. Outside, there were two covered bicycle shelters each approximately twenty metres long. The original cost of the school and out-buildings was about R56 000 (£28 000).

Original Staff: Mr R M Breetzke, former principal of Camps Bay Primary School, was appointed the first principal. He served the school for 28 years and retired in 1977. Other members of staff were:

 
  Miss E van der Poll
Miss S Berk
Miss E Hugo
Miss E van Wyk
Miss M Rousseau
Mr T Walters
Mr A Woodcock
Sub A
Sub B
Std 1
Std 2
Std 3
Std 4 (Later an Inspector of Art)
Std 5		    
 
The enrolment was about 174 in a school designed for 500 pupils. Although the school was intended to be dual medium, very few Afrikaans speaking parents applied for admission for their children. The colour of the uniform was bottle-green and white. The badge – a variety of Erica – was designed by Mr Walters and the motto - Servimus – was added by Mr Breetzke. In the summer the boys were allowed to wear khaki shorts and shirts with sandals. Girls wore berets and boys wore caps.

The grounds were completely undeveloped and no sports facilities were provided. Ground was available for a rugby field but dense bush had to be cleared and levelling was essential. Soon this task was undertaken by the Divisional Council and pupils planted the grass. Rose bushes, shrubs and trees were bought to beautify the grounds. Funds were raised by weekly film shows, levies and fetes.

The first school committee met in February 1951. The members were as follows:
Mr J Maree (chairman)
Mr F Gillman
Dr R Cullis
Mr C Haylett
Mr J Day
Mr T Koller
Mrs J Augustyn

Some matters arising from the first meeting:
- Request for light in classrooms
- Bitumising of paths and quadrangle – this is a very sandy area and the caretaker had difficulty keeping the building clean especially when the south easter was in full cry.
- Power plugs were required in the K.G. classrooms.

The growth of the school was rapid and in March 1951 the principal anticipated an enrolment exceeding 500. The Education Department was to be requested to provide prefabricated classrooms. At this stage it was also felt that the school be declared an English Medium school as the area was predominately English-speaking. In 1951 application was made to the Department for Junior High status as parents were experiencing difficulty having their children enrolled at high schools – Bergvliet High School had not yet been built.

Early Growth
Mr T Walters was appointed as Special Grade assistant. In July 1953, two music teachers were appointed. Mrs Steenkamp and Mrs Dose occupied these posts. In 1953 the school was entitled to a Vice- Principalship. Three members of staff were eligible and applied for the vacancy which was subsequently filled by Mr H Woodcock. Another Special Grade post became available and was filled by Mr D Schoonraad. He was a mature man and served the school well, until his retirement in 1967.

In 1954, the committee agreed to the systematic raising of funds to construct a hall. Parents were requested to donate R2 per term in addition to the normal levy which they paid.

Application was made to the Department for the construction of two music rooms and a speech therapy room.

In 1955, application was made for additional ground on the South sde of the school. The girls bicycle shelter had to be demolished to make way for the proposed new hall. The hall was completed in 1957 at a cost of R16 000. The Department contributed about R7320. The official opening was in 1958.

Due to lack of space the hall was not really big enough to serve the needs of the school. Nevertheless, it was an attractive building with large floor to ceiling sliding doors giving access to the quadrangle with beautiful shady trees. There was also an adequate stage, where Mrs Cushny (Art) and Mrs Davison produced pantomimes and plays. The growth of the school continued and the demand for admission grew steadily as the school, excelled not only in the classroom but also on the sports field. Cricket, tennis, rugby and netball teams compared very favourably with the best in the Western Province.

At a special meeting of the School committee, chaired by Mr L Hyde, the Bergvliet Sports Association was approached with a view to obtaining the land between the school and tennis courts. The aim was to develop this area into a sports complex.

  
 
In 1963 there were proposals for the extension of the school hall on the south side. The purpose of this was to serve as a school library as the library was housed in a room which was far too small. There would be no wall between the hall and the proposed extensions, as this would, in a way, increase the capacity of the hall when maximum attendance was expected. Before the hall was built, prize-givings were held in the open. Sometimes 800 – 1000 persons attended. Men serving on the committee were expected to wear formal evening dress as were the male staff members.


Item of Interest
- July 1960

The Divisional Council served notice on the school calling for the reduction of the number of pigeons.

Mr Breetzke had introduced the birds to provide an additional interest for the children, but they bred faster than he had anticipated.		  
   

The above-named extensions to the hall for library purposes were commenced in January 1964 and completed the same year. At this stage the enrolment stood at 587.

In November 1964, Dr Loots examined pupils at the school and found that 24 were in need of special class teaching. Mrs Cleghorn was appointed. In March 1965, Mrs P Cotton became the first full-time secretary. She was extremely well-liked and served the school well until her retirement in 1978.

The need for further accommodation continued. On 5 February 1968, the secretary of the school committee was asked to remind the department that the extra facilities previously requested were desperately required. The principal pointed out that there was no staffroom, there were inadequate toilets for lady staff members, the special class was in the passages, two classes were held in storerooms and the pre-fabs were unbearably hot and the lighting poor.

In 1967, Mrs M C van der Westhuizen was appointed as a second Vice-Principal. The post was formerly held by Mr D Schoonraad who had retired. Mrs van der Westhuizen rendered excellent service to the school. Until her retirement in September 1979, she looked after the K.G section, taught music and singing and assisted with the production of operettas.

In August 1969, correspondence was received by the committee in which it was learnt that the Divisional Council was asked to instruct their Conveyancers to pass transfer of the land measuring 1,1911 m2 to the Education Authorities.

 The Bergvliet Sports Club was to be reimbursed an amount of R2000. In March 1970, the following were considered in a development programme: 6 tennis courts, 2 netball courts, 1 rugby / cricket field, an athletics track, 1 small pavilion, well point with storage dam and an appropriate sprinkler system.

  
 
 
 


In 1970 the school’s 21st anniversary was celebrated by a dinner / dance at Rhodesia – by- the-Sea, Simonstown: Cost R5 per couple.

In 1971 tenders were called for in connection with new additions to the school. These were for a new hall, science lab, two special class rooms, medical inspection rooms, bookroom, needlework room and six new classrooms. This work was completed in 1972 and brought relief to the crowded conditions which existed before.

In August 1972, a letter jointly written and signed by Mr A Cape (parent) and Mr Van Zyl La Grange was received by the committee requesting the establishment of a fund towards the building of a swimming pool. After the usual negotiations the pool was ready for use in the spring of 1974.

By this stage the school had acquired practically all the amenities associated with a modern primary school, viz an art room, library, huge hall, woodwork room, science lab, sufficient classrooms, adequate sporting facilities etc.

In December 1977, Mr Breetzke retired at the age of 63 after 28 years service. His drive and leadership was appreciated and a school with a unique atmosphere was created. Visitors, inspectors, parents, training college lecturers and students sensed, and often commented on the happy atmosphere that prevailed. The staff has always been a happy united unit.

After Mr Breetzke’s retirement, Mr L Fourie, formerly of Tamboerskloof Primary School, was appointed and the school continues to function as an efficient and happy unit.

Written by A H Woodcock (Deputy Principal) in October 1979