Pinelands North Primary looks back on 75 years

Past pupils and staff of Pinelands North Primary School took part in its 75th anniversary celebrations last week.

The school had 94 pupils when it was founded in 1948 under its first principal, JHG. Mckenzie. By the 1950s, it had four new classrooms, a tennis court and 430 pupils. Today it has 510 pupils.

Henward Honiball led the school from 1968 to 1973 during which time the library was built.

The swimming pool was built and the playground expanded while Selwyn Hall was principal from 1974 to 1976.

Under principal Bob Shepherd, who served from 1977 to 1996, the school opened to all races, in 1990, and introduced Xhosa lessons in 1992.

“The school was then, and I am sure is now, a very happy school to be,” said Mr Shepherd, who was at the anniversary ceremony on Monday October 16.

Ann Morton took over from Mr Shepherd in 1996 and has now been at the helm for 26 years, making her the school's longest serving principal.

“I am thankful for the privilege of being leader for 26 years,” she said. “I just want Pinelands North to go from strength to strength; 75 years is a long time. I have been here a long time, so I hope that the next person that comes will care for it as much as we care."

Last year, the school was a runner-up in the World’s Best School Prize in the category of “overcoming adversity” (“Pinelands North finish as runners up in global school competition,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, October 20).

Former school governing body member Anthony Ryan and his wife, Susan, are part of three generations of Pinelands North pupils. They attended the school, as did their three daughters, and now their twin granddaughters and grandson are at the school.

“If Ms Morton leaves, the school governing body will ensure that there will be a suitable replacement that will continue the strong foundation left by Ms Morton and Mr Shepherd and we would welcome a new principal and continue to grow this amazing school," he said.

Former pupil Siposethu Xamlashe, who is now doing a business degree at UCT, said the lessons she had learned at Pinelands North had helped her navigate high school, university and life in general.

“I was exposed to a diverse learning environment where pupils, teachers and staff came from different backgrounds,” she said.

Among those staff receiving long-service awards on the day was school caretaker Sakkie Louw, who said: “I am very proud to be here. This is really an amazing school."