History
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).
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 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.
Read more about this topic: Bergvliet Primary School
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