Pinelands North Primary School

General information

OUR HISTORY:
The first primary school to be built in Pinelands was Pinelands Central. This primary school is known today as Pinelands Primary School or the Blue School.

As time passed, and the numbers of children in Pinelands grew, another primary school was needed. In 1947 the building of a second school was started.

While waiting for it to be completed, a number of English speaking children in sub A, sub B and Std. 1 were moved from the Pinelands Central School. They were taught by 2 lady teachers from the school in a house close to where the new school was being built.

By the fourth term of 1947, the pupils from the house as well as Afrikaans speaking pupils were enrolled in the new school. The English speaking children were taught in English while the Afrikaans speaking children were taught in Afrikaans. Where this type of multi-language teaching takes place the school concerned is known as a dual medium school.

In 1948 there were 94 pupils. 63 of these were English speaking and 31 were Afrikaans speaking.

A retired Headmistress, Mrs M Dreyer, acted as principal until Mr J.G.H McKenzie became the Headmaster in 1949, He and his 5 lady teachers decided that the school colours should be maroon, gold and beige (later changed to white.)

The school was officially opened and named Pinelands North Primary School on the 8th June 1949. One of the parents designed the school badge and wrote the words for the school song, while another parent composed the music for it.

In 1950, the school was divided into 3 houses which were known by their colours for sport and athletics. In 1962 the houses were named after 3 gentlemen who had a lot to do with the school.

Gardener: Maroon
Wells: Gold
Clear: Beige/white

Extra buildings were added to the school and in 1955 the school hall was opened. At the end of the same year the Afrikaans speaking pupils left to start studying at the Laerskool Oude Molen.

In January 1968 a Mr H Honiball became the new headmaster until 1974 when a Mr S.M Hall took over. While he was principal a mini sized Olympic pool was built. Mr B.R Shepherd became principal in 1977. Mrs Ann Morton took over from him in 1997. She is at present still our Headmistress.

We conclude that where people are living there will be children. As children grow and develop they need a place where they can meet together. Whilst socialising they are able to make new friends and learn how to get along with one another. Through this they are discovering and learning many skills and interesting things about themselves, their environments and the world in which they live.

In 2010 we celebrated 20 years of inclusiveness, enriched by broad diversity amoung our staff and pupils.