Bertrams Junior School is a hidden gem that holds an amazing history for the Bertrams community.
The school is located at 93 Ascot Road and was built in 1917. It opened its doors to learners on July 18, 1918.
The school shares its birthday with the late former president Nelson Mandela.
The school will be having its centennial celebration this year.
“We are happy to still be standing despite challenges we have as a school. We are excited because we still have a lot to celebrate and we are looking forward to July,” said principal Khanyi Twala.
Bertrams Junior started as a Jewish school and in the 1960s became a Portuguese school.
The change was because of the Portuguese-speaking immigrants from the colonies of Mozambique and Angola, as well as people from Madeira and Portugal who settled in the neighbourhood.
In the 1980s the Bertrams demographics changed with the suburb having both black and white residents moving into the area.
During that time black children were not allowed to attend the school, which was reserved for white children.
Also read: Successful event at Bertrams Junior School
“This was all changed in 1994, with the first democratic elections. Today the demographics have changed and the school caters for immigrants,” said Twala.
“The school has over 400 learners and most of them come from impoverished families living in Bertrams and the neighbouring suburb of Judith’s Paarl.”
The school only offered four grades in the past but with help of FIDI 39 Club, they were able to build five new classrooms which were completed in January 2017.
FIDI 39 Club adopted the school as its charity project in 2006 and decided to make the school its global FIDI charity project until 2015.
The money raised by the FIDI community and the donations were used to build the five classrooms and facilities.
The addition of classrooms has afforded the school an opportunity to add Grades Five and Six.
“The new classrooms have allowed a much larger number of local children to attend.”
“It was my long-term ambition to grow BJS into a fully-fledged primary school,” said Twala.
The school will be celebrating its birthday in July and it is inviting former learners to join them in helping to raise funds for the school.
“We want to use this celebration as an opportunity to create awareness about our growing school and also raise funds to address some of the challenges we have as a school,” said Twala.
Those interested in helping the school can call 011 614 2424 or Peter Mbimala on 074 852 7245.
