Thanksgiving Mass celebrates 95 years
St Henry’s Marist College recently celebrated the school’s 95th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Musgrave. The school first opened its doors in 1929 with just 17 students.
THE staff and pupils at St Henry’s Marist College recently celebrated the school’s 95th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Musgrave. The school first opened its doors in 1929 with just 17 students. Before the school found its home high up on a hilltop of Glenwood, on a road that would later be named after the founders of the school, the Marist Brothers looked at various locations around Durban. Dr Pixley KaSeme Street (then West Street) was an option as was an area in uMbilo, but none were deemed suitable.
St Henry’s opened initially as a school for boys but has since become a co-educational academic institution. With close to a century of serving the communities of Durban, the school has a rich history and a close-knit community, as many people who attended the school have returned. The current principal, Dr Stephen Leech, was once a student at the school when he first walked through its doors back in 1981. “I was nine years old when I started school at St Henry’s, and those were some of the best years of my boyhood. Years later, at the age of 46, I became a principal, and I have been here for 21 years now as a staff member,” said Dr Leech.
With so many years spent at the school, first as a pupil, teacher and then principal, Dr Leech has many memories of the school that he holds dear to his heart. “There are many memories that I hold dear, but one of the best was from 2022, seeing our Spirit Captain, Oluhle Zulu, leading a war cry at the Grade 12 Valedictory celebration, together with her father. A wonderful example of Marist-family spirit,” said Dr Leech.
Looking Back
Embedded in the school’s long and rich history is Maisie Bonamour who drove the two Marist brothers and the priest to the current location of the school. Although this happened close to a century ago, the school’s head boy for 2024, James Ackerman, is the great-grandson of Bonamour.
Many pupils have walked through the corridors of the school, and many have sent their children to experience the same school life and foundation. Anthony Joseph who attended the school from 1990-2001, says he is proud that his three children now attend the school. “Back then we were an all-boys school. Every year was a new adventure with experienced.
“I remember morning assemblies and prayers, and we wore our school uniform with such pride for the school badge. Respect was key, and I remember us greeting parents and teachers even if they walked past a few times. It’s a nostalgic and proud moment to be part of the Marist family and we look forward to supporting the school for years to come,” said Joseph.
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