MALVERN Primary School turned 120 this year and despite all the changes over the years, one thing has remained constant – the heart of the school.

For 120 years, generations of children have walked through Malvern’s gates, learnt, played, made friends and created memories.

Principal Melisan Spies said they believe that despite the changing world around them, their school’s commitment to its children has remained unchanged.

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Sharing the brief history of the school, Spies said Malvern Primary School was opened on September 1, 1906 under the leadership of Mr Gluning with 98 pupils and four educators.

“The original school building consisted of two classrooms separated by a partition. This building is now used as our school’s Media Centre. Additional classrooms were added and the present school hall was built in 1930. The school badge was designed in the early 1920s and is still worn today.

“In 1928, the school was acclaimed as the largest school in Natal with an attendance of 600 pupils. Due to a further increase in enrolment, the junior section was housed at our current location in Ethelbert Road, while the older pupils moved to the premises next door, now Queensburgh Girls High School.

“During the early 1960s Malvern Primary’s enrolment was 800 learners, almost half of whom were Afrikaans-speaking. These learners were moved to the site of the present West Park School, and Werda School was born.”

Asked what makes the school special in one sentence, she proudly said, “What makes the school truly special is not its age, but the generations of children, dedicated teachers and supportive families who have filled its classrooms with love, laughter and memories, giving this little school its big heart.”

To celebrate this milestone, the school hosted a ‘120th Birthday Fun!’ week with learners embracing each day and theme; the school hosted a Colour Walk, funky hair and socks day, a birthday party dress-up as well as dress up as if you were 120 years old.

“On the old age day, children could also dress up like Checkers 60/60 because 60+60=120! Some of the staff enjoyed this theme and dressed up in Checkers-inspired outfits! On the last day, we had a special assembly where each child was given a cupcake. Thereafter, we held a birthday picnic. The heavy rain did nothing to dampen the party mood and our school was filled with music and dancing,” said the principal.

She added that at the birthday picnic and cake cutting the school held a special assembly where the oldest serving staff member, Gillian Mash, told the children about her family history at Malvern Primary School.

Spies noted that there have been many changes over the years. “Over the past 120 years, the school has seen many improvements to the buildings and facilities, changing staff, changing demographics, various curriculum models and recently, the increased use of technology in teaching, as well as for communication.

“In addition, after being led by a total of 16 male principals in its history, Mrs Gillian Roberts assumed principalship in 2015. She was the first female principal in the school’s history and still holds the title of being the longest serving staff member with 43 years’ service to the school.”

The principal said they were honoured by messages of congratulations on the school’s Facebook page from many former staff members, past pupils and parents.

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