Change of head but not of heart
Helmbold has continued the legacy begun by her grandparents, aunt and mother
ONE of Kempton Park’s oldest nursery schools, Mickey Mouse, will in future be run under Solid Foundations Primary School.
This nursery school in Birch Acres was founded 44 years ago by Dutch immigrants, Emmy Bradshaw, Marianne van der Zeyden and their parents, “Oupa and Ouma Korver”.
The school was started in the open veld with no houses in sight. The first 26 pupils began classes in August 1972.
In answer to an urgent need for private education in this particular corner of Kempton Park, Solid Foundations Primary School grew out of Mickey Mouse pre-school in January 1997.
The school currently has classes from Grade RR to Grade 7.
This year, Emmy Bradshaw has handed over the reins as principal to her daughter, Erika Helmbold.
Helmbold has continued the legacy begun by her grandparents, aunt and mother, and has been teaching Grade R at Mickey Mouse for over 18 years.
The hand-over has been cushioned by Mrs Bradshaw’s continued presence as school bursar and secretary.
The school’s vision can be summarised in the catch phrase, “Keep it excellent and keep it personal”.
Things are certainly personal with mom and daughter working as a team in the office, making it a family-focussed institution in more ways than one.
