Aston Manor Primary School learners, teachers and the school governing body (SGB) finally managed to turn their 25-year-old swimming pool dream into a reality.
The school officially unveiled its new swimming pool on March 12.
“I believe we are the first school in Kempton Park to have a swimming pool,” said a delighted and proud Werner Botha, school principal.
Botha said water safety was their first priority. “Our aim for the pool is to teach the children of our school swimming techniques because we want to ensure they are safe when swimming at home or at the beach. It is important to teach our children how to swim,” said Botha.
“Our other big goal is to be able to compete against other schools in the near future and have a competitive and strong swimming team. Our five-year goal is to compete and win inter-primary competitions, among others.”
The school held a short ceremony to unveil the pool and Past Jean-Pierre Momberg from Gateway Christian Family Church in Glen Marais shared words of encouragement before praying for the school and the swimming pool.
“There are boys and girls among you who have the God-given talent to be able to swim so well that we can achieve the dream of becoming an A-level swimming school,” said Momberg
“Your principal, teachers and I believe in that dream and it is time for you to believe in that dream as well.”
The previous SGB members and former principal were applauded in absentia.
“Money was raised over the years and we have to recognise the previous principal, Leslie Steenkamp, and the previous SGB members for all their hard work. Without their hard work we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to spend the money on this beautiful swimming pool,” said Botha.
“This is indeed special because the pool was only a dream until last year November.”
Botha also thanked Maurice Garcia, general manager at Penguin Pools, for their hard work and commitment.
Garcia, who championed the pool building project, told Express that Penguin Pools would maintain the pool for free for the first three months. The 25m-long and 10m-wide pool will also have five lane ropes.
The school’s SGB chairperson, Perren Miles, was given the honour of cutting the ribbon and officially opening the swimming pool, which was followed by applause and cheers.
Grade Six and Seven learners, together with some of the teachers, celebrated the new swimming pool with a few rounds of relay swimming.
Botha said one of their biggest inspirations is Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, who is a former Olympic swimmer.
“We want to express our gratitude to the parents who have shown support over the past 25 years,” said Botha.
Safety precautions include a palisade fence with a gate around the swimming pool, warning signs in different languages near the fence and a cover for when the pool is not in use.
