Grand old lady one short of a century

A passion for learning and for the community has enabled one local school to withstand the test of time.

Umhlali Preparatory School marked its 99th year on the Dolphin Coast with celebrations over the weekend to commemorate this impressive milestone.

Students, parents, teachers and alumni came out to enjoy some braai meat and good times with old friends on the field.

Next year the school is turning 100 and plans are already underway to make it an outstanding year.

“The centenary gives us the opportunity to reflect on our past. We have always been a community school and we owe our success and strength to the support that we receive from it,” said school governing body chairman, Jonathan de Wet.

“I hope that our celebrations will see a coming together of current pupils, parents, staff and management as well as old boys and girls and their parents.”

The very first entry in the school log book reads, “Opened school with 14 (eight girls and six boys) on the roll”. The date was February 11, 1918 – towards the end of the First World War!

Three days later the entry reads, “Did not hold school owing to rain. Only one boy came to school. Two others arrived at 10.15am”.

Today Umhlali Prep provides sound education to more than 1 000 pupils and is a pillar of the community founded on values of integrity, respect and tolerance. While it might not be the oldest primary school in the province, it remains one of the best.

“Planning has already begun with the emphasis on making 2018 the most memorable year,” said principal Astra Russell.

“We want to incorporate as many of the different aspects of the school as possible. So the events planned will reflect each of these and give us the chance to focus on the past and the present.” Among those events planned for 2018 will be a golf day, a bowls day, a family fun day and formal dinner – held at different times of the year.

“We will be selling unique memorabilia that will be a souvenir for anyone and everyone who we have had the privilege to educate. All old boys and girls with items from the past are encouraged to contact the school,” said Russell.

For further information please email pa@umhlaliprep.co.za or visit the special centenary Facebook page.

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