After 129 years Dundee High School has claimed its right as being part of the town’s rich tapestry of heritage as much as Talana hill, Mpati or the iconic Endumeni peak after which the Municipal area is named.
There is a great sense of tradition at the school which teacher Chantal Carter is keen to build on in her new role as DHS public relations officer. It is the ideal appointment as Chantal’s family have deep farming roots in the area and she matriculated at DHS ‘sometime in the 1990s!’
Chantal is also passionate about DHS and feels it is an extension of the community – even to those who do not have children at the school.
Disconcertingly, there are local families who choose not to send their children to the school – preferring out of town schools for their sons and daughters high school education.
“Obviously there are family traditions where a son may be sent to Michaelhouse or Maritzburg College – or daughter to St Anne’s. We respect these traditions and do not wish to tread on toes. However, it is sad when we hear of families not wishing to send their children to DHS just because of an unfounded rumour or something that their friend may have told them.
“We are transparent at DHS… anyone with any questions, worries – or someone who maybe heard a rumour – should contact the principal, Rudi Haschke, myself or any staff member for clarity. We want Dundee people to support their Dundee (High) School just as local businesses want locals to buy at their shops,” said Chantal.
Parent, Des Johnson, believes in supporting DHS and is upbeat about the new School Governing Body (on which he serves) whose chairman is Dawid Jacobs. “The SGB is representative and keen to reach out to the community. We want the support of the town and parents as we seek to give our children a quality, all round education.”
Des said there is a huge array of sporting and cultural clubs at the school to accommodate any preference – from Mudman multi sporting events, to traditional rugby, cricket, netball to chess, bowls, fishing and more.
“I think it is quiet sad that parents would chose to send their children to an out of town school. A teenager is susceptible to all kinds of peer pressure – more so than in our day. Surely keeping a young boy and girl in a home with parents and/or siblings is the kind of upbringing that is preferable?” he asked.
Principal Rudi Haschke said life at DHS is – like most Government Schools that were Model C schools – is fully integrated. His staff of the 31 – many still under 30 – are keen and dynamic.
Mr Haschke is also acutely aware of the kind of pressures that school children are under. DHS enjoys a close relationship with the local SAPS to ensure any anti-social activities within the confines of the school are swiftly dealt with.
These are unpleasant realities but ones which Mr Haschke in his 30 years of teaching knows have to be handled – and he does so with considerable aplomb.
Dundee High hosts Sentraal Rugby Club on their fields – a mutually beneficial relationship which has seen the installation of flood lights in the school grounds to which DHS will also have access to.
The administration block is a national monument – which fits Dundee’s credo of being a town set in history yet modelled on the future.
It is a future DHS want the town, its children and greater community involved in.