WATCH: Historic city school hits 120 years
Hamilton Primary School holds rich history including being turned into a military hospital during the Anglo-Boer War.
Nestled among Pretoria’s striking Jacaranda trees, a two-storey building with textured walls holds fond, historic memories spanning 120 years.
The building in Visagie Street houses Hamilton Primary School which celebrated 120 years anniversary with the unveiling of a plaque.
School teacher Ilse Humpel said it was a proud moment for all involved at Hamilton primary, as well as a proud moment for the city.
“Our main school building was completed in 1899 and is a national monument. The school also forms part of the Tshwane building heritage association.”
Hamilton Primary was originally constructed in 1898, as a school for girls.
The school has a rich history, including it being commissioned as a military hospital in 1900, during the Anglo-Boer war.
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Principal Yvonne Day said: “Preparations were underway for the official opening of the staatsmeisjes [girls’] school in 1899, but all schools in the republic were officially closed due to the war.”
She said as the Anglo-Boer war ended, the school’s building served as a girls’ high school.
“In 1915, the girls’ school was moved out to occupy their new building in Hatfield.”
Day said in 1920, the building saw the commercial primary open on the ground floor with the commercial high school on the top floor with two different headmasters.
She said in 1926, the commercial primary school was renamed to Hamilton Primary School.
“Robert Hamilton was a well-known local businessman whose house adjoined the school grounds,” said Day.
Day said Robert was always known for being interested in the progress of the school and was a benefactor of Hamilton primary.
The building became a national monument in 1977.
“To be a principal of a school like Hamilton primary, situated in the heart of Pretoria is a huge privilege.
“I have inherited a school that is now 120-years-old, and that has touched a lot of lives in Pretoria, whether as a school or its historical usage.”
Day said she was now part of this history and was excited to move it forward into a positive light.
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She said the motto – “For others” – had led the school to continue in creating positivity in the CBD.
“We want to make a difference in the inner city and stand out to remind any grown-up or child who walks back into the school to look at the form of history (building) and remind them how it played a part in shaping their lives.”
Day said, however, being the principal of the school was challenging due to the changing environment.
“A day is never the same, it is always different.”
She said maintaining the infrastructure of a 120-year-old building was very difficult.
“Maintaining this building is 75% of my job,” Day said.
She had recently undertaken research on how to clean certain tiles and wood and noticed that the up-keeping of this equipment was very expensive in a bid to uphold the buildings to the original form due to the monumental status.
“We try to keep it in the best possible condition. I am proud to walk in the school hall and say those are original tiles and ceilings.”
Day said if any equipment was broken, the school would ensure it was quickly repaired.
“We don’t wait for time to go by and procrastinate. We ensure it’s quickly fixed to the best possible equipment.”
The school now draws as a feeder area represented by a vibrant and colourful community in the CBD.
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The school has also become a great nurturer for academic, cultural and sporting activities.
A plaque was donated by Reinholdt Humpel from Tombstones for Africa was unveiled to commemorate the 120 years anniversary.
Humpel said he had an interest in the school as his wife previously taught at Hamilton.
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