Standford Lake College unveils memorial fountain to honour Covid-19 deaths

POLOKWANE – The Memorial Fountain at Stanford Lake College was officially unveiled on October 13 as part of the school’s Valediction celebrations. The fountain was officially opened by Stanford Lake College’s chairperson, Jane Allison, and a dedication was delivered by local pastor, Jonathan Meintjes.

The headmaster of Stanford Lake College, Alan Redfern, said: “The unveiling of this plaque and the dedication of these buildings to the glory of God at this commemorative fountain follows in the tradition we have at our school to mark important events in our history. Whether it be the opening of a sports facility or a new boarding house or school block, each addition to our school holds a story about the time and the reason.”

The school recently completed renovations to the boarding logistics office, sanatorium, uniform shop and Dry Fly (boardroom) as well as upgrades to the dining hall and Founders Boarding House. The fountain, situated outside the Dry Fly was built to commemorate losses suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Redfern went on to say: “Covid-19, like the plague and the Spanish flu before it, had a devastating impact on our world. Lives were lost and lives were changed. In the face of global, national and regional adversity, this little school stood strong.

“This fountain marks the foresight of our financial planners, the wisdom of our leadership, the support of our parents and the fortitude of our learners. Something lovely came out of those dark years and it is this: a place of beauty and of fellowship that reminds us today and in the days that will follow when we are gone, that we not only survived, we flourished.”

The old school bell was also reinstated close to the fountain and each learner of the Gr 12 class of 2023 rang the bell on Friday as they made their way down to their Valediction and prize-giving ceremony.