EDITOR – With reference to Mr van der Merwe’s letter, “Mr Spencer didn’t attend Glenwood Prep”, I wish to respond.
A school Mr van der Merwe, by definition, does include its buildings and the lot on which it is situated. It is an institution for educating children. In Glenwood Preparatory’s case, all who have attended the school over the past 104 years have had the experience of being educated on this singular parcel of land, the majority of the buildings being erected in 1910. Whether they attended the school in 1910, 1941 or 2014, the fact is that they were educated within the boundaries of this educational institution. All past pupils who graced this school’s corridors, view this property, its buildings and the educational instruction imparted over the past 104 years, as their ‘Alma Mater’.
Name changes have occurred throughout history and many of Durban’s schools have experienced this phenomena. Glenwood Boys’ High was initially known as the ‘Day Continuation School’, then later as the ‘Durban Technical School’, before finally changing to the current name. Similarly, Glenwood Junior Primary School was known as McDonald Road, Gordon Road Girls’ School as Florida Road Government School, Chelsea Drive Preparatory as Durban North Primary – oh I could go on and on! In all such cases, the school’s proud history was determined from the time the school’s buildings were erected (just as Port Natal’s in 1941), together with the purpose of educational instruction practiced at the institution.
Glenwood Preparatory has throughout its 104 year old history focused mainly on primary school education instruction and continues to serve the same Glenwood community in this capacity. It is, in a sense, immaterial whether it was called Bulwer Park Government, Park View or Glenwood Preparatory School. The children who attended the school in those early days, are well aware of what the school was called then, yet proudly attend the Glenwood Prep Founders’ Day each year.
As stated before, name changes occur throughout history but that does not diminish the memories or loyalties experienced by past pupils at the particular institution.
Do you Mr van der Merwe honestly expect Glenwood Preparatory to explain its history each time it forwards an article to the media for publication. Similarly, when someone is asked how long they have lived in Alan Paton Road, surely they’d all respond with the answer of, for example,35 years – and not eight years in Alan Paton, and before that 27 years in McDonald Road. The point of reference is the building and the lot number in which they have resided, irrespective of the name change.
Ask any former Natal Rugby player whether he has played at Growth Point Kings Park Stadium and his answer will be yes – even though it may have been called ABSA or perhaps, Kings Park Stadium in the past. The same applies to cricketers whether it is Sahara or Kingsmead Stadium. Similarly the 18 May Sunday Tribune had an article on the Umvoti Mounted Rifles celebrating their 150th anniversary in style. However, they were initially called the Greytown Mounted Rifles and were formed in 1864, changing their name later in 1893. With your reasoning Mr van der Merwe, Umvoti Mounted Rifles should only celebrate their 150th in 2043! As such, perhaps another of your letters is already in the pipeline!
Mr van der Merwe, please also get your facts straight regarding the new ethos and the new lyrics of the school song when the name changed to Glenwood Preparatory in 2003. Pupils who were in the school in 2002 experienced exactly the same ethos in 2003, as do those who attend the school today, while the school song lyrics, have remained unchanged apart from the school name.
With regards to 92-year-old Jack Spencer, he attended the recent Founders’ Day and all were thrilled to have this distinguished Old Boy back at his former primary school. This scenario is repeated almost daily when Old Boys/Girls from the past pop in to see their Alma Mater. For them, the business of the institution remains the same and the name change, part of the historical evolution of this proud school.
So Mr van der Merwe, kindly accept that while you are entitled to your opinion, it is one that is totally unacceptable to others.
Rob Stents
Amanzimtoi
