Marist Brothers Linmeyer celebrates jubilee
Although each has their own memories, they have one thing in common; positivity and a belief that sound Christian-based education, produces adults who are able to cope with what life places in their paths.
CELEBRATING its jubilee year, many things have changed since 1966 when Marist Brothers Linmeyer first opened its doors to the community of Johannesburg South.
The CHRONICLE chatted to the high and primary school principals, Gary Norton and Tish Pritchard, Carla Casasola, a former senior primary HOD and principal operations Burton Saunders.
Although each has their own memories, they have one thing in common; positivity and a belief that sound Christian-based education, produces adults who are able to cope with what life places in their paths.
Casasola began as a Grade Seven teacher in 1981, the year girls were admitted to the college. The principal, Brian Swanson, and Brother Justin oversaw the whole school. When Swanson left, Stannard Silcock, who was living in the UK, was appointed to the headship. There was no media centre, pre-school or aftercare centre and only one class per grade. Silcock secured finance from Anglo-American and more classrooms were built enabling the school to double-stream. Silcock was instrumental in employing Mark Honeywill as deputy who became principal when Silcock returned to the UK.
Two pupils well remembered by Casasola are Frank Keinhofer who went to the USA to study at M.I.T and Nonhlanhla Dlamini who became Marist Linmeyer’s first Rhodes Scholar and later read for a post graduate degree at Oxford. Casasola still assists with relief teaching when necessary and is a daily visitor to fetch her three grandchildren who attend the school.
High school principal Gary Norton started at Marist Linmeyer in 1998. “There have been many changes, including going from four terms a year to three, becoming a member of ISASA and we also experienced the change from GDE to IEB.
“I enjoy dealing with teenagers and the interaction with parents. It’s important we remain current in our teaching methods, providing up to date education. In the future I’d like to see our school continuing to grow, remaining a spiritual school and a landmark, making a difference in our community,” she said.
Pritchard started in 1988 as a teacher and HOD and in 1998 became the first primary school principal. “Staff and parents work together collaboratively as education and guidance essentially come from both home and school, and more so now than before, parents are keenly involved. I think all our children, whatever their religion, gain from the values of our Catholic approach to religious education. We pride ourselves on our solid academic programme which is enhanced by our remedial programme and therapy centre. My approach to education is based largely on our founder Marcellin Champagnat’s philosophy, ‘If you want to educate children you must love them and love them all equally’.”
Saunders joined Marist Brothers High School in 1999 as deputy principal. As principal operations he is responsible for project managing and coordinating across both schools in the areas of ITC, the school estate and sports, as well as overseeing the finance and PR department. “There has been a growing need for Christian faith-based education and our school was one of the few schools in the area addressing this need. Extensions over the years have included several additional classrooms, an enlarged renovated chapel and extended aftercare facility. Our media resource centre with computers, an auditorium and conference venues with audio visual facilities meets many of our educational needs. The school also boasts an outdoor pool as well as an indoor heated pool and gym, and music centre.”
A far cry from the original school, Marist Brothers Linmeyer is one of the leading educational facilities in the South, with an exceptional history.
“We have an excellent, constant staff body, a lovely balance between experienced older teachers and a new group of younger teachers, and the future looks very promising for our school,” they all agreed.
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