The school held a special performance at a local church hall on the day to commemorate the school’s prosperous and challenging years.
Chrisna van der Walt, co-founder of the school and principal for the past 20 years, said that apart from the fact that 20 years is a long time, the number 20 symbolizes completeness in the scripture and quoted from the Bible.
“After 20 years we have completed a cycle of many changes. Poppie Dinkelmann and I started the school with 16 learners in January 2001. Our first classrooms were in a farmhouse on the outskirts of town. Since then, we had the privilege to have numerous enrolled learners from Grd 1 to 12 in the school; many learners who not only received an excellent education, but who also had difficulties and challenges that we could steer through. The learners also touched our lives,” said Van der Walt.
“Many pre-school learners have since 2004 been educated at our establishment. Some remained in our school and others went to government schools, but were ready for their scholastic career. We expanded to such a rate that we had to obtain new premises and we moved to our current location and built new classrooms, an administrative office and squash courts. So many teachers were involved over the years that we lost count.”
It was through a partnership with Kiddies Academy in Pretoria that helped shape the school and gain additional learners through the years, said Van der Walt.
“We currently accommodate 100 learners and the cycle of life continues. For me as the principal, the past 20 years were a time of growth and grace. I am grateful to know that we could make a change in so many learner’s lives, who left school and made a positive impact on the community because of our education system.”
Keystones of our school is that we always rely on godly inspiration and the unending support from the staff, parents and the learners.
“We thank our heavenly Father for all the blessings we received and continue to receive. My prayer for Academia Private School and Kiddies Academy, is that we may continue to be used as instruments of change impacting the education system and touching the lives of our children. May our future be strong and united for years to come.”
