Cedarwood School reminisces on past 25 years

Glenferness-based remedial school, Cedarwood looked back on the last 25 years since it was founded.

April 24, 2023

Khomotso Makgabutlane 1 minute read

Grade 12 learners at Cedarwood School, Emma Roseveare and Alwande Kubeka hold signs to welcome attendees to the school’s celebration. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

A Glenferness school that started with the hope of getting learners with educational difficulties the help they needed has just celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Alumni, former and current staff members, board members and current learners enjoyed speeches and cake in celebration of Cedarwood School turning 25. Learners from the different grades entertained the crowd with different artistic performances and songs.

Cedarwood School preparatory and college physiotherapist, Lara Weissenberger with parent Heather Lancaster ready to celebrate. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The message of the day was for learners to ‘be the best you, you can be’. A sense of nostalgia could be felt as former learners greeted each other and current staff members.
Business manager of the school, Myles Ellis welcomed all attendees to the event and various guest speakers to the stage.
The school’s first principal, Cathy Pluman reminisced on the early days of the school’s start to its current time.

Class of 2021 alumni, Nonala Simelane and Paige Hughes attend Cedarwood School’s celebratory event. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

She had been at the helm of the school’s origins from choosing a
space to teaching the first group of enrolled learners.
She had the goal of creating a haven for learners in need of remedial learning.

Head boy of Cedarwood School, Siyavuya Mgeulwa gets in the spirit of celebrating his school’s 25th anniversary. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“Through the course of 25 years, the heads, educators, therapists, office staff, board of directors, groundsmen and cleaners have all lent a hand into the making of Cedarwood. I thank you all, each and every person for giving a bit of themselves to make this school unique and caring institution,” she said.
“I had a vision, way back in the 90s, to create a school that took in learners with learning challenges; learners who were falling through the cracks of the education system, but who still deserved an education. They just didn’t have a chance and I wanted to give them that chance regardless of the fact that their learning pace might be a bit slower or that they face difficulties.”

Former learners had also addressed the current learners in order to give motivation to the group for their future.
Learners at the school enjoyed some of the cake for the event. Former learners, board members and staff of the school enjoyed a networking session to catch-up and meet new people.