Sunnyridge Primary celebrates 70th birthday

As Sunnyridge Primary School celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, acting principal Hazel Smith gives a brief history of the institution.

The school began on January 1, 1953, with six classrooms.

On January 7, 1953, the first day of class, there were 190 learners registered, 105 boys and 85 girls.

By 1977, Sunnyridge Primary took part in many sporting and cultural events, and school concerts.

During the early years there were a number of inspections done and the Health Department used to conduct regular sight and hearing inspections for the learners.

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In 1992, EJ Dreyer was appointed as principal and M Odendaal as deputy principal.

The total enrolment was 527 learners. Sunnyridge Primary learners continued to take part in many sporting and cultural events.

The official opening of the Brent Eustice Media Centre took place on July 28, 1999. This event was attended by the late Prof Kader Asmal.

In 2001, the choir performed overseas in Switzerland, where a number of parents and educators accompanied them.

The tour was known as ‘Izimbongi zase Afrika’ – The Bringers of praise from Africa. The talented Irene Morrick was the choir director.

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In 2002, Dreyer was invited to the 2002 ‘Most Improved Schools Awards Ceremony’, where we received the award for racial integration.

It was a very prestigious and proud moment for the school.

In June 2004, the choir went on tour to Italy, with Morrick still serving as choir director.

Marianna Odendaal was appointed as principal in 2005 and stayed in this role until June 2022. A remarkable lady who left huge footprints when she left. Hazel Smith was appointed as acting principal in July 2022.

“Many former Sunnyridge learners have gone and turned into successful, prosperous adults, and many achieved a number of distinctions in their matric year.

“Robyn Moodaly, one of the first girls to play soccer in one of our boys teams now represents South Africa in the Banyana Banyana team.

“Jayde Symons has achieved in more than one sporting code, ladies cricket, hockey, and most recently SA U20 ladies Touch Boks,” said Smith.

“Tshegofatso Moagi works for Power FM, as well as Department of Education TV. The MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, is also an ex-Sunnyridge pupil. And these are just some of the achievements and big names,” said Smith.

Smith remarked that she had her own personal story at Sunnyridge Primary to now being the acting principal.
She started in Grade One at Sunnyridge Primary in January 1978.

“I remember being the narrator for the Grade Two concert in 1979. I finished Standard Five in 1984, when I moved onto high school at Dawnview High,” said Smith.

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“In 1990 and 1993, I did my teaching practical’s at Sunnyridge Primary. In 1994, I started my teaching career teaching Grade Four at Sunnyridge Primary.

In 1999 I was appointed as Head of Department, the Head of Sport and Head of Academics portfolio.

“In 2008, I was officially appointed as deputy principal. I have been acting principal since July 2022,” said Smith.

She said she has fond memories both as a learner and as an educator.

“As a child I remember the Big Walk in 1979, the trip to Gold Reef City in 1981, the year it snowed. The many concerts and fun activities.

“As an educator, I remember many concerts of which I coordinated, the character dress ups, school tours, the trip to Italy, the cultural and sporting events, staff play and the staff comraderie.

“I still interact with several of my former students, and two of them are currently employed as teachers at Sunnyridge.

“Being a long-time member of the Sunnyridge family makes me feel really privileged,” said Smith.