WINSTON Park Primary School is celebrating its 40th milestone this year.
According to current acting principal, Michael Foster, the school opened its doors to pupils in January 1975 with a complement of 88 pupils, five teachers and no desks or chairs.
Mr Neil Harvey was the founding headmaster. During his time the school expanded, and due to amazing fundraising efforts, which included two staff members walking from Cape Town to Winston Park, the swimming pool was built in 1989.
“The growth of the local area and the standards of excellence set by the school have resulted in growing pupil numbers with the school’s buildings being continually improved,” said Foster.
WATCH: Video of acting principal, Michael Foster, speak about some of the celebratory events planned for the school.
Foster ably guides 615 pupils and 91 staff members, which include an active intern programme to help train future teachers.
He said plans for the future involve several major building projects for a new aftercare and Grade R facility. The Winston Park Primary School Trust was set up in 2013, with the aim of attracting donations to the Trust for the exciting building projects and teacher internship programmes at Winston Park Primary School.
To mark the school’s jubilee, Winston Park Primary School is holding several functions to celebrate its 40th anniversary and has invited the community to support these events.
The Winston Park Winter Choir Festival will take place on Thursday, 25 June at 6pm and will be an evening celebrating the singing of junior primary choirs from local schools. All pupils and parents will celebrate the arts picnic-style, under stars on the school field.
The school’s Founders’ Day function, which includes a day of sports, Grade 7 entrepreneur’s day and a mass display in which all the current pupils will participate, takes place on Friday, 28 August.
Finally, the school will host a family fun run ride on Sunday, 30 August at a venue yet to be confirmed. The event is a 40km run/ride for teams of four people (two adults and two children). All are welcome.
