Future shines bright for Columbia Primary
One of the most noteworthy of developments at Columbia Primary School includes the near-completion of the school's own sports field.
OVER the last two years, the Columbia Primary School in Greenwood Park has undergone a massive transformation.
The school, which mostly caters to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, has been blessed with a number of improvements, said principal, Prem Naidoo. The most noteworthy of these developments include the near-completion of the school’s own sports field. What used to be a barren, rocky patch of dirt to the right of the school has now been resurfaced and developed and is ready for the re-grassing process.
“It has been a ten-year dream. The hardest part has been trying to source sponsorship. We needed R70 000 to complete the project. We expect that the field will be completed and ready by March,” said deputy-principal, Brian Mundaly.
Naidoo said the sports field would not only provide a positive outlet for the pupils at the school where they can develop and showcase their talents, but she hoped that it could also be utilised by the community.
“Once it is completed we hope to rent it out to the community for sporting events and festivities. This will provide us with an income to maintain and continue developing the school,” she said.
In August, Grace Family Church spent hours repainting four classrooms and planting an indigenous garden. On the day, they also donated new furniture for two classes as well as the pre-school.
Last year they also painted a number of the school’s roofs and burglar guards and also replaced broken windows.
“The developments have instilled so much confidence in the school. Our student roll has increased from 480 to 727 pupils. For a while, the school has been in a mental darkness, but we hope to change that and to empower both our pupils and their parents. The children have so much potential and it is our responsibility to show it to them,” said Naidoo.
Current projects the school has in the pipeline are the repainting of the classroom floors and the podium. They are also hoping to buy a JoJo tank to help water the garden.
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