MOWAT Park High School celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Founder’s Day celebration on Friday, 27 February.
Staff, pupils, past pupils and ex-staff members gathered in the hall to celebrate the school’s 50 years. Former staff members were also honoured with special awards for their contribution to Mowat Park High School.
School principal, Nkosinathi Tsaulwayo, who has been at the school’s helm for five years, expressed his excitement on the occasion. In his assembly address, he said that the anniversary would serve as a launch to commemorate, celebrate and promote Mowat Park High School. “It’s a wholesome feeling being part of the Mowat Park family. The school has been revived and to see past pupils and former principals here is phenomenal,” he said.
One of the founding members of Mowat Park High School, Pat Schultz (72), was the first teacher appointed at the school in 1965. She retired in 2001 but now works voluntarily. “It’s been fantastic being part of the school. The ethos hasn’t changed. We have hung on to things of value. We are producing women who are the hope of the future,” she said.
In addition to the special assembly, the school officially welcomed its grade eight pupils with a traditional bell ringing ceremony, with pupils walking into the school and down ‘Ollies steps’.
Reflecting on a 50 year association with the school, Schultz added: “Mowat Park High School is a family with an extended family. People feel free to come back. The loyalty of past pupils is special, it’s been unique. We hope to hold on to it.”