Bonteheuwel High School celebrated its 60th birthday last we

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Author: Nabeelah Mohedeen nabeelah.mohedeen@acm.co.za
• Publication title: Athlone News

The school opened in 1964 with three Grade 8 classes, 93 pupils and four teachers, according to the current principal, Nicola Pather. Today the school has more than 1000 pupils and offers a range of extra-murals and support classes

Describing Bonteheuwel High as a “community school”, she said it had played a significant role in the fight against apartheid, and for the past decade, it had achieved top results despite the gang violence and other hardships that plagued the community.

“Pupils have changed over the years. Before, the social ills of this area didn’t really affect them, but now they do. The shooting in Bonteheuwel does affect our school.”

The school needed more classrooms as it hoped to include hairdressing and consumer studies next year, she said, adding that it was important to show pupils that careers could be built on both academics and skills.

“We want them to see that they can use their skills to sustain themselves and their families one day. We have to show them that entrepreneurship is important and valuable, and you can attain success by using your skills.”

Ms Pather said she was proud of the school’s partnership with the Beitul-Maal Foundation, which sees it distribute food parcels to the needy once a month, and she added that the Amy Foundation, a non-profit organisation, runs an after-school programme for pupils...