EC Primary School celebrates 112 years

EC Primary School in Grassy Park celebrated 112 years of education last week.

Staff, pupils and alumni marked the anniversary with a celebratory assembly where they went through the history of the school and the role it played in so many people’s lives.

The school was established on February 13, 1912 and was known as All Saints Mission School, Zeekoevlei.

At the time there were about 20 families living in the greater Grassy Park area with only 23 pupils enrolled and one teacher named Frederick Kannemeyer who taught Grade 1 to Grade 5 or Sub A to Standard 3 as it was known back then.

There were only sand tracks for roads in the area and the school structure was made of wood and iron with no electricity or running water. There were no books available, pupils had to sit on the ground and write in the sand and were given slats to write on later on.

The school has come a long way since then and was recently overhauled again with a new roof, toilets, doors and windows but the very first classroom, which was rebuilt with stone, is still standing and is still in use today.

Over the past 112 years many more children from Grassy Park, Lotus River, Pelican Park, Retreat, Steenberg and other areas enrolled.

Among them was Keith Meyer, principal of Fairview Primary School, in Grassy Park, who was at EC Primary for two years in 1973 and 1974.

He attended the afternoon shift as the school had split shifts to cater for all pupils.

Mr Meyer spoke at the anniversary celebrations and said the school motto “Knowledge Enlightens” still speaks true today and said it was those words that laid the foundation for him to achieve success in his career and life.

“I came from a very poor family, we didn’t have much and lived in other people’s backyards. My dream was to be able to overcome my family’s circumstances and I have been blessed but it was a journey that wasn’t easy because I knew that I had to work extra hard to succeed and part of that journey includes the influence of EC Primary School.”

After the two years at EC Primary, Mr Meyer, along with other excess pupils, were enrolled at De Klip School - which is known today as Fairview Primary School - where he is principal.

EC Primary School principal Dawood Wakefield, who has been at the school for 11 years and has been principal since 2022, said he was proud to be part of the legacy.

He added the school has taught several generations of families and has always been a community school.

“The school has a very good reputation and is well respected because of its deep rooted family values.

“When we look back at the school's illustrious past achievements we know that the school will continue with its proud traditions and strive to make a valuable contribution in the areas of education, sport and religion,” said Mr Wakefield.

Mr Meyer added that the school has been a force to be reckoned with and has made a huge impact in the community.

“I hope the school continues and that it continues to make a huge impact in the lives of children and to open opportunities for them to flourish.”