The History of Northcliff Primary School

Northcliff Primary School was opened on the 23 February 1942. There were 7 registered learners and one appointed educator. Mrs E Morris was the appointed educator and the Acting Principal. By April 1942 there were 32 registered learners and Mrs C.M.J. Trott was appointed as an educator to assist Mrs Morris. On 7 August 1942, Northcliff Primary School was officially opened by the Director of Education and it was named after the suburb, Northcliff, in which it was built.

Northcliff Primary School consisted of a small building with an office, small staffroom and three classrooms. The third classroom doubled up as a hall. The staffroom was used each night by the Civic Guard, who was responsible for policing the area.

Mr Fred Cohen was responsible for donating the land and building Northcliff Primary School. Mr and Mrs Stakesby-Lewis were the architects who drew up the plans for the school. Since 1942 buildings and classrooms have been added to accommodate the growing number of learners attending Northcliff Primary School.

Mrs Morris designed and introduced the first school uniform and this has been updated on a regular basis as fashion and weather has changed. The original colours of burgundy (maroon) and turquoise (teal) have remained as our brand. A school badge was designed that included a lit torch and our motto – Aemulmini Meliora, which means “We strive for better things”. Almost 80 years later, we still strive for better things at Northcliff Primary School – in the classroom, on the sports fields, in the cultural fields and to encourage excellent morals and values in our learners.

In January 1943, there were only 46 recorded learners because parents in the Northcliff area were reluctant to send their children to this new school. They preferred to send them to established schools in the area ie Greenside Primary and Parkview Primary.

In October 1943, the first School Committee (SGB) was elected. The members took their responsibilities seriously and set up the school playgrounds, sports fields and gardens. Mr E.A. Heller was the first Estate Manager at Northcliff Primary School.

Past Principal

Past Principal

Past Principal

Past Principal

Past Principal

Current Principal

In February 2022, Northcliff Primary School turned 80 – eighty years of excellent education has been provided to the Northcliff community and we look forward to another 80 years. The year was filled excitement as we completed 7 new classrooms and completed the revamp of our library.