Where we came from
The History of Northcliff Primary School
The Beginning
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.
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First Students
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.
Mr B.P. Ryan
On the 20th September, Mr. B. P. Ryan, who had been appointed to the principalship of the School in January, 1944, returned from active service and assumed duty as Principal. There were then 46 pupils at the School. Mrs. C. M. J. Trott was in charge of the Grades Classes and Standard One andMr Ryan took charge of the pupils from Standard Two to Standard Five. Up to this stage very little organised sport had been undertaken, because of lack of facilities, but cricket was Organised for the boys and tennis for the girls on two tennis courts kindly loaned by parents.
Mr S. Wilson
Past Principal
Mr P.G. Tisdale
Opportunity is really what a school is all about and the school community has accepted the challenge to provide those opportunities so that the pupils can explore wider horizons. There re opportunities in the classroom in a variety of day-to-day challenges together with academic Olympiads and competitions. On the sports fields, in cultural activities and in the community at large further opportunities exist for learning and growing. Many of our pupils accept the challenges placed in front of them and succeed in getting the most out of their years at the school, and in so doing develop themselves to confidently take their place in today’s world.
Mrs R. Botha
Past Principal
Mrs J. E. Kerr
Past Principal
Mrs D.D. Smith
Current Principal
80 Years
Past Principal
Northcliff Primary School Building
Before
After
Northcliff Primary School Uniform
Before
After
The Beginning
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.
A message from Mr. J. Kriel First Inspector of Northcliff School
I convey my hearty congratulations to the Principal, staff, pupils and parents of the Northcliff School on the attainment of its majority. I had the privilege of being closely connected with the School from 1943 to 1953 and I have watched its growth with great interest and pleasure, so that it was a real joy to me to be able to attend the official opening of the new hall and library not so long ago.
The School has come through difficult times- it was born in the travail of a World War-and to-day the world is again in a state of chaos, but if only we would retain our faith in God, in ourselves and in our country, I am sure that the future holds the promise of great blessings for us all and that the Northcliff School will not fail in its duty to inculcate in its pupils that spirit of faith and service. which will enable them to do their share in helping to make this country a better and happier place for all of us who love it.
That the next twenty-one years may be prosperous and the School continue to progress as in the past, is my earnest wish.
A Message from Northcliff School's first Pupil
I feel quite nostalgic when I congratulate Northcliff School on its 21st Anniversary, as I was the first pupil at the School, and here I am so many miles away in Victoria, Australia.
I remember how, being the first pupil under Mrs. E. Morris, I was allowed home at 11.30 a.m. for the first few weeks.
I had no homework, no school bells, very little playgrounds. A halcyon existence excepting for my early rising in order to catch the bus!
On the second teacher’s (Mrs. Trott) arrival, our numbers had increased to 30 pupils. How well I remember, not without chagrin, at six of us endeavouring to ‘draai stokkies’ in defiance towards the inception of homework. Needless to say, our cause was lost, and were our faces red!
Then came our new head, Mr. Ben Ryan, who inaugurated a library, football, a prefect system and variety concert evenings.
I rejoice in our puny 30 pupils having expanded into a large school of 680. In conclusion, I should like to wish Northcliff School everything of the best for the future and may it make even bigger strides forward in the years to come.