PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A family's dream of providing education for their children has turned into a 160-year legacy as Wittedrift High School celebrates its roots over the coming weeks.
The school on the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay is celebrating the huge milestone with a bang as it will host several events to showcase the school's roots - a highlight being receiving official recognition for its heritage.
The school's humble beginnings can be traced back to the early 1800s when some of the first inhabitants of the area - wood industrialists who were issued concessions in 1777 - made their home in the Wittedrift valley.
Ruttger van Huyssteen made the area his permanent home in 1787 and his eldest son, Hendrik I, initiated the idea of a local school when he became concerned about the education of his children.
Initially he employed detracted marines as schoolmasters. It wasn't until 1862 that the idea to establish a primary school for the area was born from a community meeting.
Soon after, a school was established on Hendrik I's farm Muiskraal (on the Stofpad road) that consisted of a wagon shed and horse stables. William Henry Cooper became the first official teacher in 1863.
Change leads to growth
Eventually the school changed its status to a secondary school, which resulted in a drastic increase in learners that led to the establishment of a hostel, a principal's residence and teacher training. At the time the area was too remote to "import" teachers from elsewhere.
On his deathbed years earlier, Hendrik I instructed his son to gift land for the construction of a school and hostel. It was Hendrik II, his grandson, that answered the call.
The school then moved from Muiskraal to their Wittedrift farm. A succession of buildings culminated in the eventual state-constructed building in 1914. This building still stands and currently houses Wittedrift Primary School.
The current high school premises were constructed in 1950 when the learners became too numerous for the previous building.
Wittedrift school in its early days.
Time for celebration
Wittedrift High School vice-principal Vanessa Greyling said one of the ways that this history is being celebrated, is through the Blue Plaque Schools Project. These plaques are internationally recognised heritage markers and Wittedrift will be receiving its plaque this year.
The project was initiated in 2015 by the Centre for Conservation Education and the Cape Town Heritage Foundation - an affiliate of the Heritage Association of South Africa - and gives recognition to schools for their contribution to heritage.
"We are very excited about being recognised as a heritage area," Greyling said. Other celebrations include an open-air concert with some of South Africa's most loved artists, such as Bok van Blerk, Elvis Blue and former Wittedrift High head boy DJ Djavan, on 19 August on the school's rugby field.
Tickets are available through Quicket.
The following week the school will also host a formal anniversary dinner with a three-course meal, a silent auction and performances by learners. The school has also published an anniversary book about the history of the school. "It is to show readers more about the small school with a big heart," Greyling said.
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