The staff and pupils of West End Primary School in Lentegeur celebrated the opening of their new school hall on Thursday October 18.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Garden Cities Archway Foundation and the Western Cape Education Department for their financial support and backing in helping us realise a dream that we’ve had for almost four decades,” said Ziyaad Noordien, a teacher at West End Primary.
The school has been raising funds for the past three years to realise this dream.
The cost of the hall, infrastructure and new parking area have come to an approximate total of R10 million – raised also through contributions of the parents. “We are extremely grateful,” said Mr Noordien.
West End currently has 1 583 pupils, who are the main beneficiaries of the school hall.
“The prospect of having indoor recreational activities and teaching taking place in the hall, arts and drama, to name a few, stirs up nothing but excitement and joy,” said Mr Noordien.
“We believe that a child is a product of his environment and by improving the conditions for learning through improving its infrastructure, we are creating better opportunities for our pupils to enhance their knowledge, skills, values and attitudes towards learning,” he said.
West End Primary has had many pupils leaving its gates as proud members of the community who have made a difference and continue to support the school on their journey to success.
“The alumni are not only well-known within the community but nationwide too, with the likes of Nizaam Carr, Iderees Arendse, Naseera Timm and Kurt Lentjies to name but a few.
“We are of the belief that it is due to the solid foundation and good values we strive to instil in
our pupils that drive them to overcome circumstance,” said Mr Noordien. “In the weeks to come, thanksgiving ceremonies will be held for the various stakeholders, who so generously contributed to the success of this project.
“We are truly proud and our pupils, parents and staff are immensely thankful to everyone who played a role in making this possible; it is a window of opportunity that has opened with endless possibilities inside,” said Mr Noordien.
Celebrations for West End Primary School will be taking place until tomorrow, Thursday October 25. Call the school on 021 371 2400 for more information.
