The Gadra Matric School will be looking for a new home at the end of the year when Victoria Girls' High School (VGHS), whose premises they have been using, will renovate the building to accommodate a growing number of pupils.
The Gadra Matric School will be looking for a new home at the end of the year when Victoria Girls' High School (VGHS), whose premises they have been using, will renovate the building to accommodate a growing number of pupils.
Since its inception in the mid-1990s, Gadra Matric School has been using one of the school's buildings to run its classes, but after talks in September, the schools agreed that Gadra would look for a new base at the end of 2011.
VGHS principal Madeleine Schoeman said the school was under pressure to accommodate a growing number of pupils. “We require more classrooms, and we are also going to use the building to accommodate other activities, such as music,” said Schoeman.
The building needed extensive renovation, having been built in 1902, said Schoeman, and funds from the National Lottery Distribution Fund would be used to do this. “We have received R2 million from the Lottery Fund, but the money will be used only to restore the outside of the building. The school will have to raise funds for inside renovations,” she said.
Gadra manager Brian Fargher confirmed that the organisation was looking for new premises. “There is no bitterness in this matter. We've always had a very good and strong relationship with VG,” said Fargher. Renovations are expected to start as soon, as the tender processes are well under way.
