Good Shepherd Primary school on Huntley Street will soon have a completely revamped building housing a library, principal's office, staff room, computer lab, kitchen, hall for music lessons and even an underground study room.
Good Shepherd Primary school on Huntley Street will soon have a completely revamped building housing a library, principal's office, staff room, computer lab, kitchen, hall for music lessons and even an underground study room.
The revamping is part of the second phase of the building project that is set for completion by the end of March this year. The project also takes care of the pupils recreational needs with a brand new play area that includes a jungle gym, slide, swing and courts for netball, basketball and tennis.
School principal Prudence van der Linde told Grocott's Mail how bad and dangerous the school buildings were before they started this project early in 2009.
PetroSA funded the development with a nine-million rand grant. About 80% of the construction work has been completed so far, while some rooms only require necessary furniture and equipment. “These construction guys have done a great job here because this building was so terrible and our learners didn't have a proper playground, but now they are going to have one,” said an excited van der Linde.
Kwanele Butana, chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB) said that with the new kitchen, children will get enough room to queue and enjoy their meals in a decent space. He added that the upgrade will improve the quality of the learning experience offered at the school, because there will be a study centre where learners can go on their own time to study or do their homework.
“The sports and game facilities will give them a chance to refresh themselves during break times, something which is great for the kids,” he said.
Good Shepherd learners are also thrilled with the new facilities at their school. “At least now you can see from a distance that this is a school, and our school looks pretty and attractive now,” said Grade 7 learner Zinzani Mpolweni.
She added that the new library and study room will help her and her friends improve their reading skills, and that the sporting facilities will help them become involved in physical activities. “I strongly believe that the new facilities will help us do even better in our school work,” said a determined Mpolweni.
The first phase of the development was the construction of a double-storey building partitioned into eight classrooms, each with its own storeroom, and ablution facilities. The new building was officially opened by PetroSA and government officials in April 2010.
