Durban - The relaxation of Covid restrictions in schools this week has been welcomed by Gordon Road Girls’ School in Morningside as the school celebrated its 110th anniversary.
And whether it’s playing steel drums, learning contemporary Indian dance or hip hop, or figuring out robotics and 3D rendering, Gordon Road Girls’ School blends traditional and cutting edge teaching so each girl can explore her potential.
Commenting on schools returning to the “new normal”, principal Dr Sheeren Saloojee said: “Having just celebrated 110 years, we are starting to craft a new narrative.
“At primary school level, children need that warm, close contact of a classroom,” she said.
On the school ethos, she said that more flexibility in teaching the same concepts ‒ but using various methods ‒ allowed for each girl to “learn in her own way”.
With a doctorate in education and having taught for nearly 30 years, Saloojee highlighted the importance of developing high level reading skills at junior school, describing it as a crucial life skill without which future potential would be hampered.
The school has an impressive library with some 16 000 books compared with the original school library, which had just 88 books.
Gordon Road Girls’ School started in 1912 and was known as Florida Road Government School. It started with 30 pupils in the infant range, with Mrs Nelson Palmer taking the reins as the first headmistress.
In 1917 the school moved to its present premises and became known as Gordon Road Government School, with the original building being known as The Shed.
By 1925, there were more than 500 pupils and the fig trees planted around the newly laid tennis courts of that time still remain today.
In 1934, white uniforms were introduced and are still worn with the distinctive red belt and navy hat.
In 1938, the school became a girls-only school.
The school buildings continued to be extended over the years, which in more recent times included the Arts Centre with Visual and Performing Arts, as well as the Learner Support and Enrichment Centre.
There have been 14 principals at the school, and Saloojee said that starting in the Preschool phase, the goal is to develop the girls holistically and with emotional intelligence.
This includes encouraging creative and artistic abilities, which helps to build confidence.
Extra curricular options include music, drama, computers and physical education such as swimming.
“We offer these so every girl has the opportunity to explore her strengths,” said Saloojee.
The Independent on Saturday