Bosmansdam Primary School

Bosmansdam Primary was the first school established in Bothasig. The school, situated in Elbrecht Street in the heart of Bothasig, opened its doors on 19 January 1966. Just a year earlier, when the first residents had moved into Bothasig, the new town was described as follows: “Acres of sandy wasteland, one tree, two barely identifiable roads (Tafelberg and Nassau), thirty houses, no access road, no garden fences, no public transport, no parks, no shops, no churches, no Civic Centre, no sports fields. Not even the most tightly sealed door or window could keep out the sand that blew insidiously into every corner of one’s house.” (Tyger Burger 1986-10-08).

It was against this background that 49 pupils were enrolled for different grades and ready for the historic day. They arrived on the first school day to find that there were no desks or tables and chairs and not enough teachers. 16 of these pupils were in a combined Sub A & B (Grade 1 & 2) class. The principal appointed to manage the school through its pioneering days was Mr Jan Botes. The teaching staff were Ms Alice Heyneman and Ms Helene Venter.

By January 1967 the staff of Bosmansdam Primary School had grown to eleven (Mr Botes, the principal, included). The community of Bothasig grew and thrived, and by 1974 the staff increased to forty-three!

Today, almost forty years later, a far cry from the small community in a sandy waste just off the national road, the school has an enrolment of about 750 learners. The enrolment of Grade 1 learners in 2005 totalled 100 (three English medium and one Afrikaans medium class). The present staff comprises of twenty-eight educators and the principal, Mr Charles Fontini – the fifth principal in the history of the school. In addition, the school also has three administrative staff members and a team of five general workers. Quite a stark difference compared to the school’s humble beginnings in 1966!

Mr Botes was principal of the school until June 1982 and was succeeded by Mr Pretorius in July 1982. Mr Pretorius in turn was succeeded as principal by Mr Eldred Käsner in January 1991. The latter took early retirement at the end of 1996. The present principal, Mr Ben van den Berg took over the reigns from January 1997 until 2009.

As it was a new school in a completely new town there was no historical background to symbolise and so a new badge with suitable meanings was created by Dr C. Pama, a well known expert on heraldry, in February 1966. The chief dancetty (a pointed shield) has upon it a pair of azure wings, with the Gules fleur-de-lis between two six-pointed stars. Symbolically the three points above the fleur-de-lis represent mountain peaks rising up in strength. The fleur-de-lis represents purity. The stars and the chief motif, the azure wings, taken together with the other symbols, make the meaning of the school’s motto perfectly clear: Altiora Pete = Aim for higher things.

The school seeks to offer quality education for learners from Grade R to Grade 7. Bosmansdam Primary School is a parallel medium institution. Both English and Afrikaans speaking learners receive tuition in their mother tongue. The school has always endeavoured to maintain an equitable balance between the two languages wherever possible.

As a multi-cultural school with a vision for the future, learners are taught to respect the beliefs, lifestyles and cultures of others. The school furthermore endeavours through its academic, cultural, sporting and social programmes to develop the potential and character of every learner. The school also seeks to provide each learner with vital and effective education of the highest possible standard, which takes into account his/her ability, aptitude, interests and background, in order to equip him/her for life in our constantly changing society.

Since 1985 the school has a well-equipped Grade R (Reception Year) section with spacious playgrounds containing educational play apparatus. The first Grade R educator was Miss Lynn Roper. Experienced, qualified and caring Grade R staff provide tuition in an exciting and balanced school readiness programme.