The History Of Bellville Primary School
During January 1960, the first principal, Mrs. A.M. Spies, was present at the birth of the school and gently nurtured it until December 1962.
In January 1963, Mr. P.J. Dreyer gently took the baby by the hand and taught it to walk. During that year, 9 classrooms, 1 speech room, a woodwork room and an art room were added. In October, 1965, Mr. Dreyer left the toddler in the care of Mr. J.J. van Eeden for one term, as he had been appointed principal of Durbanville Primary School.
In January 1966, Mr. J. Oosthuizen took his turn in being responsible for the six-year old lad.
On 31 May 1966, the first trees were planted by the city councillors and members of the school committee. On 10 August, the inauguration of the traffic training centre received wide media coverage.
During 1967, a start was made with the exploration of adjacent houses in order to provide space for expansion of the school building.
During 1970, large-scale extensions were begun and the following were added:
- a school hall;
- 3 special classrooms;
- 4 ordinary classrooms;
- a library; science room;
- needlework room;
- deputy principal’s office;
- vice-principal’s office;
- a storeroom and 2 music rooms.
Mr. Fanie Theron, Director of Education at the time, inaugurated the extensions on 18 June 1971. By this time the school had also been equipped with all the necessary audio-visual equipment. All the classrooms had also been fitted with curtains to darken the rooms when necessary.
In 1973, a further 11 homes were demolished and a start was made with the development of the sportsgrounds. This project was financed from school funds and supervised by the Administration. Four tennis courts, 8 tennisette courts, 2 cricket nets and a rugby field were acquired at a cost of R26 000. These facilities were utilised in 1975.
Mr. Oosthuizen retired at the end of 1984 and was succeeded by Mr. J.N. Coetzee, the new principal, in January 1985. Mr. Coetzee retired at the end of 1993.
Mr. F.V. van Niekerk, the deputy-principal, acted in his place for the first and second terms of 1994. Mr J.M. van der Merwe, previously from Lochnerhof Primary School in the Strand was appointed as principal in July, 1994. He resigned from teaching at the end of 1996.
Mr. Danie Bester, former deputy-principal at Durbanville Primary School, was appointed as the new principal at the beginning of 1997.
Mr Bester
In 2015 Bellville Primary School was fortunate enough to have new technology installed in the school. Every class teacher received a laptop and had a projector installed in their class. The school also had Wifi installed throughout the building.
Mr Bester retired in the beginning of 2021, ending a long and successful career that spanned over 40 years. Our sports field was named after Mr Bester in honour of his service.
Mrs Sandra Gold was appointed as the new principal in 2021.
OUR SYMBOLS
The School Badge:
The badge was originally designed by the first principal, Mrs A.M. Spies. Once the school became a primary school, the design was referred to Dr. Pama. He changed it to its present form so that it would be heraldically correct. On the original badge, the letters P.S. appeared alongside the word Bellville.
The symbolism of the three bells is adopted from the Bellville city coat of arms. This can be traced back to the family crest of Charles Davidson Bell, after whom the City of Bellville is named.
Our motto: PREPARED
OUR VALUES
Each term we acknowledge learners that live up to the values of a winner. We hope with this acknowledgement, in the form of a badge that they wear for a term, to promote the values and norms in our school.
Learners in both the Foundation and Intersens phase are rewarded at our annual prize-giving ceremony with the Michael Pashut trophy for demonstrating outstanding values and norms. We are extremely proud of these learners.
The School Song
Where Tygerberg’s green hills in sunlight stand
In this dear corner of our southern land.
Where turtle doves in poplar trees still call,
Where pheasants stir in grasses thick and tall,
There our happy song sounds bright and clear:
Bellville Primary, Bellville Primary!
To you we shall be faithful still
To you be true in heart and soul and will.
We shall wear with pride your red and grey
In our work and in our rest and play
And we’ll pray to God for blessings each day.
Be prepared is our clarion call,
Bellville Primary is the best of all.
Here we shall work for nation and for land,
Here we’ll give to others a friendly hand.
To be prepared in heart and soul –
That is our highest goal!!
(Words H.J.R. Hamman / Composer: E.M. Conradie)