Northern Lights School celebrating 40th birthday
It started out as an idea by an orthopaedic doctor and nurse at Livingstone Hospital to provide education to their young patients, and this year Northern Lights School in Cotswold is celebrating 40 years of existence.
Principal Trevor Roman, who has been an educator at the school for 31 years, said they were delighted to be celebrating the anniversary despite challenging times.
“The school moved to these premises in 1991 after it had been operating from a building at the Salem Moravian Church in Schauderville,” he said.
“But before then, in 1982, orthopaedic surgeon Nigel Purry and nursing sister Maggie Cunningham took care of young cerebral palsy sufferers in hospital.
“These children stayed in hospital for many months and the doctor and nurse had the vision to establish a school or centre for these young pupils who were predominantly from the northern areas.”
The two established the Purry-Cunningham Centre for five young patients and one educator, Estelle Davies, who later was appointed the centre’s principal.
“Today we have close to 240 pupils from grade R to matric and 44 permanent staff and about 20 contracted staff members.
Roman said that though the school catered to pupils with special needs, it followed the same curriculum as mainstream schools.
“There were years when we were in the top five schools in the Bay for our excellent matric pass rate.
“Our average matric pass rate since 2000 is 93%.
“In 2017, our pass rate dropped below 45% and we were classified as an underperforming school.
“I had to explain to my bosses why it was so low.
“One of the reasons was that we applied for exam concessions for our pupils that year and they were not granted.
“We write the national exam and follow the same curriculum as other schools.
“Without the team of dedicated teachers, psychologist, and occupational and speech therapists we would not be able to achieve success.”
Roman said pupils of the school went on to do great things.
“One of our first matrics studied law and graduated, and another one graduated this year.
“Marshall Marsh, a former pupil, is a paralympic wheelchair tennis player. Lee-Irvin de Kock is a sprinter. Many others are successful artisans.
“Our vision is that our pupils receive equal treatment outside the walls of this school.
“They need opportunities to prove themselves.”
Teacher Lindie Cloete said reliable transport was one of many challenges facing Northern Lights.
“It is a problem that has been coming on for many years.
“The cost of replacing the minibuses or even fixing them is too high for the school to carry.
“And if they are broken, the pupils cannot get to school.
“We are grateful to one of the nearby petrol stations for its monthly support to the school. Furthermore, we do not have a working lift and for our wheelchair-bound pupils a lift is a necessity.
“As we speak, the lift is out of order again and the pupils have to be carried up the stairs to their classes.
“The school’s motto is ‘Let your light shine’ and we are a beacon of hope despite all the challenges,” she said.
The school started its celebrations yesterday with a thanksgiving service.
Other planned events include a golf day, a high tea, Bingo, golden oldies and a family day.