The School is governed by a Governing Body consisting of members elected for a three year term of office by a general meeting of
parents and teachers ofthe school. Enabling legislation is found in the SA School Act 84 of 1996.
The following are the most important functions of the Governing Body:
10 elected members:
The Principal: Mr Josh Kent, 5 parents, 3 educators, 1 non-educator
Chairperson: Mr Tyali
Vice-Chairperson & Treasurer:
Secretary: Mandy Harvey (Non-educator)
SGB Members:
Mrs Elizabeth Jacobsen
Mrs Elizabeth Ramjeevan
Mrs Natasha Watt
Educators:
Mrs Cheryl le Roux
Mrs Chantelle Kotze
Mr Hayden Smith
PARENTS’ TEACHERS’ASSOCIATION
Membership of the P.T.A. is open to all parents and guardians of children at school. Both parents or guardians have a vote at general meetings.
The basic functions of the PTA are:
PTA COMMITEE 2027:
Chairlady: Mrs Melissa Smith
Vice-Chairlady: Mrs Melanie Sizer
Secretary: Mrs Angela Terblanche
Members:
Mr David Batala
Mrs Nicky de Lange
Mrs Bettina Jordaan
Mrs Taryn Kleynhans
Mrs Kerry Klopper
Mrs Cindy Mauer
Mrs Nisiphiwo Mbema
Mrs Jacoline Simms
Mrs Colleen Vorster
Mrs Belinda Warren
Mrs Alecia Wood
Staff Reps:
Miss Anje Hauptfleisch
Mrs Charmaine Kruger
Mrs Nerissa Lindstrom
“Gonubie” is the Xhosa word for bramble. The open book represents knowledge.
Gonubie Mouth Primary School came into existence in January 1930 with Miss V. Egelhof as the first teacher. A banana ripening shed, belonging to Mr Louis Rosenbaum, was used until a classroom was built. There was an enrolment of 30 pupils. After Miss Egelhof’s departure in June 1935, the school building was used as a Municipal Workshop and later by the Boy Scouts as their headquarters. It is currently used by the Gonubie Round Table as their headquarters.
Tuition was then offered by Miss Duffy on Mr Louis Kirch’s farm. The building (a rondavel) was damaged by wind, so Mr Hoedemaker erecteda school room on his farm, Athlone, for his family and children of neighbouring farms.
Athlone Primary School officially came into being on 19 January 1936. (11 pupils were enrolled). Numbers increased steadily and in the first year; 26 pupils were enrolled. Teachers like Miss Malin, Miss Duffy, Mrs Louw and Mrs
Pickerill as well as Principals, Miss Long (1939-1951), Mr Roux (1952), Mrs Harold (1953) and Mr Sam Horn (1954-1965) saw the enrolment increase steadily. Athlone Primary School officially closed in 1957.
Gonubie Park Primary School commenced in January 1957 at the present site and was built by Mr H. Schwedhelm (Senior). There were 75 pupils, with Mr Sam Horn as Principal and Mesdames Blumenthal and Kockott as teachers. There were 4 classrooms. Mr Willem van de Venter was appointed as principal in January 1966 with an enrolment of 91 pupils (88 English and 3 Afrikaans). The school officially became known as Gonubie Primary School on 22 April 1968.
It is interesting to note that in 2000 an additional 4 classrooms were built by Mr H. Schwedhelm (Junior), proving that history certainly repeats itself.
Extensions to the school were completed and officially opened by Mr P.S. Meyer, Director of Education, on 18 September 1979. Mr Willem van de Venter retired in September 1991. Mr Dennis Schenk was appointed as principal and retired after 19 years on the 31 December 2010. He was succeeded by Mr Cyril Prinsloo who retired after 10 years on the 31 December 2020. The current enrolment of pupils places Gonubie Primary among the larger schools in this region.
There are three “Houses”, which have been named as follows:
ATHLONE (Green) – named after Athlone Primary School.
RANDELL (Yellow) – named after Mr George Randell (Member of Provincial Council) who laid the foundation stone of Gonubie
Primary School.
WATERSTON (Red) – named after the first mayor of Gonubie, Mr Robert Waterston.
“Leading Gonubie Primary School is both a privilege and a responsibility that I value deeply. I believe that a great school is built on strong relationships, shared values, high expectations and a genuine commitment to the development of every child.
At Gonubie Primary, we strive to create an environment where children feel safe, valued, challenged and inspired to reach their full potential. Our success is not measured only by academic, sporting or cultural achievements, but also by the character, confidence and values we instil in our learners.
I am passionate about building a positive school culture, empowering our dedicated staff and working closely with our parents and community to ensure that Gonubie Primary continues to grow and flourish.
Our motto, ‘Vitae Discemus – Here We Learn for Life’, is more than just words. It is a commitment to preparing our children not only for the next grade, but for life beyond our school gates.”
Mr Josh Kent
Principal | Gonubie Primary School