Tafelsig High celebrates 40 years

Tafelsig High School celebrated their 40th anniversary with pupils, teachers, former teachers and principals, parents, alumni and friends on Sunday May 5.

Acting principal William Swartz said the school opened its gates to Grade 8 and 9 pupils in 1984 and in 1987 they had their first matric group. Tafelsig High School was initially known as Number 13.

The principals throughout the years in order were Lawrence Fredericks, the late Daniel Toesie, Danie van Wyk, the late Jimmy Kruger, Ruschda O’Shea, Clarence Rogers, Lavina Voges and currently Mr Swartz.

He said in the past 40 years they have developed many young minds in fields such as sport, culture and academics.

“As teachers we are proud of them,” he said.

Tafelsig High School focuses on nurturing responsible citizens and developing them into successful individuals, he said.

In athletics they “produced outstanding pupils” such as Olympic sprinter, Sergio Mullins, Stellenbosch FC soccer player, Ikeraam Rayners, and national under-20 soccer player, Zoe De Kok who is currently playing in Namibia (“Star player destined for bigger things”, Plainsman, November 23, 2022).

Mr Swartz underwent a triple bypass (open-heart) surgery but returned to school while still recovering to make sure students got the education they needed (“’Do basics properly’, says new acting principal of Tafelsig High”, Plainsman, January 31).

Tafelsig High placed 16 out of 17 Mitchell’s Plain high schools with a 48.6% pass rate in the 2023 matric exams, (“Darul Arqum Islamic High matrics record 100% pass rate”, January 24).

They are now working to improve their matric results.

“We’ve decided to step on it and promised the community that we will better the result and come to the standard of the country which is 80% to 100%. Matric teachers will put their hands to the plough as we have many intervention plans so that we can have more tuition time for our pupils,” said Mr Swartz.

Parents are struggling with pupils. The school’s guardian system will help look after pupils until the end of the year, he said.

Pupils are challenged by low self-esteem, in particular time management. Some of them already fail when they enter the exam room because of their belief and low self-esteem. “Sometimes we need to adapt to hard work and have resilience,” he said.

“The alumni and those who love this institution will work together to bring it back to make it a top institution in the Western Cape,” said Mr Swartz.

Former principal, from 2010 to 2018, Ms O’Shea said her time at Tafelsig was rewarding as she made positive changes in their academics and the school.

“With the school governing body they acquired a 30-seater school bus, they became Western Cape Drilling champions and introduced rugby to the school, to name a few,” she said.

A makeover was done during her tenure where, with the help of former national Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel, they painted classrooms and varnished every desk. “The environment outside the school was not motivational and I wanted the environment inside the school to be better. We became strict on uniforms too. I’m very proud of my stint at the school,” she said.

Joseph Toesie, son of the late former principal Daniel Toesie, said Tafelsig has a rich history. His father was the second principal in 1984. Many pupils can look back at good times with Mr Toesie. “Our family is privileged to have watched his time served there.”

Former pupil Dustin Davids said his heart will always be here. “It was the best years of my life at this school. I’d bring encouraging messages during school assemblies with my first message titled, ‘Can something good come from Tafelsig?’ I think back often about the fond memories of my youth. Thank you for bringing change to the school.”

Current head boy Musfieq Van Wyk said their teachers play a vital role in their lives, guiding them to success. “Thank you for your support, encouragement, wisdom and knowledge in helping make a huge difference in our lives.”

Alumni Ryan Crouse said they must pump back into the school. “Not everyone has money but we have time. Can anything good come from Tafelsig, no. I’m not a thing, I’m a person. We should say ‘Can someone good come from Tafelsig,’ yes they can.”

Guest speaker, Pastor Adrian Parris said: “Thank you for the lives that you’ve invested in that are part of our nation. Teaching is a gift. You are part of a profession where thanks is not always given. As a result of you, this institution is still functional. Do not be defined by worldly things. Your latter will be greater than your former.”