Fairmount High School opened the doors to their new school hall last week.
Elated staff, pupils, parents and members of the community marked the occasion by attending a celebration in the new hall on Tuesday August 8.
The hall was built thanks to the assistance of the Garden Cities Archway Foundation and other sponsors, including alumni, the Western Cape Department of Education and the Wynberg Rotary Club.
Garden Cities Archway Foundation was established 11 years ago to address the shortfall of halls at schools in the Western Cape.
Fairmount High School was among the schools on their list and the foundation has now fulfilled their promise to them
For Fairmount High School, the new hall is the realisation of a 36-year-old dream which will improve the lives of pupils and staff.
At the celebration last week, guests were entertained with song and dance performances and were served a three-course meal.
The guest speaker was Garden Cities Archway Foundation director Myrtle February.
“We owe this to our children. We are all about creating opportunities,” she said.
The Fairmount Secondary marching band committee members, who are also mothers of the cadets, were overjoyed about the new hall as they now have a place to practise during winter.
Committee member and parent Felicity Smith said the marching band kept the children off the streets and away from drug abuse and gangsterism.
“These kids are really willing and they are champions,” she said.
Marching band co-ordinator Chad Crowley was also excited about the new venue.
“During winter when it rains we would have to make use of Fairview’s hall but now we can at least say we have our own hall and we can practise in our own hall and host fundraisers.”
Principal Terence Klaasen said the long wait for the hall and to finally see it built symbolised the school’s spirit of determination.
“We are extremely chuffed to have been selected to receive a brand-new school hall after 36 years.
“We are the only high school in the area to be blessed with one. The new hall has brought about a fantastic change in the teachers, learners and community.
“It is not only brick and cement, but represents what we at Fairmount stands for. It gives our learners hope for their future, it teaches them to never give up, that they need to pursue their dreams. That is what the Fairmount spirit is all about. It represents determination as the staff never gave up on the vision of one day having a hall and working hard to achieve it, it gives our learners dignity, not to be sitting outside on the ground in the cold and wind during school assemblies. Now they are in a beautiful hall sitting on chairs in comfort,” said Mr Klaasen.
“We are very grateful to Garden Cities Archway Foundation, the Western Cape Education Department, the Wynberg Rotary Club, and our alumni and many sponsors and partners for assisting us in achieving this milestone in the life of our school,” he said.