Former pupils of West Bank High School in Cape Town gathered to mark 20 years since the school's first matric class. The reunion, organised by members of the first matric class of 2006, brought together former pupils to reflect on their journeys since leaving the school. Christo van der Rheede, the school's founding principal, attended the reunion, which he described as a reminder of the role a school can play in changing a community.
Van der Rheede said he had been angry when West Bank High School was established in 2005, questioning why the new democracy was still building RDP houses without doing enough to create communities. However, he saw the school as an opportunity to lay a solid foundation for quality education in the community. He recalled the difficulties the school faced in its early years, including attempted break-ins by gangsters and problems with child abuse in the area.
Despite the challenges, Van der Rheede said the vision was to establish a school that could help change the circumstances around Westbank. As pupils and staff planted trees and beautified the grounds, the surrounding community also began to change its attitude towards the school. The achievements of former pupils demonstrated the difference a school could make, even in communities facing difficult social and economic conditions.
Ayabulela Pinzie, who organised the reunion and now works for the City of Cape Town, said the gathering was an opportunity to celebrate the former pupils' shared history and recognise how far they had come. He said the reunion was about more than marking an anniversary, but also a chance to remember former classmates who had died, thank the teachers who had invested in them, and reconnect with old friends.
Pinzie said former pupils had followed different paths, with some becoming parents, professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs, while others had overcome personal challenges. He emphasised that the greatest achievement was not simply what they had become individually, but that 20 years later, they could still find their way back to one another.
Melissa Daniels-Hendriks, a former top achiever who now works in Pepkor's financial division, said the school had shaped her and given her a solid foundation. She expressed her gratitude for the reunion, which allowed her to reconnect with old friends and see people she had not seen in years.
The reunion served as a testament to the impact of West Bank High School on the lives of its former pupils. The school's commitment to providing quality education had made a lasting difference, enabling its alumni to achieve their goals and become contributing members of society. The event demonstrated the power of community and the importance of celebrating milestones and shared experiences.
Key points
- West Bank High School's 20-year reunion highlighted the school's role in changing the community.
- The school's founding principal, Christo van der Rheede, reflected on the challenges and achievements of the school's early years.
- Former pupils have gone on to achieve success in various fields, demonstrating the school's lasting impact.
