JOY and laughter was the order of the day when pupils, teachers, ex-learners and parents celebrated Grassy Park E.C Primary School’s 100th year in existence.

On Monday 13 February, Grassy Park Civic was bustling with activity, from gum boot dancing to choir song. School principal Bertrand Ehrenreich, who’s retiring at the end of this year, has been teaching at the school since 1995 and believes the school is a beacon of hope to the community and surrounding schools.

“We are extremely professional but we never forget the human factor. Our motto is to work hard and to maintain the ethos of caring and sharing for each other and every learner.” Another teacher, Diann Adriaanse, who has been teaching at the school for almost 29 years, was also a learner at the school and says it is an honour for her to join the celebrations.

“I am overjoyed to be able to be part of something of this magnitude, it’s great.

“My family and I moved down here to Grassy Park from Simon’s Town because of the Group Areas Act. In 1973 I joined Grassy Park E.C and from there I went to Grassy Park High School, studied, and came right back to my roots.”

The proud teacher beams as she boasts about the school’s hard-working ethics.

“I am so proud, seeing so many students go through my hands. I am teaching old learners’ children.”

Erenreich would like to encourage the teachers and students at E.C Primary School to maintain the loving attitude that can be found in the classrooms and the playground.

Asking him about his retirement he says, “It is going to be a challenge because I have been involved in teaching for so long, but it gives an opportunity for the school to progress, for new adventures and new ideas. But I will still be helping out in future, if my help is needed.”