Kronendal Primary School celebrates 125 years of educational excellence

For 125 years, Kronendal Primary School has stood in the heart of Hout Bay valley, weathering decades of change while shaping generations of young minds.

This year, the school celebrates a milestone that few institutions reach – more than a century of unbroken service to the community since opening its doors in 1901 to a handful of eager pupils amid the fynbos hills.

But Kronendal's story actually begins even earlier. Historian and former principal of the Centre for Conservation Education, Sigi Howes, explains that the first school in Hout Bay was established in 1845 in the upper valley by the Christian Instruction Society of Wynberg (Anglican) and called the Hout Bay Mission School.

Mr Howes asked: "Yet there was no previous church school in Hout Bay that claimed that history. So what happened to it, and where was it if it had survived?" 

He went on to explain that it was eventually taken over by the DR Church in 1852 and seemed to have been relocated to the DRC Chapel that was built in 1890, where the Hout Bay Cemetery is now.

"The next 50 years are a blank and more research is needed," Mr Howes added.

Further research by Sentinel News revealed that a DRC Mission School was recorded in the Education Gazette when it first started in 1901. With 28 registered children, the school appeared in the Gazette for the first three terms before vanishing from the records.

That same term saw the first mention of Hout Bay Public School, also with 28 registered children. The records suggest the Mission School had simply been renamed.

That would account for Kronendal using 1901 as its date of founding, and the same date being placed on the old chapel building.

"Kronendal's history intrigued me, because of what I had read about an earlier school in the Education Gazette. I should just mention that schools' histories are not always neatly packaged, and exact documentation does not always exist that confirms suppositions. Researchers often have to use deductions and brain gymnastics to link the dots," Mr Howes said.

Principal at Kronendal, Nathan Levendal, was proud of the school reaching such a milestone in the Hout Bay community, which has its own rich history.

"This milestone isn't just about dates on a timeline; it's a testament to Kronendal's rock-solid dedication to nurturing every child's potential. We've always believed education is the great equaliser," he said.

Mr Levendal said Kronendal served as a vital meeting place where the "diverse communities of Hout Bay converge".

"Our pupils come from every corner of the valley, creating a unique environment where families from all walks of life strive together toward excellence," Mr Levendal said.

Kronendal Primary School will commemorate this significant occasion with a lively community festival that promises to engage and entertain all members of the Hout Bay community.

Celebrations kick off with their Partners Pavilion event, a community fair on Saturday, February 28, featuring the school's partners, alumni reunions, sports events, and a sunset picnic concert by artist and resident Ard Matthews.

Locals are invited to enjoy a historical exhibit at the school hall. Take a walk down memory lane and add your own special memories.

"Kronendal is integral to Hout Bay's success, rooting learners in excellence and social awareness," said School Governing Body Chairperson, Woon Ziady.

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