GEORGE HERALD - 9 August 2012

Die Bult School's principal Mr Lodewyk Meyer in front of the original building in Langenhoven Street. The school celebrates its 100th birthday this year. Photo: LeeAnne Pratt GEORGE NEWS -

The oldest active educational facility in George, Die Bult School, celebrates its centenary on 1 December. As part of the celebrations, three special events will be hosted at the school over the next four months. During the last weekend of August, a special sport weekend - which principal, Lodewyk Meyer hopes will become an annual event - has been arranged. This will see the final games of the season's rugby, soccer and netball matches. On 15 September, actress and presenter Lindie Strydom will address invited guests at a gala dinner and in November the school's current 230 learners will witness the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. Die Bult originated in 1912, as the need for accommodation for orphans of the Anglo Boer War was identified. The city fathers of George made an old prison building (circa 1861) available to the children and their teachers, and in 1919 a new purpose-built school was erected. (http://www.diebult.wcape.school.za/html/history.html). "We aim at their protection against the evil and insidious influences of a diseased society, at sheltering them, at nurturing them physically, intellectually, morally and as far as possible, vocationally. These schools are called upon to perform a well-nigh impossible task in furnishing substitutes for the natural home." So wrote the former Secretary of Education, Mr George W Hofmeyr in 1917, about schools such as the one situated in Langenhoven Street, George. The school has adapted to its changing educational and social environment over the past 100 years. It was an industrial school from its inception until 1965, after which it developed into a high school for boys until 2000 (Die Bult High School). This era was followed by its role as a special educational youth centre until 2011 and since its name change last year to Die Bult School, this educational facility looks after learners who require assistance with behaviour modification and in the academic learning area. If you want to visit the school's active Old Boys` Union website, where you can view information and photos, visit www.dassecorner.blogspot.com. An unofficial learners' reunion is scheduled for later this month.