History

Historical Background

The school admitted it’s first learners on 18 July 1978.

It was the realization of a dream which started many years before when work started in Paarl for such a school. The first available minutes on a meeting by the committee for the care of Cerebral Palsied Children, Paarl Branch, is dated 24 March 1957. During 1962 the “Sinodale Kommissie vir die Diens van Barmhartigheid” of the Dutch Reformed Church, of which Dr. P du Toit was secretary, realized a need for the care of those with cerebral palsy. This resulted in the formation of a sub-committee of the “Diens van Barmhartigheid” on 2 October 1962 under the banner of “Paarlse Komitee vir Serebraal Verlamdes”.

In the interim a house in Verster Street, Paarl, as well as 8,5 hectares outside Paarl were donated to the committee. A local committee called the “Paarlse Bestuurskomitee vir Serebraal Verlamdes” was appointed under the chairmanship of Dr. J.J. Sieberhagen. Fundraising and negotiations with the Department of National Education began in earnest.

Dr. G.F.K. Carstens

Eventually in 1972, under the chairmanship of Dr G.F.K. Carstens, land was purchased in Brackenfell for the building of the school. This was done under the recommendation of the Department of National Education as such a school needed to be close to a fully equipped hospital, in this case Tygerberg Hospital. Close proximity to an urban area is also important for the recruitment of specialized staff.

As the initiative and many years of striving for the establishment of such a school came from persons in Paarl, it was decided to name the school, Paarl School, in acknowledgement of their endeavor, although the school is actually situated between Paarl and Cape Town namely Brackenfell.

The school was planned for 165 learners with possibilities for expansion. The residences can accommodate up to 42 learners including 12 girls and 30 boys.

The entire complex cost R2 million and was purchased with the aid of a state loan. Currently the school can accommodate a maximum of 350 learners.

Principals to date

Mnr Ellis R. Barker

18 July 1978 until December 1995

Mnr Johan M. Basson

July 1996 to date

School Song

Let us sing
and rejoice
there’s a school in Brackenfell
starting us upon the road of life.
Where we live,
where we grow
and we have faith –
with our feet on earth, our eyes on High.
And more precious still than all the pearls there are,
Paarl School guides our steps with love and care.
We have faith in ONE who is love Himself,
also loving let us be.
We have faith in ONE who is love Himself,
also loving we shall be.