Victoria Park, Summerwood celebrate birthdays with unique events
Two age-old Gqeberha schools responsible for moulding the minds of thousands of youngsters are continuing the legacy of learning and life skills as they enter their octogenarian eras.
Victoria Park High School and Summerwood Primary School are celebrating their 85th and 80th anniversaries, respectively, with both schools planning to host unique events centred around the development of their most important assets, the pupils.
From coding to theatre and a golf day, an array of activities are being planned by both schools to commemorate their milestone birthdays.
Summerwood will host one of two coding events starting on Friday that will see more than 150 pupils from schools across Nelson Mandela Bay vying for the title.
The school’s head of information and communications technology, Bronwen Jonson, said seven schools would come together to compete in Coding Chess and Unplugged Coding with Tanks — coding a game created by Tangible Africa — on Friday.
The schools competing in Friday’s event include Summerwood Primary, Westering Primary, Swartkops Primary, Greenwood Primary, Parsons Hill Primary, Erica Girls Primary and pupils from the Masinyusane Development Organisation.
“As part of our 80th birthday celebrations, these events bring together multiple schools in a collaborative effort to promote innovation and problem-solving,” Jonson said.
“On Saturday, we will be hosting a LEGO Coding Workshop in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela School of IT.”
Jonson said Summerwood Primary School, Westering Primary School, Parsons Hill Primary School, and Laerskool Frans Conradie would each bring 18 pupils to compete on Saturday.
“A pupil from each school will be grouped together and given challenges to complete throughout the workshop.
“The morning will be a celebration of the true essence of LEGO coding — not just building and programming but also learning to work with people from different backgrounds towards a common goal.”
The two-day event forms part of several other events planned for the rest of the year.
Meanwhile, Victoria Park High School is ushering in their birthday celebration with a lively, unique and fast-paced musical rendition of Bonnie & Clyde running from March 19-22.
The high school’s head of English, Paulett Meyer, said the ambitious undertaking aligned with the school’s commitment to innovation and inspiring pupils to dream big.
“In line with the school’s 2025 theme, “Unreasonable Hospitality,” Victoria Park High School is going above and beyond to deliver an unforgettable experience.”
Meyer said the team consisting of musical director Marlon Louis, director Kelsey Scheepers, choreographer Darren Rockman and vocal director Travis Frans, had worked tirelessly with the cast to ensure the one-of-a-kind production enthralled audiences.
“For over a year, the incredibly talented production team and cast have poured their hearts into bringing this iconic story to life.
“Audiences can expect a captivating journey through the lives of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, set against the backdrop of the Great Depression.
“This innovative musical masterfully blends gospel, rockabilly, and blues music, creating an electrifying score that perfectly complements the action-packed story of love, crime and ambition.”
The school will also be hosting a golf day on May 8 and a host of other activities throughout the year.