Hello!

Welcome to the first edition of the Dassieland News!

HS van der Walt High School Paarl, no longer exists since closing down in 1992, but as a school remains alive in the memories of many of its past students and teachers. It is therefore our honour and pleasure to create a space where old friends can find each other again and reminisce about the old days ..... some good; some not so good; some funny; some sad but always, always memorable!

We hope to publish a Newsletter at the beginning of every month and look forward to YOUR contributions - Suggestions, Grapevine, Memories and anything else you would like to know more about - either on our brand new website: http://hsvanderwalthighsc.wix.com/hs-van-der-walt-high or on Facebook!  Our new website will not replace our vibrant and exciting Facebook Group  - instead it is aimed at finding more students and teachers who are unable to access Facebook  for whatever reason.   Important Information currently on the Facebook Group will be added to the website which means it serves as a static reference for anybody seeking information on HS van der Walt High School. The Celebration Reunion planned for 2015 is just one of those bits of important information that needs to be spread around and shared as often as possible!!! 

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Looking back - Dassie Reunion 2012:

Press Release  to the local newspapers:

Julie and Maryna - Reunion Organisers

Way down at the bottom end of Hospital Street in Paarl, on the banks of the Berg River is one section of Boland College. These structures were first built to house female high school students in the form of HS van der Walt High School, which opened in 1915 and closed its doors in 1992.

Thanks to modern technology and the ability to connect via social media, the ex pupils of the school established a page where past pupils from as far back as the 1940s to those who left when the school closed in 1992 could connect. They got talking about the old days of the 'Dassies' (they earned the nickname because they were always looking for a spot of sun in which to get warm), and inevitably 

Dassies that stayed in Protea hostel

talk of a reunion surfaced. Thanks to the staunch efforts of Maryna Ontong, with the help of her sister Julie, and one or two others, talk and wishful thinking became a reality!

The 'Dassie Reunion' was organised for the weekend of 27-29 April 2012, a fitting date as many of the girls spent this Freedom Day putting old ghosts to rest. As many of the ex students came from afar, flying and driving in from all over South Africa, some of them stayed over in one of the hostels for the weekend, whilst locals generally just attended on the Saturday. Those who made a weekend of it took many a trip down memory lane as they went up Paarl Mountain, strolled the shops of Paarl Mall, and walked around the school grounds, remembering their days spent there. Of course, girls being girls, there were many stories shared after "lights out" and the corridors once more echoed with the giggles and fits of laughter of the Dassie girls. Oh yes, and of course a few of the girls had to have a "skelm" smoke as well, just for old time's sake.

Group photo of some of the Dassies and Teachers – some were smoking outside – not on photo

The highlight of the weekend was the Cocktail party in the old school hall on the Saturday night, which was attended by 49 ex students from various years, the oldest being 79 year old Sally Storkey (nee Lucas), who matriculated in 1950! There were gifts and award certificates handed out to various ex staff members and Dassies, and each Dassie attendee and ex personnel received a key ring with the school badge and reunion details on and a bookmark featuring the school song as mementos. There were loads of laughs and more than a few tears shed during the various speeches.

Sally Storkey regaled everyone with tales of her time as a 

Sally (Lucas) Storkey

teenager at HS from 1947 – 1950, including the fact that she had the same ‘young girl’ irritations with teachers, teenage boyfriend issues and yet also remembered how attending the school had been a privilege and opportunity she would never forget. She said “I am pleased to see the Dassies that kept on running”, when asked to elaborate she explained “Dassies are strong, they are fast, and they are alert. The girls in this room have kept those qualities and through sheer grit and determination, in sometimes very difficult circumstances, kept going and flourished”.

Rita Swartz

Rita Swartz gave a very moving testimonial which once again displayed the fact that no matter the circumstances and hardships, anyone can triumph against the odds if the determination is there. Testimonies were also given by Maryna and various others as to what HS v/d Walt and the teachers had meant to them as young girls, and they expressed thanks for the grounding and inspiration that they were afforded by the staff of the day.

Some ex staff members also attended, including the last principal of HS, Mr Hein Wessels, and his wife. Mr Piet Kilian, who earned the title "HS’s Heart-throb" gave a very moving speech, as did Mr Willie Swart. Mr Wessels showed his dedication, even in retirement, by having gone to the National Archives in Roeland Street, Cape Town, and brought

Mr Wessels and Maryna

letters from students, annual school reports and a dedication Bible with him.

Once the speeches were done with it was time to catch up with old friends whilst enjoying the wonderful catering from Pick ‘n Pay WP Corporate Paarl Mall that had been arranged by Maryna and her team, and soon the dance floor was occupied by various generations spanning 50 years, all dancing to the sounds of “I want to break free” and “I will survive”.
The reunion weekend allowed many old friends to be reunited and new friendships to be forged. Many ghosts were laid to rest and in excess of 600 pictures attest to the resounding success that was Reunion 2012 - now we are planning the next reunion for 2015, the Centenary year!

Our heartfelt thanks goes to Nella van Niekerk from Boland College for permitting us to have our Reunion at our old school.

Maryna Ontong – Ex Student & Organiser of the Reunion

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Just in case you missed the following : Best Posts on our Facebook Page:

Wanting to make contact:

Anyone know what happened to Louise Van der Berg, Pat Watson, Linda Cameron,Daphne Potgieter or Cecile Van Huyysteen? Also Stella Harris, Anna Benade or the Burmeister sisters from Protea?

 Help Billi du Preez do something Great!

Best Chuckle:

Best Philosophy:

Last Word :
So here's the thing - this monthly Newsletter is not going to last very long unless we get some input from you! Remember, this is not only for the Facebook Page but also to encourage more old students and teachers to find us on the internet! Send an email with your contribution, suggestion, compliments and/or complaints to hsvanderwalthighschool@gmail.com, to reach us no later than the last week in every month.
Thanks!