Nr. 2: May 2014

Hello Again!
We are so very chuffed with the amazing response to the first edition of the Dassieland News which has been viewed more than 120 times as well as the visits to our brand new website launched at the end of March 2014! 

The responses to our requests to update our database of Dassies has also been very heartening but also highlighted a small issue for the admins. With people submitting information to BOTH Facebook and the website, the admins were getting a little confused so have come up with the following plan of action:

• Maryna will continue to monitor and update the Facebook lists 
• Cher will include information received through the website and post these to the Facebook lists
• At the end of each month the Facebook lists will copied to the website!
• Please continue to check the lists and update with information where you can :)

LOOKING BACK: HEIN WESSELS

Last Headmaster of HS van der Walt High School (1980-1992)

We asked Mr Wessels to tell us more about his time at HS van der Walt: 

When did you arrive at HS van der Walt High School and what was your original position?

I arrived at H S van der Walt as principal in January 1980. 

Where did you come from and was HS similar or vastly different from your previous post?

Prior to that I was the principal at Emmasdal Industrial High School for boys at Heidelberg,  the then Transvaal. Although being dassies [dussies] as well, they were not called dassies. My duty as administrative head of the institution at HS was not different to that of Emmasdal. Children, being children, are similar all over our country, the reasons for being committed to our establishments are the same, but as every one knows, girls and boys do have their differences.  

   

What were your first impressions of the school and the students?

Emmasdal was the first institution built for boys in 1912. HS was the first institution being built for girls in 1915. The school buildings, hostels, etc. were similar except for hostels 3, 4 and 5 being added many, many years later. [maybe one of the older dassies will be able to tell me when]. In contrast, HS’s staff were mainly female, to which I had to adapt, without regrets. To my astonishment, the very first pupil who entered my office, willingly, brought me a posy of flowers and a short handwritten note of welcome. That was unheard of.  

   

Was there something that you could not wait to change? either a process or tradition?

It would have been unwise to change unaccustomed customs straightaway. The first though, to the dismay of the majority of staff, was converting one of the bedrooms in every hostel into a smoking room, the reason being obvious: prohibition and punishment being unsuccessful.  

  

What was your greatest challenge at the school?

The greatest challenge - becoming an integral member of the HS-family. I was an outsider to the pupils and the members of staff.

Could you relate a few of your fondest memories from the school/pupils?

The girl who proudly came into my office saying ‘sir, last night I wanted to run, but I didn't.’ Next thing, she started sobbing against my shoulder ‘ ek verlang so na my pa’. 

Recently an old Dassie reminded me of saying on leaving school ‘en die lelike eendjie het verander in ‘n swaan’. 

A few years after closing down, a Dassie phoned and told me she had handed in her final scripture for a MA-degree in English under prof Andre P Brink at UCT. 

And, one of your face-book pals asked me whether I could remember "hoe sy my in die swembad gestamp het by geleentheid van ‘n lentedagviering"! Unforgettable memories!

How did it come about that the school was closed?

The new technical college one block away, was overfull. Instead of additions at great cost, HS was closed down and became part thereof. Five hostels added to the college catering for day-scholars only, was a major asset. Reason being that there was enough space at our other sister schools to accommodate our Dassies.

What happened to the students who were at the school at the time?

Girls were transferred to Kruinsig school in George, Rosenhof school in Bloemfontein and the new Kapenhof school in Constantia.   

  

Where did you go when the school closed?

I moved to my holiday house at Struisbaai/Cape Agulhas and subsequently built a new home.

Describe your life now and what are your interests?

Freedom was travelling, fishing, cabinetmaking and indulging in and enjoying what I wanted, when I wanted, where I wanted. To-morrow is still as good as to-day. I cherish memories of HS and have visited the school many times during the 21 years since closure.

Thank you Mr Wessels - not only for sharing your memories with us but also your continued and valued support of the Dassies and their activities!

 -o0o-

     

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

WANTING TO MAKE CONTACT:

Hi Alle Dassies -

Ek was van 1976 tot 1978 in Koshuis 1 Protea. As daar enige een van jul in  die Kaap of waar ookal bly - sal graag van jul wil hoor! Hulle het my altyd "Blackie" genoem en Matron Ungerer was ons huismoeder. Kan iemand my vertel wat het van Cathy Armitage geword en haar suster Margaret?   

Marina Janse van Vuuren

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