GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL Matric class of 1971 th 50 anniversary
Girls’ High School, who did their best to provide an Education for Life. And to the memories of our classmates who left us too soon: They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.
Foreword ...............................................................................................3 Danville Then and Now ......................................................................4 Our Danville 1971 Matric Class: 1971-2021 ..................................9 In Memoriam ...................................................................................... 55 Sorry We Missed You ........................................................................58 Down Memory Lane ..........................................................................60 Memories Of Durban North..................................................................................................... 60 Memories Of Danville ................................................................................................................ 60 Memories Of Teachers .............................................................................................................. 66 Photo Gallery...................................................................................... 71 Class & Staff Photos .................................................................................................................. 71 Sport................................................................................................................................................ 74 Excursions ..................................................................................................................................... 76 Fashion ........................................................................................................................................... 81 Group Shots.................................................................................................................................. 82 Matric Dance ................................................................................................................................ 84 Farewell To Teachers ................................................................................................................ 86 Reunions ........................................................................................................................................ 87 1
Fifty years on, when far and asunder, Parted are those who here are sitting today, Will look back and regretfully wonder, what you were like in your work and your play, Fifty years on in the dim distance older, the memory will brighten your girlhood’s bright years. Fifty years on, in the dim distance golden, daughter still singing, forgotten the tears. Smiling again as the outline grows bolden, going once more through your work and your fun, Memory will find you, though fifty years older, proud to the last of the School’s honours soon. Dreadful equations which could not be brought out, whole lines of translation which would not make sense, Will the life’s problems which then must be thought out, dream yon, be easier fifty years hence? Fifty years on how we’ll try to remember all that was winsome and bright in the past. The sun that warmed June shall grant old December one lingering gleam ere he die on a blast. Then one and all let the brave words be spoken, while life’s within we will give of our best. Make sunshine for winter, when weary and broken, Fifty years onward we are seeking God’s best. (From a writing album, 1904) 2
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver This quote, from the poem The Summer Day by the late poet, Mary Oliver, perhaps describes what we most hope that this 50th anniversary magazine will accomplish: the opportunity, after 50 years, to learn what each of us has done (so far) with our “one wild and precious life”. We are awed, inspired and moved by all the life journeys and diversity described here, we have smiled again at the Danville memories, and enjoyed the reminders of that long ago Durban North era. Fifty years since we were fresh young girls, poised on the brink of grown-up life. So much has changed since then, in the world at large, in the roles and opportunities for women, and for each of us. We remember our classmates who are no longer with us – their life stories cut sadly short. We are sorry that some of you preferred not to participate, and we regret that, despite our best efforts, we were not able to contact all members of our 1971 class. Please be assured that we tried very hard! Huge thanks to the other members of our magazine team: Glenda Blake (GoddardGill) and Sharon Blakeway (Brown), who have both juggled their many other commitments to make this project a reality. We are fortunate to have had the benefit of Sharon’s editing expertise and it has been a concerted team effort to try to track down as many members of our 1971 class as possible. We hope that you will enjoy this celebratory magazine as much as we have enjoyed compiling it. As pioneering Danville girls, we have so much to celebrate: all that Danville has achieved in the years since we graduated (see Glenda’s section on Danville Then and Now), our personal experiences since Matric, the long friendships many of us have maintained since then, and the opportunity to revive old ones. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Mary Lou & Terri “Regardless of how many years we have spent in this life, we must get up and shout.” Prof Fatima Meer, founding member of the South African Federation of Women, Professor of Sociology at University of Natal 3
Glenda Blake (Goddard-Gill) From modest beginnings with an enrolment of 70 girls, a staff of 7 full-time teachers (and 2 shared with Edgewood Teachers’ Training College) and a partly-built campus which was 75% building site, Danville grew into a state-of-the-art public school that enjoys an envied reputation in South Africa. 4
1967-1978, began to establish the cultural foundation on which generations of Danville girls and Principals would continue to build. First was the school uniform with the stylish yellow and grey combination of dress and blazer. In late 1979, economic pressures on South Africa necessitated discontinuing the grey blazer and green was introduced. Over a period of decades, the winter uniform was discontinued as well as the hats. The belt has remained as a “Matric privilege”. A school badge was designed by Alan Woodrow incorporating the leaves and berries of the indigenous milkwood tree in the shape of a green and white lozenge, heraldically correct for women. The green symbolised new growth and was a nod to the sugar belt of the north coast. This was topped by a bow – another feminine touch – with the school motto “fortem facet fides” (faith makes strong) incorporated below. The symbolism of the berries being Love, Gentleness, Tolerance and Courtesy, ideals which have remained at the core of the Danville ethos. Mrs Trewin also established the four Houses, each named after an influential Natal woman: Campbell – blue – was named after Killie Campbell who was passionate about history and documented much of the history of the Zulu and Sotho people. Hollander – green – was named after the wife of the first Jewish mayor of Durban. She was a fashionista (wearing the first bustle) and was very active in providing for the care of sick children. 5
the second woman to graduate from Glasgow University and helped establish Natal University in Durban. Much of her work was with black students. She was well-known for using rickshas to transport her around town. Smith – red – Emma Smith was the mother of sugar magnate, Sir Charles Smith, and is known for her work among indigent students. Interestingly, Danville recently held a referendum among its pupils in a bid to adjust the icon women of the houses to be more inclusive of all the girls attending the school. The vote was almost unanimous in favour of maintaining the status quo. The barren building site underwent a transformation into a pleasant garden, something that has been continued. It was a group of dedicated Danville pupils together with a motivated teacher who established the beautiful indigenous gardens that provide an exceptional environment for outdoor classes and relaxing breaks. Today the gardens are maintained by a team of gardeners, closely monitored by the teacher in charge of the Environmental Society. Mrs Trewin was determined the school would have its own swimming pool and at a meeting of the PTA in February 1970, fundraising plans were initiated. How many of our mothers baked endless cakes and painstakingly raised rand after rand to enable the installation of a state-of-the-art pool in 1976. No more galas at the Durban North pool. Today the pool is heated and accommodates swimming as well as water polo and has covered stands for the spectators. Today the school also offers a wide choice of sporting codes: swimming, water polo, tennis, volleyball, squash, athletics, cross country, soccer, hockey (indoor and outdoor), netball (action and outdoor), basketball. Each year Danville has a large number of girls who compete at provincial and national level. The impressive sports pavilion with the artificial hockey turf alongside 6
until 2020, when the covid pandemic put a halt to group activities. The annual school musical alternated every other year with danville@thefringe, a performing arts festival that showcased singers, dancers, and actors and exposed Danville girls to professional performances as well. The musical celebration for Danville’s 50th Anniversary was held in the School Hall The range of cultural activities offered by the school today is impressive: two choirs who are regularly invited to sing at events such as a speech by the late King Goodwill Zwelethini, there is a guitar group, Drama Society, Art Club, debating, Toastmasters, public speaking, creative writing, conversational isiZulu classes, Amagugu Heritage Society, Muslim Students’ Association, Student Christian Association and the Hindu Student Association. The amphitheatre, which accommodates informal performances At the heart of the school is the award-winning library 7
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