Three Buffalo City schools have cemented their reputation for excellence after being ranked in the top 20 primary schools in the district for 2024.
Clarendon Primary School for Girls, Parkside Primary and Stirling Primary have each received recognition for their outstanding governance, curriculum management, parental involvement, and pupil performance at a special awards ceremony on March 6. The Eastern Cape education department’s Schools of Excellence Awards acknowledge institutions that go beyond academic achievement to create environments where pupils thrive holistically.
Clarendon has long been recognised as a leading institution in the province, and this latest accolade is a testament to its continued commitment to excellence. The school’s principal, Jay Albasini, expressed immense pride in the achievement.
“This award reflects the hard work of our teachers and pupils, as well as the unwavering support from parents. We believe in fostering a learning environment that challenges our girls while providing them with the necessary support to succeed,” Albasini said.
For Parkside Primary, this recognition is a testament to the resilience and dedication of its staff, pupils and the surrounding community.
Principal Lizelle Abrahams attributes the school’s success to its motto, “Deur dik en dun” (through thick and thin), which drives their commitment to excellence despite large class sizes, limited resources, and aging infrastructure.
Parkside Primary’s partnerships with University of Fort Hare for speech therapy, Theta Nathi Counselling for social support, and various NGOs providing educational and health services, have contributed significantly to pupil development.
Stirling Primary’s recognition as a top school affirms its commitment to a holistic education approach that prioritises academic excellence, extracurricular participation, and strong leadership, principal Rod Harris said.
“At Stirling, our success is built on pupils seizing opportunities, parents supporting their children, and staff creating an environment of enthusiasm and learning,” Harris said.
The department said the inclusion of the schools highlighted the strength of Buffalo City’s education system and inspired other schools.
