Stirling High School celebrates its 40th founder’s day on August 1, marking four decades of excellence.
The school has invited parents, former pupils, teachers, and principals to the celebration in the school’s hall.
Principal Doug Prior said the event would be a celebration of a remarkable journey and accomplishments over the years.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our 40th anniversary and will be honouring the pupils, staff, and parents who have been central to the growth and success of Stirling over the past 40 years.”
Prior expressed his gratitude for the trust the school had placed in him to lead such an important institution.
“I feel immensely proud to be playing a role in a school such as Stirling and I know that the staff and pupils are also proud to be a part of our great school, where they have all added value.
“Together we have created an incredible school with a great ethos,” he said.
Prior said that during his time at the school, there have been numerous accomplishments.
“We received the keys to a car which we were awarded by the MEC and HOD of education for being in the top quintile five schools in the Eastern Cape.
“This year, two of our teaching staff once again walked off with awards for top subject teachers in the province at the MEC Awards.
“Hundreds of our pupils have achieved national colours for a variety of activities over the years, and thousands of pupils have represented their province.
“We have achieved among the top matric results in the province and have been awarded the top-achieving High School floating trophy on a couple of occasions, including for our 2024 results.”
He expressed pride in the school’s strong financial management. “In the past few years we have built an auditorium, an astro shared with the primary, and a new high school astro.
“We also built a three-story extension that includes new science labs and classes, a new kitchen attached to a large, modern function venue, a library and media centre, offices, printing rooms, a staff workroom, a prefects’ room, and much more.
“We are also busy with a pavilion, which we hope to complete before year-end. The pavilion will consist of a viewing area, changing rooms, bathrooms, store rooms, and a tuck shop.
“Our next projects, which include indoor nets and a modern gym facility, are in the planning stages.”
Prior believed the school’s greatest accomplishment was its strong belief in pupils taking pride in their active participation and engagement in the various opportunities at Stirling High.
For founder’s day, the school had arranged a number of activities for after the service, including a guided tour of the school, a staff netball match, a derby against Hudson Park High, and a musical celebration in the auditorium.
The school has also organised a series of activities for Saturday, including rugby matches, a derby against Hudson Park, and a post-derby function at the new event venue following the first-team rugby match.
