A message from Joleen Newton:

Dear Peakview

It is amazing to know that Peakview is 30 years old… seems just the other day we were celebrating the years counting on 1 hand! And also just the other day that we had that wonderful 21st birthday party which 70% of past pupils attended. There will be many joyful reunions and I WISH I could be there to share them.

When my husband was offered a year’s locum job in the UK in December 2002, we decided to take it as our children were living here. More invitation locums followed and we are now living here full-time.
We miss Cape Town, our friends and acquaintances but are pleased to be near the family which has grown since we came here… all our children are married and there are 5 grandsons with a grand-daughter expected from Susan (past peakview learner) in September. Many of my Peakview games and resources are therefore still being used. The inserted photo taken at my birthday will remind many of Peakview birthdays too!!

What wonderful times we had at the school, the parents and staff as much as the learners. SO many memories come to mind and many are recorded in the various photo albums and History of Peakview Booklet. Some which may not be in there…

Arbour Day celebrations when we buried a Time module/ plastic bag with a school photo, drawings, the front page of that day’s Cape Times and coins under the tree being planted
the school Birthday celebrations every July with a fresh mini-do-nut each with a candle to blow out for each child. Parents were anxious about fire safety but Peakview-ites always behaved impeccably!
The only time we ever had a fire problem was one Valedictory Service… the “leavers” were in a row on the stage each with a big candle (to light on their first day at school to remind them they were never alone);
as Rev. Arthur Volker was saying the final prayer and blessing, one little girl with a long fringe bent her head to pray and her hair caught the candle flame… she was more upset at the unexpected whack she
got from Angela Kriger who had jumped up to bang out the flame
Outings were always such fun and working mothers would re-arrange schedules to accompany us to Tokai Forest, Dalebrook beach, Blouberg, SANCOB, Kirstenbosch and other interesting venues.
Swimming lessons were a weekly morning activity in summer and many good swimmers owe their ability to Barbara Nicolson’s instructions and encouragement
The Morning Markets started when Pre-Primary learners were required to know the various denominations; what better way to teach a 5-year old than real-life shop-shop! Each child was allowed to spend up to R5 and what a load of goodies they would return with… no high cost-of-living at Peakview. The goods bought often cost more to make than what they paid for them.
For very many years there were no gates obstructing entrance to the property; in the garden, the Wendy House was the boundary and one of the only rules… no going beyond it or round the back
During the time of political unrest the pupils were safe within the school area and totally unaware of the many protest marches which took place along the Mowbray Main Road.
It was, and I am sure still is, a haven and 2nd home to parents, learners and staff alike… there were 2 fathers each with a speech impediment but when they sat on the floor in the Book Corner and read stories before school to the early arrivals, there was never a stammer to be heard; one busy mother of 3 would arrive with the girls dressed but with a bag containing toothebrushes and hair brushes to complete their toilet at school; many mothers sat reading stories before school in the Book Corner while feeding new-born babies… those babies in no time were pupils at the school too
lift clubs were helpful as the school intake was mostly from further away; one mother who had had an accident and stopped driving, re-did her driver’s licence to be able to take her turn at lifts;
other parents have been helped by the contact with the church and many have become enthusiastic members of other churches as a result of this
I could go on and on… so many wonderful people and stories associated with this special school
The only time in 22 years that I was really, really angry was when the school was being re-painted… the painters were permitted to store their supplies in the Wendy House (not the present one) which was being kept locked for the duration of the renovation. 2 little boys found the window unlocked, climbed in and decided to paint the inside Wendy House walls; for some reason long-forgotten, they used their hands instead of brushes; suddenly realizing the mess their clothes and bodies were getting into, they slipped back to the bathroom and tried washing themselves; by the time I got there EVERYTHING was covered in bright blue paint; no, I did not shout, I WHISPERED, my anger, put them to sit on newspaper on the lawn and phoned their mothers to fetch them immediately!

The end-of-year Concert and Nativity Play was the climax and highlight of every year and such fun to prepare. There was the year that nobody wanted to be Joseph until it was discovered that rumour had told all the boys that Joseph had to KISS Mary! traditionally the girls were always angels but 1 year a handsome boy expressed this to be his great wish; so it was granted and all was fine until he got bored and unintentionally lifted his long white drapes and revealed underpants instead of pink panties! The first concerts took place in the church hall and a chalk mark was made for where the Kings should start their walk; imagine the puzzlement of teacher and audience when their introduction of “We 3 Kings” was played repeatedly but they never appeared… on investigation it transpired that the chalk mark had been cleaned off and they were conscientiously looking all over the floor for it! We were so happy when Rev Arthir Volker suggested we hold the Concert in the Church itself; not only was it appropriate but the raised stage and sloping floor were perfect for the event. We could not have hay bales for the shepherds to sit on, but having the angels ranged on the stairs on either side of the pulpit was a much better arrangement

There have been Political and Social changes, Staff, Parents, Governing Body members and Learners have come and gone but the essence of Peakview appears to remain the same.
So we remember so many happy times and people who have been part of Peakview, including and particularly those who have played a part and now died, and we give thanks, say 3 cheers and pray that the next 30 years will be every bit as memorable.

Lots of love to all
Joleen Newton

For: 3 – 8 year olds (children from other schools welcome)
Date: 9 June – 25 June
Cost: R80 (per morning 08.00 – 12.30)
Bring: Apron and Healthy snack and drink

MORNING ROUTINE

If you would like your child to attend please fill in the reply slip and Indemnity form. Please indicate days you wish your child to attend and include payment.

We plan to have a fun filled time. Looking forward to seeing you.