Cannons Creek Independent School celebrated its Founders Day Weekend on 11-12 February 2022 with a jam-packed programme of events. The school celebrated its silver anniversary – 25 years since the school was founded in 1997 by Mrs Carol Booth (formerly Mrs Barhouch) together with four teachers: Mrs Hazelmay Duncan, Mr Kevin Wroth, Mrs Nicola du Plooy and Ms Lesley Jacobson as a Primary, Co-educational, English-speaking Christian School. It was initially housed in the Pinelands Club Hall, with 37 founding pupils. The initial concept was to provide only a Primary school. However, due to demand, the High School was opened in 1999 with Mr van Haght as the Principal.

The celebrations kicked off with a whole school outdoor assembly, with various invited guests from local schools, community leaders, past pupils, past staff, and current parents; added to the 400-strong school pupil body. Dr Tim Black, director of Scripture Union, shared a blessing, message and prayer. One of the Founder teachers of the school, Mrs Hazelmay Duncan, ceremoniously lit the big branded candle, which proceeded to light 25th small candles for the cake. These candles were brought up by 25 representatives of the school, covering all facets – Pupils, Admin, Estates, Parents’ Association, the Trust, the Board, and ISASA. The audience sang ‘Happy Birthday’ while the cake was cut, and the High School Senior Marimba band entertained the crowd. Speeches were delivered by Mr Mike van Haght (High School Principal) who spoke about the history of the school; Mrs Tracy Wahl (Primary School Principal) who spoke about the growth that Cannons Creek has experienced, and finally Mr Jan de Waal (Chairperson of the Transitional Board).

Mr Mike van Haght (High School Principal), Mrs Tracy Wahl (Primary School Principal), Mr Jan de Waal (Chairman of the Transitional Board), and Mrs Ayesha Kaplen (Chairperson of the Interim Parents’ Association).

After the formalities, pupils were treated to various inflatable waterslides supplied by Blackball Rentertainment, a dogshow (Primary School) and an Acrobatics display from AfrodizzyActs (High School). On Saturday 12 February, hockey matches took place at the school featuring Past Pupils, Staff, Current Pupils, and Parents. The overall winners were the Parents vs Past Pupils with a 1-1 score. Pupils were taken on a tour, led by Mr van Haght (High School Principal), to view the changes and developments since the pupils from various years had matriculated.

Mr Dave Campbell (Principal of Pinelands High School) extended their well wishes – “The Principal, Staff and Students of Pinelands High School would like to wish Cannons Creek a very happy 25th Birthday today. We celebrate this milestone with you, and reflect on the wonderful contribution which your school has made to education and to the lives of so many young people since 1997. We value the strong, collaborative relationship which we have with you, and we look forward to many more years of good neighbourliness and co-operation.” Mrs Hazelmay Duncan, founder teacher, shared this message -“Happy Birthday my Dear Cannons Creek Family! This comes with many happy memories of our early days, as ‘we were growing’ and many good wishes for the next 25 years.”

Grade RR pupil, Julian Plastow having fun in the sun.

Grade 2 pupil, Yash Desai

Grade 3 pupil Michaela Goldstein

Grade 12 pupils Benjamin Bense and Benjamin Risk having fun in the Foam Pit.

High School Principal Mr Mike van Haght, demonstrating to the pupils how to have fun on the slides.