La Rochelle Yearbook 2025

ANNUAL REPORT

Beste ouers, La Rochelle-leerders en vriende van die skool. The year 2025 marks a remarkable milestone in the proud history of La Rochelle Girls’ High School in that we celebrate 165 years of distinguished service as the oldest dual-medium girls’ school in South Africa. Founded in 1860 by Mrs Louisa Hugo, whose vision for the education of young women was far ahead of her time, La Rochelle has grown from a small private school for 40 girls into an institution of excellence that continues to educate and inspire generations of women. Throughout its 165 years, La Rochelle has stood as a beacon of progress and perseverance. From the early days of the ‘Ladies’ Seminary’ to the present, the school has upheld its founding ideal: to educate the head, heart and hand , in forming, not only capable students, but also compassionate and confident women. Each principal, teacher and learner who has walked these corridors has left their mark, shaping a legacy defined by courage, service and forward movement – true to our motto: En Avant ! This year, we were reminded of the depth and reach of that legacy when a record number of alumnae returned for our Women’s Day and Alumnae Reunion celebrations in August. The enthusiasm and pride with which they reconnected to their alma mater were deeply moving – a living testimony to the school’s enduring influence. Over the decades, La Rochelle has made an indelible impact on countless girls, and it continues to do so today, equipping young women to step boldly into the world, rooted in tradition, yet ready for the future.

As we celebrate 165 years of faith, courage and excellence, we do so with immense gratitude – for those who came before us, for those who guide the present and for those who will carry the La Rochelle torch forward into the next century. Op 12 Junie 2025 neem ons afskeid van ons geliefde juffrou Schoemie. Ons innigste simpatie aan haar familie en vriende. Marianna Shoeman was ’n absolute legende en haar toegewydheid en passie vir La Rochelle sal vir altyd onthou word. PERSONEEL “Onderwysers plant saadjies wat eendag kennis, karakter en drome laat groei.” Hierdie aanhaling – wat by ons leuse van “blom waar jy geplant is” aansluit – is voorwaar van toepassing op die personeel van La Rochelle en ons is dankbaar vir hul toewyding en harde werk. Aan die begin van die jaar verwelkom ons die volgende personeel tot die Larrie-familie: Mev. Vera Bestbier verwerf haar BA Taal-graad en Na graadse Sertifikaat in Opvoedkunde aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch. Sy sluit by ons Afrikaans departement aan en is ook betrokke by die redenaars. Me. Esmé Haggard studeer aan die Universiteit van Pretoria, waar sy die volgende kwalifikasies verwerf: BEng Chemiese Ingenieurswese, MSc Ingenieurswese, asook ’n Nagraadse Onderwyssertifikaat. Me. Haggard onderrig Wiskunde vir graad 8-11 en is in beheer van skaak by die skool. Me. Angelique Barnard studeer aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch en Leipzig Universiteit (Duitsland), waar

Babas

Ella-Mae Beneke

Asher Groenewald

Fleur Uys

Hugo Davids

Luan du Toit

Stella Maree Jani Neethling

Nuwe Personeel

Staff

L’nanda le Roux

Rentia Saayman

Esmé Haggard, Marissa Herbst, Vera Bestbier & Angelique Barnard

Annadene & Michael Venter

Elmarie Swanepoel

Michelle Dykman

Lodewyk Lusse

Peter Whitmore

4 | Hoër Meisieskool La Rochelle | Girls’ High School