La Rochelle Yearbook 2025

ANNUAL REPORT

Instandhouding

MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE The upkeep and improvement of our attractive and historic school remain a constant priority. La Rochelle’s buildings carry both heritage and heart – and preserving them requires ongoing commitment, care and attention to detail. This year saw significant progress in maintaining and upgrading our facilities. The bathrooms in the quad and in the school hall for the learners received a much-needed upgrade, resulting in a more modern and comfortable environment. The north side of the school was freshly painted, brightening and protecting our iconic building. Several more classrooms were fitted with air conditioners to provide relief during Paarl’s extreme summer heat, ensuring that teaching and learning can continue productively throughout the year. The paving in front of and behind the hostel was replaced and now looks beautiful – a practical and aesthetic improvement that was long overdue. Two of the tennis courts were resurfaced, providing our learners with safe, high-quality facilities. The stage floor in the school hall was sanded and restored, ready to host future assemblies, performances and celebrations. Numerous smaller maintenance projects were also undertaken – as always, a historic building demands ongoing care and attention. A special word of thanks goes to Mr Frans Botha-Visser and Mrs Luzanne Oosthuizen for their creativity and dedication in beautifying the Learning Centre. Their efforts have transformed the space into an inspiring environment that reflects La Rochelle’s commitment to excellence. Thank you to Mrs Cindy McFarlane, Pamela Tashner and Ludwig Roses for bringing the La Rochelle rose back to La Rochelle. A total of 165 La Rochelle roses were cultivated and sold to alumnae, parents and friends of the school. An exquisite new rose garden, which was created, was officially inaugurated on 24 October 2025 as part of our 165-year celebrations. We are deeply grateful to our Ground Staff for their unwavering dedication and the many extra hours they give to the school – maintaining the grounds, assisting with functions and ensuring that every corner of our campus is clean and welcoming. Their hard work often happens quietly, yet their impact is seen and felt every day. An exciting project currently underway is the construction of a new annex behind Navarre, made possible through the generous bequest of Miss Christa le Roux, our beloved former principal. On completion in December 2025, this new building will provide accommodation for Mrs Christien Marais and her family, an additional teacher, and 42 learners. We are deeply grateful for this gift, which will serve future generations and honour Miss le Roux’s lasting legacy. Our sincere appreciation goes to Mr Quinton Meades, who oversees the project on behalf of the school with dedication and professionalism, and to Mr André Wessels, our contractor and builder, for his commitment to quality workmanship and excellence. Despite the progress made this year, the school remains in urgent need of additional classrooms to accommodate our growing number of learners. Unfortunately, there has been no indication of financial assistance from the Department

Personeel presteer op die volgende gebiede: Mnr. Frans Botha-Visser: IEB/NSS-eksaminator en hoofnasiener vir Frans Vraestel 1. Mnr. Quinton Meades: Hy was aktief betrokke by die aanbied van opleidingsgeleenthede vir onderwysers en hy tree op as ’n spreker by Schoolscape One, die SOS Nasionale Kongres en die aanbieding van verskeie Fisiese Wetenskappe-vakgerigte webinare vir SOS. Hy is die mede-voorsitter van die Paarl Robotika-kluster, gekoöpteer tot die WRO Wes-Kaap Raad en die hoofbeoordelaar van die Junior-afdeling tydens die WRO Nasionale Finaal. Me. Madri Muller: Begeleidster van die wêreldbekende Tygerberg Kinderkoor. Mrs Cindy McFarlane: Serves on the examining panel for the Cape Winelands Education District Common Paper. Mrs Tracy Meyer: Grade 12 Tutor and one of the examiners for the Cape Winelands Education District. Me. Rentia Saayman: Naaswenner van die Nasionale Onderwysprestasietoekennings vir uitnemendheid in hoërskoolonderrig. Me. Mandy Hermanus: Gekies as afrigter van die o.14 Netbal Wes-Kaap Oakes-span wat 6 de by die All Ages toernooi geëindig het; verkies tot die Kaapse Wynland Senior A-Netbalspan; verkies tot die Boland Vroue Senior rugbygroep en die Central Wolves rugbyspan. Mag elke onderwyser onthou: jou werk is nie net ’n beroep nie, maar ’n roeping – ’n lig wat die pad vir ander verlig – gebaseer op Spreuke 31.

6 | Hoër Meisieskool La Rochelle | Girls’ High School