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About Our School
About Us
Craighall Primary School
Craighall Primary School has a strong tradition of active participation from all stakeholders (children, parents and staff) and has been at the forefront of educational opportunities since its opening in 1918.
We educate our children to be happy, enthusiastic and diligent learners who are valued for their individuality. We encourage engagement, self – reliance, responsibility and independence and promote the development of the whole child through strong curricular programmes and a large variety of extra-curricular opportunities. The holistic approach is reflected in our motto, vision and mission, which lie at the heart of what CPS stands for.
All of our teaching and learning is based on the foundation of values such as; integrity, trust, respect, compassion, acceptance, optimism, team work, commitment and care.
Craighall Primary School is fortunate to have a dedicated, committed and talented team of staff. We have a broad range of experience from those in their first year of teaching to others that have taught for more than 30 years. Furthermore we have staff with extensive experience in specialist areas including music, dance, art and physical education. The common denominator in this team of staff is their passion and drive to do the best they can for the children at CPS and this means addressing the social, emotional and academic needs of the individual.
When you enter the doors of Craighall Primary School you are welcomed to a growing community of families that believe in the value of a Craighall education.
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Learn About
Our History
A brief history of Craighall Park and Craighall Primary
Although now very different in appearance the Johannesburg suburbs of Blairgowrie and Craighall spring from the same source, the land was once owned by William Grey Rattray. He came to South Africa from Scotland in the late 1870s.
In 1893 he bought a hostelry, which was to become the Craighall Park Hotel, and vast stretches of land around it. He named parts of this area Blairgowrie and Dunkeld, after towns near his Scottish home in Perthshire and Craighall after his ancestral seat.
Photographs in the Africana library show that the old hotel, then on the rise in Westminster Drive, was a beautiful place. There was a cricket field in the grounds, where Rattray liked to organise matches. Below the hotel he dammed the river to form a lake for boating and trout fishing.
In an old map, the river at the bottom of Craighall, is incorrectly named the “ Yousskei” river, but in fact the river is the continuation of the Braamfontein Spriut.
William Rattray was a civil engineer and his skill is shown in the three weirs he built spanning the river near the old Pretoria Road. These weirs can still be seen and their great length shows how wide the river once was.
William Rattray died in 1929. He was a distinguished figure with a small beard. He always dressed in breeches. He will long be remembered as he was the founder of the Auckland Park racecourse and he introduced the totaliser to South Africa.
Sergeant Montgomery staffed the old police station, which was in Jan Smuts Avenue. He used to patrol the area on horseback. The blockhouse on top of the Craighall koppie was a landmark for many years. It was built during the South African War (1899- 1902)
Founded in 1918, Craighall Primary has maintained its reputation for excellence by continually striving to meet the needs of pupils and adapting successfully to the changing needs of South Africa. The schools education system aims to ensure that each pupil is able to achieve his or her maximum ability and is equipped for lifelong learning.
Our School
Ethos
Motto
Craighall Cares
Vision
Empower our children with a moral compass to navigate the world; armed with confidence, character, compassion and curiosity.
Mission
To nurture an environment where learning, teaching and sportsmanship are intrinsic – where our rich heritage is maintained with pride and passion – where we are a pillar of the community.
Our
Communication
Parents and community members play an important role in their children’s education and a strong partnership between parents and schools enriches the learning experience. Regular newsletters are sent out on a Thursday on a fortnightly basis to parents. All the communication is sent home in the pupils’ personal communication file. |
