As neither school nor convent was yet built, the sisters lived briefly with a well-known but somewhat eccentric Catholic woman, and then in the cottage of the Holy Family Sisters in Bedfordview.<\/p>\n A loan was raised, and work on the school and convent began.<\/p> Initially, the school consisted of the present single storey block of four classrooms and cloakrooms.<\/p>\n The school opened on January 28, 1946, with 67 learners (boys and girls) and Sr Gabriel as principal.<\/p>\n Classes were held in the parish hall.<\/p>\n Each year an additional class was added so that by 1952 more accommodation was needed.<\/p>\n During 1953 a double storey block of eight classrooms was added.<\/p>\n Once again, some classes had to be held in the hall during building operations.<\/p>\n Gradually other property was purchased, providing the present hockey field, and tennis courts; the site of the swimming pool was originally a netball court.<\/p>\n The first matric class was that of 1958.<\/p>\n At this time, all the teachers were sisters, with the exception of the first lay teacher, C Tilsley, who taught Standard Two (Grade Four).<\/p>\n Lay teachers were employed for gym, sport and speech.<\/p>\n In 1966 Molly Maher was employed as school secretary and continued in this role (which expanded with the years) until her untimely death in 1987.<\/p>\n The standard to which boys could continue at the school in Malvern East changed with the years.<\/p>\n The highest was Standard Six (Grade Eight) in the early 1960s.<\/p>\n Eventually, with the development of St Benedict\u2019s College, it was decided not to accept boys.<\/p>\n The east-facing end of the double-storey block was adapted to provide a mini-hall in 2000.<\/p>\n Other additions and improvements continued, in particular, a very beautiful fountain in the school grounds, and the development of the grotto of Our Lady.<\/p>\n In October 2007 the Archbishop of Johannesburg officially opened the new primary school facilities and music centre.<\/p>\n Almost from the beginning of the school, there was a very active Parent Teachers\u2019 Association (PTA) and this continues to play a very important role in the organisation and running of school functions.<\/p>\n In 1996, 50 years after its establishment, the school was ready to run as a good Catholic school, staffed entirely by lay people.<\/p>\n In 1990 Chris Reed became head of the primary school, and in 1995 Neville Workman became the school principal.<\/p>\n Reed retired in 2014 and the school welcomed Debby Zambon as the new primary school principal.<\/p>\n In 2009 the Sisters moved out of the convent, and renovations were done to enable the mathematics and religious education departments to move into the building.<\/p>\n In 2010 a new, modern canteen was opened in the Sisters\u2019 old dining room.<\/p>\n The beautiful new \u2018Convent Hall\u2019 was opened in January 2015 and this was also part of the upgrading of the old convent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Assumption Convent schools at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 1911 \u2013 The Sisters take responsibility for St Mary\u2019s, a primary school in which the Sisters had been involved since 1893.<\/p>\n \u2022 1914 \u2013 The Sisters take over a school in North End, Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n \u2022 1914 \u2013 The Sisters take responsibility for St Augustine\u2019s Boys\u2019 School in central Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n \u2022 1914 \u2013 Mother Baptist McKenny takes over the responsibilities for the congregation and obtains permission to open a school in her hometown of Ballynahinch in Ireland.<\/p>\n \u2022 1933 \u2013 Assumption Convent Ballynahinch opens in Ireland.<\/p>\n \u2022 1934 \u2013 Assumption Convent was opened in Sydenham, Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n \u2022 1939 \u2013 Assumption Convent Maryvale was opened in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n \u2022 1946 \u2013 Assumption Convent Malvern was opened.<\/p>\n \u2022 1952 \u2013 Assumption Convent Pretoria North was opened.<\/p>\n \u2022 1952 \u2013 Assumption Convent Durban was opened.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Stella\u2019s acrobatic skills put on display<\/a><\/p>\n Young science queens bring home medals<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister 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