Verulam Secondary School (VSS) has been a pillar of academic, sporting and cultural excellence for 70 years, churning out doctors, CEO’s, teachers and business leaders among other professions.
The school opened its doors on 21 January 1952 and was built through the efforts and hard work of the Verulam Indian School Board. From those humble beginnings, VSS opened with eight teachers and 200 learners with classes ranging from Standard 5 (Grade 7) to Standard 8 (Grade 10).
The school was officially opened in November 1952 by Murray Booysen, the Director of Education at the time. The first principal officially assumed duty on the 26 January 1953. Current principal, Mr Govender said over the years, the school population grew with phenomenal infrastructural improvements.
He said: “The first National Senior Certificate examinations was written in 1956 by 28 learners. Today the roll stands at 1043, with classes ranging from grades 8 to 12. The school caters for all South Africans, irrespective of race. It continues to provide quality public education for learners living in Grange, Verulam, Umhloti Heights, Riverview, Lotusville, Riyaadh Township, Waterloo and surrounding areas.”
Mr Govender said the school also appeared in the Sunday Times List of the top 100 best performing schools in the country. “The school has an outstanding academic record with learner’s consistently producing outstanding results. Many outstanding men and women have passed through this august institution and continue to make a positive contribution to the economy of our country,” added the proud principal.
He said over the past 70 years, they have successfully produced learners who have gone on to join various professional fields. “As an institution of excellence, we strive to equip our learners to meet the ever-changing needs of the work place. Today the school continues to produce outstanding results. The school’s average pass rate for the past 20 years is 94%.,” said Mr Govender.
He said with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the scope for ICT (Information Communication Technology) careers has grown exponentially. “Currently, our school computer lab is able to give access to a limited number of learners hoping for careers in the ICT industry. Hence many eager and capable learners are unable to develop their ICT skills. Inlight of this the school has earmarked the development of an additional computer lab as a project to celebrate our 70th year and to leave a lasting legacy. This is also necessary, in light of our school being a pilot school for the DBE pilot programme for coding and robotics in 2023. We therefore humbly appeal to our ex-learners, business houses and other liked minded individuals to assist as to achieve our vision and thereby leave a legacy for the future generation.”
For more information or to assist, contact the principal on 032 533 1431/081 434 2021 or email verulamsecondary@gmail.com
