19 January 1909 New school building opened this morning by Mr Hill, Mr Joubert, member of the school committee and a few other parents being present. Mr Geyer, temporary acting principal, being only teacher present.” From the above, it remains that the buildings left much to be desired. It was apparently referring to the sinking buildings erected by the English. The amalgamation, according to the 1907 Smuts’ law had not been implemented up to that stage. On 20 July 1909 the following note appeared in the diary of the “Government School”: “Schools amalgamated – reopened. Good attendance of parents present. Work was commenced by 5 teachers: G E Geyer, Mr Liebetrau, Miss S Lombaard, Miss Brink and Mrs Konig.” The school at this stage consisted of 156 pupils. “17 August 1909 Heavy rain and snow 7 pupils and 5 teachers present dismissed them at about 10 o’clock.” The amalgamation of schools meant that pupils from both sides quarrel. In an effort to solve the problems Rev Liebenberg and the school board requested that an impartial principal be appointed. Seeing that both Matheson and Niehaus spoke about the principalship, they were sent to different schools as principals. Mr P I Hoogenhout was on 18 January 1910 appointed as principal and the event is recorded as follows in the logbook of the school: “The new principal Mr P I Hoogenhout assumed duties on the 18th of January 1910. All the teachers were present on the first day and a good percentage of the children were in attendance. The books and other records generally are in a very unsatisfactory state. P I HOOGEHOUT.” 9/5/1910: No school – Death of King Edward VII 27/1/1911: The staff: Mr P I Hoogenhout – Form V Mr R Norman – Form IV and Std VII Mr J H de Wet – Std VI Mr G E Geyer – Std V Miss S Lombard – Std III and IV Miss F Brink – Std II Mrs S Konig – Std I Mrs E S Silk – Grades Mr P I Hoogenhout Mr P I Hoogenhout also taught in the first Matric class in 1911. These were: May du Toit; Sarie Loots; Alida Mr P I Hoogenhout 58 Nortje; M Abrahamson; Jan Naude; Dawid Naude. First Eoudia Matriculants. Alida and Annie Louw taken in 1913
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