The History of Montrose Primary

In 1910, a request was made by local farmers and residents to the School Board asking that a school be established in the central Sandton area. The nearest schools at the time were in Rosebank and Fontainebleau which meant long travelling distances. Eventually, a small school building was built off 11th Avenue, Parkmore. When the township of Parkmore was established, the developers, Murray & Roberts, set aside a proper school site in the same location.

In 1969, the TED decided to go ahead with Parkmore Primary, strictly enforcing the zoning system to ensure that the people would be forced to take their children to the new school. Although the buildings were built by the School Board, the grounds were left undeveloped due to government cut-backs. On the 5th January 1970, Parkmore Primary opened its doors with Mr G. E. Scheepers as acting principal and 5 staff members. Only 189 pupils were enrolled. At the time there was only a school hall, library, arts and crafts room, administration block and eighteen classrooms.

In 1971, Mr Claude Descy was appointed new principal. In 1972, he changed the name of the school to Montrose Primary, although it took many years before the TED recognized it. The school playing fieldswere eventually developed by the parent body in 1973. Among other improvements, the pool, tennis courts and additional classrooms were installed.

By the time Mr Farrell Kreeve was appointed headmaster in 1980, the school enrolment had soared to over seven hundred with 28 teachers. During his years of service the tuck shop, science laboratory, music room, remedial classes, school magazine, computer centre and annual fund-raiser, ‘Tickey Afternoon’, were established. Mr Kreeve also wrote the school song which is still sung at Assemblies. In 1993, Mr Kreeve took a voluntary severance package and after a turbulent first half of the year due to massive educational changes.

Mr Neville Swain was appointed new principal at the start of the 4th term of 1993. Since then, many alterations have been made to the school, among them the new storeroom, extensions to the staff room, auxiliary staff quarters, a revamped Computer Centre and the introduction of new annual events such as the ever-successful Spring Day and Pensioners’ Tea. In April 2000, Mr Swain left Montrose to take up the position as principal of the new Crawford Lonehill.

In August 2000, Mr Desmond Zeelie started at Montrose Primary as its fifth principal. Mr Zeelie’s first tradition was introducing the Intersen Phase prize-giving at the Rosebank Union Church. He saw the school through it’s 35th anniversary in 2005. Celebrations included a Masked Ball, the magnificent Timeless Tunes Production, a beautiful birthday cake and stunning aerial photographs of the school. Mr Zeelie was also instrumental in setting up our Grade R facility and introducing therapists to the school. It was with great sadness that Montrose said farewell to Mr Zeelie at the end of 2005 when he took up a post at King David Victory Park.

The beginning of 2006 welcomed Mrs Sylvia Buschberger as Montrose’s first Head-Mistress. Mrs Buschberger still holds this position. 40 years later, Montrose has transformed from a small struggling school to one of the most respected and sought-after primary schools in the country. With continued excellence in both the classroom and on the sports field, Montrose will maintain its reputation for the next 100 years!