History of Our Old Building
Over a century ago, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland founded a school in a house on the land which would then have been on the outskirts of Durban. We have been blessed with incredible staff, parents of the Parents’ Association and Governing Body members who through the years, have worked so hard to develop the school. They have left a part of themselves here in what they have achieved. each year parents have worked to improve or add to the facilities so that the next group of children can benefit from their work – paying it forward!! our beautiful old building has remained the core structure of the Education that has taken place. New parents often comment about it and the atmosphere it engenders – elegance, graciousness, beautiful lines and detail, a sense of peace and homeliness. It feels like an old family home when one walks through its passages.
School History Timeline
School History Timeline
In 1896 the first Headmaster was Rev T. Tonkin. “Stamford Hill Govt-Aided School” was opened to all races at a cost of 10 pounds per annum. This area was known as the County of Durban. The founders could not have conceived of the number of people who would be blessed and educated in this place, and of the wonderful, varied journey of education that they were beginning. It was started as a place of faith and has continued as such. It has continued to grow and develop, and has met the varied needs of many children, starting them on the path of life.
During the 1930’s the school became Stamford Hill, a dual-medium school, i.e. English and Afrikaans school. A cellar and bomb shelter beneath the school was used during the 2nd World War and parts of the building were also used as a hospital base. The cellar has been transformed into a classroom with a smart board (2009). Our library/media centre is at the top of the stairs of the main building. Part of the media centre used to be a gallery above the hall.
In 1982 the school was re-opened and renamed Livingstone Primary School – a short term remedial School. “Livingstone” is a very appropriate name and just as David Livingstone set out in faith in the “dark continent” so many of our children feel the same way when they first arrive at Livingstone. Like David Livingstone, they also soldier on bravely, achieving great success at the end.
The Remedial School, Livingstone Primary School, was ably led by Colleen Rulten and Mike Backhouse for about 20 years. The school was nearly closed in 1991 by the Education Department but fortunately the Governing Body fought against the closure of the school.
From 2001 until 2015, Charleen Butt ably led Livingstone Primary School. In 2013 our school Media centre was revamped and we opened the Charleen Butt Resource Room which caters for the development and training of Educators in Remedial skills and strategies.
In 2017 our front office and reception was refurbished creating a modern inviting space.
1896
1906
1930
1960
1982
1989
2001
/2015
2016
2017
2020
In 1906 the old house and grounds on which the original school was established was donated to the Natal Education Department. In 1910 the present building, designed as a school, replaced the old house. Old pictures show some little girls dressed in the Edwardian fashions with many bows and frills, wearing very smart, fancy hats, standing outside the school in Livingstone Road. A far cry from the fashions and practical uniform of today.
In the early 1960’s the school was renamed “Natalia Premere Skool”. Natalia closed down in 1981 and the 60 Afrikaans pupils were transferred to ‘Die Afrikaans Hoerskool’ in Durban North, now Durban North College. The building remained closed and empty until the Remedial School was transferred from Hunt Road in 1982/3. Unfortunately, during the interim old records were lost.
In 1989 Livingstone was presented with the Durban City Council Conservation Award. This school has remained a dynamic learning environment. The original building has inspired the development of all the new sections surrounding it, and remains the centre and heart of the school.
Mandy Williams was appointed principal in 2016 and retired in May 2020.
Resplica Jugganath appointed as Principal in 2020.
1896
In 1896 the first Headmaster was Rev T. Tonkin. “Stamford Hill Govt-Aided School” was opened to all races at a cost of 10 pounds per annum. This area was known as the County of Durban. The founders could not have conceived of the number of people who would be blessed and educated in this place, and of the wonderful, varied journey of education that they were beginning. It was started as a place of faith and has continued as such. It has continued to grow and develop, and has met the varied needs of many children, starting them on the path of life.
1906
In 1906 the old house and grounds on which the original school was established was donated to the Natal Education Department. In 1910 the present building, designed as a school, replaced the old house. Old pictures show some little girls dressed in the Edwardian fashions with many bows and frills, wearing very smart, fancy hats, standing outside the school in Livingstone Road. A far cry from the fashions and practical uniform of today.
1930
During the 1930’s the school became Stamford Hill, a dual-medium school, i.e. English and Afrikaans school. A cellar and bomb shelter beneath the school was used during the 2nd World War and parts of the building were also used as a hospital base. The cellar has been transformed into a classroom with a smart board (2009). Our library/media centre is at the top of the stairs of the main building. Part of the media centre used to be a gallery above the hall.
1960
In the early 1960’s the school was renamed “Natalia Premere Skool”. Natalia closed down in 1981 and the 60 Afrikaans pupils were transferred to ‘Die Afrikaans Hoerskool’ in Durban North, now Durban North College. The building remained closed and empty until the Remedial School was transferred from Hunt Road in 1982/3. Unfortunately, during the interim old records were lost.
1982
In 1982 the school was re-opened and renamed Livingstone Primary School – a short term remedial School. “Livingstone” is a very appropriate name and just as David Livingstone set out in faith in the “dark continent” so many of our children feel the same way when they first arrive at Livingstone. Like David Livingstone, they also soldier on bravely, achieving great success at the end.
The Remedial School, Livingstone Primary School, was ably led by Colleen Rulten and Mike Backhouse for about 20 years. The school was nearly closed in 1991 by the Education Department but fortunately the Governing Body fought against the closure of the school.
1989
In 1989 Livingstone was presented with the Durban City Council Conservation Award. This school has remained a dynamic learning environment. The original building has inspired the development of all the new sections surrounding it, and remains the centre and heart of the school.
2001
/2015
From 2001 until 2015, Charleen Butt ably led Livingstone Primary School. In 2013 our school Media centre was revamped and we opened the Charleen Butt Resource Room which caters for the development and training of Educators in Remedial skills and strategies.
2016
Mandy Williams was appointed principal in 2016 and retired in May 2020.
2017
In 2017 our front office and reception was refurbished creating a modern inviting space.
2020
Resplica Jugganath appointed as Principal in 2020.
Building Additions
1910
Principal house and main building-now the speech therapy wing.
1918
Occupational therapy section was the wood working and domestic science section.
1946
Psychology wing
1960
Large block on field
2001/2002
Pool built
2003
Upgrade of the psychology centre
2003/2004
Hall upgrade and gallery
2004
Speech therapy department (old headmaster’s house) called the Tina Brown speech therapy centre.
Veranda and 2 classrooms converted into four grade 1 classrooms.
2005
Developmental unit built with a very generous grant 4 new prefabs installed for temporary pre-school and grade 3 classrooms.
2006/2007
Occupational department offices – dry walled and upgraded. Major roof repair to the north facing classroom building.
2008/2009
Team teaching room/offices/workshop/maintenance staff quarters/tuck shop and pa kitchen.
Repair to the retaining pool of the swimming pool.
2010
Toilet upgrade & major repair to the OT department roof.
Purchase of new prefab for grade 5 classrooms.
2012
Building of 11 additional classrooms – replacing five old prefabs and providing new classrooms.
2013
Completion of 11 classrooms.
A proposed new extended media centre and teachers resource centre in the beautiful old building.
Repair to main school building roof.
Development and upgrade of I.T. department.
2014
We acquired 1 new grade 7 classroom.
2017
Refurbishment of the front office and reception area.
2020
Painting of the School Buildings.
Refurbishment of the Grade 1 boys/girls bathroom.
2021
Installation of Awnings to create walkways around the school.
Paved the area outside the P.A. Room next to the swimming pool.
2022
Installed Canvas Awnings over Paved Area creating additional play space for Development Unit.
Refurbishment of the Grade 2/3 boys bathroom.
Psychology Department roof repairs.