Our History

A History of Nardini Convent School The Nardini sisters arrived in South Africa in January 1955. They had been invited by Rev Bishop Aurelian Bilgeri of the Eshowe Diocese to provide a catholic education for children.The sisters arrived in Vryheid in December 1955. They started the first Pre-Primary school in 1956. In January 1957, the school opened to five pupils who were taught by Sr. Modoalda Stigler. The following year we had 20 pupils, and two classes. Sr. Modoalda was the principal but she taught Grade 2. In 1958 Nardini performed a Nativity Play for the first time with all the children taking part. This is where our tradition of including every child in our plays actually started. Sr. Modoalda kept this class until the end of their school career at Nardini. The first classrooms were in what later became the boys’ section of the boarding establishment.The ground floor was Nardini Pre-Primary while the upper floor was the Primary School. The first section of the school building, as we know it, was blessed in 1960.
• In 1961 we started with the boarding as we could use the former classrooms as dormitories
• Our tennis courts were built in 1962. In 1968 the Pre-Primary School building was started and after its completion the Convent and the girl’s Boarding Section was built. These were blessed in 1969.
• In 1970 three more classrooms by the church side were added. Our present Library served as a kitchen for the hall at that time. • In 1973 Sr Isentraud Raucher took over as principal.
• In 1974 the swimming pool was officially opened.
• In 1975 St Thomas More Parish and School Bilgeri Hall was completed and used for the first time for our Prize giving.
• In 1978 we braved all opposition and opened our door to everybody. We started with a few children from other races. As a result of this action, we were ostracized from all interschool Sport and other activities.
• In 1988 we added the new wing on top of the woodwork room to give us 4 additional classrooms.
• In 1989 we had 230 pupils and we had double classes for Grade 1. In this year we were allowed to take part in sporting events in spite of our ‘rainbow nation status.’
• In 1990 we built additional playrooms for the boarding.
• In 1995 the new Sports field was officially opened.
• In 1997 we added the new building as we could no longer house all the intake. It is now occupied by the present Grade 6 and 7 classes. We also, at long last, had space for a tuckshop.
• In December 1998 Sr. Isentraud retired as principal. She had this position for 25 years.
• In 1999 Sr. Catherine Bucker and Mrs. Stone took over as principal and vice-principal. • In 2000 we enlarged the Staffroom.
• By 2001 we had double classes from Grade 1 to Grade 7. We had 405 children at that time
• In 2001 we installed the intercom system. At long last we could reach the classes without physically walking to each class in turn. • In 2002 we closed the boarding. The facilities were to be used for day-care only. • In 2003 we got tired of the balls and words flying across the yard into the neighbouring school. After some discussion with them we decided to put up a ‘peace-wall’. Since it looked so grey and drab we decided to use the theme of ‘creation’ and have it painted. Thanks to Mrs. Jacobs and Mrs. Joubert, the painting was completed in 2005 and is much admired by visitors.
• At the end of 2003, we converted cloakroom and the existing office into a new spacious office and reception area.
We also put up new thatched umbrellas and covered the peace wall with roofing and some neatly cemented steps.
• In 2006 the nostalgic era of the hand bell sadly came to an end. We made use of the PA system and installed an electric bell. • In 2007 we celebrated 50 years of excellent education.
• In October 2013 Sr Cathrine was called back to Germany to be a counsellor for the Generalate. In the same year Sr Mpume Conradine Nhleko took over as principal.
• In 2014 a workstation for the teachers was created in the place of the storeroom for the play costumes. In the same year the wood storeroom was converted to a Care room for counselling.
• In 2015 we extended the computer room in order to accommodate a whole class when computer lessons take place.
• 1n 2017 we celebrated the 60 year Jubilee..