1958 - 1967
1960
The school’s new wing gets an upper storey. The Junior School gains a tuck shop, a hall and two new classrooms.
1962
The Sisters announce that they will be leaving. In these 16 years the school’s Christian ethos has been buttressed, the facilities have expanded, the academic standard has steadied and sport is on the rise.
1963
Miss Nancy Wamsley becomes St Mary’s first South African-born headmistress in this, the school’s 75th year. There are now about 550 pupils, up from the 200 when the Sisters took over.
The school has learnt to raise funds and husband its finances over the decades but the expectations of the baby boomer generation are high and their standard of living is on the rise. They are a handful.
1964
The swimmers win the inter-high gala for the first time and school spirit reaches fever pitch.
1966
The school’s new Science laboratory is opened, the culmination of a long-cherished dream.
Decade 8
The school has become a dominant force in sport
Junior School headmistress
Mrs Keys moves from teacher to headmistress.
Miss Wamsley, a Science boffin
Miss Wamsley is the right person to take the school forward, academically.
An overview of the Sisters' influence
The influence of the Sisters on the school is immense.
St Mary's and the wider community
St Mary’s develops ties with the wider community.
Construction continues at the school
A new building construction is underway as an upper storey is added to the school’s new wing.
The fugitive Mandela arrested
Nelson Mandela is caught and sentenced
South Africa becomes a republic
A fateful year for the country
1960 is a turning point for the country.