As Fish Hoek High School prepares to mark its 70th anniversary with a grand gala dinner tonight, False Bay Echo reflects on the rich history that has shaped the school since its inception in January 1954. During a talk hosted by the Fish Hoek Valley Historical Association last month, former Fish Hoek High School principal, Gavin Fish, highlighted the school’s humble beginnings and the significant milestones that have defined its journey. The school opened its doors in a temporary facility at CSSM House in Second Avenue and had no principal, no building, and no uniform. “Talk about humble beginnings,” Mr Fish said. In 1956, the school had uniforms and moved to a building in Recreation Road now known as Fish Hoek Primary School, pictured. Picture: Fish Hoek Valley Museum
The Fish Hoek High School class of 1954. Picture: Fish Hoek Valley Museum According to the school, the current building, designed by Jack Barnett, designer of the iconic the Baxter Theatre, was established in 1985. It expanded into Fish Hoek Middle School and Fish Hoek Senior High School, each hosting three grades, to accommodate the school’s growing family. In 2007, it embraced the opportunity to reintegrate Grade 7s into Fish Hoek Primary School. Despite this reintegration’s financial challenges, it ultimately reinforced the school’s unity, prompting it to merge the senior high and middle schools again in 2009 with a renewed purpose.An areal view of Fish Hoek High School.
