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SAINT JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY

Greg Gordon

Introduction

Saint James Roman Catholic Primary celebrates its 50th anniversary in Kalk Bay this year
(1997), and the 123rd year of its existence, making it the oldest existing school on the False Bay

coastline. The school has, over the many years of its existence, maintained its distinctive

character as that of a community school, serving its people. It is interesting to trace the history of
this unique school from its humble beginning and that of her Founder Father John Duignam. (see

Cape Times, Oct. 5, 1946.)

A mosaic on the wall of the present post office at St. James depicts the arrival of a group Filipino

fishermen, survivors of a shipwreck, who settled there in 1840. Being devout Catholics they

needed a church closer than Simon’s Town, to which they were obliged to sail every Sunder for
Mass, weather permitting. On the 5th October 1858 the foundation stone of the first church was

laid, and named St. James in honour of the Apostle and Fisherman, and also the Patron Saint of

Spain from where the Filipino’s mother tongue came. The site chosen was between the present
Main Road and the sea (Fig. 3.4).

The St. James Years 1874 – 1947

There is evidence that a school for the children of fisherfolk existed at Kalk Bay, but when Fr.

Duignam arrived in 1874 the school was transferred to St. James, renamed St. James Mission
School, and erected behind the church (Fig. 3.5.) Father Duignam ran the school on his own for

many years. An inspection report of 14 February, 1894 (Fig. 3.6) indicates that he was then
assisted by Miss Florence Crowly, with the school having a total enrolment of 69 pupils. There

were 60 pupils present on the day of inspection with 9 white and 51 coloured pupils. Class was