Page 79 - KBHA BULLETIN 2

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Stonehaven - the ‘Klipskool’

In 1883 Mr. G M Alexander, a resident of Muizenberg, was employed as the architect to

design ‘Stonehaven,’ the name given to the new school and principal’s house. He was a well

known citizen of the area and was later married in the Holy Trinity Church in 1885. In 1901
he was commissioned to design the Masonic Building which was on the corner of Main Road

and York Road in Muizenberg.

‘Stonehaven’ was single storied with a double-storied building, which was the principal’s

house, on the north end. An attractive stone entrance with two doors, separated by a stone

column, faced the Main Road, while the school hall was at the Kalk Bay end. (Figs. 3.19 &
3.11.) It was built at a cost £1650.

It was in this hall that many local meetings were held including those of the early Kalk Bay -
Muizenberg Municipality and, later, the Clovelly Golf Club.

As with all mission schools it was non-racial throughout its existence, and it was noticeable
that the number of coloured children increased in 1900 when the new Kalk Bay School,

which had moved to Clairvaux Road from behind the Dutch Reformed Church, barred

coloured children from attending.

The school catered to Std. IV with two teachers, one for the juniors (Sub A, B and Std. I) and

the principal for the seniors (Stds. II, III and IV.) The education was religion - based and
appeared most adequate for those children who wished to proceed to higher Standards at

other schools. Many of the coloured children left after Std. II to help with the family chores

and learn skills of fishing.

The school continued to serve a segment of the coloured community until the early 1960s
when it closed, apparently as a result of diminishing subsidies and the fact that the St. James

Mission School at Kalk Bay was large enough to serve the entire community. Maintenance

and the cost of upkeep of a building that had become dilapidated also played a part in the
decision to close the school. It was demolished in 1964 and a car park now occupies the site

where the old ‘Klipskool’ once stood.