BACKGROUND OF ARISTEA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Aristea Primary School, located in Kraaifontein in the Western Cape, opened its doors in 1976 with 17 teachers and 455 learners. Mr M. van Huysteen was the headmaster from 1976 – 1993. In 1994, Mr Neil Marais took over the reins and was at the helm of affairs until the end of 1998. In 1999, Mr Pierre Boshoff was appointed headmaster and for the next 20 years he managed the school. Under his capable leadership, the school grows into a teaching institution with approximately 1175 learners from Grade R - 7. At the same time, the staff grows to approximately 65 which includes teaching staff, administrative staff, assistants and support staff. The current principal, Mr Werner Ebersohn, is at the helm of affairs from January 2020.

The school coat of arms was registered in 1979 at a cost of R150.00. The Aristea flower that is depicted is a small flower that occurs from the Sahara Desert in North Africa, to the Cape Peninsula, as well as on the island of Madagascar. The little flower usually grows near marshes or on mountain slopes and hills.

The motto of the school is Excellentior which means 'Only the Best'.

Aristea Primary School experienced a major disaster in February 2001 when the school hall burned down. A forensic investigation showed that arson was suspected, but the culprits were never caught. A new hall was built with the money paid out by the school's insurance partner company.

The community in Kraaifontein consists of a diverse group of South African citizens and therefore the school caters for a diverse group of learners and teachers.

Full-service schools:
Aristea has declared itself as a full-service school because we want to serve our community in its entirety. As a full-service school we:

• are a mainstream education institution that provides quality education to all learners by supplying the full range of learning needs in an equitable manner,
• are an ordinary public school,
• give access to all children living in the catchment area of the school, whatever their learning needs,
• promote a welcoming and accepting environment which fosters a sense of belonging for both learners and their parents,
• provide a wide range of support at the school to ensure all learners participate meaningfully in education and
• commit to the development of inclusive teaching skills to accommodate diverse learner needs.

Currently the school has 4 Grade R classes consisting of 1 Afrikaans and 3 English classes. From Grade 1 – 7 there are 5 classes in each grade with 2 Afrikaans and 3 English classes. As a full-service school, there is therefore an LSEN class where learners with learning disorders are taught. Computer classes are also offered for learners from Grades 2 – 7.

The school offers the following sports for all the learners in the school, viz. athletics, tennis, cricket, rugby, netball, hockey, cross country and chess.

In the area of culture, there is drama, junior and senior choir and orchestra for learners who are interested. The music department also offers music lessons in guitar, recorder and piano.

Aristea Primary School can proudly say that they can compete with the best of schools in any field. The hard-working, loyal and motivated staff ensure that our learners are educated in totality, so that one day they can fill their shoes in the grown-up world with confidence.

The school also has an aftercare facility where learners can work and play in a safe environment, while they wait to be picked up by their parents.