Mr Alistair Naidu
Principal
A message from our Principal
“We want to produce conscious global citizens. Children who are curious about the world. Children who are kind, caring and able to adapt in an ever-changing world.”
There are many schools in the Durban North area, but not all schools are the same. As the Principal, and also as a father and past parent of the school, I am often reminded of what is important to me, other parents and children, when it comes to selecting a school.
Northlands has world class facilities, and a range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities that you may not find at too many neighbouring schools. But the buildings and fields will not educate our children. Our strength lies in the relationships that will ultimately define our children’s’ educational journeys. The quality of this relationship between children, teachers and parents is second to none. When children feel supported, cared for, and recognised for who they are, they can achieve great things and enjoy the process of doing so.
Your child can potentially follow a 9 or 10 year journey at our school. Like you, we cannot wait to see them reach milestones that will make our hearts swell. Our school is about traditional family values, openness to new opportunities, experiences and actively nurturing young minds.
These firm foundations are organised around four global conditions that are important for children to grow and flourish: They are Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement, and Expression. These foundations, or ways of being, are a vision for all children’s future potential and a view of what they should experience each and every day. These four foundations apply regardless of age, ability, culture, language, location, or setting. They are integrated into our daily school program. They are conditions that children naturally seek for themselves.
Each of our children will take a slightly different route on this educational journey at Northlands Primary, but as a school our aim remains the constant for all:
- To provide quality continuous education from Pre-Primary through to Grade 7
- To provide excellent facilities in the academic and sports fields
- To provide a caring and loving environment for learners to realise their true potential through the nurturing of our core values of honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility and loyalty.
These core values are woven into the fabric of Northlands Primary. It allows us to remain focused on what is important to us. It is like a mirror for our decision-making and provides a guide and reason for our actions and behaviours.
As the principal of the school, I can assure you that we have an open-door policy that is more than just lip service. We want your child to excel in their own way, and time. This can only be achieved if we close the gap between school and parent. We encourage you to engage with us. Consistently stay actively involved in your child’s educational journey at Northlands. We look forward to taking this educational journey with both you and your children.
Mission & Ethos
Our Vision
Embracing the Past. Inspiration for the Future
Our Mission
To be recognised as the leading Primary School for girls and boys from Pre-Primary to Grade 7 in the Durban North area. By honouring God and building surely, a committed staff will provide an excellent holistic education. A caring and loving environment where learners are encouraged to realise their true potential, through the nurturing of core values in partnership with parents.
Honesty - Integrity - Respect - Responsibility - Loyalty
75
Years of Inspiring Young Minds
Heritage
A brief history of Northlands Primary School
Northlands Primary School has been an integral part of the Durban North Community for over 70 years and has established a friendly and caring ethos which is discernable to all who come into contact with the school. From February 1949 until October 1949 we were part of the Durban North Government School which included a High School and a Primary School for both boys and girls. In October 1949 we left the premises of the High School and became known as the Kensington Drive Junior Government School with 96 pupils and a staff of 3.
In 1989 it was decided that Northlands Boys’ High and Beachwood Boys’ High would merge to form a new boys high School – namely Northwood. The new high school would be housed on the grounds of Northlands Boys High School which left the campus at Beachwood on Gleneagles Drive vacant, and a decision was made to move Northlands Senior Primary from Mackeurtan Avenue to the present day site.
On the 23 January 1990 Northlands Senior Primary started with 451 pupils in the new buildings. In 1992 Northlands further expanded by joining with Northcrest Primary School and we became Northlands Primary School which included a pre-primary section – today known as Northlands Pre-Primary School.
From these modest beginnings to our beautiful, treed campus, with world class facilities and over 1000 pupils we have certainly grown steadily over the years – much like the mighty Oak tree that makes up our school badge.
Please make use of our Alumni button to join our register. Our Grade 7 reunions continue to be an integral part of our alumni programme and attendance by past pupils and staff at our Founders day celebrations are growing year on year.