Pecanwood College celebrated its 20th birthday on 1 March. During the celebration, these Pecanwood students each read a line from a poem speciallly written by a member of the community, Cynthia Williams. Back: Radha Pharboo, Sisanda Nfobin, Isabella Kruger, Moratuwa Mafatla, Onalenna Morebudi, Hlaisane Hlaise, Olivia Gerritz, Tshenolo Leteane. Front: Nathan Platt, JC Botha, Phathutshedo Mirenzheni, Ana Bodington, Kgoshigadi Masemola.

In the very olden days, like in 2005
Before we were thought of? Not even alive!
A super clever lady, Mrs Petro Geerdts,
Took her dream for a walk and talked to some peers.
Centurus it was, who came like a whale,
Building this school and starting this tale
So, sit back and listen, you’ll learn something new.
How Pecanwood College was born just for you!
At the start of that January in 2005,
When 54 students were lined up inside –
From Grade naught to Grade 7, the teachers were ready.
To bring on the future, to teach the unwary
Do you think that they knew? In the farmhouse that day
That the seed they were planting were going to stay?
Not just stay, but take root, grow courageous and strong,
Grow so well and so big, it would need a school song?
While Joan Coetzee, a vision shared, now had a school to run,
Some parents who had children older, also wanted in on the fun,
Centurus listened and they cleared the land, and a building began to arise.
And soon, a high school opened, right in front of their eyes!
With each passing year, Pecanwood grew.
And if you weren’t paying attention, the buildings did too!
The roots grew much stronger, the branches spread out.
The tree as our symbol of strength stands out.
Pecanwood College celebrated its 20th birtday on 1 March and as part of the celebration, these students each recited a line from a poem specially written by a valued community member, Cynthia Williams. The poem captures the journey as a school thus far.
Inside are the rings that are formed with precision.
Each ring, like a history page, showing growth and vision.
The circles show years, both abundant and tough,
What we don’t see are the growing pains or the years that were rough!
The Nelson Mandela Quad and the Mike Farrer Hall,
The Nigel Sloane Garden and a bell hung so tall.
All these were signs, that this the school was growing.
That the students were learning and sharing and flowing
Our circles are now a whole twenty years strong,
And those first little nuts are out singing our song.
I was privileged enough to spend Matric by their side.
And their Pecanwood talk makes my blood roar with pride.
So come along now and with grateful hearts we rise,
To sing our school song, fill our valley with cries,
We are who we are, A Pecanwood Pride
A school steeped in love and blessed from above.
Written by Cynthia Williams – February 2024