HISTORY
HISTORY
1992
The Get Ahead Project (Queenstown) was established, welcoming 26 Xhosa-speaking pre-school students. A group of parents approached Jeannette Crawford and Beverley Pote to assist them to prepare their children for enrolment in former local state “Model C” schools, which offered better education opportunities than the local township and public schools. These parents believed that English language development was crucial for their pre-school children.
The Queenstown campus officially registered as an independent school with the Department of Education and enrolled 75 students in Grade R and Grade 1 classes. Each subsequent year witnessed the addition of a new grade as students progressed through the school. A board of trustees was appointed.
1993
1995
Get Ahead Project moved to a section of an old meat factory in Owen Street, Queenstown.
Cilla Crankshaw began her tenure in January, which would see exponential growth and development for Get Ahead Project.
1996
1997
Became an ISASA affiliated school.
Get Ahead Project moved to a vacant warehouse, 10 Faraday Road in Queendustria.
1998
1999
AngloGold financed the purchase and renovation of the warehouse. Enrolments up to 430 students from Grade 1 to 7.
Get Ahead was nominated for the 1999 Education Africa Presidential and Premier award for our contribution in uplifting the once disadvantaged community. A result of this nomination was a donation towards furniture, readers’ and text books.
Purchased 21 Faraday Road, Queendustria.
2000
2001
Opened its first high school class, Grade 8, and reintroduced Grade R. Purchased 4 Faraday Road, Queendustria.
Peter Oliver, a native South African living in Toronto, Canada, and the founder of The Leacock Foundation, visited the Queenstown School and was deeply inspired by its work. The Leacock Foundation became a key partner, offering ongoing financial support, allowing Get Ahead Schools to expand significantly, accommodating more students. Started investigating the viability of a school in Whittlesea (WGAP).
2002
2003
The Canadian “Triangle of Hope” partnership was established between Get Ahead Schools and Canadian schools. This collaboration aimed to enrich students’ educational experiences through collaborative learning initiatives. Construction of WGAP commences.
Get Ahead Project Whittlesea was inaugurated, providing education to 120 students from Grade R to Grade 3. The campus was custom-designed, and its construction was funded by an anonymous donation made to The Leacock Foundation.
2004
2006
Get Ahead College (GAC) premises, 14 Faraday Road, Queendustria, purchased.
Get Ahead College extends to Grade 10 and 11, offering students the opportunity to continue their education at the same institution. The primary goal of the College is to prepare students for excellence, equipping them for tertiary education and professional careers. Cilla Crankshaw retires after an influential 12 year tenure, increasing enrolment from 26 students to just under 1,000 students, across three campuses. She is celebrated for the positive impact in the growth and development of the Get Ahead community and the Queenstown community at large.
2007
2008
First Grade 12 class opens at GAC. The College has consistently achieved above-average matric results since its first participation in the National Senior Certificate in 2008.
The Whittlesea Pre-school was opened, further extending the educational opportunities provided by Get Ahead Schools.
2009
2010
Six additional classrooms built at GAC, financed by The Leacock Foundation. Internet installed and thirteen classrooms equipped with IT.
Queenstown School is divided into two stand alone schools, namely Get Ahead Primary and Get Ahead College. Construction of QGAP Pre-Primary commences, financed by The Leacock Foundation.
2011
2012
Queenstown Pre-Primary opens to Grade 0 and R. QGAP construction of new primary school buildings commences.
Mariette Visser appointed as the first Executive Director of Get Ahead Schools. The Executive Director role was introduced to ensure sustainable strategic planning, focussing on innovative pedagogy, consistency and excellence across all three schools.
2016
2017
The Central Office was established, offering centralized services such as HR and financial management, marketing and branding, and corporate and community relations. This centralization allows for efficient and effective administration across all campuses, enabling the schools to focus more on delivering quality education to their students. The Central Office’s main objective is to focus on strategic planning for the future growth and development of Get Ahead Schools.
Vicki du Preez takes over as Executive Head from Mariette Visser, who retires after a successful tenure.
2020
2021
Consultation and collaboration with all stakeholders sees the birth and implementation of Vision for Excellence 2025.
Introduction of IEB (Independent Examination Board) at Get Ahead College. Get Ahead College is the only IEB high school in 180km radius.
2023
Today, as a result of the generous support from numerous donors who share the vision, Get Ahead Schools collectively accommodate over 1,000 students across the Queenstown Get Ahead Primary School, Whittlesea Get Ahead Primary School, and Get Ahead College. These institutions continue to uphold the founding principles and procedures, striving to offer quality education to all their students.
1992
The Get Ahead Project (Queenstown) was established, welcoming 26 Xhosa-speaking pre-school students. A group of parents approached Jeannette Crawford and Beverley Pote to assist them to prepare their children for enrolment in former local state “Model C” schools, which offered better education opportunities than the local township and public schools. These parents believed that English language development was crucial for their pre-school children.
1993
The Queenstown campus officially registered as an independent school with the Department of Education and enrolled 75 students in Grade R and Grade 1 classes. Each subsequent year witnessed the addition of a new grade as students progressed through the school. A board of trustees was appointed.
1995
Get Ahead Project moved to a section of an old meat factory in Owen Street, Queenstown.
1996
Cilla Crankshaw began her tenure in January, which would see exponential growth and development for Get Ahead Project.
1997
Became an ISASA affiliated school.
1998
Get Ahead Project moved to a vacant warehouse, 10 Faraday Road in Queendustria.
1999
AngloGold financed the purchase and renovation of the warehouse. Enrolments up to 430 students from Grade 1 to 7.
Get Ahead was nominated for the 1999 Education Africa Presidential and Premier award for our contribution in uplifting the once disadvantaged community. A result of this nomination was a donation towards furniture, readers’ and text books.
2000
Purchased 21 Faraday Road, Queendustria.
2001
Opened its first high school class, Grade 8, and reintroduced Grade R. Purchased 4 Faraday Road, Queendustria.
2002
Peter Oliver, a native South African living in Toronto, Canada, and the founder of The Leacock Foundation, visited the Queenstown School and was deeply inspired by its work. The Leacock Foundation became a key partner, offering ongoing financial support, allowing Get Ahead Schools to expand significantly, accommodating more students. Started investigating the viability of a school in Whittlesea (WGAP).
2003
The Canadian “Triangle of Hope” partnership was established between Get Ahead Schools and Canadian schools. This collaboration aimed to enrich students’ educational experiences through collaborative learning initiatives. Construction of WGAP commences.
2004
Get Ahead Project Whittlesea was inaugurated, providing education to 120 students from Grade R to Grade 3. The campus was custom-designed, and its construction was funded by an anonymous donation made to The Leacock Foundation.
2006
Get Ahead College (GAC) premises, 14 Faraday Road, Queendustria, purchased.
2007
Get Ahead College extends to Grade 10 and 11, offering students the opportunity to continue their education at the same institution. The primary goal of the College is to prepare students for excellence, equipping them for tertiary education and professional careers. Cilla Crankshaw retires after an influential 12 year tenure, increasing enrolment from 26 students to just under 1,000 students, across three campuses. She is celebrated for the positive impact in the growth and development of the Get Ahead community and the Queenstown community at large.
2008
First Grade 12 class opens at GAC. The College has consistently achieved above-average matric results since its first participation in the National Senior Certificate in 2008.
2009
The Whittlesea Pre-school was opened, further extending the educational opportunities provided by Get Ahead Schools.
2010
Six additional classrooms built at GAC, financed by The Leacock Foundation. Internet installed and thirteen classrooms equipped with IT.
2011
Queenstown School is divided into two stand alone schools, namely Get Ahead Primary and Get Ahead College. Construction of QGAP Pre-Primary commences, financed by The Leacock Foundation.
2012
Queenstown Pre-Primary opens to Grade 0 and R. QGAP construction of new primary school buildings commences.
2016
Mariette Visser appointed as the first Executive Director of Get Ahead Schools. The Executive Director role was introduced to ensure sustainable strategic planning, focussing on innovative pedagogy, consistency and excellence across all three schools.
2017
The Central Office was established, offering centralized services such as HR and financial management, marketing and branding, and corporate and community relations. This centralization allows for efficient and effective administration across all campuses, enabling the schools to focus more on delivering quality education to their students. The Central Office’s main objective is to focus on strategic planning for the future growth and development of Get Ahead Schools.
2020
Vicki du Preez takes over as Executive Head from Mariette Visser, who retires after a successful tenure.
2021
Consultation and collaboration with all stakeholders sees the birth and implementation of Vision for Excellence 2025.
2023
Introduction of IEB (Independent Examination Board) at Get Ahead College. Get Ahead College is the only IEB high school in 180km radius.
Today, as a result of the generous support from numerous donors who share the vision, Get Ahead Schools collectively accommodate over 1,000 students across the Queenstown Get Ahead Primary School, Whittlesea Get Ahead Primary School, and Get Ahead College. These institutions continue to uphold the founding principles and procedures, striving to offer quality education to all their students.