Bound together by history and purpose, our 175 Celebration is a powerful moment to renew and deepen the special partnership
between St Andrew’s College and Good Shepherd School.
The Good Shepherd Primary School (GSS) is a no-fee public school with a special religious character, located on private property in Huntley Street, Makhanda, in the Eastern Cape Province. It has a rich history dating back to 1884 when Sister Cecile of the Community of the Resurrection founded the school with the intention of providing education for the poor and orphans in Makhanda.
The school has remained true to this mission and currently supports students from Grade R to Grade 7, most of whom come from the city’s townships. Parents are not expected to pay school fees, as the vast majority cannot afford to. Nearly half of the learners come from single-headed households, and many families rely entirely on
social grants.
The connection between College and the GSS can be traced to the mid-19th century, when both were closely linked to the Anglican Church’s educational and missionary vision. The buildings now occupied by GSS were originally constructed in 1844 as South Africa’s oldest Anglican Church school structure. These housed the St George’s Cathedral Grammar School, completed in 1849, and later renamed the Cathedral Grammar School in 1857.
When St Andrew’s College was founded in 1855, its first pupils were taught in these very premises, under a shared headmaster with the Cathedral Grammar School. Thus, the schools were intertwined at their inception, physically and administratively sharing space and educational vision.
Today, St Andrew’s College continues to run a range of educational and non academic programmes for Good Shepherd pupils, including weekly academic extension classes, computer literacy lessons and subject coaching. We place gap year students as teaching and administrative assistants and offer collegial support between the two schools.
Non-academic assistance includes participation in staff chapel services, chaplaincy support, sports coaching, inclusion in school events, gardening support and help with infrastructure projects, including the school library.
315 learners (Grades R to 7; one class per grade)
State-funded: 1 Principal, 1 Head of Department, 3 Foundation Phase,
6 Intermediate Phase.
Good Shepherd Trust-funded: 1 Learning Support Centre Remedial Teacher,
1 Foundation Phase Teacher Assistant, 1 Computer Lab Manager and 1 Receptionist/Administrator.
State-subsidised, no-fee school, supplemented by funding from The Good Shepherd Trust. The Good Shepherd Trust is a registered PBO with Section 18A(1)(a) status.
With its focus on academic excellence and holistic education, GSS is an important
feeder for many of Makhanda’s high schools, including College and DSG. In 2025, Good Shepherd is proud to celebrate thirty-one alumni currently studying full-time at Rhodes University.
The State funds the principal and the bulk of the teaching establishment and provides some learner materials. The Good Shepherd Trust supplements these resources and funds the Learning Support Centre, library, computer lab and additional staffing which are crucial to delivering a well rounded education.
The current prefabricated classrooms were installed as a temporary measure in the early 2000s. They are not thermally efficient and are no longer fit for purpose. The Learning Support Centre presently shares space with the library and lacks dedicated therapy rooms and remedial teaching areas.
We propose a new double storey classroom block that will respect the historic character of the site while meeting the school’s current educational needs.
A larger classroom to accommodate 37 learners, with a spacious, activity-based layout and accessible storage for learning materials, which will also serve as an After-Care Centre to ensure optimal use and appropriate care throughout the day.
A smaller classroom designed to serve as an isiXhosa FAL teaching space, accommodating the typical class size of 20–25 learners.
A large multi-functional space for a wrap-around
Learning Support Centre, offering remedial group lessons, one-to-one assessments for learners with specific learning needs, as well as counselling and occupational or other therapies.
This investment will transform the lives of Good Shepherd learners and uplift the wider community. By strengthening foundations at Grade R level, it will build on literacy and numeracy programmes that have already delivered top results among no-fee schools in Makhanda. The new Grade R/After-Care space will enhance safeguarding and ensure children receive the care and support they need throughout the day.
A purpose-built Learning Support Centre will ensure learners with specific needs are not left behind, offering early remedial education, counselling, and therapy. For children facing difficult home circumstances, this support can be life-changing.
Beyond individual learners, the facilities will serve the broader community by providing space for teacher development, pre-service training and professional practice for intern therapists and psychologists.
The Good Shepherd School Annual Report highlights its transformative impact on GSS students and the wider Makhanda community. It shares the school’s latest news, showcases the most impactful events of the past year and outlines current opportunities to support Good Shepherd School while expressing gratitude to its supporters.
St Andrew’s College is proud to partner with Good Shepherd School in advancing equity in education in Makhanda.
The Good Shepherd Trust was established in 2005 and registered with the Master’s Office in 2006. The Trust purchased the Huntley Street property in 2007 and, with generous funding, oversaw major refurbishment and expansion, completed in 2010.
As a no-fee school, GSS receives limited State funding for staff salaries, some learner materials, and a small portion of running costs. The Trust supplements this funding by providing essential resources, ensuring learners have access to an excellent education.
The Trust is a registered Non-Profit and Public Benefit Organisation and can issue Section 18A certificates for donations towards education at Good Shepherd School.
The relationship between St Andrew’s College and Good Shepherd School is more than a historical footnote, it is an evolving partnership, born out of a shared foundation, strengthened through visionary leadership, and sustained by a collective will to nurture transformation and equity in education. It remains a powerful example of how institutions can honour their past while shaping a more inclusive future.
You can play a vital role in supporting this partnership and helping every Good Shepherd learner reach their full potential.
If you are considering donating to the Good Shepherd School, we would be delighted to work with you to meet your philanthropic goals. Please contact us with any queries, to request further information, or to explore how you can personally assist the Good Shepherd School.
Email: g.trust@sacschool.com
Telephone: +27 (0)82 789 8316
