History

Mikro Primary opened its doors in January 1972 with Mr. Ronnie de Bruyn as the first principal. The school started with 296 learners and 12 educators. It was registered by the Department of Education as an Afrikaans single-medium school and was officially opened on 12 October 1972 by Mr. Fanie Theron, the head of education.

The school community named the school after C.H. Kühn, a resident of Kuilsriver during his lifetime, the principal of Kuilsriver High School (now De Kuilen High School), and a well-known author of more than 100 youth novels under the pseudonym MIKRO. The collection of books he wrote is preserved in the “Mikro Cabinet” at the school.

Growing learner numbers led to building extensions in:

• 1984 (current Grade R, 1, and 2 wings),
• 1994 (two classrooms above the Mikrotique clothing store),
• 2008 (a classroom above the Grade R wing),
• 2009 (Wag ‘n Bietjie – a safe, covered waiting area).

Building modifications also took place to meet learners’ needs:

• 1997 (conversion of the laboratory, art class, and needlework room into classrooms),
• 1998 (conversion of the library into an information centre with a book section and computer room),
• 2001 (establishment of a facility for Grade R education),
• 2003 (Langverwacht sports/cultural hall),
• 2010 (all classrooms equipped with data projectors/computers).

Terrain improvements were made periodically:

• A second rugby/hockey field and four tennis courts were established in 1982.
• In 2001, the school grounds were extended on the southern side to accommodate a Grade R playground.
• In 2013, additional land (a public park) was acquired to establish three cricket nets.

Celebrations to commemorate certain milestones were not neglected:

• The 10th anniversary was celebrated in 1982 with a commemorative publication and a school operetta.
• The school’s coming of age was celebrated on 25 March 1993 with a tribute event in honour of C.H. Kühn (MIKRO). The evening’s proceedings included creative writing by learners, the launch of a book titled “The Life and Work of Mikro in Kuilsriver”, and the presentation of his personal belongings, photos, and books.

The 25th (1997), 30th (2002), and 40th (2012) anniversaries were each celebrated with major festivities, including the launch of commemorative emblems, activities for learners, alumni, parents/grandparents, current and former staff, church gatherings, and celebration concerts — all aimed at establishing tradition.

2005 was a watershed year when parents had to turn to the High Court and Court of Appeal to retain the school’s Afrikaans-medium instruction status.

Mikro Primary aims to be known as a value-driven school. For many years, a set of strong values has formed an integral part of our school’s daily activities. We place special focus on the following: