History of Chelsea
The only school north of the Umgeni River was Durban North Government School, teaching all primary grades. The first entry in the logbook is dated 25 January 1932. The school officially opened with Mr R J Vaughan as Headmaster, five teachers and an enrolment of 93 pupils. As no stock had been received, the pupils were dismissed at 11h30. During the 1st week, kindergarten children were sent home immediately after assembly as their teacher had not assumed duty.
- In January 1941 there was an enrolment of 406 pupils. In the Principal’s Annual Report of 1944, it was stated that enrolment was between 430 and 435 pupils. It was also reported that the enrolment numbers were decreasing due to smallpox and infants paralysis scares.
- On 2 February 1948, the M.O.T.H. Hall was used as an additional classroom for Class 2 Girls.
- On 11 October 1949, pupils in Std 4 to Std 6 were transferred to a new Secondary School (known today as Northlands Girls’ High School).
- In 1950, 450 pupils were enrolled.
- A new government school, Northway Government Infants’ School, was opened on Northway on 29 January 1962. It accommodated pupils from Class 1 to Std 1. On the day of opening, the Principal, Miss M I Meyer, and ten teachers reported for duty. On 30 January 1962, school opened at 08h15 with 343 pupils on the register. The transport department asked the school to start at 08h15 for a few days until the buses were running smoothly. A few days later, the school day started at 08h00.
- In 1987, Durban North Government School changed its name to Chelsea Drive Senior Primary and in January 2000, the Northway Junior Primary School and Chelsea Drive Senior Primary School amalgamated and became Chelsea Preparatory School.
Changes in the School names
Durban North Government School changed to Durban North Senior Primary School, which then changed to Chelsea Drive Senior Primary School on 22 April 1987.
Northway Government Infants’ School changed to Northway Junior Primary School in 1972.
Principals
| Mr R J Vaughan | 1932 – 1940 | ||
| Mr W A Blake | 1940 – 1947 | ||
| Mr E W Twinn | 1948 – 1949 | ||
| Mr J O Fulton | 1949 – 1952 | ||
| Mr G M N Goodwin | 1952 – 1959 | ||
| Mr P A Ellison | 1960 – 1966 | 1962 – 1963 | Miss M I Meyer |
| Mr D R Fell | 1967 – 1974 | 1963 – 1967 | Mrs M I Berry Acting Principal |
| 1967 – 1976 | Mrs M I Berry | ||
| Mr H C Peek | 1974 – 1980 | 1977 – 1978 | Miss C J Herman |
| 1979 – 1999 | Mrs Roberts | ||
| Mr R G Adams | 1981 – 1989 | ||
| Mr C L Nel | 1990 – 2017 | 1999 – 2000 | Mrs Z Neale Acting Principal |
| Mrs S Williams Acting Principal |
2017 – 2018 | ||
| Mr G P Maartens | 2018 |
Some interesting history…
1932
The first school in Durban North
1938
1940
1941
The pupils were well underway with a War effort outreach programme with the HMS Dorsetshire, sending parcels and letters to the sailors to keep up morale (outreach programmes have become a tradition and focus at Chelsea Preparatory School). After the ship sank during the war, the school was presented with a plaque of appreciation from the survivors of the HMS Dorsetshire.
1942
By March, war was well underway, and the school windows were reinforced with paper. Sandboxes, buckets and scoops were provided, double tied sandbags were prepared and classes were trained to take shelter in case of an air raid. Three teachers were trained in first aid and by August 1942, a blast proof wall was completed. Fortunately, the School escaped unscathed!
1947
Pupils travelled to the racecourse to meet the Royal Family.
1949
In August 1949, there were absentees due to a measles, chicken pox, mumps and flu outbreak.
1952
In February 1952, the school closed early due to the death of King George VI.
The house names were changed from Buckingham, Windsor and Balmoral to Vaughan, Twinn, Blake and Fulton.
1952
In February 1952, the school closed early due to the death of King George VI.
The house names were changed from Buckingham, Windsor and Balmoral to Vaughan, Twinn, Blake and Fulton.
1955
PE Shelter was opened
1959
1963
1962
Northway’s Speech and Drama Festival Adjudication. 289 English 29 Afrikaans entries.
Northway’s Principal and 2 members of staff took relay and jumping teams to take part in the Glenwood Infants Sports. Two of the girls tied for first place in jumping and one of the boys was third in jumping.
1966
School hall was opened
1973
1982
1995
Aadil Harbhajan (Std 5 pupil) linked up with astronauts on the Space Shuttle Endeavour and was able to talk to them from the Principal’s office.
1998
Clive Nel Pavilion opened along with refurbished tuckshop and deck
2006
New entrance and administrative offices completed on the Senior (Chelsea) Campus.
2007
2008
New administration block at Junior (Northway) Campus named Stead House
2009
New aftercare opened at Junior (Northway) Campus and revamp of Senior (Chelsea) Campus swimming pool
2020
Junior (Northway) Campus new school hall, media center, computer center and multipurpose court completed.
COVID-19 Pandemic. Rotational attendance, sporadic school closures and days off for specific grades resulted in school children losing in class learning time. Chelsea initiated online class rooms.
When staff and pupils returned to school they were required to wear a face mask.
2021
Refurbishment of tennis courts into a multipurpose court and phase 1 of new fencing on the Senior Campus completed.
2022
Chelsea’s 90th Anniversary.
2023
The concrete cricket pitch on the bottom field on the senior campus was successfully upgraded to a turf pitch containing two wickets and in the rugby season, rugby posts.
