Ferndale High School

We had a very disappointing experience with Ferndale High School. After accepting placement, my 64-year-old mother went to submit the required forms and was embarrassed and humiliated over an address issue. She has retired as a domestic worker and no longer lives at her employer’s home, and we had already tried to update the address with the correct supporting documents. The way the matter was handled was distressing and unnecessary, with staff making a scene instead of assisting respectfully. As a result, we were left without a school placement because the system would not allow the address to be updated. We hope the school management reflects on how situations like this are handled and treats parents and guardians with dignity and compassion going forward.

The teachers work with the students very well. The toilets are now clean. They are extra murals. The labs have wifi now.

Ferndale high school is doing its best to change, and has a good head on its shoulders, Mrs B.C Manuel who is an amazing leader. As a school formerly notorious for a lot of negative things, it has really improved and is now being recognized for positive remarks and continues to do so time and time again! However, a lot still has to change! For instance the unreasonable, backwards minded and Eurocentric school code of conduct and hair policies, so to speak, that are just stifling the minds, individuality and cultural orientation of learners and are especially against black learners, who wear and embrace their natural hair. For example, braids, cornrows, Afros and dreadlocks are banned by the school policy and learners who wear these hairstyles, despite them being neat are demanded to cut or remove their hair and do something more “appropriate” and “less wild” as said by those in control. The principal and deputy, despite being great seem to have no acknowledgement, consideration or respect towards this whatsoever and are quick to call us rebellious for being who we are and accepting and embracing our images and trying to change the stigma and social stereotype associated with black hair! As a current student at the school I am very disappointed with how they are handling this and there seems to be no improvement, yet much room for improvement! I will forever proudly wear my dreadlocks, as they are a part of my identity! ✊ Theft however, is an issue that continues to plague the school as there are some learners at the school who are fiends and do as they please without any decency nor sympathy towards others, I can personally attest to this as my phone was stolen from my bag in a classroom while I was distracted along with my ID document, money and medical aid and the whole matter was just dismissed, with the transgressor suffering no consequences. Sanitary conditions in the bathrooms are dire and need to be addressed to as they cause a serious health hazard to the well being of learners at the school. Drug use and access is also an issue that the school seems to be falling behind on, some learners at the school who utilize drugs, manage very easily to smuggle them into the school and distribute and influencing them onto others and this is an issue that the school can handle much better. Other than the issues raised there seems to be no other major flaws with the institution! Many of the staff and learners are pleasant and the subjects offer a wide and fruitful range for the learners, which is better than a many private institutions in the district. The school is rich in extracurricular activities and does it’s utmost best to ensure that! I see a lot more growth to come for the school and have very high expectations and hopes as a learner of Ferndale high school I am rather pleased with my general experience at the school and I will continue to do my part in representing my school with pride, integrity and dedication! I just love the woman who runs it as she does her very best and has completely transformed the school! ? As for the future, if the school can deal with this mentioned issues, I can see many youths aspiring to attend the institution one day! -Anonymous