Lotus High School was founded in 1975 as one of the first secondary schools in the Grassy Park and Lotus River area. From humble beginnings, the school quickly became a vital institution — welcoming close to 1 000 learners in its opening years.
Originally known as Parkwood Secondary School, the school was renamed Lotus High School to reflect its deep ties to the Lotus River community it serves. For fifty years, it has stood as an anchor of education, aspiration and community life in one of Cape Town’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
Today, Lotus High serves 400+ learners from Grades 8 to 12.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Our Values
These three values shape how we teach, how we learn, and how we support each other — every single day.
Respect
For ourselves, for each other, for our school and for the community we serve. Respect is the foundation of everything we do at Lotus High.
Responsibility
We own our actions, our learning and our choices. At Lotus High, we hold ourselves accountable — as individuals and as a community.
Resilience
We rise to meet every challenge with courage and purpose. Our school’s story is one of resilience — and we carry that spirit in everything we do.
“These learners deserved a school that reflected their worth — not their postcode. That became the mission. Everything since has been an expression of that first visit.”
Volunteer, Lotus High School
THE TRANSFORMATION
From 32% to 83.3% — in two years.
In July 2023, retired educator Stephen Price was appointed as caretaker principal. What followed was a remarkable transformation — driven by community, determination, and the belief that these learners deserved better.
Within 20 months, over R2.5 million was raised. Classrooms were restored. A state-of-the-art kitchen was built, feeding 400+ learners every school day. Staff morale soared. The matric pass rate rose from 32% to 83.3%.
This transformation belongs to every person who contributed — every teacher who stayed, every donor who gave, and every learner who chose to believe this year was going to be different.
Under new leadership we continue to see improvement and the ground work is in place and we continue to build on that.
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Meet our Team
OUR ACADEMIC STAFF
Mr W. Solomons
Principal (Acting), Maths Literacy B.Ed., HDE., ACE
Mr M. Jutzen
Deputy Head Principal(Acting), CAT
B.Ed.
Mr S. Isaacs
DH(Acting), Life Sciences
Mrs C. Abrahams
English, Life Orientation, Creative Arts
B.Ed.
Ms T Brown
English, Life Orientation
B.A., PGCE
Mr M. Gamiet
Mathematics, Technology
B.Ed.
Miss A. Jooste
Afrikaans, Creative Arts
B.Ed.
Mr A. Maxwell
Afrikaans
M. Comm., ADE (Adult Ed), PGCE, Certificate CIE, Marketing Management
Mr C.Nicholas
Department Head(Acting)Mathematics, Maths Literacy
B.Ed. (Hons), HDE, ACE
Miss A. Pietersen
Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences
BSc (Sport and Exercise Science), PGCE
Mrs B. Sam
Consumer Studies, Tourism
B.Ed.
Mrs B. Tollig
English
B.Ed.
Miss L Toffar
B. Comm., PGCE
Business Studies, EMS
Mr R De Wee
B.Soc.Sci, PGDip Management (HR Management) PGCE.
B.Soc.Sci, PGDip Management (HR Management) PGCE
SUPPORT STAFF
Mr S. Price
Brand Ambassador
B.Sc., HDE., B.Ed.
Mr S Jacobs
General Worker
Mrs K. Watlington
Front Reception, Principal’s PA
Mr P. Martins
Access Control
Mrs S. Isaacs
General Foreman
Mr L. Nicholson
General Worker
— there’s a place for you in the Lotus High story.