New Orleans Secondary School

Project Details:

Beneficiary: New Orleans Secondary School
Project Type: Education Infrastructure Support
Partners: Isipani Foundation
Project Value: R393,133.17 ex VAT
Date of Completion: 2026
Location: Paarl, Western Cape

Summary:

Infrastructure upgrades and refurbishment of ablution facilities, storm-water drainage system and school hall

Project Overview

New Orleans Secondary School is a co-educational, bilingual high school serving learners from the New Orleans community in Paarl. The school serves as an important access point to continued education for young people in the area. Outside of a wide variety of high school subjects, the school also offers dramatic arts and dance studies.

The Isipani Foundation partnered with New Orleans Secondary School to deliver a series of infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving the overall condition and functionality of the school environment. This initiative forms part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting public schools across the Western Cape.

Identified Need

More than 1300 learners walk the hallways of New Orleans Secondary School on a daily basis, and high traffic areas experience more ware and tear than others. The school identified a number of areas where they needed assistance. Among others, the learners ablution facilities needed maintenance and refreshing, the administrative offices ceilings needed repair, and the storm-water drainage systems needed cleaning and clearing to prevent rainwater overflowing onto the school grounds. The hall, where the learners and the community come together, and the school’s annual dramatic performances are held, also needed a fresh coat of paint.

Scope of Support

The scope of work included upgrades and maintenance to ablution facilities, interior refurbishments, and general site improvements.

Key interventions included:

Refurbishment and repainting of boys’ and girls’ ablution facilities
Tiling works within male bathrooms
Servicing and general maintenance of bathroom facilities
Installation of additional steps to improve access to classrooms
Paving of the main entrance/ foyer area
Replacement of foyer ceilings and lighting
Repainting of the main hall
Cleaning and clearing of storm-water channels to ensure effective drainage
Construction of additional storage space

Impact

The completed upgrades have significantly improved the functionality, safety, and overall condition of the school’s facilities.

Enhanced ablution areas, improved access points, and upgraded communal spaces contribute to a more supportive and dignified environment for both learners and educators.

These improvements reinforce the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure that underpins effective teaching and learning.