Yesterday, we celebrated Mrs Shirley Fletcher, as she turned 90 years old. After 50 years of service to our beloved school – there is little doubt that Shirley epitomises the Kingswood spirit.
Mrs. Fletcher needs little introduction to the Kingswood community, having dedicated an incredible 50 years to the school. She first joined Kingswood in 1974 as a teacher and, in more recent years, has served as our much-loved Museum Archivist, preserving and sharing the rich history of our school.
Astonishingly, at 90 years old, she still finds time outside of the museum to offer extra lessons to our Junior School pupils and remains an active member of the community. Her dedication, energy, and passion for education are truly inspiring!
Last year, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Shirley was made an Honorary Old Kingswoodian. In the citation read out at the awarding of the Honorary OK Status, Mrs Di Hornby aptly said the following:
“I am sure you will agree with me that Shirley is most deserving of such an award. It is hard to put into words the impact and influence that Shirley has had not only on the Kingswood family and extended Kingswood community, but indeed, also the greater Makhanda community.
A passionate and proud giant of our Kingswood community – how honoured and grateful we are for all the love, expertise and passion you have poured into the special Kingswood experience.“
There were various celebrations throughout the day, as we honoured a legendary Kingswoodian. The Junior School enjoyed cupcakes and presented Shirley with a gift and piece of art which each and every Junior School child was a part of creating. We also welcomed several past members of staff – who came through especially to enjoy the special day with Shirley.
In the afternoon, Shirley celebrated with management and invited guests at the Kingswood Museum. She was presented with a painting of Jacques House, where Shirley and her late husband, Gordon (Hon OK) were house parents for many years. It was a day filled with joy, and gratitude, to a lifetime of dedication, and a wonderful milestone reached.
Happy Birthday Shirley!
Please scroll down to read some of the wonderful Birthday messages sent to Mrs Fletcher via our Facebook page:
Lisa-Jade Koopman
Happy birthday Mrs Shirley Fletcher All the blessings for this year ahead! From myself, the kids and William Koopman ❤️
Moira Stirk
Heartiest congrats on this your 90tieth birthday.A nonegarian. What a milestone.Have a wonderful day.Lots of love Dennis and Moira Stirk
Kate Muir
Happy happy 90th Birthday Mrs Fletcher, what an absolute legend!
Wayne Deacon
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher, I hope you have a wonderful day . 🥳🥳
Xanthe Panicco
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher wishing you a wonderful day.
Donnè Pittaway
Happiest of birthdays Mrs Fletcher 🍾🎂
Lubabalo Zote
Happiest of Birthdays to you Mrs Shirley Fletcher ♥ Sending you lots of love!
Jean Rodgerson
Mrs Fletcher you are an absolute legend and we all love you so much.
Diana Hornby
Happy happy Birthday to a remarkable woman. Thank you for your youthful leadership, for all the love and compassion, we have learnt so much from you. Happy birthday Shirl! 🎂 🤍 🌷 🌷
Greg Baxter
A very special lady, who has touched the hearts of many !
Rowan Stretton
Happy birthday to the best std 2 teacher ever!! What a legend, do t look a day over 55!!!
Melanie Smith Stretton
Wow beautiful, Happy birthday 🎂
Wendy Wrench Hattingh
Wow. The happiest birthday to an amazing lady! Someone from my past whom I will never forget 💓
Julia Dwyer
Happy Birthday dear Shirley, love from Julia.
Joan Spencer
Happy Birthday on this special day.
Glenn Caron Clarke
Wishing you all the best Shirley on this your special day – you are one amazing woman and it was an honour and a privilege to have met you December and hopefully I will see you shortly on our many visits to Kingswood 🌺🎂
Bruce Sharp
Happy Happpy Birthday Mrs Fletcher. Hope you have a lovley day!!!!!!
Jane Du Toit
Happy Birthday Shirley, 🎂💛🎂💛🎂💛🎂💛🎂💛🎂💛🎂💛🎂
You are an absolute inspiration and blessing and mentor to all you have nurtured through your incredible career in the life of all those who attended Kingswood. Wishing you only the best of spoils on this incredible Milestone , followed by many more years of good health and happiness. 💛
Mike Lesar
Happy Birthday. 90 is a good age. Be blessed by God.
Nicky Bouwer White
An amazing lady at 90, and has such a love for Kingswood 🎉happy birthday Mrs Fletcher.
Warrick Strachan
Very very special lady !!
Debbie Young
Happy birthday Shirley Fletcher. I need to know your secret…you look as awesome and fearsome 😉 as you did all those years ago when you prowled chapel lane in your pink dressing gown! The Pink Panther was a legend ❤️. Congratulations and sending love on this special day!
Shirley Fletcher
Debbie Young I still have the Pink Panther brooch!
Debbie Young
Shirley Fletcher awwww…this makes my heart happy.. those were such wonderful days. I hope they spoil you rotten today!
Victoria Mallett
90 years young! Happy birthday Shirley, congratulations on your incredible milestone birthday!
Liz Hermse
A HUGE Happy birthday, Shirley, to a wonderful woman, from New Zealand. What a marvellous celebration ! K remember you either much fondness!!
Emma Reeve
Happiest of birthdays Mrs Fletcher, you are a very special and incredible lady. Have a wonderful day 🎂🪻🌸🌷🌼
Dominique Bowker
Happiest of birthdays dear Shirley 💐🌸 You are a true inspiration to everyone around you and a great example of what it means to live a full and meaningful life. May your 90th be as remarkable as you are ❤️
Helen Julia van Niekerk
Happy birthday Mrs. Fletcher much love to you on this special day❤️
Debbie Low
Happy 90th Birthday Shirley 🎂🎊🎉 stay as young and active as you are. Sending you love and blessings 🤗🥰
Alexia Loizou
Mrs Fletcher, you are Forever Young!! What a special Kingswood stalwart you are! Much love on your birthday ♥️
Grace Ramsay
Wishing you a wonderful birthday today. There must be magic I the air in Grahamstown as you have scarcely aged a day since the 70s! Much love on your 90th birthday and wishing you many more x
Michelle Erwee
A very happy birthday to a legendary lady. Thank you Shirley Fletcher, not only for your personal touch in my life, but also for your continuous inspiration ❤️🥂⚘️
Colleen Painter
Happy Birthday Shirley!! You are a truly remarkable person and we wish you all the happiness and health in the world! 👏👏👏
Patty Lees
Happy Birthday Shirley, what a milestone! We hope your celebrations are as amazing as you are. 🎂🥂🍾🌸💕
Gwenda Euvrard
A special celebration of 90 wonderful year Shirley!
Birgit Bosch
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher. Thank you so much for all your Love and Wisdom. We hope you have an Amazing day 🐝😺🌸🥂🍾🎂❤️
Nikki Anderson
Congratulations! You are amazing!
Diane Mills Wakeford
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays Shirley. I think you are simply amazing too!
Have a lovely day and lots of love
Graeme Sholto-Douglas
Happy Birthday Shirley
Kerry-Anne Bishop Formo
Ah Wow! Looking Gorgeous Ma Fletch! Wishing you a fabulous Birthday, filled with many spoils!
Congrats on an awesome Milestone!
Big hugs and love to you🎉🥂🎁
Val Carey
Happy 90th birthday With love from the Carey, Ferraris and Joubert families
Angela Baines
Shirl..you really are a star 🌟. Have a wonderful birthday..I am sure you will dress up and do a dance for the staff.
Sue Smailes
Happy Birthday Ma Fletch. Shirley Fletcher. 90 years old. I cannot believe it. The true Kingswood legend!! Happy Birthday to you.
Elaine Matthews Venter
Happy birthday 😃
Sheryl-Anne Purdon Miles
Wishing you a very happy birthday Aunt Shirley, may you be blessed with many more yrs of good health🙏🤗 🎂🌹🌻🌺
Wilna Pittaway
Wow Shirls I cannot believe you are 90 today. What an inspiration and a true legend. You have not changed one bit you look the same as you did 30 years ago, proud to have worked those years with you. A very Happy Birthday dearest and Gods richest blessings for the year ahead. Lots of love 💝
Gita Daya
Happiest Birthday Mrs Fletcher! Many blessings on such a wonderful milestone 🌸
Claudia Mote
Phenomenal woman! Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher 🎉
Jenni Black
Happy Birthday Shirley you survived the class of 83 which in itself makes you legendary. I’m happy to see the legend goes on and still has lots of pep in her step. May your day be filled with love and family 🥰
Chesley Chusta Pro Daniels
Happy birthday to a true legend of the school, Shirley Fletcherr. May God continue to Bless you Ma’am….🎂🙏
Gillian Black
Happy birthday Shirley. Such and amazing milestone. Enjoy all the well deserved attention and celebration. 🍾🍾🍾🎂😘
Jonathan Keartland
Happy 90th, Shirley. A KC legend ❤️
Debra Sias
Happy bday Shirley Fletcher
Darryn W Ridgway
Happy birthday Shirley Fletcher 🥳🎂
Shane Hale
Happy Birthday lovely lady🎂🎉🥰
Diane Jepp
Happiest of birthdays Shirley, I hope you have a super day🌷
Bridgitte Stanton Le Du
Happy Birthday! 🥂🎂
Charmaine King
Happy Birthday to an amasing lady 💓 you are a shining 🌟 star to many.
Susan Skipper
Happy birthday Shirley! 🥳💐
Diana Gardner
Happy birthday, Shirley! Best wishes and love to you on this special day. ❤️🌺❤️
Jeff McCarthy
Happy happy birthday, Mrs Shirley Fletcher! Keep on inspiring us all! 🥳
Rosalie Anne Turner
A very happy & Most Blessed Birthday Shirley. You certainly don’t look or act 90!! What a remarkable woman
John Gardner
Happy Birthday, Shirley. Enjoy this special one.
Adele Melville Conyers
Happy birthday 🥳 and many happy years
Sarah Green
Happy Birthday Shirley. Lots of love. Hope you have a lovely day.
Liesel Pienaar
Happy 90th Birthday Mrs Fletcher 🎉 You Are a legend for sure 🤩 🙌🏻 have the happiest day ever, knowing that your loved dearly 🩷
Sharon Futter
Many happy returns Mrs Fletcher! You are truly amazing and you look exactly the same as when you taught me in std 2 in about 1978!! Shirley Fletcher
Angharad Swain
Mrs Shirley Fletcher wishing you the happiest of birthdays! I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the celebrations ♥️
Kerry Peter
Happiest Birthday, Mrs Fletcher! What an inspiration you are. Has a beautiful day 💜
George Euvrard
Happy Birthday Shirley! Showing us all the way.
Sibongiseni Nongwana
Happy Birthday!!!
Sonja Campbell
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher. You truly are a legend.
Have a beautiful day.
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
Kate Stone
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher. You are an incredible lady. Have a fabulous day. Lots of love ❤️🎂🎉
Anncarol Hyam
Enjoy your special day
Julie Burton
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays Mrs Fletcher 💐
Sivuyisiwe Sobahle
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher!🎉💐 Wishing you an amazing day filled with love and laughter on your incredible milestone. 😊♥️
Judy Hilton-Green
Happy happy birthday 🎂 Shirl…you are phenomenal – such an inspiration to us oldies !!!!!
Candice Thomson
Happy Birthday to one of the most amazing teachers … You are a legend ❤️❤️❤️
Mark George Truscott
Happy birthday.
Wishing you all the best!
Carol Freeman
Happy Birthday Shirley….Enjoy your special day.
Love Alistair, Douglas & Mum Freeman
Asha Daya Bhana
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher! Congratulations on an incredible achievement. Happy 90th Birthday! You never seem to age!
Karla J van Rensburg
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher! Have a fantastic day! xx
Tracy Nettelton Phillips
Wow. So youthful and beautiful.
Happiest of Birthdays to you Mrs Fletcher.🎁🎈🎂
Paul Caiger
Happy birthday Shirley and thanks for everything you have done for KC and for the hundreds of Kingswoodians you have taught , helped and mentored. Thanks for setting up and maintaining the magnificent KC museum. Love the Caigers.
Travis Dell
Happy birthday Shirley!
Pieter Scholtz
Happy birthday Shirley Fletcher. Great milestone and such a legend .
Ali Buck
Wow! No ways 90 😳. What a beautiful testimony to a life well lived in service to others. Congratulations Mrs Fletcher, you wear 90 so incredibly well.
Nicki Victor Jones
A very happy birthday to you Mrs Shirley Fletcher. Hoping you have a wonderful day! What a lovely photo.
Colette Pappas
Happy birthday amazing lady.
Kagiso Kwelagobe
Wow, she ages like the finest of wines. Wishing you a fantastic day and many blessings Mrs Fletcher.
Heather Boman
Happy Birthday. You are truly amazing. Xx😘
Carolynn Bruton
Happy birthday Shirley!
Margaret Victor
Happy Birthday Shirley. Thank you for the wonderful dedication Kingswood. You are a real Legend. May you have the best celebration with your family and friends.
Wishing you a healthy and only the happiest future in your 90’s. Lots of love.❤️🍰🍾🥂
Marina Naude Shiel
Happiest birthday amazing lady
Renée Matthews
A very happy birthday to you Shirley. May you be blessed with a wonderful day today. Xx
Lyn Bosman
Wishing you a very happy birthday to an amazing lady Shirley Fletcher 🍾🥂
Kate Sheard
Happy Birthday Shirley Fletcher ✨! Hope you have a wonderful day 💐 🎂 sending lots of love ❤️
Aidan Schwedhelm
Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 👏💪🙏
Roy Reynolds
Happy birthday to a special person and Shirley may you still have many years of good health and happiness. 🎂🥂🍾
Tam Sawers
Happy Birthday Mrs Shirley Fletcher!! Wishing you another great year ahead 🤗
Mike Clayton
Happy Birthday! Amazing 🥳
Lydea Horn
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher. You are an icon.
Catherine Moore
You’re simply incredible!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎈
Sandy Maclachlan
Happy 90th birthday, dear Shirley!! An amazing milestone for an amazing lady!! 🎊🤗💖
Casey Larkan
Wishing you a very happy birthday Mrs Shirley Fletcher🥰
David Bandey
Wow, great to see this post. Happy 90th birthday Mrs Fletcher.
Gregg Rippon
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletch , I hope you have a wonderful day . Lots of love and best wishes Gregg and Bridget
Ilse Appelt
Happy 90th birthday Shirley Fletcher ! 🥳🥳
Sandie Turner
Happy Birthday love James & Sandie Turner💐
Didi Beukes
Wishing you a wonderful 90th Ma Fletch 🎈🎈🎈
Leanne Kelsey Davies
An extraordinary age and woman. Happy 90th birthday Mrs Fletcher Shirley Fletcher ❤️
Pradeep Ranchhod
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher. Still looking young as the day I remember you teaching me in Standard Two. 🎊🎊🎉🎉🍾🍾
Kesentri Govender
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher. Enjoy your special day.
Samantha McSporran Townsend
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher 💐
Jill Japp
Happy Birthday Shirley Fletcher 💖
Sheryllyn Reeve
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Ruud Faber
🤝👍
Sue Pyle
Happy 90th birthday, Mrs Fletcher!
Sam Van de Pavert-Voorvelt
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher, have a wonderful day! 🎉
Jacqui Laubscher Pike
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher, I hope you have a wonderful day!! ❤️❤️🎂
Jeanette Makkie
Happy Birthday Shirley, all the best 🎂🎊🥂🙏
Lara Koeman
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher, I hope you had a lovely day.
Tanner Purdon
Happy 90th Birthday Mrs Fletcher, you are an absolute legend! ❤️
Abi Cohen
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher, sending lots of love 🌟
Kelly Shuker
Happy 90th birthday Mrs Fletcher! ✨🥂 you are incredible!
Brigid Warburton
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher!!
Lee-Anne Johnson
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher 💐🎊
Kathy Knight
Happy birthday Shirley Fletcher! 🥂💕💐
Beryl Ross
Happy birthday Shirley Fletcher
Ian Reed
Happy 90th Birthday Mrs. Fletcher Xx
Sam Goose Karam
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher.
Zikhona Bulani
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher 🎂 🥮 🍥 🥞
Craig Evans
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher. Have a wonderful day.
Anne Stone
Happy Birthday Mrs Fletcher hope you have a day filled with love 💕
Shelley Denton
Happy 90th birthday Mrs Fletcher! You truly are a legend. ❤️ Shirley Fletcher
Liesl Brown
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher ❤️
Caitlin Bell
Shirley Fletcher Happy Birthday Ma’am, I hope you have a blessed day and that the year ahead is amazing 🌹
Marelie Connan
Happy birthday Mrs Shirley Fletcher🥳🎉
Mandy Armstrong
Wow. Happy birthday Shirley Fletcher
Bianca De Klerk
Happiest of Birthdays Mrs Shirley Fletcher!🥰
Leruo Tau
Happy birthday Mrs Shirley Fletcher 🎂🎉🎊
Lisa Middleton
Wishing you a very happy birthday Mrs Shirley Fletcher!
Emily Elliott Glover
Happy birthday Mrs Fletcher ❤️ Shirley Fletcher