Marine Primary School is in the heart of Ocean View, a township that was established as a result of Apartheid legislation under the Group Areas Act of the 1960’s to accommodate people who were forcibly removed from Simons Town, Glencairn, Dodo Valley, Noordhoek and Sunnydale. It was first called Slangkop and the first resident moved in 1 August 1968. It was ironically named Ocean View, with residents being removed from their previous sea-side homes and views. As a result, its history is embedded in apartheid, and there is still much bitter resentment among many people.

Many of the families who were uprooted also faced many hardships and challenges. The new community members were mainly comprised of subsistence fisherman, dock and ship workers, as well as artisans wo were mainly employed by the South African Navy.

As a result of the resettlement, people were far removed from their places of work and schools. There was little to no employment opportunities in the vicinity of the newly established township and the residents had to travel long distances to their places of employment.

When the primary schools in these areas were closed, two new primary schools were opened in Ocean View: Kleinberg Primary in 1970 and Marine Primary in 1971.

Marine Primary School opened the doors of education and learning in January 1971 with a staff complement of 18 educators, 533 learners and 3 support staff. The first appointed principal was Mr JE Dietrich and the deputy principal was Mr AE Jenneke. Below is a staff photograph taken in 1973.