| Queen's College Boys' High School | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Esse Quam Videri ('To Be , rather than to seem to be') |
| Established | 1858 |
| Type | All-Boys Public School |
| Headmaster | Mr David Lovatt |
| Students | 575 pupils |
| Grades | 8 - 12 |
| Location | Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Colours | Old Gold and Black |
| Yearbook | "The Queen's Quire" |
| Website | www.queenscollege.co.za |
Queen's College is situated at the foot of the picturesque Stormberg Mountains in the pleasant Eastern Cape town of Queenstown. Established in 1858, it is the oldest school on the Border - a region famous for its fine schools. Close to its excellent "family" schools, Queen's College Boys' Primary, Queenstown Girls' High and Balmoral Girls' Primary, Queen's College offers boys a unique opportunity to realise their full potential in a healthy, caring, Christian environment in which educational excellence, tradition, loyalty, pride, leadership development, and the highest standards of discipline are emphasized. The overall educational development of the Queenian is achieved within a milieu of progressive thinking that ensures that the College moves with the times and makes the most of technological advances.
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Mr. CE Ham set up a private school for boys, the Prospect House Academy. In 1858 it was taken over by the state as the Queenstown District School. That year is taken as the foundation date for Queen's College. Today, all that remains of Mr. Ham's original school is the lectern on the stage of the Memorial Hall (the present school hall). It was made out of a yellow wood beam salvaged from the old school building when it was demolished in 1949.
In 1867 Frederick Beswick opened a private school in the town and then the principal of a conglomerate of schools called Queenstown Boys' Public School, whose headmaster he remained for 32 years. He really set education on a sound footing in Queenstown. His son, Alan, became the first Old Queenian to play rugby for South Africa. In 1910 the school was officially named Queen's College.
The school continued to grow in size and stature and under Mr. A Parry Davies, who was headmaster from 1930 to 1940, Queen's began to develop a distinctive character and spirit. The school's prowess in the academic, sporting and cultural spheres became known far and wide and it began to attract pupils from all over South Africa and as far afield as Zimbabwe.
Today Queen's College still draws pupils from all over Southern Africa. With its extensive modern school, hostel and playing field facilities, its highly motivated professional teaching staff, and its excellent, well-rounded educational program, the College has come along way since its humble beginnings. Queen's is proud of its heritage and holds onto many cherished traditions. The core of the old stone school buildings (dating back to 1897) was retained when a new purpose designed modern school complex was built in 1973. Many valuable reminders of the school's debt to the past are housed in the Queen's College Museum in the "Old School", which was itself declared a historical monument in 1980.
Queen's College boasts a diverse student body, having successfully made the transition from segregated schooling as early as 1992. The College portrays the complex dynamics of the South African population and has often been described as a beacon of hope for the countries struggling Education System. The young men who attend this fine school, no matter their colour, race or creed, are a credit to their family and community at large.
The student body is headed by their recently appointed Headmaster, Mr David Lovatt. Forming an important liaison between Staff and Student Body is the Prefect Body, a democratically appointed group of students who help maintain order and discipline in the school. Fourteen Prefects are selected from the Grade 12 year group and have traditionally been nicknamed "College Cops". A second tier of leadership has recently been established and is known as the School Monitors.
Queen's College currently has three boarding houses in operation, namely Connaught House, Whitson House and Athlone House.
Queen's College boasts some of the finest sporting facilities in South Africa. These include
Queen's College is renowned for being outstanding hosts. Schools from all over the country visit Queenstown to experience the hospitable nature of the staff and pupils of Queen's College.
In recent years the College has hosted a number of successful sports festivals. Some notable successors include:
For more information on Queen's College Boys' High School contact the school's Marketing Director, Mr. Hayden Buchholz on marketing@queenscollege.co.za or +27 (0)45 839 4188. Alternatively, visit the Queen's College website: www.queenscollege.co.za