Treverton Preparatory School and College

Treverton Preparatory School and College, situated in Mooi River, South Africa, cater for boys and girls of all faiths from Grades 000 to 12 and Post-Matric. A member of the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA), Treverton is an inter-denominational Christian school founded on a Baptist heritage.

History

Peter Binns (grandson of Sir Henry Binns, third prime minister of Natal) opened the Treverton Preparatory School for Boys on the present Prep School site in 1939, serving as Headmaster until his death in 1957. It had been his wish that Treverton continue in perpetuity, but it was “with great sadness and utmost reluctance” that his successor, Douglas Pennington, and the administrators decided to close the school and put the property up for sale in 1961. The Rev Sydney Hudson-Reed, then President of the Baptist Union of South Africa, cherished the idea of establishing a school embracing the Baptist ethos. He visited the derelict Treverton in 1963, shared his enthusiasm with friends and encouraged his brother Derek Hudson-Reed, a teacher at St Stithians College, to visit the school site.

The five Founders of the Treverton Trust who re-established the school, were the Rev Dr Syd Hudson-Reed (RIP 2010), Prof John Jonsson (RIP 2011), Dr Derek Hudson-Reed (RIP 2003), Mr Wilfred Harland (RIP 1998) and the Rev Rae Trew.

The Preparatory School opened in 1964 with 51 pupils under the headmastership of Derek Hudson-Reed, who took the school through to the first Matric class in 1970. Girls were first admitted in 1978 and the Post-Matric course started in 1987.

Academics

Treverton College is a mainstream, independent, co-educational school writing the Independent Examinations Board examinations.

Since 1995 it has enjoyed a 100% National Senior Certificate (Matric) pass rate, and a 90% exemption rate among Grade 12 classes. (The national I.E.B average for South African Independent Schools in 2007 was a 78% exemption rate.) In 2007, 50% of the entire Grade 12 year averaged of over 70%. Treverton does not require an entrance examination, but acceptance is dependant on school reports and interviews.

Environmental education

Treverton has developed a reputation as a leader in Environmental Education/Education for Sustainable Development at school level. The 270-hectare Treverton estate has a variety of ecosystems - wetland, grassland, rocky outcrops, springs, spring dams, catchment area and indigenous forest together with exotic forest and plants.

In 2000 a game fence was erected and the Treverton Wildlife Area (TWA) was established as the first natural, wildlife and game area in South Africa entirely managed by school pupils and staff under the guidance of experts in the field.

Awards

• In 2000 runner-up in the Natural Resources Section of the Green Trust Awards and the TWA recognised as a Site of Conservation Significance by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
• In 2001 awarded the Green Trusts' Overall Winners prize.
• In 2002 the Volvo (South Africa) Environmental Awards awarded Treverton second place and in 2003 outstanding acknowledgements.

For three consecutive years Treverton has been awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag (2005, 2006, and 2007).

International environmental involvement

In 1982 Treverton hosted the first International Environmental Education Conference in Southern Africa at which the Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA) was formed. In 2004 Treverton hosted the EEASA and ENO conferences. ENO-Environment Online is a global virtual school for environmental awareness (http://eno.joensuu.fi).

Recognition of environmental efforts

Treverton was the first South African school to introduce school colours and awards for Outdoor Pursuits and other environmental projects undertaken by pupils.

External links

• Official website