| Woodridge | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Thornhill, Eastern Cape, South Africa | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, Boarding, Day School |
| Motto | Fideliter |
| Established | 1936 |
| Headmaster | Craig Neave |
| Exam board | IEB |
| Grades | 8-12 |
| Number of students | > 400 pupils |
| School Color(s) | Brown and Gold |
| Fees | > R 60 000 p.a. |
| Website | www.woodridge.co.za |
Woodridge College is a private, co-educational school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Woodridge is situated near the small town of Thornhill, roughly half way between Jeffrey's Bay and Port Elizabeth. The school is attended by both boarders and day-scholars. It has produced several famous athletes and business leaders both nationally and internationally, including golfer James Kamte,[1] champion canoeist Martin Dreyer[2] and cricketers Mark Rushmere, Colin Ingram and Riki Wessels.
The school has an orientation towards focusing on the pupil as a whole versus being a school that focuses on academics or any particular sport,[3] a statement that is re-affirmed to parents and pupils alike.
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The Motto of the school is Fideliter, as can be seen on the school emblem, meaning faithfully.[4]
It is situated on the edge of the gorge that has been created by Van Stadens River, next to the infamous Van Stadens Bridge.
The school was started by the Carter family[5] in 1936, all of whom's descendants have attended the school. Originally the school was only a preparatory school, the college was only started during the 60's[6]/
The school offers the standard schooling under the guidelines of the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa, and pupils taking their National Senior Certifiate write the IEB examainations.
Woodridge is involved in the sport of Rugby, Cricket, Hockey, Netball, Squash, Tennis, Athletics, Waterpolo and swimming.[7]
In addition, surf life saving is offered, as a sport, which is unique within South African schools.[8]
Other alternative sports are also offered, such as Rock Climbing, Canoeing, and hiking and Outdoor education.[9] Outdoor education is offered, which has similar style of achieving individual growth the way Outward Bound does, although it got its roots more from the Veld en Vlei society in nearby Sedgefield which many Old Woodridgeans used to attend, which was later bought out by the Outward Bound association.[10]
Inter house competitions are held for all sports offered by the school. The Outdoor education house trophy is considered the most revered of house trophies.
Headmasters are often seen as the leadership identity within South African schools. It is often their decisions (in conjunction with the governing body) that improve or degrade the success of the school.
The current head master of the school is Craig Neave, who was previously the deputy headmaster.[11]
Previous Headmasters include
Since their success at one school is often their best reference, schools like Woodridge which have a shorter history than other schools in South Africa, are often stepping stones for successful headmasters. Guy Pearson, whose term was incredibly successful at achieving goals went on to become the rector of one of South Africa's oldest and top schools, Michaelhouse.
Ken Ball is currently (2010) headmaster at SACS in Cape Town, another well known, old, established school.
The school has three houses, which pupils are divided into to compete on a intra-school level amongst each other.
Founders house was closed for many years (approximately 1985-2005) when the numbers of pupils is the school did not warrant three houses).
The school houses used to dictate in which physical location and building the pupils board within on the property.
There are four hostels on the Woodridge campus:
Woodridge is considered a Christian school, and is a parish of the Anglican church,[12] but it is neither prerequisite to be accepted as pupil, nor is the religion forced to children. It is loosely used within the assemblies of the school, and optional cultural classes.