| Wynberg Boys' High School | |
|---|---|
|
Supera Moras
Overcoming Difficulties |
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| Location | |
| Cape Town, South Africa |
|
| Information | |
| Type | All Boys Boarding School |
| Established | August 27, 1841 |
| Headmaster | Keith Richardson |
| Enrollment | 850 |
| Houses | De Waal Wellington Rhodes Van Riebeeck Littlewood De Villiers McNaughton Lorie |
| Colour(s) | Blue |
| Former pupils | Old Wynbergians |
| Publication(s) | The School Magazine, The Wynbergian |
| Website | http://www.wbhs.org.za/ |
Wynberg Boys' High School is a public school for boys in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
It was founded in 1841 and is the second oldest school in South Africa. It had humble beginnings in Glebe Cottage under first Headmaster John McNaughton and changed site three times before moving onto its present site on Wynberg Hill in 1980. Today over 800 boys are taught by approximately 50 teachers.
School activities at Wynberg include academic studies, sport, service and culture.
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In 1841 John McNaughton re-opened the doors of the future Wynberg Boys' High School in Glebe Cottage to sixteen pupils.[1] Initially co-educational, this school made no distinction in respect of colour or creed.
John McNaughton was eventually granted an assistant to help him run his school, while the current headmaster, Keith Richardson, has nearly 50 full time and part time teachers to help him in the task of educating hundreds of young men.
The school has moved three times over the years until it eventually found a home in 1980 on the top of the Wynberg Hill - a kilometre away from its original home, Glebe Cottage. Plato's injunction of "Education should take place amongst beauty" is certainly applicable in the case of the Wynberg Boys' High School of today.
Every year, in the last week of August, the school celebrates its traditional Founders Day. The history of South Africa is reflected in the school's history. When necessary, graduates have answered the call to arms in all the major conflicts which have afflicted this country in the last 168 years and the Role of Honour above the Garden of Remembrance recognises those who have made the supreme sacrifice.
There are two school museums as well as in the two books written on Wynberg: 'The History of a School' (1961) by Doug Thompson who was a teacher of English at the school and 'A School Reflects' (1991) by Old Boy Roger Goodwin.
The School's motto 'Supera Moras' can be translated literally from the Latin as 'Overcome Difficulties'. Generations of Wynberg men have taken a less stilted translation : 'A Wynberg Man Never Gives Up.' This motto is given life in all four pillars of the school : Academics, Culture, Sport and Service.
Wynberg Boys' High School has sporting tradition. The students take part in sporting competitions with schools from the area, Western Cape and sometimes from other parts of South Africa, as well as occasional competitions with visiting teams from other countries.
Wynberg has a tradition of being one of the most competitive sporting schools in South Africa, with the 1st team Hockey and Cricket sides being ranked number 1 in the country in 2002/2003. Wynberg has also been competitive on the rugby field, competing with top South African schools such as Rondebosch Boys' High School, Diocesan College and Paul Roos Gymnasium. Matches between Wynberg and arch rivals South African College Schools draw large crowds and are often broadcast live on television.
The school offers sporting facilities such as an astro turf, a heated swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, four rugby fields, and the WBHS cricket field known as "The Oval."
Wynberg offers the following sporting activities for students throughout the year:
Wynberg Boys' High School has a cultural heritage. The WBHS choir has a large reportoire of songs ranging from jazz to classical. Choir members are offered professional vocal training in order to learn and improve special techniques. In addition to the choir, WBHS has three school bands, namely the Concert Band, the Steel Band and the Jazz Band. The Concert band has been successful, in the Cape Town Eisteddford as well as the Clash of the Concertos competition at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, and performing at the Cape Town City Hall as a part of the Wynberg Campus of Schools Concert. Recently, the Wynberg Boys' and Girls' High bands have joined to form the Combined Band playing at many Inter-school events.
The Steel band is also an essential part of the WBHS cultural pillar. Performing throughout Cape Town, the Steel Band totalled 32 performances in 2005, including a televised performance at Newlands Cricket Ground in front of many spectators.
The WBHS Drama Department is one of the most respected school drama departments in South Africa. Competing in the Cape Town Eisteddford, the WBHS drama department has been very successful, and the Wynberg Major Production performed in conjunction with Wynberg Girls' High School always draws large crowds.
Additionally, WBHS has an Art Department. The art department encourages students to develop their creative skills and provides a platform for all aspiring artists to showcase their talents. In this sense, the Art room is seen as a haven for creative thought and artistic intellect.
Every year Wynberg Boys' High School holds a memorial day in which the founding of the school is celebrated. The school also pays tribute to Wynberg Old Boys who died fighting in World War I, World War II and the South African Border War. In World War I, 42 Wynberg Old Boys were killed.[2]
In a cottage 'neath the mountain,
Was the seed of Wynberg sown.
As an acorn to an oak tree,
Wynberg School has proudly grown.
Firm its roots and broad its branches!
Best of schools it stands alone!
[Chorus]
Supera Moras! Supera Moras!
This is the cry of Wynberg Sons.
We join now with those before us,
Supera Moras makes us one!
From the shelter of its branches,
Year by year go forth again.
All the heirs of its traditions,
Brothers in an endless chain.
Joined by pride and linked by honour!
Wynberg Boys they all remain!
[Chorus]
Supera Moras! Supera Moras!
This is the cry of Wynberg Sons.
We join now with those before us,
Supera Moras makes us one!''