Potchefstroom High School for Boys

Potchefstroom High School for Boys is a high school situated in Potchefstroom, South Africa. It is one of the oldest schools in South Africa.^[1]

Historical Perspective

School History

Opened in 1905, it is a boarding school based on the English boarding schools system.^[2] Founded by C.D. Hope, the original structure had been built long before and had to close during the Anglo-Boer war. The school-building itself was designed in Cape Dutch architecture design as it was prominent style during those times and has now been declared a local heritage site. There are 3 boarding houses: Granton (1909), Milton (1910) and Buxton, which was built much later. The fourth house, Barnard is the 'Day-Boy' house. These buildings did not follow the traditional Cape Dutch styles and were built more suited to the period they were built in. The school's motto, Iustorum Semita Lux Splendens (Latin), was adapted by the founder C.D. Hope, from Proverbs 4:18, and means "The path of righteousness (alternately: the just) is (as) a shining light."

Past Headmasters

• 1905–1926 – C. D. Hope
• 1927–1940 – F. G. Tyers
• 1941–1955 – A. D. MacDonald
• 1956–1975 – W. J. B MacFarlane
• 1976–1988 – H. D. Ackermann
• 1988–1994 – T. J. Blake
• 1994–2009 – M. C. Cartwright
• 2009 – Present – J. Van Vuuren

Schooling

Sports

The school has a reputation for being sports-orientated as every student is required to participate in at least one sport during each sport's season. A wide variety of sports are offered of which the popular ones include: rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis and swimming. Beyond this, each student is then required to do athletics at inter-house level.

Cultural

The school's cultural activities are run with the school's teaching staff in collaboration with the students, activities such as plays and public speaking occur regularly.

Alumni

Old Boys Society

The school's alumni is formed of old school members who join the school's Old Boys Society.^[3] This is often referred to as Old Mooi because of the schools close proximity to the Mooi River which bisects the town of Potchefstroom. Among other tasks, the society is responsible for the over-seeing of the school and helps with the SGB (Student Governing Body). The society is also responsible for meetings and student reunions.

Notable alumni

Some of the recent internationally recognised alumni include:

• Atlanta Olympic silver medalist Hezekiél Sepeng;
• Scottish Rugby International player Matthew Proudfoot
• Zimbabwean cyclist Warren Carne
• South African Commonwealth boxer Sean Santana
• Beijing Olympic BMX cyclist Sifiso Nhlapo
• Beijing Olympic swimmer William Diering
• Zimbabwe cricketer Gavin Ewing
• Well known West End & Downton Abbey actor Edward Baker-Duly
• SABC TV series Honeytown actor: James Baker-Duly
• Democratic Alliance former chief whip: Douglas Gibson
• Springbok Rugby Player Wilf Rosenberg & Jeremy Nel
• Springbok Hockey Players Ronald Street and Kevin Smith
• First Class Cricket: Gary Outram, George Myburgh, Mike Hayward, Richard Stroh, Keith Storey, Vusi Mazibuko amongst others
• Highveld / Radio 5 DJ: Alex Jay^[4]
• East Coast Radio Host: Darren Maule
• OFM Radio Host: James Kilborne
• Springbok Masters Underwater Hockey: George Watson 3 x world championship gold medalist
• Philanthropist and Forbes Billionaire Nathan Kirsh
• Musicians : Karabo Molotlegi Robby De Sa & One Sock Thief Member Peter Santana
• Brigadier General Edward McGill Alexander SANDF (Rtd).

References

External links

• Boys' High official website
• Potchefstroom College Old Boys Society