Northwood School (Durban North, South Africa)

Northwood School
Location
Durban, KwaZulu Natal
South Africa
Information
Type Public
Motto Quisque Sibi Verus
Established 2020
Locale Suburban
Headmaster Paul Viljoen
Grades 8 - 12
Number of students 1000
School color(s) Blue and Silver
Mascot Clive The Knight
Email marketing@nwood.co.za
Website

Northwood School is a high school in the coastal city of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Each learner must study English First Language and either Afrikaans or Zulu First Additional Language, and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.

Northwood has many sporting facilities, maintained by a dedicated estates manager. These include many rugby union, soccer and cricket fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, two rock climbing walls and a number of other specialised sporting centres.

Northwood offers a balanced and relevant education in a positively challenging yet disciplined environment. This empowers its learners to enter a changing world as happy, confident and competent young men equipped with the necessary skills, initiative and enthusiasm to face the future of their choice. Although participation in all aspects of the school life is fundamental, academics remains Northwood’s primary focus, so that outstanding academic results are consistently achieved.

History

Squires to Knights

In the Age of Chivalry, Squires became Knights by learning the Code of Chivalry which promoted honour, honesty and respect for God, courage, generosity, compassion, courtesy, loyalty and self-control.

Knights also acted as mentors to Squires. In the same way, Squires (grades 8-11) at Northwood are guided with the help of the school, parents and guardians and Knights (grade 12) to take on these virtues so they leave Northwood as men, who go into the world and make a difference.

When Beachwood and Northlands merged in 1990 to form Northwood it was possible to merge the school badges and retain both mottos to echo this. “Acquit Ye like Men” (Behave like Men) and “Quisque Sibi Verus” (Be True to Yourself) remind Northwood learners to become men who are true to themselves, while at the same time upholding the values of chivalry.

A Brief History of Northwood and its Founder Schools

Northwood traces its origins back to the founding of the co-educational Durban North High School on the site of the present Northlands Girls’ High in September 1949. It started with 12 staff members and 215 pupils under Headmaster, Mr George J. Armstrong. By 1951, numbers had grown so rapidly that it was decided to build a second high school in Durban North, and split the existing school into a boys’ school and a girls’ school.

On 30 September 1953, the boys marched out of the gates of the old campus to the present Northwood campus in Kensington Drive. Northlands Boys’ High School opened with 338 boys and 17 staff members, under Mr Percy Hardaker (1953 – 1962) and thereafter Mr Mc Farquar (1963 – 1774) It made rapid progress in both academics and sport, and numbers continued to grow, requiring the building of yet another boys’ school in the area.

The new Beachwood Boys’ High School opened in Gleneagles Drive in 1963 with 135 boys and 7 staff members under Headmaster Mr E.T. (Ted) Lewis. Both schools continued to make fine progress as they rivalled each other for the enrolment of the best academics and sportsmen in Durban North.

At the end of 1971, Mr. Lewis retired from Beachwood and was succeeded by Mr. A.J.M. Wilkinson. In 1975, he became Headmaster of Northlands Boys’ High. The thaw in the relationship between the two schools had begun, but the rivalry continued. Other headmasters at Beachwood were HM Puzey, KL Tomlinson, MJ Ellis and CW Thorpe. During 1989 it was proposed that, for economic reasons, the two boys’ schools in Durban North merge to form a single school. In 1990 Beachwood and Northlands merged to form Northwood. It was possible, with an adjustment of colours, to merge the school badges and retain both mottoes. Mr. Ian Corbishley was made Headmaster of the combined school until 1996, when Dr P. Hawkey acted as Headmaster until Mr A.P. Jordan succeeded him during 1998. Upon the retirement of Mr. Jordan at the end of 2012, Mr. P.L. McAvoy took up the reins of office in 2013.

Northwood has built on the firm foundations established by its founder schools to produce a proud reputation of academic, cultural and sporting achievements. Its management and staff continue to provide leadership and expertise which enable each boy at Northwood to develop according to his potential.

Notable Old Boys

John Ellis of Tree63 (Northwood Old Boy) accepting an award from The Knights

References

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