Grey College, Bloemfontein

Grey College (Afrikaans: Grey Kollege) is a public English & Afrikaans medium school for boys situated in the suburb of Universitas in Bloemfontein in the Free State province of South Africa, it is one of the 23 Milner Schools, It's one of the top and most academic schools in the Free State province. The sister school is Eunice High School (Bloemfontein).

Not to be confused with Grey High School in Port Elizabeth.
Grey College
Grey College school crest
Address
Jock Meiring St,

Bloemfontein
,
Free State

South Africa
Information
TypeAll-boys public School
MottoNIHIL STABILE QUOD INFIDUM (Nothing is steadfast if it is not true.)
Established1855 (1855)
FounderLord Milner
School districtDistrict 9
PrincipalDeon Scheepers (High School)
HeadmasterJurie Geldenhuis (Primary School)
Grades00–12
GenderMale
Enrollment1,200
CampusUrban Campus
HousesBrill House
Leith House
Murray House
Colour(s)     Blue
     Gold
     Navy
     White
NicknameThe Grey
AccreditationFree State Department of Education
Sister schoolEunice High School (Bloemfontein)
RivalGrey High School
Paul Roos Gymnasium
Affies
WebsiteGrey College

Grey College was ranked 1st out of the top 100 best high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac in 2003 and 2013, based upon quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile, internet and news visibility.[1]

History

Grey College was founded on 13 October 1855 when Sir George Grey, the then Governor of the Cape Colony, paid a visit to the Orange Free State Republic and donated a sum of money towards the establishment of a school in Bloemfontein. The foundation stone was laid by Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff, the second President of the Orange Free State Republic, on 13 October 1856.

The school was officially opened on 17 January 1859 and the first headmaster was the Reverend Andrew Murray. It is the third-oldest school in South Africa and the oldest north of the Orange River.[1]

During his presidential inauguration speech in 1896, while addressing learners from Grey College, Marthinus Theunis Steyn mentioned that he envisioned a university for Bloemfontein where youth from all over the country could come and study. He supported the idea that Grey College should provide higher education to the people of the Orange Free State. As a result the University of the Free State essentially came into existence in 1904 when a tertiary portion of Grey College were allocated for such purpose.[2]

The college first accepted matriculants for a full B.A. course in 1904. In 1906 the tertiary part of Grey College became known as the Grey University College (GUC), but shortly thereafter the school and college separated. GUC grew and evolved into the institution now called the University of the Free State.

Afrikaans- and English-speaking pupils study under one roof, but each language group is educated in separate classrooms and in its own mother tongue.

Grey College today

The school grounds consist of a number of historic buildings, of which five are Free State provincial heritage sites: the Main building and Hamilton Hall,[3] the Andrew Murray House,[4] the Brill House[5] and the Tuck shop.[6]

Extensive sport facilities includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a hockey astro, squash courts and several hockey, soccer, cricket and rugby fields. The school also has 16 all-weather tennis courts.

The school celebrated its 150th jubilee during October 2005, when numerous alumni visited their alma mater. The current headmaster at the High School is Deon Scheepers and the headmaster of the Primary School is Jurie Geldenhuys. A Museum which houses memorable artifacts, such as old rugby jerseys, and paintings, was unveiled in 2005. Each year on 13 October many old-boys hold a reunion.

In 2001 the school won the Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament.

A trademark of the school is the unique handshake, widely recognized and used by students, old boys and members of staff.

The school offers a number of scholarships such as the Badawi Legacy scholarship given in partnership with Montpellier Rugby Club to promote rugby, education and French culture.[7] Old Greys donate funds to the Jock Meiring Trust and Bram Fisher Trust, funds used for the administration of school grounds and granting of scholarships..[8]

Sports

Grey College has been performing very well on sports during the year.

  • Main Building
  • The Tuck Shop
  • Hamilton Hall

Notable alumni

International Rugby Players:

National rugby union team|Springboks]] rugby player

References
  1. "top20highschools". Africa Almanac. Africa Almanac. 1 October 2003. Archived from the original on 14 January 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2016. The research leading up to the publication of the 100 Best High Schools in Africa began with the launching of the website in December 2000.
  2. Marthinus Theunis Steyn, regsman staatsman en volksman, M.C.E. van Schoor, Protea Boekhuis Pretoria 2009, p. 87
  3. "9/2/302/0056 - Main building and Hamilton Hall, Grey College, Bloemfontein". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013.
  4. "9/2/302/0057 - Andrew Murray House, Grey College, Jock Meiring Street, Bloemfontein". South African Heritage Resources Agency.
  5. "9/2/302/0058 - Brill House, Grey College, Jock Meiring Street, Bloemfontein". South African Heritage Resources Agency.
  6. "9/2/302/0059 - Tuck shop, Grey College, Jock Meiring Street, Bloemfontein". South African Heritage Resources Agency.
  7. "French Top14 club invest in Grey College". Sport. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  8. "Bullied Grey College pupil sent to school with bodyguard". News24. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.

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