Parktown Boys' High School

Parktown Boys' High School is a public English medium high school for boys situated in Parktown, a suburb of Johannesburg in the Gauteng province of South Africa. It is one of the oldest schools in Johannesburg.[1] Parktown Boys' sister school is Parktown High School for Girls.

Parktown Boys High School
Parktown Boys High School school crest
Address
Wellington Road

Johannesburg
,
Gauteng
,
2193

South Africa
Coordinates26°11′6″S 28°2′6″E
Information
TypeAll-boys public school
Motto'Arise'; English from the Latin 'Surgite'
Established1920 (1920)
Sister schoolParktown High School for Girls
School districtDistrict 9
HeadmasterMr Malcolm Williams
Staff~50 (full-time)
Grades8–12
GenderMale
Age13 to 18
Enrolment~800 pupils
HousesTrojans
Romans
Spartans
Thebans
Tuscans
Vulcans
Colour(s)     Red
     Black
     White
RivalAfrikaanse Hoër Seunskool
Jeppe High School for Boys
King Edward VII School
Pretoria Boys High School
PublicationThe Rampant
Surgite
Former pupilsOld Parktonians
Old Boys
BadgesRampant Lion
Websitehttp://www.parktownboys.com/

History

North Western Suburbs High School was founded in January 1920, in disused wood and iron buildings which had previously been Police Barracks at the top of Canary Street in Auckland Park. There were eighty-seven pupils in five Form II classes, four for boys and one for girls, with acting Headmaster, C. Hare. The site is now occupied by the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

The Acting Director of Education, W.E.C. Clarke, the Inspector of High Schools, officially opened the new school with an address to the scholars and staff. He apologised for the lack of decent furniture and playing fields and promised that a new modern high school for boys would be built on the Parktown Ridge overlooking Milner Park and a new high school for girls near Zoo Lake.

The first Headmaster, P.M. Druce, arrived at the beginning of 1921 and, in February, the name of the school was changed to North Western High School. In April the first hatbands and ties arrived. The colours were purple and white.

On 1 September 1921 the school was divided into five houses: Romans, Spartans, Thebans, Trojans and Tuscans. On 19 September the name was changed again, this time to Parktown Boys' High School with the motto Arise, and the school badge a rampant lion. When the Rand Revolt took place in 1922 the school, which was in no-man's-land, had to be evacuated for a short while.

At the beginning of 1923 the masters and boys moved to the new buildings in Wellington Road on Parktown Ridge. They took little with them except the school name, motto and badge, the names of the five houses and the traditions they had built up. When the school reopened in the new premises, there were 435 boys on the roll and the school colours were changed to red and black. The girls remained at Auckland Park.

The Old Parktonian Association, which was formed in 1925, bought the grounds in Bedfordview but later moved to Craighall Park. Strong links with the school are maintained.

When Mr Druce retired in 1938 he was succeeded in turn by B.A. Logie, C.A. Yates, F.J. Marais, J.A. Cameron, N.A.M. Scheepers and T.P. Clarke, Parktown's previous Headmaster for a record 23 years, as well as Mr C. Niemand, and Mr D. Bradley.

In 1985 Druce Hall was opened to accommodate boarders and following the school's tradition in the classics, in 1987, the name Vulcan was given to the sixth school house to which all boarders belong.

Parktown Boys' High School was the first government school to allow boys who were discriminated against because of their colour into a mainstream 'white' school in 1991.

Parktown Boys' High School was the first school in South Africa to install an international standard water-based Astroturf playing surface. This surface has hosted many national and international games.[2] More recently, Parktown has built Surgite House overlooking the McCorkell Oval (named after Neil McCorkell the school's former cricket coach and former Hampshire county cricketer who became a centurion in March 2012) to incorporate the administration and entertainment needs of Old Parktonians, as well as the Sydney Klevansky Sports and Cultural Centre.[3]

Parktown Boys' is consistently rated as among the best performing schools in South Africa, as well as in Africa.[4][5]

Parktown Boys' has a history which includes the use of boaters (called 'bashers'), a distinctive red and black uniform, school songs, and particularly 'Parktonian' language which has evolved over the years. The school motto is 'Arise' ('Surgite' in Latin).[6] The original school buildings have provincial heritage sites status.[7]

Headmasters

Current Headmaster

Malcolm Williams was the headmaster until he was suspended in January 2020 by the Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi.[8]

Previous Headmasters

Parktown's previous Headmasters were (from 1920): Mr C. Hare (Acting), Mr P.M.Druce, Mr B.A. Logie, Mr C.A. Yates, Mr F.J. Marais, Mr J.A. Cameron, Mr N.A.M. Scheeper, Mr T.P. Clarke, Mr C. Niemand, Mr R. Pillay (Acting), Mr D. Bradley, Mr K. Stippel (Acting).

T.P. Clarke

T.P. Clarke was the one of the longest serving Headmasters of a public school in South Africa. Mr Clarke entered Parktown as a 'formie' in 1958. In 1975 he returned to the school as Head of Mathematics, being promoted to Headmaster in 1987. He retired in 2010.

Academics

Past Matriculants of the school have consistently achieved excellent results over the years, and continue to do so.[9] Parktown Boys' has produced a number of Rhodes Scholars.

The school is divided from Grades 8 to 12 (Matric), and grades are referred to as 'Forms' at the school.

The academic subjects offered each year include:

  • Accountancy,
  • Advanced Programme Mathematics (Independent Examinations Board),
  • Afrikaans,
  • Art,
  • Biology,
  • Business Studies,
  • Computer Application Technology,
  • Computer Science,
  • Design Technology
  • English,
  • Geography,
  • History,
  • Information Technology,
  • Life Orientation,
  • Life Science,
  • Mathematics,
  • Mathematical Literacy,
  • Physical Science,
  • Zulu.

Cultural activities

Cultural activities refer to all extramural activities excluding sporting activities.

Recognised cultural activities offered to the learners at Parktown include:

  • Brass Band and Drum Corps,
  • Chess Club,
  • Choir,
  • eSports (League of Legends, DoTA 2 and Counter Strike : Global Offensive ),
  • Drama,
  • First Aid,
  • Heart of the Lion (the school's charity programme),
  • Media Centre,
  • Oratory (Public Speaking and Debating),
  • Photography Club,
  • Stock Exchange Game and
  • Traditional Dancing.

Recent additions include:

  • The General Knowledge Quiz,
  • Scrabble
  • The Philosophy Society.

Cultural life also extends to visits to musical performances.[10]

Sporting activities
The Parktown Basher

A number of Springbok, National, and Provincial sportsmen have come from Parktown Boys' High.

Summer sports offered by the school include:[11]

  • Cricket,
  • Rowing,
  • Golf,
  • Waterpolo,
  • Swimming and
  • Basketball

Winter sports offered by the school include:

  • Cross Country,
  • Soccer,
  • Hockey,
  • Rugby,
  • Athletics and
  • Squash.

Tennis is offered throughout the year.

Shooting

Parktown is one of the few schools to offer shooting in the Johannesburg area, and is one of the best performing sports in the school. Numerous national and South African school shooters have been produced at Parktown.

Rugby

Rugby at Parktown Boys' currently fields 18 rugby teams from Under 14 to Under 18 level.

The First XV are known as the 'Black Squad' and traditionally embark on at least one tour every two years. Recently this has included tours to Argentina, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand. Parktown are also a regular fixture at the annual Easter Rugby Festivals held throughout the country.

Druce Hall

Parktown Boys' High School has a weekly boarding establishment (i.e. from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon), which is known as the Druce Hall. The Druce Hall was officially opened on 9 June 1985 and is named after P. M. Druce, the first Headmaster of Parktown Boys’ High School.

The boarding is supervised with a ratio of one master to every 15 boys.

School songs and chants

War Cry
The School's Mascot – The Rampant Lion, with members of the Cadet Band performing the school War Cry.

Ukuloe Moena Bani

Ukuloe Moena Sebi

Ukuloe Moena Bani

Ukuloe Moena Sebi

Zingti Negeti

Elavoo

P – A – R – K

Zimba Zimba Zimba Zea

T – O – W – N

Zimba Zimba Zimba Zea

Arise – Arise

PARKTOWN

Old Boys of Parktown

Sung to the tune of the unofficial National Anthem of Scotland 'Flower of Scotland', Old Boys of Parktown is sung at rugby derbies.

Last of the Mohicans

This tune is played by the Brass Band and Drum Corps at rugby matches, as well as at the induction of every new set of Prefects where the entire school claps out the rhythm of the music and forms a symbolic passage for old Prefects and Matrics to leave the school.

Traditions

Orientation and initiation

As part of their orientation and initiation into the school, all 'formies' (Grade 8/Form I) receive a coloured button to wear on their blazer which indicates their 'formie' status as well as what house they belong to for the duration of their Form I year. At the end of their second week of school, all formies are assigned a Matric 'Old Pot' who will help and guide that formie through their first few months at the school. The Old Pot/New Pot braai is held in the first term.

Harmful 'initiation' is banned throughout the school. However, there have been numerous incidents at the school which have been widely publicized.

Cadets

Parktown Boys' High School is one of the few schools in South Africa that still continues with the tradition of Cadets and Cadet practice every week that involves many push ups and exercise for younger grades.

Memorial parade

Parktown conducts a Memorial Parade and Service on the Sunday nearest 11 November (Remembrance Day) every year for Old Parktonians and South Africans in general who have died in various conflicts around the world. It is compulsory for all Form Is and IVs to attend.

Third Cricket/Hockey v Teachers Matches

Every year a hockey and cricket matches are held between the staff and Third teams.

Old Parktonians

The Parktonian Foundation,[12] Surgite House, the Parktown Waterpolo Club,[13] a Facebook page,[14] the annual Surgite[15] publications and the Old Parktonian Sports Club,[16] all aim to foster the Old Parktonian Community.

Old Boys' Day

Every year in the first term Old Boys are invited to play against current school First Teams in a variety of sports. The day culminates in rugby and hockey games between the Old Boys and the recently announced First teams.

Notable alumni

Past Matriculants of the school have gone on to be leaders in all fields of South African life, from leaders in commerce, Members of Parliament, renowned academics, Springboks rugby players, other internationally renowned sportsmen, musicians and artists.

Some of these include:

  • Sir Henry Benson, President of the ICAEW, Member of the House of Lords,
  • Eric Samson, businessman and founder of Macsteel,[17]
  • Gugu Zulu, "the fastest brother in Africa", racing driver, († 2016),[18]
  • Ian Davidson, Member of Parliament and Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance,[19]
  • John Varty and Dave Varty, noted wildlife conservationists and filmmakers,
  • Dr Bertie Lubner, businessman and philanthropist,[20][21]
  • Cecil Berhmann, businessman and developer of numerous iconic properties in Johannesburg and Cape Town,[22][23]
  • Wayne Ferreira, international tennis player and Olympic silver medalist,
  • Eric Sturgess, international tennis player who reached the finals of three Grand Slam singles tournaments and won six Grand Slam doubles tournaments,[24][25]
  • Joseph Wolpe, psychologist and psychology theorist,
  • Stanley Smollen and Royce Schulman, World War Two escapees from an Italian P.O.W. camp,[26]
  • Denis Hirson, author,[27]
  • Byron Bertram, South African professional tennis player,
  • John Copelyn, Member of Parliament, Trade-Unionist and CEO of Hosken Consolidated Investments,[28]
  • David Ipp, South African and Australian jurist,
  • Stanis Smith, architect and renowned designer of airports around the world,[29]
  • Sydney Hudson Reed, minister and founder of the Treverton Preparatory School and College,[30]
  • David Soggot, human rights and anti-apartheid lawyer,[31][32][33][34]
  • John Burland, C.B.E., engineer and researcher,
  • Christo Coetzee, distinguished South African artist,
  • Manfred Gorvy, businessman and founder of the Hanover Acceptances Group,[35]
  • William Cobbett, South African political author,
  • George Getzel Cohen, radiologist and anti-apartheid campaigner, Member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons,
  • Paul Loewenthal, Judge of the District Court of Queensland,[36]
  • Murray Ball, renowned New Zealand cartoonist,[37]
  • Maj Cornelius Arthur van Vliet, South African Major and Battle of Britain pilot,[38]
  • Maj Gen Philip Pretorius, South African Army General,
  • George Seddon Harrison, Chemical Engineer and lecturer, University of Stellenbosch and University of Cape Town,[39]
  • Sidney Charles Hossy, surgeon and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons,[40]
  • Adam Kuper, anthropologist,
  • Leon David Markovitz, former Mayor of Cape Town,
  • Alfie Hughes, South African soccer captain,[41]
  • Abraham Morris Rudolph, paediatrician and Honorary Professor,[42][43]
  • Paul Fryer, Olympic swimmer,[44]
  • Miklos Salamon, businessman and chairman of mining houses in South Africa,[45]
  • Brigadier General Dick Lord, pilot, winner of the Distinguished Service Cross,[46]
  • Brigadier George Kruys, led South African forces in two major battles during the invasion of Angola in 1975 (Operation Savannah (Angola)) (Ebo and Bridge 14), worked in reconstruction and development in the post-1994 arena,[47]
  • Jack Penn, M.B.E., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, author, and sculptor,
  • Bradley Carnell, South African football player,
  • Patrick Stapleton, Profession footballer, Leyton Orient FC. London, England,[48]
  • Richard Hope. Professional footballer, Maroko Swallows,
  • Jon Jon Park, Olympic swimmer, Canada.
  • Ralph Zulman, Judge at the Supreme Court of Appeal,[49]
  • Percy Baneshik, South African playwright and theatre critic,
  • Jackie Mekler, South African athlete and five-time winner of the Comrades Marathon,
  • Lloyd Strauss-Smith, opera singer,[50][51]
  • Raymond Louw, journalist, editor and media commentator,[52]
  • Martin Israel, pathologist and priest.[53]

Academics

Notable academics include:

Rugby

The following Old Parktonians have represented the South African National Rugby Team (the Springboks):

  • Johannes Stephanus Albertus Oelofse (1926–1978): Scrumhalf playing 4 tests and scoring 2 tries in 1953 (also known as Hansie Oelofse),[66]
  • Alan Menter: Came on as a reserve for the Springboks on the tour matches to France in 1968,[67]
  • Peter Arnold Cronjé: Outside centre playing 7 tests and scoring 3 tries between 1971 and 1974[68] and
  • Paul Campbell Robertson Bayvel: Scrumhalf playing 10 tests between 1974 and 1976.[69]

Cricket

The following Old Parktonians have represented the South African national cricket team (The Proteas):

Hockey

Old Parktonians who have played for the national hockey side are:

  • Lance Louw, Neville Berman, Justin Rosenburg, Noel Day, Andre du Preez, Keith Jones, Dylan Coombes, Ricky West, Miguel Da Graca, Brian Morton[73]

Music and Art

Some notable musicians and artists who attended Parktown Boys' High School are:

Aside from those mentioned above, Old Parktonians have been awarded the C.B.E., M.B.E. or O.B.E.s include:

  • H. de la Hunt (M.B.E.), H.H. Greenwood (M.B.E.), J. Selikman (O.B.E.), and J.R. Stewart (M.B.E.)

Parktown Boys' High School has also had some notable associations including:

  • Jake White[77] coached the 2007 IRB World Cup winning Springboks and started his rugby coaching career at Parktown Boys' High School in 1982.

References
  1. Oldest School in Jhb Oldest Schools in Johannesburg Series
  2. O'Carroll, Nan (2000). The Lion Roars. Black and Red Books. ISBN 0-620-26532-9.
  3. Sports and Cultural Centre Archived 8 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Sunday Times [www.capeacademy.co.za/News/archive/top100schools09_204141a.pdf] Retrieved 25 June 2011
  5. The Herald 2013 Retrieved 02 March 2014
  6. Google Translate Latin to English translation
  7. O'Carroll, Nan (2000). The Lion Roars. Black and Red Books. ISBN 0-620-26532-9.
  8. "Parktown Boys' High Principal Malcolm Williams Suspended After Drowning Tragedy". SA People News. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  9. Academics Parktown Boys' Webpage Archived 17 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Cultural Overview Parktown Boys' Webpage Archived 26 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  11. Sport Overview Parktown Boys' Webpage Archived 10 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Parktonian Foundation "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Retrieved 22 April 2011
  13. Parktown Waterpolo Club Retrieved 22 April 2011
  14. Parktown Old Boys Facebook Page Retrieved 22 April 2011
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