Queen's College (South Africa)
Encyclopedia
Queen's College is situated at the foot of the picturesque Stormberg Mountains in the pleasant Eastern Cape town of Queenstown. Established in 1858, it is the oldest school on the Border - a region famous for its fine schools. Close to its excellent "family" schools, Queen's College Boys' Primary, Queenstown Girls' High and Balmoral Girls' Primary, Queen's College offers boys a unique opportunity to realise their full potential in a healthy, caring, Christian environment in which educational excellence, tradition, loyalty, pride, leadership development, and the highest standards of discipline are emphasized. The overall educational development of the Queenian is achieved within a milieu of progressive thinking that ensures that the College moves with the times and makes the most of technological advances.
In 1867 Frederick Beswick opened a private school in the town and then the principal of a conglomerate of schools called Queenstown Boys' Public School, whose headmaster he remained for 32 years. He really set education on a sound footing in Queenstown. His son, Alan, became the first Old Queenian to play rugby for South Africa. In 1910 the school was officially named Queen's College.
The school continued to grow in size and stature and under Mr. A Parry Davies, who was headmaster from 1930 to 1940, Queen's began to develop a distinctive character and spirit. The school's prowess in the academic, sporting and cultural spheres became known far and wide and it began to attract pupils from all over South Africa and as far afield as Zimbabwe.
Today Queen's College still draws pupils from all over Southern Africa. With its extensive modern school, hostel and playing field facilities, its highly motivated professional teaching staff, and its excellent, well-rounded educational program, the College has come along way since its humble beginnings. Queen's is proud of its heritage and holds onto many cherished traditions. The core of the old stone school buildings (dating back to 1897) was retained when a new purpose designed modern school complex was built in 1973. Many valuable reminders of the school's debt to the past are housed in the Queen's College Museum in the "Old School", which was itself declared a historical monument in 1980.
The student body is headed by their recently appointed Headmaster, Mr David Lovatt. Forming an important liaison between Staff and Student Body is the Prefect Body, a democratically appointed group of students who help maintain order and discipline in the school. Fourteen Prefects are selected from the Grade 12 year group and have traditionally been nicknamed "College Cops". A second tier of leadership has recently been established and is known as the School Monitors.
In recent years the College has hosted a number of successful sports festivals. Some notable successors include:
Brief History
Mr. CE Ham set up a private school for boys, the Prospect House Academy. In 1858 it was taken over by the state as the Queenstown District School. That year is taken as the foundation date for Queen's College. Today, all that remains of Mr. Ham's original school is the lectern on the stage of the Memorial Hall (the present school hall). It was made out of a yellow wood beam salvaged from the old school building when it was demolished in 1949.In 1867 Frederick Beswick opened a private school in the town and then the principal of a conglomerate of schools called Queenstown Boys' Public School, whose headmaster he remained for 32 years. He really set education on a sound footing in Queenstown. His son, Alan, became the first Old Queenian to play rugby for South Africa. In 1910 the school was officially named Queen's College.
The school continued to grow in size and stature and under Mr. A Parry Davies, who was headmaster from 1930 to 1940, Queen's began to develop a distinctive character and spirit. The school's prowess in the academic, sporting and cultural spheres became known far and wide and it began to attract pupils from all over South Africa and as far afield as Zimbabwe.
Today Queen's College still draws pupils from all over Southern Africa. With its extensive modern school, hostel and playing field facilities, its highly motivated professional teaching staff, and its excellent, well-rounded educational program, the College has come along way since its humble beginnings. Queen's is proud of its heritage and holds onto many cherished traditions. The core of the old stone school buildings (dating back to 1897) was retained when a new purpose designed modern school complex was built in 1973. Many valuable reminders of the school's debt to the past are housed in the Queen's College Museum in the "Old School", which was itself declared a historical monument in 1980.
Student Body
Queen's College boasts a diverse student body, having successfully made the transition from segregated schooling as early as 1992. The College portrays the complex dynamics of the South African population and has often been described as a beacon of hope for the countries struggling Education System. The young men who attend this fine school, no matter their colour, race or creed, are a credit to their family and community at large.The student body is headed by their recently appointed Headmaster, Mr David Lovatt. Forming an important liaison between Staff and Student Body is the Prefect Body, a democratically appointed group of students who help maintain order and discipline in the school. Fourteen Prefects are selected from the Grade 12 year group and have traditionally been nicknamed "College Cops". A second tier of leadership has recently been established and is known as the School Monitors.
Boarding Facilities
Queen's College currently has three boarding houses in operation, namely Connaught House, Whitson House and Athlone House.- Athlone House is run by Mr and Mrs Butler and only houses Grade 8 pupils. The smaller group enables the Butler's to condition the boys' for boarding life and also helps to create a healthy family atmosphere or "gees".
- Connaught House is run by Mr and Mrs Osborn and houses Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 pupils. It is the "youngest" of the 3 hostels currently in use and is home to the school's impressive gym.
- Whitson House is run by Mr Pearson and Mrs Henson and also houses Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 pupils. It has recently been designated as a boarding house for the son's of Old Queenians. This designation has awakened a sleeping giant as many Old Queenians have now sent their sons back to their alma mater.
- De Vos Malan House has stood empty for some time, but is ready for use should the boarding numbers increase. There are currently 125 boarders at Queen's College and that number is growing every year.
Facilities
Queen's College boasts some of the finest sporting facilities in South Africa. These include- 4 Full sized cricket fields
- 8 Turf wickets for practices
- 3 Indoor cricket nets
- 2 Squash courts
- 7 Rugby fields (Including a 6000 seater Grandstand, complete with 8 changing rooms, at the Victoria Recreation Ground)
- 400m Cinder athletes track
- 1 Floodlit AstroTurf
- 50m Swimming pool
- Water-polo pool
- A fully functioning gym, complete with a full time Biokineticist.
Hospitality
Queen's College is renowned for being outstanding hosts. Schools from all over the country visit Queenstown to experience the hospitable nature of the staff and pupils of Queen's College.In recent years the College has hosted a number of successful sports festivals. Some notable successors include:
- The Triangular Athletics meeting (Contested between Queen's College, Selborne and Dale)
- The Hirsch Shield (Contested between the top 10 Athletics Schools in the Eastern Cape)
- The Cape Schools Cricket Week
- The Grant Khomo U16 Rugby Week
- The annual TWIZZA Easter Sport Festival
Notable alumni
- Allan Beswick, Springbok Rugby
- Jimmy WhiteJimmy WhiteJames Warren "Jimmy" White MBE is an English professional snooker player. Nicknamed the "Whirlwind" and popularly referred to as the "People's Champion", White is a multiple World Championship finalist renowned for losing each of the six finals he contested.White's extensive list of achievements,...
, Springbok Rugby - Dick Muir, Springbok Rugby Player, Springbok Assistant Coach 2008 - Present
- Kaya Malotana, Springbok Rugby
- Robbie Kempson, Springbok Rugby
- Owen LentzOwen LentzOwen Lentz is an American rugby union player. He currently plays for Maryland Exiles, and has been involved with the American national side, gaining 4 caps since his debut in 2006. Lentz plays as a hooker or occasionally as flanker....
, American Rugby - Carlo Del FavaCarlo Del FavaCarlo Antonio Del Fava is a rugby union player. His preferred position is Lock, and he currently plays for Aironi in the Celtic League....
, Italian Rugby - Lionel CronjeLionel CronjeLionel Cronjé is a South African rugby union footballer.- External links :***...
, South Africa U20 Player of the year 2009 - Sibusiso Sithole, South African Sevens 2010 - Present
- Daryll John Cullinan, South African Cricketer
- Tony GreigTony GreigAnthony "Tony" William Greig is a former English Test cricketer and currently a commentator.Born in Queenstown, South Africa, Greig qualified to play for England by virtue of his Scottish father. He was a tall batting all-rounder who bowled both medium pace and off spin. He became captain of the...
, English Cricketer - Ian GreigIan GreigIan Alexander Greig is a former cricketer, who played in two Tests for England in 1982. Although born in South Africa, Greig qualified to play for England by virtue of his Scottish father....
, English Cricketer - Justin KempJustin KempJustin Miles Kemp is a South African cricketer who has played Test and ODI cricket for South Africa since the 2000–01 season. Kemp is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast medium bowler. His batting is noted for the high frequency of sixes, particularly those which are hit out of the stadium...
, South African Cricketer - Glen DellGlen DellGlen Dell is a South African commercial airline trainer and aerobatics pilot, who was qualified to race in the 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series season....
, Advanced World Aerobatic Champion in 2004 - Norman Walsh, Rhodesian and Zimbabwean air marshalAir MarshalAir marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...