St. Andrew's School, Bloemfontein
Encyclopedia
St. Andrew's School, established in 1863 is a public school for boys located in Bloemfontein
, Free State
, South Africa
.
The years of study are from pre-primary to grade 12. Boarders are accommodated in four boarding hostels: Dunn House for junior boarders, Storey House for junior secondary boarders, and Twells and Chandler Houses for senior boarders.
Day students are associated with Carey (grades 1 to 7) and Webb (grade 8 to 12) Houses.
Its sister school is St. Michael's School
, a girls' school which is located nearby in Bloemfontein
.
as the Diocesan Grammar School, and was located in a building now known as the Old Raadsaal in St George's Street, Bloemfontein. The first headmaster was George Clegg.
In 1874 the school was renamed St. Andrew's School when it moved to new buildings on the corner of St George's Street and Church Street. The headmaster at this time was Reverend Douglas McKenzie. The foundation stone of the first St Andrew's is preserved alongside the current chapel.
In March 1899 new buildings were built for the school; these were however only occupied for a few months before being requisitioned by the British Army
during the South African War and the school closed.
At the conclusion of hostilities in 1902, the facilities were appropriated for use by the new Oranje Meisiesskool, which still occupies the premises.
Bishop Arthur Chandler worked for a number of years to reinstate the school, and the school reopened in January 1916 on its present site on General Dan Pienaar
Drive. Canon E. Ford served as headmaster until the end of 1916.
Francis Storey served as headmaster from 1917 until 1946.
controlled by a board of governors chaired by the Anglican Bishop of Bloemfontein. In 1976, the school was sold to the Orange Free State Provincial Administration (PAO), on condition that it could retain its Anglican character.
The Bishop of Bloemfontein maintains a seat on the School Governing Body to this day.
The school maintains links with a number of independent schools in South Africa.
The project commenced in 1985 with the demolition of the sanatorium, adjacent to the then Storey House. The new (current) Chandler/Twells block was built on this site.
Simultaneously, upgrading and refurbishment of the Ferrandi Block (senior school buildings) and Dunn House (integrated junior school and junior boarding facilities) was undertaken.
At the end of 1986 the old Chandler/Twells block (dating back to the early 1920s) was demolished to make way for the new Storey and Dunn blocks, prep room, sanatorium complex, a number of accommodation units for masters and a walkway linking the three boarding units with the Champion Hall (dining facility for boarders). Chandler and Twells Cottages, providing accommodation for the masters of the respective boarding blocks, were retained.
The bulk of construction was completed in time for the 125th anniversary of the founding of the school, in 1988.
On conclusion, the former Dunn House was renamed Jagger Block, a title dating back to its construction in 1952.
The former Storey House was converted to common room facilities for the senior boarding houses, and more latterly, as the premises of the pre-primary school. It was renamed the Roy Gordon Academic Centre in 2008.
Oubaas Storey's House, home to the school chaplain until the completion of new Dunn House, was transformed into a museum and visitor's centre.
A plaque highlighting the efforts of Mr Patterson towards initiating the project, and commemorating the completion thereof, may be seen at the Dunn House common room.
The chapel is designed in the traditional cathedral fashion and comprises a large nave, with a pipe organ and choir stalls at the rear (west end), transepts including the vestry on one side, the lay chapel on the other, and the sanctuary, which is raised, (and takes the form of a quarter sphere) and houses the altar. Communion is taken at the top step of the sanctuary.
Each school day commences with a short service of prayer in the chapel, and traditional Anglican services are conducted on Sundays.
The chapel observes the rites and festivals of the Anglican church.
The current school chaplain is Rev Deon Lombard.
The accomplished school choir plays an important part in the activities of the chapel. The Master of Choristers is Mr Clive Mott.
, in Johannesburg
, in London
and in other locations such as the Western Cape
, Eastern Cape
, Kwazulu Natal, the Middle East
and Australia
.
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
, Free State
Free State
The Free State is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Orange Free State Boer republic and later Orange Free State Province. The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The years of study are from pre-primary to grade 12. Boarders are accommodated in four boarding hostels: Dunn House for junior boarders, Storey House for junior secondary boarders, and Twells and Chandler Houses for senior boarders.
Day students are associated with Carey (grades 1 to 7) and Webb (grade 8 to 12) Houses.
Its sister school is St. Michael's School
St. Michael's School, Bloemfontein
St. Michael's School, established in 1874 by the Community of St Michael and All Angels, is a public school with a boarding option for girls located in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa....
, a girls' school which is located nearby in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
.
History
St. Andrew's was founded on 16 November 1863 by Bishop Edward TwellsEdward Twells
Edward Twells was the first Bishop of Bloemfontein in South Africa from 1863 to 1869.Twells was consecrated Bishop of the Orange Free State in Westminster Abbey in 1863 under the Jerusalem Act, and went out to the colony, in the interior of South Africa, with three priests and two schoolmasters.In...
as the Diocesan Grammar School, and was located in a building now known as the Old Raadsaal in St George's Street, Bloemfontein. The first headmaster was George Clegg.
In 1874 the school was renamed St. Andrew's School when it moved to new buildings on the corner of St George's Street and Church Street. The headmaster at this time was Reverend Douglas McKenzie. The foundation stone of the first St Andrew's is preserved alongside the current chapel.
In March 1899 new buildings were built for the school; these were however only occupied for a few months before being requisitioned by the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the South African War and the school closed.
At the conclusion of hostilities in 1902, the facilities were appropriated for use by the new Oranje Meisiesskool, which still occupies the premises.
Bishop Arthur Chandler worked for a number of years to reinstate the school, and the school reopened in January 1916 on its present site on General Dan Pienaar
Dan Pienaar
Major General Daniel Hermanus Pienaar CB, DSO & Bar was a South African World War II military commander.Pienaar joined the artillery branch of the Natal Police in 1911, and transferred to the Union Defence Forces when they took over the NP in 1913...
Drive. Canon E. Ford served as headmaster until the end of 1916.
Francis Storey served as headmaster from 1917 until 1946.
Headmasters from 1863-1899
- 1863 - 1868, Mr George Clegg
- 1869 - 1871, The Rev. Charles Clulee
- 1872, Mr E.W. Stenson
- 1872 - 1873, The Rev. John Widdicombe
- 1873 - 1879, The Rev. Douglas McKenzie
- 1880 - 1883, The Rev. Arthur Borton
- 1884 - 1885, The Rev. Hon. Albert Lyttelton
- 1885 - 1886, The Rev. Charles Scratchely
- 1886 - 1887, The Rev. Barron Moore
- 1888 - 1894, The Rev. John Bell
- 1895 - 1899, The Rev. Horace Orford
Headmasters in the modern era (1916 to current)
- 1916, Canon E. Ford
- 1917 - 1946, Mr F. W. "Oubaas" Storey
- 1947 - 1957, Mr E. L. Harrison
- 1957 - 1967, Mr N. C. H. "Jumbo" Ferrandi
- 1968 - 1974, Mr B. Thiel
- 1974 - 1984, Mr W. I. O. Patterson
- 1985 - 2006, Mr R. A. "Flash" Gordon
- 2006 - 2007, (Acting) Mr J. E. Bridger (Old Andrean)
- 2007–Present, Mr C. Thomas (Old Andrean)
Governance and ethos
St. Andrew's was originally a private schoolPrivate school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
controlled by a board of governors chaired by the Anglican Bishop of Bloemfontein. In 1976, the school was sold to the Orange Free State Provincial Administration (PAO), on condition that it could retain its Anglican character.
The Bishop of Bloemfontein maintains a seat on the School Governing Body to this day.
The school maintains links with a number of independent schools in South Africa.
Construction in the 1980s
A cornerstone of the negotiations resulting in the sale of the school to the PAO was that the PAO would institute a significant capital works program at the school, in respect of upgrading and expansion of existing buildings, and the construction of new boarding hostels.The project commenced in 1985 with the demolition of the sanatorium, adjacent to the then Storey House. The new (current) Chandler/Twells block was built on this site.
Simultaneously, upgrading and refurbishment of the Ferrandi Block (senior school buildings) and Dunn House (integrated junior school and junior boarding facilities) was undertaken.
At the end of 1986 the old Chandler/Twells block (dating back to the early 1920s) was demolished to make way for the new Storey and Dunn blocks, prep room, sanatorium complex, a number of accommodation units for masters and a walkway linking the three boarding units with the Champion Hall (dining facility for boarders). Chandler and Twells Cottages, providing accommodation for the masters of the respective boarding blocks, were retained.
The bulk of construction was completed in time for the 125th anniversary of the founding of the school, in 1988.
On conclusion, the former Dunn House was renamed Jagger Block, a title dating back to its construction in 1952.
The former Storey House was converted to common room facilities for the senior boarding houses, and more latterly, as the premises of the pre-primary school. It was renamed the Roy Gordon Academic Centre in 2008.
Oubaas Storey's House, home to the school chaplain until the completion of new Dunn House, was transformed into a museum and visitor's centre.
A plaque highlighting the efforts of Mr Patterson towards initiating the project, and commemorating the completion thereof, may be seen at the Dunn House common room.
Other significant buildings on campus
- Harison House - headmaster's home
- Champion Hall - boarders' dining room and adjacent multi-purpose annexe, 1925
- Centenary Hall - completed in 1963, hosts drama productions, annual speech day, examinations and dances
- Walter Carey Library - within the Ferrandi Block precinct, 1938
- Bailey Hall - adjacent to Ferrandi Block, hosts examinations and gymnasium facilities, 1929
- Staff flats - accommodation units, late 1950s
- Coaker Gates - representing the links between St Andrew's and St Michael's Schools
- Twells Bells - fragments of disused railway line suspended from chains, used as time bells in the old Twells House, re-installed in a purpose-built structure
- Circular Memorial - built in honour of the 130th anniversary of the founding of the school, 1993
Chapel
The foundation stone of the structure was laid in 1955, and the chapel was consecrated in 1956.The chapel is designed in the traditional cathedral fashion and comprises a large nave, with a pipe organ and choir stalls at the rear (west end), transepts including the vestry on one side, the lay chapel on the other, and the sanctuary, which is raised, (and takes the form of a quarter sphere) and houses the altar. Communion is taken at the top step of the sanctuary.
Each school day commences with a short service of prayer in the chapel, and traditional Anglican services are conducted on Sundays.
The chapel observes the rites and festivals of the Anglican church.
The current school chaplain is Rev Deon Lombard.
The accomplished school choir plays an important part in the activities of the chapel. The Master of Choristers is Mr Clive Mott.
Sports facilities
- Vossie's Field (and pavilion), named for Mr H. D. "Vossie" Vorster who served the school with distinction between 1940 and 1983, both as teacher and Master in Charge of 1st XI cricket - principal turf cricket wicket and oval (summer), twin hockey fields (winter)
- Hickling Field (and pavilion), named for Colin Hickling (Old Andrean) - rugby field (winter), secondary turf cricket wicket and oval (summer)
- Two additional rugby pitches adjacent to Hickling field
- Chapel Field - turf cricket wicket and oval (summer), twin soccer pitches (winter)
- Tennis courts
- Squash courts
- Swimming pool
Old Boys' Association
St. Andrew's has a strong Old Boys' Association for past pupils, and Old Boys' reunions are held annually at the school in BloemfonteinBloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
, in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and in other locations such as the Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
, Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
, Kwazulu Natal, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Notable alumni and former members of staff
- Colin Hickling (1957), MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of BloemfonteinBloemfonteinBloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
in 1985 and formerly Vice-Chairman of the SABC board. - Brett KebbleBrett KebbleRoger Brett Kebble was a South African mining magnate with close links to factions in the ruling political party, the African National Congress. He was shot to death in 2005 by unknown assailants....
(1981), controversial mining magnate who was shot dead in 2005 - Guy Kebble (attended St Andrew's, but completed his schooling at BishopsDiocesan CollegeThe Diocesan College, or Bishops as it is more commonly known, is an independent, all-boys school situated in the suburb of Rondebosch in Cape Town, South Africa...
, Cape TownCape TownCape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
), rugby Springbok (1993 to 1994) - George Mazarakis, Executive Producer, Carte Blanche (TV series)Carte Blanche (TV series)Carte Blanche, produced by Combined Artists, is the flagship magazine and actuality programme on M-Net, a pay-TV channel broadcasting in Southern Africa. Carte Blanche was launched in 1989 and broadcasts during prime time viewing on Sunday evenings....
- Richard Laubscher, former Chief Executive OfficerChief executive officerA chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Nedcor Limited and Nedcor Bank Limited, prominent personality in South African business - Christian "Bunny" Ashley-Botha, teacher and Master of the Choristers (1970s), appointed to the position of Director of Music at the Drakensberg Boys' Choir School in 1980, a position he held until his retirement
- Professor Phillip Tobias (1943), Professor Emeritus, University of the WitwatersrandUniversity of the WitwatersrandThe University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is a South African university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is more commonly known as Wits University...
, JohannesburgJohannesburgJohannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, world-renowned paleo-anthropologist. He is best known for his pioneering work at South Africa's famous hominid fossil sites, and is one of the world's leading authorities on the evolution of humankind. - Gordon Forbes (1950), international tennis player
- Peter CarlsteinPeter CarlsteinPeter Rudolph Carlstein is a former South African cricketer who played in eight Tests from 1958 to 1964., He was also Rhodesian Player of the Year 1967–68-References:...
(1956), cricket Springbok (1958 to 1964) - Lindsay TuckettLindsay TuckettLindsay Tuckett is a former South African cricketer who played in 9 Tests from 1947 to 1949. He was born in Durban, Natal....
(1936), cricket Springbok (1947 to 1949) - D. J. "Daan" de Wet, teacher, 1st XV rugby coach, Master of Chandler, rugby prop forward for the Orange Free State provincial team (1970s)
- Gert Grobler (1969), teacher, rugby coach, played for Orange Free State provincial team, currently (2008 - 2012) S.A. Ambassador to Japan (formerly Ambassador to France)
- Stuart Smith (1975), hockey Springbok (1981)
- Kevin Arnold (1973), vintnerVintnerA vintner is a wine merchant. You pronounce it like this In some modern use, in particular in American English, the term is alsoused as a synonym for winemaker....
of the Waterford Wine Estate in the Western Cape. - Ian Eloff (1973), a member of the XV Olympic Winter Games (1988) organizing committee.
- Fred Brownell - former State Herald and responsible for the final design of the new South African flag
- Glenn Agliotti (1974), known as "the Landlord", a close friend of Brett KebbleBrett KebbleRoger Brett Kebble was a South African mining magnate with close links to factions in the ruling political party, the African National Congress. He was shot to death in 2005 by unknown assailants....
, consultant to JCI LimitedJCI LimitedJCI or Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co. Ltd. was founded in 1889 by the British entrepreneur Barney Barnato. JCI was a major force in South African mining for over 100 years. Using his investments in the Kimberley diamond fields, particularly his 25% share in De Beers, Barnato foresaw the...
, and a friend of the one-time National Police Commissioner and head of Interpol, Jackie SelebiJackie SelebiJacob Sello Selebi is the former national commissioner of the South African Police Service, and a former president of Interpol. In January 2008, Selebi was put on extended leave as national police commissioner, and resigned as president of Interpol, after he was charged with corruption in his...
. - Wilson Dunster - well-known South African actor married to Elise Cawood, also a well-known South African actress
- Roger Crawford - Director of Johnson and Johnson SA - a subsidiary of the international Johnson & Johnson organisation. Has twice been President of the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa and was heavily involved in the implementation of the Sullivan Code of Conduct in the 1980s.
- Michael Crawford - who has been one of South Africa's major property developers and is a former Chief Executive Officer of Retail Property Projects and a Director of Grinakers.
- Philip Pantelis (1992)- Represented and Captained South Africa in Tae Kwon Do.
- Mark Trip (1991)- Represented South Africa in Tae Kwon Do.
- Mann Oelrich - represented South Africa at polo
- George du Rand - current South African swimmer
- Kevin Shirley - (a.k.a The Caveman) is a music producer and mixer for many artists, such as the bands Journey, Iron Maiden, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa, Marya Roxx and Dream Theater
- David Freer - well known sci-fi author