Herschel Girls' School
| Herschel Girls School | |
|---|---|
 Herschel Girls school crest | |
| Address | |
 | |
21 Herschel Road, Claremont | |
| Information | |
| School type | All-girls private school |
| Motto | Template:Lang-la ("To the Glory of God") |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Anglican |
| Established | 16 February 1922; 101 years ago |
| School number | 021 670 7500 |
| Headmistress | Mrs Heather Goedeke |
| Exam board | IEB |
| Grades | 0–12 |
| Gender | Female |
| Number of students | 930 girls |
| Language | English |
| Schedule | 08:00 - 15:00 |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Houses | Carter
Jagger Merriman Rolt |
| Colour(s) | Blue Beige Pink |
| Slogan | Learning to make a difference |
| Rival | Springfield Convent Senior School
Rustenberg Girls School Wynberg Girls School |
| School fees | R123,380 (boarding) R72,480 - R148,400 (tuition) |
| Alumni | Herschel Alumnae Union |
| Website | www |
Herschel Girls School is an independent Anglican school for young women situated in the suburb of Claremont, Cape Town in the Western Cape of South Africa. The school was founded on the 16th of February 1922 and offers world-class education from Grade 000 to Grade 12, with the option of weekly boarding from Grade 8.
Herschel offers an empowering and dynamic education that equips each student to flourish in a complex and rapidly changing world.
The school, described as "one of the country's best-known schools for girls",[1] is one of the top performing schools in South Africa, achieving the highest academic results in the country for National Senior Certificate exams in 2019.[2] The purpose of Herschel Girls School is and always has been to provide an empowering education for girls and to be a leader in girls’ education and advocacy for women in South Africa.[3][4] Herschel Girls School is one of the most expensive schools in South Africa.[5] There are waiting lists for every grade, including pre-nursery.[6]
History
Herschel Girls' School was established in 1922.
VA Schonnberg owned the land and in 1834 sold the main estate to the astronomer Sir John Herschel. Schonnberg retained his portion of land and named it after his illustrious neighbour.
In July 1921, the estate was bought by The English Church Schools Association, with the aid of a generous loan from John William Jagger, to provide for the needs of the many girls living in the Southern Suburbs who wished to attend a private school.
The first Headmistress was Miss Morley Armitage Ralph, and the school opened on Wednesday, 1 February 1922, when the first 7 boarders arrived. On the following day, the roll call was taken and the first school day began with prayers led by Archbishop Carter. There were 29 girls on the roll and 7 staff members. Herschel's first head girl was Enid Harsant. The formal opening was held two weeks later, on Thursday, 16 February 1922 and Herschel still celebrates their Founders' Day on the Friday closes to 16 February.
The Honourable William Jagger would take delight in the proud institution that Herschel has become today. It is a school that enables its pupils to attain high academic achievement and become citizens who are able to make a different in the society they enter. Although the school has a long tradition, it has remained innovative and relevant to changing educational needs.
Structure
The institution consists of three schools:
- the pre-preparatory school for pre-nursery - Grade R;
- the preparatory school for Grade 1 - Grade 7; and
- the senior school for Grade 8 - 12.
The school has 4 houses: Carter, Jagger, Merriman and Rolt.
Herschel Girls' School has been consistently listed as one of the top schools in the Western Cape with an NSC enrolment of 80 or more candidates (including independent schools) by the Western Cape Education Department[7].
Aim
Provide ample opportunities, a safe environment and the dynamic toolkit necessary to support the blossoming of happy and healthy students.
It is Herschel’s belief that a solid education is one which cater to growth in all aspects of life - intellectual, social, physical and spiritual, and one which offers a robustness to allow for each student to undertake their own journey.
Herschel sets out to spark curiosity for learning, encourage excellence without an obsession with perfect, and value contributions across the field, the stage, the community and beyond. Opportunities for friendship, skill development and all around growth are plentiful.
Values
The school’s tagline “Learning to make a difference”, is upheld through the values of respect, equality and equity, integrity, empathy, authenticity and kindness. Herschel strives to build a caring student body where belonging is the priority, encouraging inclusion and acceptance above all else.
Fees
Fees Schedule for the 2024 academic year.
Herschel Alumnae Union
The Herschel Alumnae Union (HAU) is an active group of past pupils of the school. It is run by an enthusiastic and representative committee that works to foster a continuing interest in the school and its current events, whilst assisting to keep the school history and heritage alive, and facilitating networking amongst friends.
Membership is open to all past pupils of the school, regardless of whether they matriculated at Herschel or not, and entitles one to be on the mailing list for the annual HAU Newsletter, be invited to all HAU events, and be kept informed of class reunions and current events at the school.
See also
References
- ^ Joyce, Peter (1989). The South African Family Encyclopaedia. Cape Town: Struik. p. 166. ISBN 0869778870.
- ^ de Villers, James (7 January 2019). "These are the top 10 academic schools in South Africa right now". Business Insider South Africa. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "The best performing schools in every province in South Africa". BusinessTech. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Herschel Girls School".
- ^ "60 of the most expensive boarding and day schools in South Africa in 2020". BusinessTech. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ Jooste, Bronwynne (14 January 2011). "Be ready to dig deep for education at the city's best". Cape Argus. ProQuest 839934745.
- ^ "Awards to Schools". Western Cape Education Department. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
