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Michaelhouse

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Michaelhouse
School badge
Location
Map
Balgowan
,
KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa
Information
TypePrivate, Boarding
MottoQuis ut Deus
Established1896
LocaleRural
RectorGuy Pearson
Exam boardIEB
GradesBlocks A - E
Number of students540 boys
Color(s)Red and white
FeesR 96 000 p.a.
Websitewww.michaelhouse.org

Michaelhouse is a private boarding school for boys founded in 1896. It is located in the Balgowan valley in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is widely regarded as one of the top schools in South Africa and is part of the Elite Seven.


History

Michaelhouse was founded in Pietermaritzburg in 1896 by an Anglican Priest, Canon James Cameron Todd. The school was established as a private venture with fifteen boys in two small houses in Loop Street.

James Cameron Todd had a clear idea of what he wanted the school to be. He wrote: "A man's tone, moral and spiritual, as well as intellectual, is largely determined for life by his school."

Within a few years, Michaelhouse became the Diocesan College of Natal, governed by a permanent Trust Deed and administered by a Board of Governors.

In 1901 the school was relocated at Balgowan, when some 77 boys took up residence in the buildings which remain the core to the school to this day. The school adopted the 9th century chorale Stars of the Morning as its official school hymn.

Rectors

File:Michaelhouse east.jpg
East House

Academics

Michaelhouse school-leavers write the Independent Examinations Board exams and consistently achieve top results.

IEB Results 2004 2005
Number of candidates 106 109
Number of failures 0 0
University endorsement (%) 87.2
A aggregates (%) 20 22
A-B-C aggregates (%) 94 83
Subject distinctions 125 126
Number in top 50 0 0

Most leavers go on to attend top South African universities such as the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Wits University, University of KwaZulu-Natal and Rhodes University.

In recent years, one Michaelhouse graduate was accepted directly to the University of Oxford and four to the University of Pennsylvania, of which three were accepted to Wharton Business School.

The pupil-teacher ratio is 10.5:1.

The Estate

The Michaelhouse rose window depicts the head of Christ surrounded by the birds of Natal Province.

The school buildings are made of historical Pietermaritzburg red brick.

The stained glass windows featured in the Sir Herbert Baker designed chapel include the Michaelhouse rose window, depicting the head of Christ surrounded by the birds of Natal Province. The school has a 550 seat theatre and two 60 seat lecture theatres.

There are 12 playing fields, including an artificial field hockey surface, a heated swimming pool, 7 tennis courts, a 6 court squash complex, a golf driving range, an indoor sports centre and a reservoir for canoeing.

Notable alumni (by year of matriculation)

Michaelhouse today

The relatively high fees of R96,000 p.a. in 2006, make Michaelhouse the third most expensive boarding school in South Africa, after Hilton College and St. Martin's School.

Michaelhouse is a member of the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa and the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

Development

The school has an endowment of approximately R21.7 million.

Feeder schools

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