Hoërskool Waterkloof
Hoërskool Waterkloof | |
---|---|
Location | |
Boeing St & Solomon Mahlangu dr, Pretoria, 0048 Pretoria South Africa | |
Coordinates | 25°49′08″S 28°15′21″E / 25.8189°S 28.2559°ECoordinates: 25°49′08″S 28°15′21″E / 25.8189°S 28.2559°E |
Information | |
Type | High School |
Motto |
"Ons bou in geloof" ("We build in faith") |
Opened | January 9, 1979 |
School district | D4 |
Principal | Mr. D.G.C Potgieter |
Grades | 8 - 12 |
Language | Afrikaans |
Hoërskool Waterkloof is an Afrikaans high school situated in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, South Africa. It is known as one of the top schools in Gauteng and has been awarded by the GDE (Gauteng Department of Education) academic school of the year in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. It has had a 100% pass rate for the 23 years.
History
The school formally opened on January 9, 1979, with 12 classes and 215 grade 8 and 9 pupils. The original school buildings were completed on August 3, 1979 and on 6 of August the school hall was completed and used for the first time.The first principal was Mr.H.Davin, hence the reason that the footpath to the administrative building was named "Davinweg". There were 11 suggestions for the school name among other things like:
- Hoërskool Hoogland
- Hoërskool Pretoria-Oos
- Hoërskool op die Kruin
On 13 March 1979 the name was decided on "Hoërskool Waterkloof" The school motto, "Ons bou in geloof" (We build in faith), was formally accepted on July 2, 1979.
The first permanent principal of Hoërskool Waterkloof was Mr.P. van der Merwe Martins (1980) and there were only 12 teachers and 2 typists. The first registered student was Riana Hattingh. Mr.F. van Dyk was appointed in 1988 as the second principal and Dr.L.C. Becker was principal from 1991 till 2009. On 12 January 2011 Mr. D.G.C. Potgieter became the fourth principal.
The school anthem was written by Prof. S.J. Pretorius and was accepted on 13 May 1979 and the official banner was handed over on 18 September 1979.
On 9 February 1980, the first grass and trees were planted by teachers, parents and pupils.The grandstand was completed in the same year and was named after the first principal , Mr. Martins. In May 1994, Waterkloof's hostel "Klofiesig" was opened.
On the cultural front, the English Department made their full-length play "Romeo and Juliet". The first opera "Die Witperdherberg" was staged in 1984. In 1985 Waterkloof yielded 15 Northern-Transvaal-Junior choir and orchestra pupils. In 1986, the school-choir had their first public concert during the Applous'86 competition.
With the development of the sports grounds, where the B and C rugby fields currently are, they had to be reclaimed because it was a natural pan where waterbirds were found. The first inter-house athletics event took place on 6 March 1979 and participated in the D-bond during the inter-schools athletics event. The first rugby match was played in the same year against Die Hoërskool Menlopark. Ulinda Gresse scored the first goal for the first hockey team. The first hockey team won their first game against Lyttleton Manor High in 1980. In September 1992, Waterkloof first rugby team won the "Direkteurstrofee" for the first time. In 1995 Waterkloof had won the A-bond interhigh athletics for the tenth consecutive year.
Ballet was offered as a subject from 1997. In 1984 the name "Druppels" was given to the new grade 8 learners. The name was proposed by Jurika Brand- a member of the Klofieraad (prefects)
Notable alumni
- Daantjie Badenhorst (Quiz show champion, journalist and author. Matriculated 1985)
- Willem de Beer (part of the 4x400m team that took part in the final race of the 2012 London Olympic Games; part of the 4x400m team that won silver in the 4x400m relay team at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics at the Daegu Stadium, Daegu)
- Melinda Bam, Miss South Africa (2012)
- Sean Robinson, professional Rugby Union player
- Rohan Janse van Rensburg, professional Rugby Union player
- Francois Brummer, professional Rugby Union player
- Stefan Watermeyer, professional Rugby Union player
- Faf de Klerk, professional Rugby Union player
- Zander Vyfde, professional golf player
- Marnus Schoeman, appointed as SARU rugby player of the year for the "Pumas" team