Grey College is a public school for boys located in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa, one of the 23 Milner Schools.
Grey College was ranked 1st out of the top 100 best high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac in 2003 and 2013, based upon quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile, internet and news visibility.
Video Grey College, Bloemfontein
History
Grey College was founded on 13 October 1855 when Sir George Grey, the then Governor of the Cape Colony, paid a visit to the Orange Free State Republic and donated a sum of money towards the establishment of an institution for higher education. The foundation stone was laid by Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff, the second President of the Orange Free State Republic, on 13 October 1856.
The school was officially opened on 17 January 1859 and the first headmaster was the Reverend Andrew Murray. It is the third-oldest school in South Africa and the oldest north of the Orange River.
Afrikaans- and English-speaking pupils study under one roof, but each language group is educated in separate classrooms and in its own mother tongue.
The college first accepted matriculants for a full B.A. course in 1904. In 1906 the tertiary part of Grey College became known as the Grey University College (GUC), but shortly thereafter the school and college separated. GUC grew and evolved into the institution now called the University of the Free State.
Maps Grey College, Bloemfontein
Grey College today
The school grounds consist of a number of historic buildings, of which five are Free State provincial heritage sites: the Main building and Hamilton Hall, the Andrew Murray House, the Brill House and the Tuck shop.
Extensive sport facilities includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a hockey astro, squash courts and several hockey, soccer, cricket and rugby fields. The school also has 16 all-weather tennis courts.
The school celebrated its 150th jubilee during October 2005, when numerous alumni visited their alma mater. The current headmaster at the High School is Deon Scheepers and the headmaster of the Primary School is Jurie Geldenhuys. A Museum which houses memorable artifacts, such as old rugby jerseys, and paintings, was unveiled in 2005. Each year on 13 October many old-boys hold a reunion.
In 2001 the school won the Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament.
A trademark of the school is the unique handshake, widely recognized and used by students, old boys and members of staff.
Old Greys donate funds to the Jock Meiring Trust and Bram Fisher Trust, funds used for the administration of schoolgrounds and granting of scholarships.
Badawi Legacy Trust- Grey College became part of a unique educational programme thanks to a donation from a French donor. The donor, who prefers to remain anonymous, after several years' interaction with Old Grey rugby players at Montpellier Rugby Club in France, decided to establish a legacy project at the school. The decision was also based on the school's identity and culture that promotes inclusivity, diversity, equality, discipline, respect, hope, faith and charity. The Badawi Legacy scholarship programme has committed to make contributions to the school in the following areas over the next five years: to fund the appointment of a French language teacher at the school, to provide funding support for at least 50 scholarship holders awarded to learners on an unconditional basis and without recoure or any other obligation during, or post-study at the school. Finally, the donor of the programme has secured a commitment from Montpellier Rugby club in France to make available resources, including a commitment to share coaching methods and exchange programmes for rugby coaches. Badawi Scholarship holders will be indiviuals who have demonstrated potential in leadership and/or academics and the sport of rugby. They will be awarded on merit by Grey College. Scholarships will be allocated to talented individuals on a means tested basis and will enable scholarship holders to attend Grey College. Learners whose financial positions do not impose any restriction on their attendance of the school or similar institutions will not be eligible for this scholarship. Scholarship holders will be invited to, but will not be required to study French as a subject. The programme is not exclusive and will hopefully serve as a blueprint for similar programmes and/or donors.
Notable alumni
- Laurens van der Post Sir Laurens van der Post was political adviser to British heads of government, close friend of Prince Charles, godfather of Prince William, educator, journalist, humanitarian, philosopher, explorer and conservationist.
- Etienne Leroux, Influential Afrikaans author and a key member of the South African Sestigers literary movement.
- Charl du Plessis, Internationally renowned pianist.
- Louis Brabow, Springboks rugby player.
- Heinrich Brüssow, Springboks rugby player
- Hansie Cronjé, former South African cricket captain, whose ashes are kept at the school
- Johan Cronjé, South African Olympic Athlete
- Naka Drotské, Rugby World Cup 1995 winning Springboks team
- Bismarck du Plessis, Springboks rugby player
- Jannie du Plessis, Springboks rugby player; Bismarck's older brother
- Morné du Plessis, former captain of Springboks & member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame
- Wian du Preez, Springboks rugby player
- Denis Earp, former chief of the South African Air Force
- Bram Fischer, anti-apartheid activist and advocate for Nelson Mandela in the Rivonia Trial
- Johan Goosen, Springboks rugby player
- Steve Hofmeyr, South African singer, songwriter and actor
- Ruben Kruger, Rugby World Cup 1995 winning Springboks team
- Ollie le Roux, Springboks rugby player
- Tiaan Liebenberg, Springboks rugby player
- Ryan McLaren, South African cricket player who also played for Kent and Mumbai Indians
- Pieter Muller, Springboks rugby player
- Ryk Neethling, Olympic gold medalist swimmer
- Coenie Oosthuizen, Springbok rugby player
- Ruan Pienaar, current Ulster and Springboks rugby player
- Deneys Reitz, a Boer soldier, South African soldier in the First World War,and politician.
- Deon Stegmann, Springbok rugby player
- Francois Steyn, Former Racing Metro, Current Sharks and Springboks rugby player
- Martinus Theunis Steyn, president of the Orange Free State
- Adriaan Strauss, Springbok rugby player
- Richardt Strauss, Ireland international rugby player; cousin of Adriaan
- Popeye Strydom, Springboks rugby player
- Pieter Uys, Vodacom CEO
- CJ van der Linde, Springboks rugby player
- Flip van der Merwe, Springboks rugby player
- Nélio de Sá, Portugal International rugby player & Junior Springboks
- Pierre van Ryneveld, founding commander of the South African Air Force
- Francois Venter, Springboks rugby player
- L.J. van Zyl, South African & Commonwealth Games champion in the 400m
- Kepler Wessels, former South African cricket captain
- Wayde van Niekerk, Olympic Gold Medalist 400m Athlete & Word record holder 400m track
International Rugby Players:
- Louis Brabow, Springboks rugby player.
- Heinrich Brüssow, Springboks rugby player
- Naka Drotské, Rugby World Cup 1995 winning Springboks team
- Bismarck du Plessis, Springboks rugby player & Rugby World Cup 2007 Winner
- Jannie du Plessis, Springboks rugby player; Bismarck du Plessis older brother & Rugby World Cup 2007 winner
- Morne du Plessis, former captain of Springboks & member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame
- Wian du Preez, Springboks rugby player
- Johan Goosen, Springboks rugby player
- Charl Marais, Springboks rugby player
- Ruben Kruger, Rugby World Cup 1995 winning Springboks team
- Johan Styger, Springboks rugby player
- Heinrich Fulls, Springboks rugby player
- Ollie le Roux, Springboks rugby player
- Werner Swanepoel, Springboks rugby player
- Tiaan Liebenberg, Springboks rugby player
- Helgard Muller, Springboks rugby player
- Pieter Muller, Springboks rugby player
National rugby union team|Springboks]] rugby player
- Ruan Pienaar, Springboks rugby player
- Deon Stegmann, Springboks rugby player
- Francois Steyn, Springboks rugby player
- Adriaan Strauss, Springbok rugby player
- Popeye Strydom, Springboks rugby player
- CJ van der Linde, Springboks rugby player
- Flip van der Merwe, Springboks rugby player
- Jaco Reinach, Springboks rugby player his son Cobus Reinach also represented Springboks
- Cobus Reinach, Springboks rugby player son of Springbok Jaco Reinach
- 45 Francois Venter, Springboks rugby player
... other nations:
- Nélio de Sá, Portugal International rugby player & Junior Springboks
- Richardt Strauss, Ireland international rugby player; cousin of Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss
References
External links
- Grey College Official Site
- Grey College High School
- Grey College Primary School
Source of article : Wikipedia
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