WYNBERG BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL – A TRADITIONAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS

CORE VALUES

• Mutual respect and tolerance
• Integrity
• Caring and Nurturing
• High Expectations
• Innovation

At the same time we are serious about

• Discipline
• Tradition
• Single-sex Education
• Sport
• Offering Opportunities for All

SCHOOL CONTACT NUMBERS

Telephone:  (021) 7974247/8
Fax:  (021) 7610959
E-Mail:   secretary@wbhs.org.za
Web Site: www.wbhs.org.za

THE STANDING OF THE SCHOOL

Wynberg Boys’ High School is a school with a fine tradition.  It is the second oldest school in South Africa, having turned 165 in 2006.  After its humble beginnings in Glebe Cottage, Wynberg, the school changed site three times before moving onto its present setting on Wynberg Hill, one of the most beautiful school sites in Cape Town. 

The School has an enviable academic record, with a 99%+ pass rate over the past 15 years, and numerous Ministerial Certificates for Academic Excellence.  It has produced the country’s top performer in the international SAIT tests in Mathematics and English and well over 80% of the pupils qualify for university entrance.

The school was recently rated by the authoritative South African Schools Annual as one of the top five sporting schools in the country, and there is also a strong emphasis on cultural activity (particular Drama and Music).  There are numerous opportunities for service and the junior grade in the school annually raises the funds necessary to build a house in a disadvantaged community and gives up a week of school time to physically erect the new home.

A comprehensive account of the history of the school may be found in books like “The Story of a School” (D H Thomson) or “A School Reflects” (R Goodwin.)

THE SCHOOL MOTTO - “Supera Moras”

Literally this is perhaps most accurately translated as ‘Overcome Difficulties’.  We prefer a more liberal translation which includes concepts such as ‘Never give up’ ‘Rise above your adversities ‘ or ‘Strive for Greater Heights’.  In any event, the intention is clear – pupils need to live out the idea that obstacles need to be overcome and a ‘never-say-die’ attitude is important in all walks of life.

THE SCHOOL’S FACILITIES

These are exceptional, by anyone’s standards.  They include a magnificent 35 ha site below the eastern buttress of Table Mountain, a modern building, fully equipped laboratories, a state-of-the-art computer suite, heated swimming pool, astro hockey field, glass-backed squash courts, a 160-seater auditorium and music centre, various technology rooms, numerous well-cared for fields, a 1000-seater Hall and a cafeteria.

A SCHOOL DESIGNED FOR BOYS

There is considerable credible research confirming that boys do better at boys schools.  Wynberg is proudly a school for boys, with a broad curriculum designed with boys in mind.  Aspects which are particularly boy-orientated are as follows:

Sense of belonging: Through our house and Tutor system we recognize the need of all boys to belong to a group.  Many activities are on offer to ensure that our boys develop a sense of pride in their school, their uniform and their history.

Discipline:  Boys prefer to know their limits and to live in the security of an ordered and disciplined environment.  At Wynberg we have a Director of Discipline to help maintain this boy-friendly environment.  Rules are carefully considered and firmly applied. Boys are encouraged to accept responsibility for their actions, and minor transgressions are swiftly dealt with as a matter of course, though also with understanding. Those guilty of major transgressions, however, especially those which negatively affect the well-being of others, must expect to be firmly dealt with.

Camps:  Every class has the opportunity to go on a Grade camp every year.  These camps are carefully planned to include aspects of educational value, but are also structured with fun and ‘boy-things’ in mind.

Awards:  The boyish need for recognition is catered for in the awards system which allows those who shine in any field an equal chance for recognition.

Action:  Boys do not take kindly to long periods of inaction, and their need to be ‘doing’ is catered for.  There is a wide sporting programme, a climbing wall and annual camps.  Even the shorter periods, movement between lessons and the focus on subjects like Science, Computing, Engineering Graphics and Design and Technology are there with boys in mind.

Mentors, role models and heroes: Boys need all three and the school tries to provide them – through the Tutor system, healthy senior-junior relationships, by making staff aware of their responsibilities in this field and by producing heroes.

Leadership:  Boys need designated leaders, and this is provided for in a system which uses monitors, allows even Grade 8 boys to serve on the RCL and everyone to have a fair crack at prefectship, captaincy and taking the lead in some field.

Communication:  Boys need to be taught to communicate in a way that is different from that used by girls.  The school recognizes this and provides opportunities to develop communication skills.

The needs of boys aside, the educational programme at Wynberg is built on four major pillars.  These are:  ACADEMICS, SPORT, CULTURE AND SERVICE.

THE CENTRAL EDUCATIONAL PILLAR: ACADEMICS

“… Academically Wynberg is a challenging place to be …”

The School unambiguously regards the Academic Pillar as central to its approach to education. Academically the school caters for learners in two phases: 

• The General Education and Training phase (Grade 8 and 9: ages 13-15)
• The Senior Certificate phase (Grade 10, 11 and 12: ages 15 – 18) at the end of which pupils will write the ‘matric’ or ‘National Senior Certificate’ examination which is a University entrance examination with international standing as well as a school leaving certificate in the local context.

The General Education and Training Phase (GET)

All pupils in the GET phase will follow a course which lays a broad foundation for study level in the Senior Certificate phase. GET subjects offered at Wynberg are as follows:
Grade 8 and Grade 9

• English Home Language
• Afrikaans (at Advanced OR First Additional Language Level) OR isiXhosa
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
• Social Sciences (History and Geography)
• Technology
• Arts and Culture
• Economic and Management Sciences (an introduction to Accounting, Economics and Business Studies)
• Life Orientation which includes Physical Education and Sports Science

The Senior Certificate Phase

Grade 10 is the first year of a three year matric or national Senior Certificate Course.  At Wynberg the subjects for the Senior Certificate phase are as follows:

• English Home Language
• Afrikaans Advanced Level OR Afrikaans First Additional Language OR isiXhosa First Additional Language
• Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy
• Life Orientation
• Physical Science OR Geography OR Art
• Biology OR History OR Physical Science OR Economics OR Engineering Graphics & Design
• History OR Economics OR Accounting OR Information Technology (i.e. Computing)

By special arrangement

• Music tuition is available at no extra cost to those with an interest and talent in this field, and, depending on demand, French and Italian may also be made available to pupils, though these are not part of the normal school programme, and will therefore be charged as an extra.
• Music may be taken in place of any of the subjects in options 6,7 or 8
• Where demand warrants it, French, Italian and Additional Mathematics may be on offer at an additional fee.
• A special arrangement may also be made for immigrant pupils to substitute another language for the South African languages which are compulsory for local pupils but the teacher to cover any languages other than French would probably have to be found by the family of the boy wishing to take such an option, and any costs would be for the parents’ account.

 Pupils

• MUST do one subject from both options 1 and 2,
• May choose to do a subject from each of options 3 – 7, thus taking seven subjects in all, OR
• Choose to OMIT ONE OF OPTIONS 3–7, thus taking six subjects in total.
• Additional Mathematics can be chosen only if it is taken in combination with SIX OTHER subjects, NOT if there are only five others.

 Other academic initiatives

Examinations and tests: The entire school writes a standardized test on every Tuesday. There are formal examinations at the end of the second and fourth terms for all classes and at the end of the third term for Grade 12.  Pupils are encouraged to work consistently throughout the year, as the cumulative year mark is increasingly important in determining whether he passes or not.

Library and media centre:  There are full-time and part-time Librarian and Media Centre Assistants.  The use of the facilities is included in the school fee and boys are encouraged to utilize them.

Computers:  Two recently-updated and state-of-the-art computer laboratories are in operation. All Grade 8’s enjoy formal basic computer tuition (again at no charge) and this is augmented by subject-based computer work at a later stage.

THE SECOND PILLAR:  SPORT

“… Wynberg Boys’ High is serious about sport …”

What sport does the school offer?

Boys may choose from the following selection of sports:
Summer:            Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Swimming, Tennis, Water Polo
Winter:                   Badminton, Cross-Country, Golf, Hockey, Rugby, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis

Coaching, in many instances by professional coaches, is offered in all the above, and players are guaranteed of at least ten fixtures per season in all team sports.
 
Sporting expectations:

All boys are expected to take part in at least one summer sport and one winter sport, while all Grade 8 and Grade 9 boys are expected to be involved in a team game (Rugby, Hockey or Cross Country) in winter unless exempted by the Director of Sport.                                        

All Grade 8 boys are expected to support at least ten 1st team fixtures during the winter terms.

Soccer is played by the entire school during the month of September.  There is an inter-house competition as well as inter-schools matches against traditional rivals and ‘new’ opponents.

Wynberg also enters teams in other inter-school activities including Body-boarding, Climbing Wall, Sailing, Surfing, Triathlon, Judo, Fencing and Cycling. Though we participate as a school, there is no formalized coaching offered in these games at school, and some of them may require a fee payable to the relevant central union.

Sportsmanship

All sport at school is aimed at teaching pupils to play the game, to be fair, to respect the referee, to play to the best of their ability and to learn team responsibility.  

Achievers’ dinners 

These are held at the end of each season. Individual learners are honoured for their contribution and achievements, both sporting and cultural, during the past year.

 THE THIRD PILLAR: CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

“…Culture is not a thing one acquires: it is a life-long process …”

All boys are encouraged to participate in the cultural activities at the school.  Wynberg offers a wide variety of societies in addition to a current interest programme.  The activities may vary from year to year as interests grow and decline, though the core societies have been in place for over a hundred years, and promise to be so for many more to come.  Current offerings include:

Drama: The school has a strong drama tradition and each year a major production is presented in collaboration with the Wynberg Girls’ High School.  Apart from this, the school has various Music and Drama Evenings, Interhouse Play competitions and a One Act Play.

Music:  Apart from taking music as a subject, boys are able to learn the piano, brass, strings and wind instruments as an extra-mural activity. The school has three bands – concert, jazz and steel bands – which play at school functions and perform outside the school at various events. Boys who are interested in learning to play an instrument will be individually coached by one of the music staff.  There is also a choir which participates in a number of our school functions and in Eisteddfods.

Society period:  While certain societies meet during the morning before school or in the late afternoon or evening, the school has set aside a dedicated period for the  development of cultural activities. The after-lunch session on Fridays is given over exclusively to society meetings.  It is during this time that the bands can practise, the debaters meet, the chess players learn the game or test their skills against each other, without fear of interruption by sport or academic matters.

Further societies currently on offer include: Capstone, Ten Club and a flourishing Debating Society.

 AND PILLAR NUMBER 4: SERVICE

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?“ (Martin Luther King)

It is important that young people learn to serve the community in which they grow up, and we regard service as an important adjunct to our education.

The following opportunities for service exist in the school:  First Aid, Computer Room, Prefects, Interact, Library, Drama, (Technical, Sound, Lighting and Backstage crews), assisting in the organization of various sports, Tutor Representatives, Tutor Interact Representatives, many sub-committees. All boys who are excused from sport are expected to do General Service.

PASTORAL ACTIVITIES: NURTURING YOUR SON

The Tutor System

This unique system sees pupils placed first into Houses (under a designated senior teacher) and then into Tutor Groups instead of classes, the system used by most other schools.  This ensures that pupils get to be really well known by their Tutor (who will have only five Grade 8s in the Group) and will also be mentored by a senior pupil in the Tutor Group.

Parent- School Communication

It is a specific aim of the school to build a solid bridge of communication between the school and home.  It is essential for the development of every boy in the school that communication between parents and teachers be positive and open. 

Written communication:  Every month, parents receive a school newsletter. In addition, regular information notices are sent home, either by e-mail or via the boys, so as to keep parents aware of what is happening at the school.

Communication with teachers:  All teachers may be e-mailed through the school web site www.wbhs.org.za. The school has a policy of a 24 hour turnaround time.

Web site:  The school web site is updated daily. A Daily Diary is available under “This Week’s Headlines”. A Year Calendar is also available for those who wish to plan ahead. All Newsletters and Circulars are also posted on the web site.

Diary:  All pupils are issued with a School Diary. All circulars should be recorded in this diary and all homework must be written up on a daily basis. Parents are encouraged to use the diary as a form of communication with their son’s tutor.

Parent/teacher meetings:   Parents are encouraged to support these meetings which take the following forms.
General meetings:    At general meetings, held from time to time, the aim is
                            for parents and teachers to meet on a social basis and
                            get to know each other.
Specific meetings:  After each term’s formal assessments, parents are given an opportunity to meet individual teachers to discuss the    progress of pupils in specific subjects.       
Grade meetings:      Separate meetings are held with parents to discuss matters   pertinent to grades or houses.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

School uniform is important in providing boys with an identity, in countering discrimination on financial grounds and in cutting costs and competition in the fashion parade.  It is also very much part of our tradition.  All boys are therefore required to wear a school uniform. 

The following are the main features of the uniform:

In Summer:  Khaki Shorts with khaki stockings (or Grey Longs with grey socks); White Shirt, Navy Blazer (with school badge), Black Shoes, School Tie, Belt.

In Winter:  Long Grey Trousers with grey socks and a belt; White Shirt, Navy Blazer (with school badge), School Tie, Regulation Grey School Jersey.

Other compulsory items are:

• white shorts, house vest, regulation school sport shirt
• regulation school tracksuit
• regulation school tog bag.  

Individual sports have their own uniform requirements, which are communicated to players when they sign up fro a sport.

Our official School Uniform stockist is School and Leisure situated in Lower Piers Road, Wynberg. They are the only official stockists of school colours and also stock grey longs, khaki shorts, school blazers, short grey socks or khaki socks, etc.  Though it is obviously more convenient to do one-stop uniform shopping, there is no compulsion on your to use the stockist for non-branded items, and these items may be purchased at the outlet of the parent’s choice.

There is also a clothing exchange at the school which is run by the parents on Wednesday between 13h00 and 14h00.

School Hours:

School starts at 08h00 and closes at 14h30, five days per week. Provision is made for religious observance on a Friday between 12h30 and 13h30 for those whose religion expects it. 

No boy is allowed to leave the school premises during school hours without permission.

School Fees

In 2008, the school fees are R1790-00 per month, payable February to November.  Expect future increases to be pegged at about the rate of inflation.

Section 39(4) of the SA Schools Act (1998) stipulates that some parents may be partially or fully exempted from paying school fees.  Exemption forms may be requested from the school administrator before the end of January. Parents must be aware that requests for exemption may place an additional financial burden on those parents who do pay their fees.  The purpose of school fees is to maintain staffing ratios and extensive facilities.

Books

Textbooks and stationery are the responsibility of parents. A second-hand bookshop operates at the end of the 4th term and beginning of the new year.

Lockers

A limited number of lockers is available at the school and may be hired on an annual basis. The lockers come in two sizes: large, which has space for a cricket/hockey bag and a shelf for books, or small, which has space for a tog bag and a shelf for books. The School provides a padlock and a key for the lockers.

            For 2008 the rentals are:

            Large locker:                   R125.00
            Small locker:                   R100.00  

BOARDING SCHOOL: HOME FROM HOME FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT

There can be many reasons why boys and their parents may decide that they would like a boarding option when moving to high school.

• It offers the special structure, camaraderie and spirit provided only by communal living in a well-run institution.
• It opens wider options if one is not limited to a choice of schools within daily commuting distance.
• It teaches young men to live together unselfishly and with tolerance.
• Lifetime friendships are formed.
• Independence is developed.
• Young men learn to work in a team.
• Optimum usage is made of school facilities.
• Boarders become true all-rounders.
• Time spent travelling to and from school can be spent more profitably.

Wynberg’s Littlewood House has recently been upgraded and houses about 95 boys from Grades 8 – 12. 

The Hostel is under the personal supervision of a senior member of staff and his wife who are specialists in their field.  They are assisted by five resident masters, a professional team of caterers and housekeepers and a number of visiting Gap Year students.  These youngsters have been hand-picked by their own schools for the task, and add the youthful zest and understanding which can only be brought by people who themselves have very recently experienced the demands that modern life places on the adolescent in the 21st century.

There are two categories of boarders:

• Termly boarders    (Sunday to Sunday)
• Day boarders        (Monday to Thursday)

Termly Boarding: the hostel provides a home from home for those learners whose parents live far from the school and can only manage to return to their families during the school holidays.  Local boys are also admitted, and they may want to experience the fun of boarding school during the week, while going home to enjoy family time at the weekend.  Hostel fees are currently R4 900-00 per term, and there is no extra charge for those who stay in over the weekend.

Day Boarding: Day boarders are allocated a locker and a study area in the boarding house. After sport in the afternoons, they shower, have supper and do two hours of supervised prep at the hostel. Parents may collect their sons at 21h00.

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