Alexandra High School
Alexandra High School is a semi-Private public high school in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
| Alexandra High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| , South Africa | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public, coeducational |
| Motto | Summa Diligentia Laboro |
| Established | 1960 |
| Locale | Urban |
| Exam board | KZN |
| Grades | 8–12 |
| Number of students | Approximately 1000, girls and boys. |
| Houses | Allisons, Boydes, Downs, Shepstones & Trollips |
| Color(s) | Maroon and blue |
| Fees | Tuition: R 10 700 p.a Boarding: R 59900 per term |
| Website | www.alexhigh.org.za |
History
Alexandra High School is named after Queen Alexandra Caroline, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom. It opened on 23 February 1960. Though it was initially a whites-only, all-boys school, the first non-white pupil was admitted in June 1991. Alexandra High School became co-educational at the beginning of 1992. The school colours are maroon and blue.
The badge, houses and motto
Mr Udal, the first headmaster, designed the school emblem, from the royal coat of arms of Queen Alexandra. Mr Udal took the Maltese Cross to incorporate in the badge. Mr Lee Boyd, M.E.C. for Education in the N.P.A. at the time of the school's inception and ex-mayor of Durban was a Knight of da Game in the Roman Catholic Church. The cross was given to Boyd's House as their symbol.
Then Mr Downs, Mayor of Pietermaritzburg, was approached for permission to use part of the city's coat of arms – hence the Elephant – emblem of Downs House. Mr Allison, three times mayor, M.P.C. and freeman of the city, a neighbour of the school who took a great interest in Alex, had Allison's House named after him, and the Stars from the city's coat of arms formed the symbol of the house.
Shepstone House was named after the Administrator of Natal at the time of the purchase of land for the school, and as he had attended Queen Elizabeth's coronation, the crown was to be Shepstone's symbol.
Succeeding Mr Shepstone as Administrator was Mr Trollip. He was approached for permission to use part of the Natal badge – hence the Wildebeest (provided they faced the correct way and had white manes and tails). The wildebeest are the symbol of Trollip's House.
For the motto, Mr Udal's signet ring bore the words, Tant Que je Puis – archaic French, meaning "I do my best". Mr Lamond of Maritzburg College translated this into the Latin, Summa diligentia laboro. Then Mr Udal and his wife chose the colours of sky blue and maroon, and with the help of a local outfitter, devised blazers, badges, colours, rugby jerseys and all the other needs of a school.
The mural on the hall
The plaque was designed and built by the late Miss Syliva Baxter. It took months of work to mould, colour and bake the clay. It was fired in forty six pieces of ceramic clay, measuring 4 metres by 2 metres and its mass is over a ton. Metallic oxides were used to give it colour.
The plaque is a symbolic representation of the Holy Trinity:
- The lips represent the word of God, "let there be light" as shown on the open page of the book.
- The eye is the all-seeing eye of God, stressed further by the four cardinal points of the compass, with the eye as the hub.
- The bird, a stylised dove, represents the Spirit.
- The scale pans and feather are there as a reminder that conscience should weigh as light as a feather.
- The torch signifies the light of learning.
- Clouds indicate the formlessness of the earth before the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
- The dry land is Africa.
- There is water, and night (stars) and day.
The plaque was unveiled by the late Senator A E Trollip, then Administrator of Natal, when the school was officially opened on 25 September 1964.
Uniform
| Gender | Season | Uniform name | Uniform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Winter | Number 1 | Maroon blazer, white button-up shirt, maroon and powder blue tie, long grey pants, long grey socks and brown leather shoes. |
| Male | Summer | Number 2 | Khaki safari suit, long khaki socks and brown leather shoes. |
| Female | Winter | Number 1 | Maroon blazer, white button-up shirt, maroon and powder blue tie, blue skirt, long grey socks and brown leather shoes. |
| Female | Summer | Number 2 | White button-up shirt, blue skirt, short white socks and brown leather shoes. |
- It is compulsory to wear a blazer with the Number 1 Uniform
Matric uniform differs slightly from that of other grades. Matrics are allowed to wear white jerseys, different ties and 'matric scarves'. The boys are allowed to wear a different cut khaki uniform.
Awards
Awards are given for activities, with the level of award being determined by grade, years of service and level of achievement.
| Award | Uniform | Minimum grade |
|---|---|---|
| Honours | Navy-blue blazer (braided), navy-Honours tie, school badge with gold trim and Honours-scarf | 10 |
| Half-Honours | Navy-blue blazer (braided), service tie and Honours-scarf | 10 |
| Colours | Navy-blue blazer (braided) | 10 |
| Half-Colours | Braided maroon blazer | 10 |
| Service Tie | Standard uniform with a tie | 10 |
| Scroll | 8 | |
| Service Badge | 8 | |
| Certificate | Standard | 8 |
- By receiving an award, students automatically receive all lower awards.
Sports and other activities
Since the early 1980s, basketball has been the Alexandrian's key claim to fame. The First team is known to be amongst the best in the province, with primary competitors being the likes of Durban High School. Over the years the school has produced scores of KZN players.
During the Early 1970s to the late 1990s the school was one of the top schools in both sports and academic accolades.The school has had many pupils represent both national and provincial teams in their respective sports.
Cross country is a sport the school does well. It ranks within Maritzburg's top three, and has won the Midlands league numerous times. Many of the runners participate in the KZN trials each year, securing the squad's status as a provincial grade.
The debating squad has been one of the strongest in not just Maritzburg, but KZN. The school has been PMB and KZN Grand Champions at least five times within the past ten years. The 2010 Junior A team won the PMB and KZN finals of their year. Numerous KZN speakers have represented the school at national level, and have ranked no lower than 25th in SA each time. In 2010, a grade 9 student on KZN Junior A- ranked first in South Africa at the National Schools’ Debating Championship which was hosted at Treverton. In recent years from 2018 and 2019 , Alexandra high school debaters have reached almost every final in all age groups. There're has been 4 students that have now gone represent the both the national and provincial debating team in recent years.The school has coaching twice a week per squad.
Soccer is also a sport in the school that has many well respected achievements and the school is regarded as one of the top schools in soccer in the province.
Rugby is also a major sport in the school. The school was once a feared and respected opponent when it came to playing against other schools. It was once in the top 5 in the whole province from the 1970s to the late 2000s. The school has produced players that have played for the local teams in the province, one which popularly known as the Cell C Sharks.
There are many other sports provided at the school which have achievements of high regard including cricket, hockey, netball and many more.