Paarl Boys' High School

The first building to house the school was a granary on Zeederbergplein, the owner of which was Mr D Beyers. The first years of the school were unstable ones, with the school increasing in size every year, and larger facilities were required frequently. The grounds on which the school stands today were originally formed part of the farm Berlyn owned by Mr PJ Malherbe. A certain Mr Moll purchased the farm and donated the land to the school.

In 1901 PJ du Pré Le Roux became headmaster. Du Pré Le Roux was the first headmaster to establish the school and remained at the reins for over two decades. Mr Le Roux also saw the construction of the boarding hostels of Monte Bello (1901), Bellevue (1904), Villieria (1907), Berlyn (1908) and Imhoff (1923). The hostels of Berlyn and Villieria were dismantled and were replaced by another hostel, namely Werda.

Each year the school takes part in one of the biggest interschool events in South Africa against its arch-rival, Paarl Gimnasium High School. The main event (the u/19A rugby match) attracts over 20 000 spectators to the Faure Street Stadium. The school has produced many Springboks, from Boy Louw, Mannetjies Roux and "Prince of Wings" Carel du Plessis, to more recent players like Corne Krige (former Springbok Captain), Gurthro Steenkamp, Frans Malherbe and Thomas du Toit.

Other sports that are also included in interschool events are: field hockey, cricket, swimming, tennis, chess, golf and even debating. Golfing professional, David Frost, also matriculated at Paarl Boys' High. Paarl Boys' High School is currently ranked as one of the top rugby schools in South Africa.

Students of the 2 schools have traditional nicknames; the Boishaaiers are known as 'galpille' and the Gimmies as 'bloedworse'.

The school uniform consists of a light blue shirt adorned with the school coat of arms, grey shorts are compulsory with some senior boys allowed to wear trousers in winter, a striped blue and white tie, a dark blue blazer striped with light blue and white. Brown shoes over grey knee socks are worn as well, the socks are edged at the top with the school tricolour. All grade 8s wear silver buttons on their ties and blue buttons on their blazers, marking their low ranking in the school. Merit colours are only awarded to matrics and grade 11s who have achieved with distinction on the sporting field, academics or the cultural front. These merit colours differ considerably from the standard uniform; the blazer is solid and deep navy blue in colour, without stripes. The tie is also navy blue and stripeless with the addition of the school crest in silver at the knot. The so-called "full colours" blazer, which is only awarded to those who have attained the top achievement in his field, is adorned with a more prestigious looking badge of the school, which is silver in colour and rests on top of two laurels. The standard "half colours" blazer is the same as the "full colours" blazer, but instead features the normal school badge.

The Paarl Boys' High War cry, or 'Kreet', has changed much over the years, but the current Warcry is as follows:

Shimalaya wha!

Shimalaya wha!

HJS HJS

Wha 'sop - 'sop 'sop 'sop

We are - we are

HJS HJS

Wha 'sop, Shimalaya wha![2]

List of the old boys that were matriculated in Paarl Boys High School.

• Boy Louw - South African rugby player.
• Corne Krige - South African rugby player.
• David Frost - South African golfer
• David Meihuizen - South African rugby player
• Frans Malherbe - South African rugby player.
• Gurthrö Steenkamp - South African rugby player.
• Jean-Luc du Plessis -Provincial rugby player
• Mannetjies Roux - South African rugby player.
• Thomas du Toit - South African rugby player.
• Dawid Malan - English professional cricketer
• Pietie Roux- Springbok Pole vaulter