St. Andrew's School for Girls
St Andrew's School for Girls is a top independent Christian girls-only private day and boarding school and co-educational preschool situated in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. The school has a student body of around 1100 girls. St Andrew's has been voted as Best English High School, Best Private School for Girls and Best Nursery School by the public in the popular newspaper The Star "Your Choice 2008" Poll.
| St Andrew's School for Girls | |
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| Location | |
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| Information | |
| Type | Private & Boarding |
| Motto | Latin: Per Angusta Ad Augusta (Through trials and tribulations to glory) |
| Established | 1902 |
| School district | District 9 |
| Head teacher | Ms Ivanka Acquisto |
| Exam board | IEB |
| Grades | Preschool - grade 12 |
| Gender | Female |
| Number of students | 1,100 girls |
| Color(s) | Blue
Brown White |
| Website | www |
History
St Andrew's School for Girls was founded in 1902 by two young Scottish women, Jean Fletcher and Jessie Johnson. Initially St Andrew's was situated in Hospital Hill in an area now called Houghton. The two Scottish women later bought Bedford Court, a large farm previously owned by a mining mogul of his time - Sir George Farrar. The house which is situated on Bedford Farm was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and still stands today as a heritage building.
The school motto, Per Angusta Ad Augusta, has the meaning 'Through trials and tribulations to glory'. The school philosophy is "Skilled for Life".
Academics
St Andrew's pupils write the Independent Examinations Board exams each year and pupils consistently achieve excellent results. The majority of students continue with tertiary education in South Africa or abroad. St Andrew’s strength lies in its staff/pupil ratio, with classes rarely exceeding 27 girls. Importance is placed on each learner as an individual and on that individual’s personal development. St Andrew's girls have excelled in many aspects both in and outside the class room.
Sport
The school is considered one of the top sporting schools in Gauteng, and it has exceptional sporting facilities, including:
- Athletics: Grass track
- Diving: diving well is part of the Aquatic Centre
- Hockey: Water-based Astroturf with lights
- Netball: 10 courts with lights
- Swimming: Aquatic Centre features an indoor 25m 10 lane pool and an indoor learn-to-swim pool
- Squash: 4 courts
- Tennis: 9 courts
- Rowing: Train at Victoria Lake Club and row at Roodeplaat Dam
- Equestrian: Girls ride at their own stables.
- Golf: Girls play at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club
St Andrew's has produced numerous national and provincial sportswomen.
Environmental responsibility
Eco School is an international programme that operates in over 40 countries worldwide. The programme is about improving environmental management at the school, as well as learning, and interaction with the broader community who share our environment is developed. Eco-Schools South Africa has specific criteria that schools need to meet within at least five years. Progress in the areas of curriculum, action and community is reviewed annually and successful schools are awarded a flag or certificate to mark their school’s eco-school status in the five-year award system. St Andrew’s joined the programme in 2006 and currently hold a Green Flag, platinum certificate (the highest level) and the International Flag.
Notable alumnae
- Sheila Kohler, author
- Nthati Moshesh, actress
- Cathy O'Dowd, rock climber, mountaineer, author and motivational speaker