St John's College, Johannesburg

St John's College was founded in Johannesburg on 1 August 1898,[1] by the Revd Mr John Darragh, rector of St Mary's Anglican Church, Eloff Street, Johannesburg,[2] and is an Anglican school.[3] He persuaded his parish council of the need to establish an Anglican school for boys, whereby his curate, the Revd Mr J L Hodgson, was appointed the first Headmaster.[1] The first classes started in a house in Plein Street, Johannesburg with two desks and seven pupils aged six to 14, however, the school was forced to close at the end of 1899 due to the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Boer War. St John's re-opened in 1902 two months after the signing of the peace treaty, and grew rapidly under Mr Hodgson and eight staff. [4]

After having 180 students St John's moved to a larger premises in a wood and iron building, near the Union Grounds between Joubert Park and the old Wanderers (now Johannesburg's main railway station). The British colonial government, under Lord Milner, was ideologically opposed to private schools, believing that they were not beneficial to society. Over the next few years the school's enrolment plummeted as a result of policies introduced by the Transvaal administration, including the creation of public schools (such as King Edward VII School) within a short distance of their private counterparts.

In 1904, the parish was relieved of the responsibility for St John's College, which became a diocesan institution. However, by 1905 St John's was facing closure, and an approach was made by the diocesan board of education to the Community of the Resurrection (an Anglo Catholic order of missionary priests and lay brothers) to take over the school, they would later establish what is now St. Martin's School.

In 1906 Father James Nash became the new headmaster and oversaw the move north out of the city to the current site on 23 hectares (56 acres) across Houghton Ridge.[5]

In 1907 the school had opened in Houghton and accepted its first boarders. By then it had 100 boys, and four college houses had been instituted: Nash, Thomson, Alston and Rakers (which became Hill in 1910).[5]

The bell tower completed in 1933, houses one of the largest bells in South Africa.[6] and is an Anglican school.[3] It also has the largest clock in South Africa. The flag at the top of the bell tower is changed every day, from the South African flag, to the St Johns College flag, to the flag of St George.

The Community of the Resurrection relinquished control of the school to the Diocese of Johannesburg in 1934.[7] In 1935, Rev S.H. Clarke began his two decades as Headmaster. In 1954 Deane Yates became the first lay headmaster. By then there were 664 boys, 375 in the college, 100 boarders in the Prep. During Yates’ headship St. John's College has widened in interests and outlook. Boys and masters move towards a broader and more modern concept of education and an appreciation and critical understanding of the rapidly changing life of Johannesburg, of South Africa, and of the world at large.

In 1972 Jan Breitenbach becomes the first South African Headmaster. Cadet corps ceases to exist. The first female is accepted into Sixth Form. In 1973 at 75 years old the school becomes a three-term school.

In 1977, the first computer on campus was installed in Pelican Quad.

In 1984 under the guidance of Headmaster Walter Macfarlane (OJ) 17 ‘legal’ versions of the school uniform are whittled down to two: Number Ones and summer khakis. Sixth Form girls are given a uniform. A new school constitution, including the composition of council, becomes effective and lasts until 1998.

In 1994, Macfarlane retires as Headmaster, and Robert Clarence is appointed in his place.

During 1997, Robert Clarence departs as Headmaster. Alan "Takkie" Wilcock replaces him as acting Headmaster, and fully moves into the post the following year.

In 1998, the school celebrated its centenary year. The 100-year celebration was commemorated by a mass of thanksgiving held on Burger Field for all three schools, staff, parents past and present, former pupils and friends of the school. During the year, the school celebrated with a ball, a race day, a golf day, a pageant, an arts and crafts fair, a centenary rose, basketball, cricket, hockey and rugby festivals, and multiple musical and theatrical performances. Commemorative gifts are presented by Jeppe, St Mary’s and St Stithian’s schools. The celebrations ended with a massed Carols by Candlelight service and fireworks display on Burger Field in November.

The Fred England Technology and Media Centre in the Prep opens in 1999. Sixth Form girls receive boarding. In March 2000, a move to establish St. John's College as a parish is formalised. Te Deum by Péter Louis van Dijk, commissioned for the school’s centenary, has its world premiere. The school museum is moved to the armoury with financial assistance given by the Old Johannian Association (OJA). A strategic review is undertaken by council and senior staff which results in the following mission statement: To be a world class Christian school in Africa.[8]

In 2001 the Centenary Venture tops R17 million. St John's College introduces a seventh house: Hodgson, a boarding house. The school has 1234 pupils with an annual budget of R44 million. The synthetic turf hockey field and the sports pavilion linking the hockey and Burger Field are completed. Sixth Form boarding school for girls is expanded with the acquisition of 14 St David Road. St. John's College and St Mary's School jointly sign a lease for Kloofwaters, an outdoor adventure camp in the Magaliesberg. St. John's College hosts three debates during the World Schools Debating Championships. Outreach continues with school support for the Yeoville Community School, Mother Theresa’s, educator workshops, the Toy Boyz project.

In 2003 The Bridge Nursery School, a partnership between St. Johns College and Roedean School, opens its doors. The actual bridge linking the two schools is constructed over Houghton Drive during the Easter weekend.

View of the North Facade, designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

The IEB is a standardized assessment used in South Africa to test quality of schools and education.[10]

St John's College was ranked 11th out of the top 100 best high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac in 2003, based upon quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile, internet and news visibility.[11]