Woodridge College
Woodridge College is a private, co-educational school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
| Woodridge | |
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| Location | |
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| Information | |
| Type | Private, boarding, day school |
| Motto | Fideliter |
| Established | 1936 |
| Headmaster | Derek Bradley |
| Exam board | IEB |
| Grades | 8-12 |
| Number of students | > 690 pupils |
| Color(s) | Brown and gold |
| Fees | > R 140 000.00 p.a |
| Website | www.woodridge.co.za |
Woodridge is situated near the small town of Thornhill, halfway between Jeffrey's Bay and Port Elizabeth. The school is attended by both boarders and day-scholars. It has produced athletes and business leaders both nationally and internationally, including golfer James Kamte,[1] champion canoeist Martin Dreyer[2] and cricketers Mark Rushmere, Colin Ingram, Riki Wessels and Jade de Klerk.
Motto
The motto of the school is Fideliter, as can be seen on the school emblem, meaning "Faithfully".[3]
Location
It is situated on the edge of the gorge that has been created by Van Stadens River, next to the Van Stadens Bridge.
History
The school was started by the Carter family[4] in 1936, all of whose descendants have attended the school. Originally the school was only a preparatory school, and the college was started during the 1960s.[5] On June 10, 2017, Woodridge experienced a fire that engulfed at least half of the campus.[6]
Curriculum
The school offers the standard schooling under the guidelines of the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa, and pupils taking their National Senior Certificate write the IEB examinations. Woodridge is also strongly supporting outdoor education, meaning that the students frequently take outdoor excursions and learn outdoors or about the outdoors.
Sport
Woodridge is involved in the sports of rugby, cricket, hockey, star gazing, netball, squash, tennis, bird watching, athletics, water polo and swimming.[7] Surf lifesaving is also offered.[8]
Other sports offered are rock climbing, canoeing, and hiking.[9] Outdoor education is offered, which is similar to Outward Bound, although it got its roots more from the Veld en Vlei society in nearby Sedgefield which many Old Woodridgeans used to attend, which was later bought out by the Outward Bound association. The Outward Bound was modelled on the Scottish school Gordonstoun, as was the rating system.[10]
Inter house competitions are held for all sports offered by the school. The Outdoor Education house trophy is considered the most revered of house trophies.
Headmasters
The Headmaster of the school is Derek Bradley.[11]
Previous headmasters include:
- 2017–present: Derek Bradley
- 2014-2017: Simon Crane
- 2005-2014: Craig Neave
- 2002-2004: Ken Ball
- 1997-2001: Guy Norman Pearson
- 1967-1992: Keith Starck
Simon Crane joined as deputy headmaster in 2013. He is British born, an ex Bishops pupil and has served roles both in the UK (Milton Abbey School) and KwaZulu Natal (Carter High School (South Africa)) and Michaelhouse) .[12]
Religious teachings
Woodridge is considered a Christian school, and is a parish of the Anglican church.
References
- Ndabeni, Khanyi (21 March 2008). "Golfer 'Cobra' Kamte once aimed for soccer stardom". The Herald Online. Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- "Long paddle to freedom". The Cape Argus. Cape Town, South Africa. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- http://www.kes.ns.ca/alumi_volunteer.asp
- http://www.woodridge.co.za/Content.asp?pageID=47
- http://www.woodridge.co.za/Content.asp?pageID=47
- "At least half of Eastern Cape's Woodridge College burnt down". 10 June 2017.
- http://www.woodridge.co.za/Content.asp?pageID=302
- http://www.woodridge.co.za/Content.asp?pageID=67
- "Woodridge College & Preparatory College".
- Paget, Dick (23 August 2007). Paget's Progress: A Tale of High Adventure and Low Salaries. ISBN 9781467018692.
- "Headmaster".
- http://www.sahisa.org/2014/02/simon-crane/