Grey College | |
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Address | |
Jock Meiring St, , | |
Information | |
School type | All-boys semi-private school |
Motto | NIHIL STABILE QUOD INFIDUM (Nothing is steadfast, which is not true) |
Established | 13 October 1855 |
Founder | Sir George Grey |
Sister school | Eunice High School for Girls |
School district | District 9 |
Principal | Braam van Wyk |
Headmaster | Jurie Geldenhuis (Primary School) |
Grades | 00–12 |
Gender | Male |
Number of students | 1,200 boys |
Language | |
Schedule | 07:30 – 13:50 |
Campus | Urban Campus |
Houses | Brill House Leith House Murray House |
Colour(s) | Gold Navy White |
Nickname |
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Rivals | |
Accreditation | Free State Department of Education |
School fees | R39 840 (boarding) R35 060 (tuiton) |
Website | Grey College |
Grey College (Afrikaans: Grey Kollege) is a semi-private English & Afrikaans medium school for boys situated in the suburb of Universitas in Bloemfontein in the Free State province of South Africa, it is one of the 23 Milner Schools. The sister school is Eunice High School (Bloemfontein).
Grey College was ranked 1st among high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac in 2003 and 2013, based upon quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile, internet and news visibility.[1]
The school was officially opened on 13 October 1855 and the first headmaster was the Reverend Andrew Murray. Believed by scholars and alumni to be the third-oldest school in South Africa, there are in fact several other schools that were established at earlier dates as far back as 1738.[2] With formal education being established later in the northern regions of the country, it is the oldest school north of the Orange River.[1]
During his presidential inauguration speech in 1896, while addressing learners from Grey College, Marthinus Theunis Steyn mentioned that he envisioned a university for Bloemfontein where youth from all over the country could come and study. He supported the idea that Grey College should provide higher education to the people of the Orange Free State. As a result, the University of the Free State essentially came into existence in 1904 when a tertiary portion of Grey College was allocated for such purpose.[3]
The school grounds consist of a number of historic buildings, of which five are Free State provincial heritage sites: the Main building and Hamilton Hall,[4] the Andrew Murray House,[5] the Brill House[6] and the Tuck shop.[7]
The school offers a number of scholarships such as the Badawi Legacy scholarship given in partnership with Montpellier Rugby Club to promote rugby, education and French culture.[8] Old Greys donate funds to the Jock Meiring Trust and Bram Fisher Trust, funds used for the administration of school grounds and granting of scholarships.[9]
Grey College is known nationally as being particularly strong at the sport of rugby, the "secret" handshake,[10] and old boys speaking passionately about their school.[11][12]
The research leading up to the publication of the 100 Best High Schools in Africa began with the launching of the website in December 2000.