Heritage@Herschel Girls School

The Preparatory School

The Preparatory School was part of the main school until 1954 when “The Hill” was purchased as a separate Junior School. Miss Mclean was responsible for the acquisition of The Hill as she felt very strongly about establishing a Junior School (but not a boarding house).  Originally, the plot designated for The Hill cost too much and the Herschel Council did not have enough funds to acquire what Miss Mclean had recommended. There was suggestion of extending the property for sports fields but they did not know where the money would come from. Therefore, they had fund-raisers and The Hill which consisted of 13 acres of land which was finally purchased for £70 000 with sufficient ground to extend the sports field. In February 1955, The Hill was transferred to a building close to the High School. Joel Milandau was responsible for the alterations. In November the juniors moved into the new junior quarters for Standards 1-5 (Grades 3-7) however, the Kindergarten remained at the High School.



The Hill before purchased in1955. Photo taken by Rosemarie Sturgis (Wilks)



Miss Ruby Porter, originally the Deputy Head of the High School, was the first Head of the Preparatory School. When she retired in 1958, a new Junior Boarding House was built. The Boarding House consisted of four dormitories: pink, blue, green and yellow, a common room which joined the main entrance and a dining room where pupils could have hot lunch.

Originally there were twenty to twenty-five boarders in the Preparatory School. Daily life included a structured schedule of work, rest, extramural sport and prep studies. Fees for the term cost R126 which included stationary, medical assistance and laundry service (whereas day girls paid R52.00 per term). The firm implementation of house rules ensured the success of running an efficient boarding school (that was much needed at the time) even meant that girls were allowed no tuck other than birthday cake to be sent with them to school. The girls were allowed no more than R2.00 pocket money per term of which 25 cents had to be donated to charity. Boarders were allowed to go away each alternate weekend from Friday 4.30pm – Sunday 5.45pm. Schoolboy brothers were allowed to visit on Sundays from 10-11 am.



General Purpose room used by boarders



Thirteen Headmistresses have contributed to the success of the school. They are :

·         Miss Morley A. Ralph (1922-1933)

·         Miss Harriet Robinson (1933-1944)

·         Miss Barbara Elcome (1945-1947)

·         Miss  Caroline McLean ( 1947-1962)

·         Miss Ruby Porter (1955-1958)

·         Miss Roth (1958-969)

·         Miss Turner  (1969-1971)

·         Mrs Pat Brown (1971-1987)

·         Mrs Margaret Chambers (1987-1994)

·         Miss Jenny Thompson (1994-2000)

·         Miss Barbara Taljard (2000-2004)

·         Mrs Jennifer Court ( 2004-2006)

·         Mrs Belinda Heidmann (2006-present)

School hours differed for older and younger juniors according to their concentration span. Grades 1-3 had to attend school from 8.30 am-12.45pm whereas the rest of the forms started school from 8.30-3 pm and Wednesdays they finished at 2.30 pm.  Daily, there was a 20 minute break in the middle of the morning and a break for lunch followed by 30 minute rest.  On average girls were allowed  97 days  off on holiday per year which  consisted of ten days  in the beginning of April, four weeks in the mid year, ten days at the end of September and seven weeks at the end of the year.

Many buildings and alterations lead to the development of what Herschel is made out to be today. In 1964, a new Kindergarten block was built which had no toilets. There wasn’t enough space so the dining room had to be compromised as an art room as well. In 1967, new alterations were made that united the school as The Preparatory Hall was built that housed important assemblies and plays, as well as a new Art room and Science laboratory. A new Kindergarten block was built in 1968, with three new classrooms. In 1969, under the leadership of Miss Turner, six new classrooms were built above the assembly hall and the whole complex interlinked to avoid the cold winters.  The same year, a completely revamped Boarding House was built as well as an additional two new classrooms. In the 70s, two preparatory classes were established to include boys and girls which then served as a feeder school for Western Province. In 1972, The Nursery School was established at The Hill. In 1982, it was decided that “The Hill” Nursery should be closed and the buildings were to be converted to the Boarding House for the Preparatory. A new Science laboratory was built in 1983. Under Miss Duffs leadership in 1986, greater alterations began as the Pre-preparatory was enlarged to include a Pre-Nursery Class, Pre-preparatory , computer room and a network linking both the Junior and Senior schools was established which made the two more unified rather than separate  from each other as originally intended.



A new building added to the school in 1967



The biggest building  advancement happened during 1989, in which a new Pre-preparatory was built that continued until 1992, as the size of learners enrolled in the school increased which included three new classrooms and a large activity room. Sadly, due to declining numbers of boarders the Boarding House had to be closed and the space was then converted to classrooms and a new computer room was added.  Mrs Van Zyl, in her seven years as headmistress continued with the building and modernising process. These developments have  created a new Music Centre and Media Centre (Library, Computer Lab and Project room) at the Preparatory school; an enlarged Pre-preparatory School catering for girls in a Pre- nursery class.

The curriculum was fundamentally comprised from a broad selection of subjects that ranged from Science to Horse Riding. Subjects incorporated: Religious Studies, English, Afrikaans, Arithmetic, History, Geography, Nature Studies, Science, Handwriting, Domestic Science, Art, Class Music, Singing and Physical Education. Optional subjects included Dancing: Ballet, Ballroom that could only be taken in the winter, Natural Movement (each at the additional cost of R4.40 per term); Speech Training, Drama, Fencing, French Conversation (R6.60 p/t), German Piano, Riding (R9.00 p/t) and Violin.

Teachers showed great pride in their work, as they do today to ensure the best environment for successful academic learning.  As well as focusing on the more rational subjects, teachers also encouraged the girls to develop their creative sides by learning to express themselves. Mrs Mavis Kitow encouraged creativity as she taught English (from 1962-1970) and corrected any letters that the girls wanted to send to their parents and loved ones. She also showed an interest in Drama and emphasized the importance of social interaction and to be able to express oneself clearly and with confidence. Miss Viv (under leadership of Miss Irma Roth in the 1960s) taught Art to the Grade 4 and grade 7 classes as well as Poetry and Singing to the Kindergartners. Miss Montgomery taught music and piano. Other teachers in the 1960s included Mrs Van Rensburg who taught grade 3 and Miss Rosie Bennet who taught grade 7. Teachers taught single classes throughout.

Involvement in sport was seen as crucial to the process of learning, as like today it is strongly encouraged as it stimulates the brain and enhances learning. It also is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and to build teamwork. Sports such as Hockey and Netball were only introduced to Herschel in 1939. Commonly Cricket, Squash, Tennis and Swimming were part of extramural activities. Unlike today, Lacrosse, Gymnastics and Diving were also part of everyday sport.

Although the uniform has remained much the same to today, changes were made in 1973 as girls were allowed to wear “fashionable slack-skirts which were drip dry.” This did not last very long as the uniform was restored in 1994, back to the original skirts. Tracksuits were also introduced for casual wear.

Even though times have changed and girls and teachers have come and gone, new buildings and alterations have been made; the running of the school, values, work ethic and overall composition of school life has remained much the same. The foundations laid by the Junior School enable girls to progress to the Senior School as critical independent  thinkers which is taught at a young age.

  

Then: Herschel Junior boys and girls in the 1970s




Now: Herschel Juniors,Grade 1 of 2011

                                                          
  Authors: Belinda Anderson,Claudia Turnbull and Eva Bonadei