Parktown Boys’ High School

What if I told you that the very ground we stand on has witnessed over a century of boys becoming men? This is Parktown Boys’ High School. It stands proudly in Parktown, Johannesburg, a testament to tradition and excellence. Parktown Boys’ High School isn’t just a school. It’s a living story, etched in red and black, the school’s colours. Founded in 1920 as North Western High School, it began in humble, repurposed police barracks. Imagine those early days, eighty-seven pupils, five Form II classes, and a headmaster named C. Hare holding it all together. Parktown Boys’ High School has come a long way. In 1923, the school moved to its current location on Parktown Ridge. This marked a new chapter, a fresh start with 435 boys, a new motto, “Arise,” and the iconic rampant lion badge. The original school building is now a National Monument, a silent witness to the school’s rich history. Did you know Parktown Boys’ High School was the first government school in South Africa to integrate in 1991? This bold move paved the way for a more inclusive future. The school also boasts another first. It was the first in South Africa to install an international standard water-based Astroturf playing surface. This very field has hosted countless national and international games, echoing with the cheers of victory and the groans of defeat. Parktown Boys’ High School has nurtured generations of leaders. From business titans and members of parliament to renowned academics and sporting heroes, Parktonians have made their mark on the world. Names like Wayne Ferreira, the international tennis player, and James Dalton, the Springbok rugby legend, resonate within these walls. Even the world of arts and entertainment boasts Parktonian alumni, like Trevor Rabin, the renowned guitarist and film score composer. The spirit of Parktown Boys’ runs deep. It’s in the distinctive red and black uniform, the school songs that echo through the years, and the unique “Parktonian” language that has evolved over time. The school even has a weekly boarding house, Druce Hall, named after the first headmaster, P.M. Druce. Parktown Boys’ High School is more than bricks and mortar. It is a crucible where boys are forged into men, a place where the motto “Arise” is not just a word, but a call to action. As you stand here, imagine the countless footsteps that have walked these halls, the echoes of laughter and learning, the triumphs and the tears. Parktown Boys’ High School stands as a symbol of resilience, tradition, and the enduring power of education.