In 1912 a chance meeting sparked an idea. Western Province Preparatory School wasn’t always here. It began with Geoffrey Stansbury and Sir Percy Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick spoke of South Africa’s opportunities. Stansbury traveled and chose Cape Town. He found Thornton House a large Victorian property in Kenilworth. His friend Raymond Hutchinson joined him. They wanted to open a prep school. A letter from the Cape Director of Education supported their dream.
Western Province Preparatory School opened its doors in 1914. Twenty-six pupils filled the classrooms of Thornton House. Stansbury and Hutchinson were joint headmasters. The Reverend Ernest Lasbrey became chaplain. The boys wore dark blue blazers and blue-and-white striped ties. This uniform remains today a symbol of the school’s history.
The school quickly outgrew Thornton House. By 1918 Mount Royal and an adjacent site in Claremont were purchased. This became the permanent home of Western Province Preparatory School. The partnership between Stansbury and Hutchinson ended later. Hutchinson went to Port Elizabeth founding St George’s Prep School.
Geoffrey Stansbury passed away in 1941. His wife Christine became the sole owner. The school faced financial challenges. St Andrew’s College Grahamstown offered support. Old boys and parents helped secure the school’s future. The school became a church school.
Many headmasters shaped Western Province Preparatory School. Ted Rivett-Carnac expanded the school. He built many of the buildings we see today. Grateful parents funded a new swimming pool named in his honor. His successors continued expanding the school. They added new facilities and introduced new subjects. The school celebrated its centenary in 2014. A new pavilion an aquatic center and a classroom block were added.
Western Province Preparatory School stands as a testament to vision and perseverance. It’s a place where generations of boys have learned and grown. It’s a place of rich history. A place where tradition and progress blend. It is a testament to the dedication of its founders and leaders. It continues to educate and inspire boys. It stands proudly in Claremont Cape Town.