Joining the school of a little under 100 boys in 1943, Dudley Gower immediately established himself as a play writer and producer of note, producing no fewer than four successful plays in his first year. Private, day scholars & boarding from grade 3 school in Pretoria, South AfricaMichael de Lisle, MA (UCT) MA (Oxon) UED (Rhodes), 1973–1980Gavin Sinclair, Teachers Certificate Rhodesia, BA Unisa, 1990–1999Michael de Lisle, MA (UCT) MA (Oxon) UED (Rhodes), 1973–1980Gavin Sinclair, Teachers Certificate Rhodesia, BA Unisa, 1990–1999 When he retired, Michael de Lisle began a new career as an Anglican Priest. It was during Dudley’s first year as a headmaster that WHPS experienced its first ‘strike’! A full history of the school was compiled by a Mr Myburgh and a Mr Gas. It was during the Quail era that WHPS entered into a period of transition and consolidation. During these difficult times, caused by changes of staff as, one by one our teachers have joined the Forces, Miss Lloyd has been ever ready to step into the breach and to give whole-hearted help wherever possible.” As a result a Vigilance Committee was formed to campaign for the new school.It was led by Mr RGW Thomson and the committee organised canvassing, publicity and public meetings, and by 1980 the school buildings were taking shape.After a fire, and a scare that construction would not be finished on schedule acting principal Mr Tommy Stevens and 19 teachers opened the school on time, but without exercise books, which had to be borrowed from Constantia Park Laer, Brooklyn and Lynnwood.And the first assembly was memorable, with Mrs Stevens officiating among plants, scaffolding and to the singing of “All Things Bright and Beautiful” accompanied by Mrs Bronner on a piano accordion.Once school started the final touches were added: on 21 January a new piano arrived, the first School Committee was elected on 19 February; and on 17 March a major victory – the TED agreed to officially change the name to Glenstantia Primary School.Even with the proper name, much was still to be done: the playing fields had to be levelled, and grass planted; until then sports activities were held at The Glen, and in its first soccer match, against Burger right, Glenstantia A and B list, 4 – 0 and 7 – 0 respectively.The first of October saw the appointment of Mr Pretorius as principal, and Mr Will Bowker as his deputy, to take over from the start of the 1982 school year.On 23 November, just two days before the first standard five valedictory service, the school finalised its motto: “Strive Joyfully”© 2017 Inkhaus Advertising. The Transvaal Education Department's Curricula and schemes of work were introduced and, following a referendum of parents, Standard 6 classes were abandoned. “There are very few boys who passed through Ruddells in the ‘thirties’ and ‘forties’ who will not recall with great affection Miss Meggis Lloyd, a member of staff since 1927. I have tutored various levels of English and history ranging from grade 8 to matric level. They have also contributed to the school by being ambassadors the for the school. Doran retired at the end of 2009 and with 36 years of service to the school. Mr Berg had unfortunately retired when the Declaration was made in the Government Gazette on 25 February 1977. They actively support the bursary fund making monies available for deserving children who have been in the school for no less than two years and who are in need of financial assistance to attend this private school for boys. They have represented their Country at sport and have led South African businesses onto the world stage. Waterkloof House Preparatory School (WHPS) is situated in Pretoria, South Africa and is an independent (private) School, offering education to Grade 000 and Grade 00 boys and girls, and Grade 0-7 boys only through the medium of English.
At the annual Grade 7 Leavers’ Dinner all the Grade 7 boys are handed their Old Boys’ tie and 5 years later when they matriculate from High School they are all invited back for a Prawn braai and their first beer in Wilf's – fully fledged WHPS Old Boys!
What eventually made it possible for the school to stay was the re-establishment of standards and the slight rise in numbers that was de Lisle's achievement. WHiPS, as the school eventually became known, was virtually a family institution for the 18 years that Mr MacRobert was associated with it.
State Girls school (now Hamilton Primary school) and State Gymnasium is established. . However, they are all part of the ever-growing WHPS family and they have all made their own contribution to WHPS for which the School is always grateful and ever proud. 1895. Unusually for a Prep School many ex-WHPSians choose to maintain their contact with their Prep School and become members of the This is group of men who return to their Alma Mater and who keep the school's best interests close to their heart. Enrolment of pupils in the Golden Jubilee Year of 1973 stood at 160 day boys and 40 boarders. values and traditions while introducing new concepts such as the school's Education Forward Plan and a Practical Maths Centre for the boys. Before closing these notes I wish to record a special word of appreciation to Miss Lloyd for her unfounding help and co-operation in all that concerned the welfare of the school.
Michael was supported by his wife, Blanche, herself a university graduate and teacher of English, Art, Drama and a playwright who brought vigour into classrooms and onto the hockey fields. But the history of the school goes back much further, to 1978, when residents started campaigning for a new English primary school in the area; nor did the opening end the battle – parents were far from happy with the name forced on the school by the education authorities. An exciting event was the realisation of Doran's dream to install state-of-the-art turf cricket nets at WHPS in 2005 and the first-ever overseas cricket tour, during which the WHPS First XI won eight out of ten games against the UK teams.