GHS celebrating 145th birthday
Today, it is a top-achieving school in province and nationally
ueenstown Girls
’ High School celebrates its 145th birthday on Sunday August 2 2020.
On this day in 1875, a prominent member of the community, Dr Bisset Berry, arrived at the public school for boys and requested the enrolment of two young girls
his daughter, Gwendoline, – and her friend, Wilhelmina Browne.
The then principal, Mr Beswick, enrolled the girls after some opposition, and it is this date which now serves as the anniversary of the founding of Queenstown GHS.
Though the entry of these two pioneering young pupils caused a stir among the boys, it did encourage more families to enrol their
Qdaughters, too. By 1898, the enrolment figures of girls had grown to the point where a separate girls school became
’ necessary.
To accommodate this growing number of young girls attending the school, the authorities established a new school for the girls, and appointed its first headmistress, Miss Burt.
It was at this time that the school motto, Veritas et Virtus (Truth and Bravery) was born.
Thus it was that over the next 20 years, the school grew into a competitive academic and sporting establishment, focused on the proper education of Komani s
’ young women.
The current premises in Frost Street was first occupied by teachers and pupils of the girls school in 1918, and
’ over the next 70 years, the growth and development of the campus became a priority, as did the bourgeoning educational reputation of this great school.
Its reputation as one of the province s top boarding
’ establishments was undeniable, as was the success of its pupils, past and present.
In 1991, the pioneering spirit of the school was once again evident when GHS opened its doors to all the young girls of the wider Komani community.
The school embraced all the daughters of our rainbow
“nation ”, irrespective of ethnic or religious backgrounds, and this diversity added much benefit to the school s
’ prowess and successes in the new South Africa.
On this, our 145th birthday, we are proud of our history, our pioneering spirit and our leading role as a topachieving school in the province and nationally.
Our graduates have made a significant and massive impact in academia and in private enterprise, and their successes are widely recognised and embraced by the many Old Queenstonias who retain much fondness for their Alma Mater.
May this message serve to honour the founding mothers of our school, the dedicated teachers over many years, and the numerous young girls who were nurtured and educated at this wonderful school. Happy birthday to you all!
Theo Anaxagoras, principal