Grey College, Bloemfontein

The school was officially opened on 13 October 1855 and the first headmaster was the Reverend Andrew Murray. Believed by scholars and alumni to be the third-oldest school in South Africa, there are in fact several other schools that were established at earlier dates as far back as 1738.[2] With formal education being established later in the northern regions of the country, it is the oldest school north of the Orange River.[1]

During his presidential inauguration speech in 1896, while addressing learners from Grey College, Marthinus Theunis Steyn mentioned that he envisioned a university for Bloemfontein where youth from all over the country could come and study. He supported the idea that Grey College should provide higher education to the people of the Orange Free State. As a result, the University of the Free State essentially came into existence in 1904 when a tertiary portion of Grey College was allocated for such purpose.[3]

The school grounds consist of a number of historic buildings, of which five are Free State provincial heritage sites: the Main building and Hamilton Hall,[4] the Andrew Murray House,[5] the Brill House[6] and the Tuck shop.[7]

The school offers a number of scholarships such as the Badawi Legacy scholarship given in partnership with Montpellier Rugby Club to promote rugby, education and French culture.[8] Old Greys donate funds to the Jock Meiring Trust and Bram Fisher Trust, funds used for the administration of school grounds and granting of scholarships.[9]

Grey College is known nationally as being particularly strong at the sport of rugby, the "secret" handshake,[10] and old boys speaking passionately about their school.[11][12]

• 
  Main Building
• 
  The Tuck Shop
• 
  Reunion Hall

• Laurens van der Post Sir Laurens van der Post was political adviser to British heads of government, close friend of King Charles III, godfather of Prince William, educator, journalist, humanitarian, philosopher, explorer and conservationist.
• Ernst Oswald Johannes Westphal, linguist and scholar, of the School of Oriental and African Studies and the University of Cape Town.
• Jopie Fourie, military scout & dispatch rider
• Etienne Leroux, Afrikaans author and a key member of the South African Sestigers literary movement.
• Charl du Plessis, pianist.
• Denis Earp, chief of the South African Air Force
• Bram Fischer, anti-apartheid activist and advocate for Nelson Mandela in the Rivonia Trial
• Steve Hofmeyr, singer, songwriter, actor, political activist
• Deneys Reitz, Boer soldier, South African soldier in the First World War, and politician.
• Martinus Theunis Steyn, president of the Orange Free State
• Pieter Uys, Vodacom CEO
• Pierre van Ryneveld, founding commander of the South African Air Force

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grey College, Bloemfontein.

• Grey College Official Site Archived 2 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine
• Grey College High School
• Grey College Primary School
• School of Rugby Profile

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