Potchefstroom Gimnasium

It was founded in 1907,[3] by the Theological Centre of the Reformed Church of South Africa.[4] Dutch was the language of teaching.[5] The founders committee existed of Kamp, J., Duvenage, A.P.C, Lion Cachet, J., Postma, F. and du Toit, J.D.[6] The school started in the Theological Centre's Library.[7] The first Head Master was Coetsee, J.A.A. He was head master until 1938.[8]

Head masters to follow: Kruger, W.deK. (1938-1965), Combrink, A.J. (1965-1974), Kruger, A.B.J. (1974-1979), Dreyer, L.A. (1979-1982), Grobler, A.N. (1982-1985), Janson, C.A. (1986-1999) and Breed, J. (2000-2008). Oosthuizen, R.A. (2009-2021). Van der Merwe, FW is the current head master since February 2022.[9]

• The first hostel was built in 1907.[10]
• The school was first known as “Voorbereidende Skool”.(Translated: preparatory school) On 13 November 1914 it changed its name too Potchefstroom Gimnasium.[11]
• The school became a government school in 1915 and was not ruled by the church any more.[12]
• In 1916 it changed the language medium to Afrikaans.[13]
• From 1917 to 1920 J Chris Coetzee taught at the school. He later became rector of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.
• In May 1947 it moved to its own building.[14]

The motto is “Fac et Spera”, which is Latin for “Work and Hope”. This was taken out of the Dutch States Bible.[15] The crest existed out of an anchor (a symbol of hope). The other two instruments are a pick and a shovel (symbols of work)[16]

The school has two hostels:

• Boys- Brandwag[17]
• Girls- Cachet[18]

• Tjaart Marais (born 1961)- Rugby Fly-half for Western Transvaal and scored 703 Currie Cup points in his career.[19]
• Henriette Grové (1922-2009)– Writer[20]
• Greta Jones (1965-1992)- Singer[21]
• Theuns Eloff (born 1955) [22] - Ex- vice Chancellor of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education[23] and Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation.
• Theo Jansen van Rensburg (born 1967)[24]- springbok rugby player (full-back)[25]
• Jan Brand van Rooyen de Wet (born 1950) –Singer[26]
• Ockert Potgieter (1965-2021) - South African Missionary in the Ukraine.[27] and movie director[28]

Since 2005 the school has a long-term agreement with a Swedish school, Växjö Fria Gimnasium.[29] Each year, eight students are selected who together with students from the Swedish school form a working group focusing on development work in schools in South Africa's townships. They organize different fundraising projects and help in practical construction and repair of Schools.[30]

• Academic- The best school in the North West Province in 2018.[31]
• Best academic school in the country in 2017.[32]
• The school was the overall Provincial winner of athletics in 2018.[33]
• In 1967 se schools rugby team was the best in the country.[34]