Potchefstroom Gimnasium

Potchefstroom Gimnasium is a public Afrikaans medium co-educational high School in Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa.

Potchefstroom Gimnasium
Pupils and staff of the preparatory school (later Potchefstroom Gimnasium) in front of the school
Location
Potchefstroom
,
North West

South Africa
Coordinates26°41′11″S 28°05′51″E
Information
TypePublic & Boarding
MottoFac et Spera (Latin: "Work and hope")
Religious affiliation(s)Christianity
Founded1907 (1907)
School districtDistrict 9
PrincipalVan der Merwe, FW [1]
Staff100 full-time
Grades8–12
GenderBoys & Girls
Age13 to 18
Number of students1,056 pupils
LanguageAfrikaans
Schedule07:30 - 14:00
CampusUrban Campus
Campus typeSuburban
Colour(s)  Blue
  White
NicknameGimmies
RivalHoër Volkskool Potchefstroom
AccreditationNorth West Department of Education
NewspaperSASIMA
Website[2]

Beginnings

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

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]

Changes through the years
  • 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]

Motto and crest

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]

Hostels

The school has two hostels:

Alumni

International connection

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]

Performances
  • 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]

References
  1. "Skoolhoof (Translated: Head Master". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  2. "Welkom by Potchefstroom Gimnasium". www.gimmies.co.za.
  3. "Potchefstroom Gimnasium". Rugby365. 25 May 2005. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  4. Magazine:Koersjournal title:De Voorbereidende School te Potchefstroom. (Translated: preparatory school), author:Coetsee, J.C
  5. Muller CFJ (1980). "Vyfhonderd jaar Suid Afrikaanse geskiedenis, page 407 (Translated Five hundred years of South African History)".
  6. "Potchefstroom Gimnasium". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  7. Book: Fac et Spera 1907-1957, page 26, author:Coetsee, J.J.A
  8. Book:Die Gereformeerde beginsel en die onderwys in die Transvaal (Translated:the reformed principals and education in the province), 1859-1937, author=Coetzee, J.C.
  9. de Bruyn, P.P (December 1987). "Die geskiedenis van Potchefstroom Gimnasium (translated: The history of Potchefstroom Gimnasium)" (PDF). Potchefstroom University for Higher Christian Education. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  10. Book: Fac et Spera 1907-1957, page 22, author:Coetsee, J.J.A
  11. Book: De noodzakelijkheid van een Gereformeerd Gymnasium. (Translated: the necessity of a reformed School), author: Postma, D., page 5
  12. Book: Die Voorbereidende Skool te Potchefstroom page 134 (Translated: the preparatory school in Potchefstroom, Coetzee, J.C.
  13. Book: Die oudste Afrikaanse hoërskool in die wêreld page 7(Translated: oldest Afrikaans school in the world), Author:JV Coetzee 1967
  14. Newspaper Potchefstroom Gimnasium, published in: “Die Westelike Stem” (Translated the Western voice) page 10- 11
  15. Book: "Ons bring hulde: Totius en die Hoërskool Gimnasium"page 6 (Translated: we honour Totius) author: VE d'Assonville, V.E.
  16. Book: "Gimnasium “page 4, author:Henning, P.J.P
  17. "Brandwag". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  18. "Cachet". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  19. dal Carme, L. (29 June 2001). "2001 Currie Cup preview". IOL. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  20. "Linda Joubert". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  21. "Greta Jones". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  22. "Theuns Eloff: Baanbreker en touleier (Translated: Great leader)". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  23. "Theuns Eloff". huffington post. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  24. "Potchefstroom Gimnasium". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  25. "Theo van Rensburg". Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  26. "Brand van Rooyen de Wet". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  27. "One church Many locations". Discover life magazine. December 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  28. "Ockert Potgieter". IMDb. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  29. "Växjö Fria Gimnasium". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  30. "Växjö Fria Gymnasium - Den bästa skolan för dig (Translated: Växjö Fria Gymnasium, is the best school for you)". Enterprise Magazine. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  31. "Gimmies nommer een in provinsie (Translated=Gimnasium first in the province)". Potchefstroom Herold Newspaper. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  32. "Potch Gimnasium beste in sy soort (Translated: The school are the best in it classification)". Beeld Newspaper. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  33. "Gimnasium". Potchefstroom Internet TV. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  34. van Tonder, J. (19 April 2013). "Tradisionele rugby skole verdwyn in ou Transvaal (Traditional schools disappear in the Province)". Schoolboy rugby. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
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