Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School — sparking intelligence and building character

The educational ethos at Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School is probably closest to that of Martin Luther King Jnr, who said: “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

This is the goal at Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School. What is offered and taught in the classroom, on the sports field, through music and cultural interaction, through reading and books – through success and failure – is what will spark intelligence and wisdom, and build true character. When girls leave the school at the end of their matric year with a questioning mind and confidence in their ability, the influence they can have on those with whom they will work or study should be tremendous.

The school’s wish is that parents allow their daughters to learn about life, through their own experiences, just as they did. There is an increasing tendency for parents to do everything for their daughters.

“We, the parent and the teacher, must remember that building character is as important as fostering the development of intelligence.” This is the 102nd year since Girls’ High (as the school is affectionately known) was founded; this great school has represented excellence in education for girls since 1920. Its mission continues to be the pursuit of excellence, and every day it challenges each girl to be the best she can possibly be.

The school believes that in order to achieve this, it is essential to develop partnerships and to know that trust exists between the partners. In the context of a school, the partners are the child, the parent and the school, represented by the individual teacher or leader in the specific sphere of interaction. The child is obviously the main partner, as education must be child-centred. Children have not changed over time; they still have the same dreams and fears.

There are children who always toe the line in all that they do, while others, whose hearts are good, need a strong rein to keep them in check. Then there have always been those who believe the world is against them, and so they need to be nurtured differently.

During the many decades, many parents have entrusted Girls’ High with their daughters. These parents have supported them as they have realised their dreams; have watched from a distance as they have encountered rocky pathways; have allowed them to stumble with the knowledge that adversity is character-building; and, after five years of high school, have seen the 12 or 13-year-old child they first brought to the school, emerge as a young woman, ready to take on the next phase in her life.

The third group in the partnership is the staff. Girls’ High has had devoted staff over many generations – in the administrative, estates and boarding sections, and highly qualified academic professionals, all trained to teach. For a principal, it is important to be able to rely on the staff as a source of inspiration and support to the girls in their care, and to be the role models that every young girl needs. As a leading school for girls, both academically and extramurally, it is delighted to offer its learners the chance to experience the indomitable Girls’ High ethos of “Cheerfulness with Industry”.

Vision

“Our vision is to uphold the values of honesty and integrity at all times and to promote excellence in all that we do, so that Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School remains at the forefront of girls’ education, promotes excellence and provides pupils with skills to deal with the demands of an inclusive and democratic society. Our vision is to empower our pupils to be productive global citizens who can serve others and have a positive influence on the future.”

Mission

The school’s mission is to:

• Promote human dignity and equal opportunity;

• Promote maximum freedom of the individual within the context of maximum good for all;

• Foster excellence according to the talents and interests of each person;

• Instil a sound set of values, including a respect for, and service to, the community and the environment;

• Promote “Cheerfulness with Industry” in the 21st Century.

Information Sessions Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School would love to host your family at the 2022 Information Sessions. These sessions include an address from the principal, an opportunity to meet some of the staff and learners, and a guided tour of the school’s academic, cultural and sport facilities.

To book for an information session, visit the website at www.ghspmb.co.za For more information, email admissions@ ghspmb.co.za or call 033 386 9271. Please note that booking is essential and all Covid-19 protocols will be observed. Masks are mandatory. Information session dates and times:

• Tuesday, February 1 at 5pm (Day girls)

• Tuesday, February 8 at 8.30am (Boarding Establishment girls)

• Wednesday, February 9 at 5pm (Day girls)

• Thursday, February 17 at 5pm (Day girls)

Applications for Grade 8 in 2023 open on January 31, 2022 and close on March 11, 2022. Applications are only available online.

2021 NSC Results

W E L L D O N E T O O U R G I R L S !

OVERALL PASS RATE 99.5%

95.5% BACHELOR PASS RATE 211 BACHELOR PASSES 10 DIPLOMA PASSES 532 SUBJECT DISTINCTIONS

TOP PUPIL

REBECCA SUMMERSGILL ACHIEVED 8 As 94% AGGREGATE SECOND IN UMGUNGUNDLOVU DISTRICT IN KWAZULU-NATAL

6 PUPILS ACHIEVED 6 As AMEERA ALLEE, MEGAN COETZER, KHADIJA ESSACK, LAKEISHA RAMDHUNEE, SUMAYYA VAWDA AND ANDISWA ZIMU

5 PUPILS ACHIEVED 7 As SISANDA DLAMINI, AYOLA PANGOMSO, ZEKHETHELO BHENGU, ANELISA KRAAI AND ASMEETA MOTIRAM

18 PUPILS ACHIEVED 5 As & 25 PUPILS ACHIEVED 4 As