Danville Park Girls' High School

Since it opened its doors in 1967 to 71 Grade 8 learners, Danville has grown into a respected learning facility that is recognised throughout South Africa for its academic, sporting and cultural achievements.

Like the milkwood tree that is symbolised on our badge and planted at the heart of the school, Danville’s traditions are deeply rooted and anchor the ever-growing tree. The trunk of the milkwood tree symbolises the strength and stability of the management, staff and parents of the school and this “trunk” has supported the growth of the learners as they have gone from strength to strength.

The branches of the tree symbolise the opportunities afforded learners academically and culturally, in sport, service and leadership. These branches bear fruit… the achievements of each learner at the school. Each girl is encouraged to be the “golden seed” in the area in which she shows potential, enabling her to step through the doors into life as an accomplished, confident young lady ready to live her life happily and successfully.

Danville, through all its seasons, has remained constant in 2 ways:
It has consistently delivered on excellence throughout its history and it has remained a happy school. Many people comment on the feeling as they walk into the school that there is a positive energy. This is achieved through the synergy of all elements of the school – all working harmoniously toward a common goal.

Danville Park Girls’ High School, situated in Durban North and overlooking the Indian Ocean, first opened its doors in 1967 to just 74 girls and a staff complement of 10. The numbers grew over the years, but the friendliness and warmth that characterized the school in its early years endured and the girls – both past and present – talk of being part of the ‘Danville family’. The school’s excellent facilities, well-established infrastructure, and dedicated and caring staff combine to create an environment that enables Danville girls to achieve consistently in all areas of the academic, cultural and sporting curricula. Danville Park Girls’ High School boasts an excellent academic record with an unbroken 100% pass rate for the past twenty-six years, an exciting range of sporting opportunities, a rich variety of cultural and heritage activities, a vibrant community service programme as well as life and leadership training.

The academic support offered to Danville learners is an important factor in ensuring academic success for each learner. Whether participating in the mentor programme in Mathematics, Afrikaans and English, attending extra lessons offered in Mathematics, support lessons in all Matric subjects throughout their Grade 12 year, or attending specialist workshops, learners are supported and guided as they build their confidence in each learning area.

Danville teachers take an interest in each learner and are vested in ensuring each learner’s mastery of her subject.

In the afternoons they are encouraged to make use of the Study Venue where a qualified teacher is able to provide support with homework and research.

Our Media Centre with its award-winning specialist library, the world class Victor Daitz Collaborative Learning Centre, and additional Computer Room staffed by two librarians and an IT expert, mean that our girls have access to research facilities and expert guidance when planning and researching projects and presentations. Danville’s IT Evolution initiative ensures that each girl experiences the best of cloud-based learning as we move beyond the four walls of a classroom into the exciting world of global connectedness.

From the outset, Danville established itself as one of the premier academic public schools in KwaZulu-Natal. Our first Head Girl and Dux, Mary-Lou Thompson, achieved first place in the province in 1971, going on to complete a Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics before carving out a distinguished career in the field of Biostatistics.