Maritzburg College

Maritzburg College was founded as Pietermaritzburg High School in 1863 to accommodate the influx of children arriving to the new city of Pietermaritzburg as well as those from the surrounding farmlands in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

As the school grew, ‘the best-trained architect in the Colony’, Mr PM Dudgeon, was commissioned to design, on the then outskirts of the city, a larger classroom and boarding block. Completed in 1888, this building later became known as Clark House, honouring the school’s third headmaster, Mr RD Clark (MA (Oxon)), who is often referred to as ‘the Father of College’.

Clark House is a Pietermaritzburg landmark and carries South Africa’s heritage seal, certifying it as a national monument. A similar honour was bestowed on the school’s Victoria Hall, the building of which began in 1897 (Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee year) and which served as a British Army hospital from November 1899 until July 1900, during the Second Boer War.

At Maritzburg College we are fortunate to enjoy a variety of top quality facilities spread over our extensive campus. Catering to a wide range of sporting, educational and cultural needs, our facilities development team are constantly planning ahead and developing the campus to ensure our boys are well catered for.

The fully air-conditioned facility is central to the school’s academic programme and lends itself to relaxed reading or research. Staff and students have access to a wide range of both print and electronic resources and are ably assisted by a staff of two librarians and two library assistants.

Academically, Maritzburg College is one of the leading boys’ schools in both the province and the country and continuously strives for excellence by nurturing the highest academic standards. We also hold our own internationally, having produced a Fulbright Scholar and several Rhodes Scholars.

We offer a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Life Orientation, English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, History, Geography, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Economics, Accounting, Business Studies, IT, Computer Applications Technology, Graphic Engineering and Design, Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts and Music. Extra subjects are offered to boys with the academic prowess to succeed.

Our Honours Board, on display in our main foyer, details the hundreds of achievements of Old Boys over the years, including university chancellors, judges, bishops, authors and directors of education. We are exceptionally proud of the academic track record of our boys.

All sixty-five of our classrooms are fully-equipped and carpeted, and our teachers make regular use of computers, projectors and interactive whiteboards during lessons. The school’s media centre is also fully stocked with a wide variety of resources for teachers to use to supplement lessons.

Reading is actively promoted by the library, subject and language staff. Boys are able to borrow up to five books for a period of three weeks. A reservation system ensures access to popular titles and boys are encouraged to suggest titles they wish to see in the library.

An increasing number of boys already enjoy reading on their personal e-readers and the library launched an e-reading programme in 2013. In 2014, the Media Centre launched its eLibrary (Wheelers), which has been well received by the boys. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, School Edition, was launched in 2015, and further digital resources are anticipated. Work stations are available for users to access the library database.

Every boy is guided through a series of information skills to enable him to progress as an independent learner. Subject research lessons in the library are supported by both library and subject staff. The proximity of the Computer Room allows free movement between print and electronic resources.

Approximately 40 library monitors provide an essential service, assisting with circulations and ensuring access to the library’s resources. Photocopy facilities are available to the boys, as are services such as scanning, printing, and laminating.

Built at long last after the wars, The Elizabeth Hall, as it was originally named, was officially opened on Speech Day in 1960. It was to serve as the school assembly hall, however the school had already outgrown it before it was completed. It was designed by O Servant, an Old Collegian and member of the Provincial Architect’s Office.

It was later re-named in honour of past Headmaster, Mr Keith Olivier. The Olivier Cultural Centre is now home to our Dramatic Arts Department and the large, well-equipped venue is used for dramatic and musical performances and events. We also offer two custom-built drama classrooms as well as a newly completed Music Centre.

Every Educator has access to either a laptop, iPad or desktop computer. 75% of our educators have been provided with laptops and iPads. This ensures that educators have the necessary tools to provide a modern education for every student. These resources help to narrow the digital divide between student and educator. We are currently awaiting the SA launch of Microsoft Classroom; Microsoft’s tailored educational app, which we will implement into our environment.