Pretoria High School for Girls

The history of Pretoria High School for Girls dates back to October 1902, when 106 eager young girls from the Staats Model School walked to their new school in Visagie Street. The first Headmistress, Miss Edith Aitken, was responsible for introducing many traditions still upheld by the School today. During the 21 years she spent at PHSG, she brought with her the motto “Prosit Spes Labori” - “We Work in Hope”, and introduced the Iris as the school emblem. It was her desire to create an educational institution based on inclusiveness and diversity, a dream which was ultimately only fully realised 90 years later.

As the school grew and absorbed other schools, many changes followed. In 1910, the school merged with the Eendracht School. The colours of the two schools were merged to form the green, blue and white colours of today. The Eendracht School Song was adapted to suit the united school and is sung to this very day.

After the retirement of Ms Edith Aitken, Girls’ High came under the successive leadership of Ms Jean Findlay McWilliam, Ms Winifred Hawkins, Ms Minnie Neave, Mrs Eileen Nelson, Ms Beryl Mullins, Mrs Anne Van Zyl, Mrs Alison Kitto, Mrs Penny McNair, Mrs Karen du Toit and more recently, Mrs Phillipa Erasmus. Each headmistress brought with her a distinct style of leadership that would serve to cement Girls’ High’s position as a model of educational excellence.

In 1929, it was decided to divide the school into five “Houses” named after the Governors General of South Africa. Three more Houses were added in 1943 and in the 1990s, the addition of Aitken House and Mc William House brought the total to ten.

Two boarding houses, North Lodge and School House, were built to accommodate the steady stream of newcomers. Boarders initially had to catch a special tram to get to the school four kilometres away. In July 1915, a “crocodile” of pupils and teachers marched from Visagie Street to Park Street to join the boarders at their new school premises.

As Pretoria High School for Girls nears its 120th year, the school has grown from 106 to over 1500 learners, with a teaching staff of almost 90. Girls from all corners of the Earth study at the school, and the student body is truly representative of the cultural and racial diversity of our country. Ms Aitken’s words still ring true for Pretoria High School for Girls: “The school was founded in the earnest hope that here girls of different races and different denominations might meet in that commonwealth of letters which gave Erasmus and Shakespeare to the World; to acquire there, in accordance with the ideals of Christian Duty, the healthy physique, the trained mind and the disciplined character which should fit each to live worthily in that state of life unto which it should please God to call her.”

The Peer Tutoring programme allows learners to get help from their peers with specific subjects. The tutors must apply to be part of the tutoring programme and receive training. Learners apply for a tutor and will then meet up with their tutor as discussed.

The Peer Tutoring programme is yet another way that PHSG ensures academic excellence and is a platform for learners to improve their marks. It is an invaluable experience for the tutors and gives them a slight taste of what the teaching profession is about.

The House Tutoring programme is a specialised form of the tutoring programme. It is designed for learners who have failed or are at risk of failing the year. The house tutees will be assigned to a tutor, who will then help them with all their subjects and provide guidance to them. It is a more intensive form of tutoring and enables the learners to make the improvements needed to pass the year.

The Peer Counselling programme is a safe place for learners to be heard. It is open for all and encourages learners to seek help when they need it. The peer counsellors must apply as a counsellor and are required to write an essay as to why they would be a good fit as a peer counsellor. They are then interviewed and given training.Peer counselling sessions are confidential. It is a place where girls can learn coping techniques and get an objective point of view on their situations.