Weston Agricultural College

On 17 August 1914, the Weston Agricultural and Allied Trades School opened on its present site at Weston, with five pupils. Two weeks previously, World War One had broken out and immediately the growth of the new school was affected. After three years, numbers had increased to sixty and in 1925 the name was changed to Weston Farm Training School. At this time a two year course was introduced with an emphasis on practical agriculture.

In an old note book written by John Kirby, who came to the Mooi River area in 1851, he speaks of teeming herds of game, amongst which were buffalo and lion. As time went by, the land slowly became occupied and the road to the North was developed. Originally, Weston was a village laid out at the junction of the road to the North and the Mooi River. This area was the cen+re for transport riders with their ox wagons. Wet weather often delayed transport and at such times there were large gatherings of travellers, wagons, oxen, mules and servants. A post office was set up in 1854 and later the Lake Hotel. By 1866 there was sufficient demand for a bridge to be built across the Mooi River and Helen Bridge, still standing, was named after the daughter of Natal's Governor and Commander of the Imperial Troops, General J.J. Bissett. Helen, who was noted for her beauty, married a son of Sir Theophilus Shepstone. Near the Helen Bridge are the ruins of the Lake Hotel which was destroyed by fire.

Consistent with Weston’s ethos of striving for excellence is the school’s holistic approach to education. This includes the integration of the CAPS curriculum as well as the completion of PAT (Practical Assessment Tasks) which form a component of their Grade 12 mark. Our Matric scholars write the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. Should your son choose to follow a career in agriculture it is pleasing to know that all agricultural subjects carry points towards a Bachelor’s pass.

It has always been our goal to educate boys for life through the integration of academic and farming instruction in such a way that each boy is given the opportunity to optimise HIS potential. This includes all our boys, from average learners, who are recognised for effort attained in academics, to our top academic achievers. This approach to education has proved extremely successful in preparing our scholars for their future and is reinforced by qualified, dedicated and committed staff who are passionate about their professions.

We have a body of well-qualified teaching staff that are committed and passionate about our school and are always prepared to go the extra mile. They not only take an interest in the academic progress of the boys they teach daily but also in their wider areas of achievement on the farm or sport fields.

There is an established link between physical activity and students' academic performance. A student's brain does not keep itself healthy independently. It is the connection with a healthy, moving body that can help improve brain performance. There is also very definite evidence of improved cognitive performance (attention, memory, concentration), self-esteem, mental health (reduced depression, anxiety, stress), enjoyment and lesson engagement from school students' participation in physical activity.

While engaging in sport, scholars also learn life skills such as team work, leadership skills, social growth, communication, time management and maintaining a healthy lifestyle – a necessary skill in an age of convenience. We request Parents to support us in this endeavour, as it is vital to both the physical and mental health of your child to remain fit and healthy during and after their adolescent years.

Together with the School Code of Conduct, Weston Agricultural College has a number of school policies in place to ensure that our school is managed in a correct and fair manner. These School Policies have been approved by the School Governing Body (SGB) as elected by the parent body of Weston Agricultural College. We encourage all parents to ensure they are familiar with the Code of Conduct and these policies. Hard copies are available from the School’s Front Office.