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Alexandra High School was born in a climate of confidence. In the 1950’s the province acquired a two-storey house in Alexandra Road, and, subsequently, the adjoining properties near the famous Alexandra Park.
The first 53 pupils began their high school careers in those old residences. The first assembly was held under a magnificent jacaranda tree. Present at the official opening on February 23, 1960 were the Director of Education, Mr L Beibuyck, the school’s inspector, Mr R Steer, the first Headmaster, Mr F H Udal, the Vice Principal, Mr B Butler and five members of staff. Sadly the shady old Jacaranda, known as “The Assembly Tree”, was blown down by a freak storm in 1982. The historic bronze plaque which marked the assembly tree is now housed in the foyer of the school.
The first classrooms were prefabs for several years and the first wing of the school was built in 1964. The boys themselves helped to plant lawns and trees and used stone excavated from the levelling of the sports fields to build terraces.
Each year on the first Monday in February a “Founders Assembly” is held in the school hall. During this ceremony, the School’s Prefects are presented with their badges of office by the President of the Old Alexandrian Association.
In the early 1990’s, Alex underwent significant changes, establishing itself as a leader in response to the demands of a ‘new’ South Africa. The first non-white pupil was admitted in June 1991 into Standard VII, and he, Wiseman Khumalo, was appointed Deputy Head Prefect when he reached standard X in 1994. In the meantime, at the beginning of 1992, the School became co-educational and now boasts a school population which reflects a non-racial, non-sexist society.
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Queen Alexandra – After whom the school was named
Alexandra Caroline, queen consort of England, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1844. In 1863, at the age of 19, the beautiful and vivacious Alexandra married Edward VIII, Prince of Wales. As Queen, Alexandra became very popular as a result of her great charm and dedication to her family. She had a strong character and did much to help the poor and suffering.
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An original life-sized portrait of Queen Alexandra is housed permanently in the school library. This portrait originally hung in “Kings House” in Durban – the official residence of the old governors, and the Royal family and State President when on visits. When the Republic came into being in
1961, the portrait was transferred to the Natal Museum in Loop Street, where it hung until 1983. In that year, it was donated to Alexandra High,
the companion portrait of King Edward being given to King Edward School in Johannesburg.
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The School Badge, Houses and Motto
Mr Udal, the first headmaster, designed the school emblem himself, from the royal coat of arms of Queen Alexandra.
Mr Udal took the Maltese Cross to incorporate in the badge. Mr Lee Boyd, M.E.C. for Education in the N.P.A at the time of the school’s inception and ex-mayor of Durban was a Knight of da Game in the Roman Catholic Church. The cross was given the Boyd’s House as their symbol. |
Then Mr Downs, Mayor of Pietermaritzburg, was approached for permission to use part of the city’s coat of arms – hence the Elephant – emblem of Downs House.
Mr Allison, three times mayor, M.P.C. and freeman of this city, a neighbour of the school who took a great interest in Alex, had Allison's House named after him, and the Stars from the City’s Coat of Arms formed the symbol of this house.
Shepstone House was named after the Administrator of Natal at the time of the purchase of land for the school, and as he had attended Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, the crown was to be Shepstone’s symbol.
Succeeding Mr Shepstone as Administrator, was Mr Trollip, who also took a keen interest in the school. He was approached for permission to use part of the Natal badge – hence the Wildebeest (provided they faced the correct way and had white manes and tails!). These wildebeest are the symbol of Trollips House.
For the motto, Mr Udal’s own signet ring bore the words, Tant Que je Puis – archaic French, meaning “I do my best”. Mr Lamond of Maritzburg College translated this into the Latin, Summa diligentia laboro. Then Mr Udal and his wife chose the distinctive colours of sky blue and maroon, and with the help of a local outfitter, devised a full range of blazers, badges, colours, rugby jerseys and all the other needs of a school.
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The Mural on the School Hall
The plaque was designed and built by the late Miss Syliva Baxter. It took her months of hard work, with sometimes a stretch of 48 hours’ work on moulding, colouring and baking the clay.
It was fired in forty six pieces of ceramic clay, measuring 4 meters by 2 metres and its mass is over a ton. Metallic oxides were used to give it its beautiful colouring.
The Plaque is a symbolic representation of the Holy Trinity. The lips represent the word of God, "let there be light" as shown on the open page of the book.
The eye is the all-seeing eye of God, stressed further by the four cardinal points of the compass, with the eye as the hub. The bird, a stylised dove, represents the Spirit.
The scale pans and feather are there as a reminder that conscience should weigh as light as a feather.
The torch signifies the light of learning.
The "clouds" indicate the formlessness of the earth before the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Dry land (Africa) and the waters can be distinguished; so, too, can night (stars) and day. The firmament the
waters is there also.
The plaque was unveiled by the late Senator A E Trollip, then Administrator of Natal, when the School was officially opened on the 25 September 1964.
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It has been officially noted that the first Saturday in February each year, will be the day known as “Alexandra High School Annual Reunion” for all old Alexandrians to gather at Alexandra High School.
Next year 6 February 2010 will be our first “Alexandra High School Annual Reunion” and a very momentous event, as Alex will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary (Gold Jubilee Year).
A school that has changed with the times that every Alexandrian, past and present pupils can be proud of! |
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