King Edward VII School

Description

King Edward VII School (KES) is a public boys’ boarding school in Upper Houghton, Johannesburg, with over 1000 students from Grade 8 to Grade 12. The school grounds consist of traditional buildings which are now National Monuments, such as the school hall, back façade, front façade, lecture theatre and library wing, memorial wing, and the cenotaph in the main quad. King Edward VII School is one of the Milner Schools and recognised as one of the Top Public Schools in South Africa. King Edward VII Preparatory School is located next door and caters for boys from Grade 1 to Grade 7.

HERITAGE

King Edward VII School was founded by the Milner Administration in 1902 at the end of the South African War with just 6 boys and 5 members of staff in a vacant cigar factory. It was known as the Government High School for Boys, also known as the Johannesburg High School for Boys. In 1904, the school moved into mining mogul Barney Barnato’s mansion in Barnato Park. Here, it was known as the Johannesburg College. In 1911, the school finally moved into specially designed buildings at its current location on the Houghton ridge at the time of the death of King Edward VII. The school was named in his honour.

ACADEMICS

The 2014 Matrics achieved a 100% pass rate and an 85.78% Bachelor’s Pass. The school motto is Strenue which means “Vigorously” or “Actively” and requires that all teachers and learners commit themselves to the school with all of their energy.

SPORTS & CULTURE

SPORTS

• Athletics
• Basketball
• Cricket
• Cross country
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Hockey
• Rowing
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Squash
• Swimming
• Table tennis
• Tennis
• Water polo

CULTURE

• Art Club
• Chess Club
• Choral Society
• Debating
• Dramatic Society
• First Aid
• Johannesburg Junior Counsellors
• Johannesburg Student Council
• Music Society
• Pipe Band
• Photographic Society
• Public Speaking
• Writers Society

SCHOOL FACILITIES

• School shop
• Swimming pool
• Sports fields
• School hall
• Library
• Museum
• Squash courts
• Gymnasium
• Science Pavilion
• Hostel accommodation
• Lecture hall
• Computer rooms
• Auditorium
• Hugh Wilson Theatre
• AstroTurf
• Art studios
• Indoor cricket nets
• Rob Wray Pavilion & Gymnasium
• Tutty Faber field
• Cricket Pavilion
• Tuck Shop
• John Hurry Oval
• Tennis/Basketball Complex

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of internal bursaries and scholarships are available, based on excellent academic and extramural achievements.

NOTABLE GRADUATES

• Sir Donald Gordon
• Judge William Kentridge
• Justice Johann Kriegler
• Justice Richard Goldstone
• Sir Sydney
• Gary Player
• Dr Ali Bacher
• Graeme Smit
• Neil McKenzie
• Hugh Page
• Kevin McKenzie
• Ray Jennings
• Joe van Niekerk
• Bryan Habana
• Gregg Clark
• Mark Weinberg
• Tony Bloom