Potchefstroom Gimnasium
Public & boarding school in Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Potchefstroom Gimnasium, colloquially known as Potch Gim, is a public Afrikaans medium co-educational high School in Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa.
_en_studente_en_dosente_van_die_Teologiese_Skool_Potchefstroom_voor_e(1).jpg)
| Potchefstroom Gimnasium | |
|---|---|
Pupils and staff of the preparatory school (later Potchefstroom Gimnasium) in front of the school | |
| Location | |
 | |
| , South Africa 26°41′11″S 28°05′51″E | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public & Boarding |
| Motto | Fac et Spera (Latin: "Work and hope") |
Religious affiliation | Christianity |
| Founded | 1907 |
School district | District 9 |
Principal | F.W. Van der Merwe |
| Staff | 100 full-time |
| Grades | 8–12 |
| Gender | Boys & Girls |
| Age | 13 to 18 |
| Schedule | 07:30 – 14:00 |
| Campus | Urban Campus |
Campus type | Suburban |
| Colours | Blue White |
| Nickname | Gimmies |
| Rival | Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom |
| Accreditation | North West Department of Education |
| Newspaper | SASIMA |
| Website | www |
History
The “Voorbereidende Skool” (English: preparatory school) was founded in 1907 as a Dutch language school by the Theological Centre of the Reformed Church of South Africa.[1][2][3][4] The founders committee existed of Kamp, J., Duvenage, A.P.C, Lion Cachet, J., Postma, F. and du Toit, J.D.[5] The school's first hostel was built in 1907, and classes were initially held in the Theological Centre's Library.[6][7]
On 13 November 1914, the school was renamed the Potchefstroom Gimnasium and became a government school the following year.[3][8] In 1916 the school began teaching in Afrikaans.[9]
In May 1947, the school was relocated to its own building.[10]
Present
The school has two hostels Brandwag for boys and Cachet for girls.[11][12]
Motto and crest
The school's mottos is “Fac et Spera” (Latin: Work and Hope), a quotation from the Statenvertaling.[13] The motto is “Fac et Spera”, which is Latin for “Work and Hope”. The school's crest consists of an anchor, symbolising hope, and a pick and shovel, symbolising work.[14]
Performance
In 2017 and 2018, the school had the best academic performance in the North West province.[15][16]
In 2018, the school was the North West provincial winner for athletics.[17]
International connection
Since 2005 the school has a long-term agreement with Växjö Fria Gimnasium, an upper secondary school in Växjö, Sweden.[18] Each year, eight students are selected who together with students from the Swedish school form a working group focusing on development work in schools in South Africa's townships. They organize different fundraising projects and help in practical construction and repair of Schools.[19]
Notable former pupils
- Tjaart Marais (born 1961)- Rugby Fly-half for Western Transvaal and scored 703 Currie Cup points in his career.[20]
- Henriette Grové (1922–2009)– Writer[21]
- Greta Jones (1965–1992)- Singer[22][circular reference]
- Theuns Eloff (born 1955) [23] – Ex- vice Chancellor of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education[24] and executive director of the FW de Klerk Foundation.
- Theo Jansen van Rensburg (born 1967)[25]- springbok rugby player (full-back)[26]
- Jan Brand van Rooyen de Wet (born 1950) –Singer[27]
- Ockert Potgieter (1965–2021) – South African Missionary in Ukraine.[28] and movie director[29]
- TB Truter (born 1997) - Chief editor at "Stywe Lyne" a fishing and tackle magazine
Notable former teachers
- Johannes Christiaan Coetzee – taught at the school from 1917–1920
Headmasters
- J.A.A. Coetsee (1907–1938) [30]
- W.deK. Kruger (1938–1965)
- A.J. Combrink (1965–1974)
- A.B.J. Kruger (1974–1979)
- L.A. Dreyer (1979–1982)
- A.N. Grobler (1982–1985)
- C.A. Janson(1986–1999)
- J. Breed (2000–2008)
- R.A. Oosthuizen (2009–2021).
- F.W. Van der Merwe (2022–2025)
- M. Van der Merwe (2026-present)[31][32][33]