Alexandra High School

For other schools of a similar name, see Alexandra School (disambiguation).

Alexandra High School
Location
Pietermaritzburg , KwaZulu-Natal South Africa
Coordinates	29.617217163400667°S 30.38836268927882°E / -29.617217163400667; 30.38836268927882
Information
Type	Semi-Private, Co-Educational
Motto	Summa Diligentia Laboro ("I strive to work with diligence")
Established	1960
Locale	Suburban
Principal	A. Pillay
Deputy Principal	N.Y Xaba
Grades	8–12
Number of students	Approximately 1000 pupils - Girls: 378, Boys: 622
Student to teacher ratio	1:32
Houses	Allison's   Boyds   Downs   Shepstones   Trollips
Color(s)	Maroon and Blue
Sports	Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Hockey, Soccer, Athletics, Swimming
Mascot	Ellie the Elephant
Tuition	School fees: R 21 000 p.a Boarding Fees: Full Time - R 70 000 p.a Weekday - R56 000 p.a
Website	www.alexhigh.org.za

Alexandra High School also known as AHS is a semi-private public high school in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It offers a co-educational environment.

History

Alexandra High School is named after Queen Alexandra Caroline, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom. It opened on 23 February 1960. Though it was initially a whites-only, all-boys school, the first non-white pupil was admitted in June 1991. Alexandra High School became co-educational at the beginning of 1992. The school colours are maroon and blue.

The Badge, Houses and Motto

Mr Udal, the first headmaster, designed the school emblem, 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 to 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 the 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 the 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. 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). The wildebeest are the symbol of Trollip's House.

For the motto, Mr Udal's 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 colours of sky blue and maroon, and with the help of a local outfitter, devised blazers, badges, colours, rugby jerseys and all the other needs of a school.

The mural on the hall

The plaque was designed and built by the late Miss Syliva Baxter. It took months of work to mould, colour and bake the clay. It was fired in forty six pieces of ceramic clay, measuring 4 metres by 2 metres and its mass is over a ton. Metallic oxides were used to give it colour.

The plaque was unveiled by the late Senator A E Trollip, then Administrator of Natal, when the school was officially opened on 25 September 1964.

Uniform

Gender	Season	Uniform name	Uniform
Male	Winter	Number 1	Maroon blazer, white button-up shirt, maroon and powder blue tie, long grey pants, long grey socks and brown leather shoes.
Male	Summer	Number 2	Khaki safari suit, long khaki socks and brown leather shoes.
Female	Winter	Number 1	Maroon blazer, white button-up shirt, maroon and powder blue tie, blue skirt, long grey socks and brown leather shoes.
Female	Summer	Number 2	White button-up shirt, blue skirt, short white socks and brown leather shoes.

• It is compulsory to wear a blazer with the Number 1 Uniform

Matric uniform differs slightly from that of other grades. Matrics are allowed to wear white jerseys, different ties and 'matric scarves'. The boys are allowed to wear a different cut khaki uniform.

Awards

Awards are given for activities, with the level of award being determined by grade, years of service and level of achievement.

Award	Uniform	Minimum grade
Honours	Navy-blue blazer (braided), navy-Honours tie, school badge with gold trim and Honours-scarf	10
Half-Honours	Navy-blue blazer (braided), service tie and Honours-scarf	10
Colours	Navy-blue blazer (braided)	10
Half-Colours	Braided maroon blazer	10
Service Tie	Standard uniform with a tie	10
Scroll		8
Service Badge		8
Certificate	Standard	8

• By receiving an award, students automatically receive all lower awards.

Sports

Basketball

Since the early 1980s.

Cross Country

Cross country is a sport the school does.

Soccer

Soccer is a sport in the school.

Rugby

Rugby is a major sport in the school.

There are many other sports provided at the school including cricket, hockey, netball and many more.

Cultural Affairs

Music

The school offers students many activities who are interested in doing music. Students are offered things such as joining the Marimba Band, joining the Choir or joining the backstage crew.

Notable Old Alexandrians (by year of matriculation)

• 1969: Kork Ballington, South African former professional motorcycle racer, four-time FIM road racing world champion
• 1974: Michael James, South African national soccer player
• 1980: Michael Laing, South African national basketball player
• 1983: Allan Laing, South African national basketball player
• 1984: Russell Laing, South African national basketball player