Paarl Boys' High School

Paarl Boys' High School
Location
Paarl }country = South Africa
Coordinates	33°44′21″S 18°57′37″E
Information
Type	Boys' State School
Motto	Tandem Fit Arbor Surculus (The Twig Will Eventually Become A Tree)
Established	1868
Principal	Derek Swart
Color(s)	Blue, Navy, White
Website	paarlboyshigh.org.za

Paarl Boys' High School, known in Afrikaans as Hoër Jongenskool Paarl (also known as Boishaai) is one of the oldest schools in South Africa, built in 1868. The school is situated in Paarl, a town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The first headmaster of the school was Rev. George Jeffreys, followed by James Rettie, Mr J Inglis and Mr TW Engela followed by Mr L Knoetze. As of 2007 the headmaster of the school is Mr Derek Swart.

Early history

The first building to house the school was a granary on Zeederbergplein, the owner of which was Mr D Beyers. The first years of the school were unstable ones, with the school increasing in size every year, and larger facilities were required frequently. The grounds on which the school stands today were originally formed part of the farm Berlyn owned by Mr PJ Malherbe. A certain Mr Moll purchased the farm and donated the land to the school.

In 1901 PJ du Pré Le Roux became headmaster. Du Pré Le Roux was the first headmaster to establish the school and remained at the reins for over two decades. Mr Le Roux also saw the construction of the boarding hostels of Monte Bello (1901), Bellevue (1904), Villieria (1907), Berlyn (1908) and Imhoff (1923). The hostels of Berlyn and Villieria were dismantled and were replaced by another hostel, namely Werda.

Sport

Each year the school takes part in one of the biggest interschool events in South Africa against its arch-rival, Paarl Gimnasium High School. The main event (the u/19A rugby match) attracts over 20 000 spectators to the Faure Street Stadium. The school has produced many Springboks, from Boy Louw, Mannetjies Roux and "Prince of Wings" Carel du Plessis, to more recent players like Corne Krige (former Springbok Captain), Gurthro Steenkamp, Frans Malherbe and Thomas du Toit.

Other sports that are also included in interschool events are: field hockey, cricket, swimming, tennis, chess, golf and even debating. Golfing professional, David Frost, also matriculated at Paarl Boys' High. Paarl Boys' High School is currently ranked as one of the top rugby schools in South Africa.

Students of the 2 schools have traditional nicknames; the Boishaaiers are known as 'galpille' and the Gimmies as 'bloedworse'.

Uniform and tradition

The school uniform consists of a light blue shirt adorned with the school coat of arms, grey shorts or trousers, a striped blue and white tie, a dark blue blazer striped with light blue and white. Brown shoes over grey socks are worn as well, the socks are edged at the top with the school tricolour. All grade 8s wear silver buttons on their ties and blue buttons on their blazers, marking their low ranking in the school. Merit colours are only awarded to matrics and grade 11s who have achieved with distinction on the sporting field, academics or the cultural front. These merit colours differ considerably from the standard uniform; the blazer is solid and deep navy blue in colour, without stripes. The tie is also navy blue and stripeless with the addition of the school crest in silver at the knot. The so-called "full colours" blazer, which is only awarded to those who have attained the top achievement in his field, is adorned with a more prestigious looking badge of the school, which is silver in colour and rests on top of two laurels. The standard "half colours" blazer is the same as the "full colours" blazer, but instead features the normal school badge.

War crys

The Paarl Boys' High War cry, or 'Kreet', has changed much over the years, but the current Warcry is as follows:

Shkommel my tollie wha!

Shkommel my tollie wha!

HJS HJS

Wha 'sop - 'sop 'sop 'sop

We are - we are

HaaJissis

Wha 'sop, Shimalaya wha!