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'{{Short description|Boarding school in Balgowan, South Africa}} {{for|the former college of the [[University of Cambridge]]|Michaelhouse, Cambridge}} {{More citations needed|date=October 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}} {{Use South African English|date=May 2015}} {{Infobox school | name = ''Michaelhouse'' | image = mhs badge.gif | caption = Michaelhouse school crest | religion = [[Christianity]] | motto = [[Quis ut Deus]] | city = [[Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal|Balgowan]] | province = [[KwaZulu-Natal]] | country = [[South Africa]] | type = [[Private school|Private]] & [[Boarding school|Boarding]] | established = {{start date and age|1896}} | locale = Rural | rector = Antony Clark | grades = Blocks E - A (grades 8{{ndash}}12) | gender = Male | lower_age = 13 | upper_age = 18 | language = [[English language|English]] | affiliations = [[Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference|HMC]] <br /> [[Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa|ISASA]] | feeders = {{Plainlist| * [[Clifton Preparatory School, Nottingham Road|Clifton Preparatory School]] * Cowan House Preparatory School * [[Cordwalles Preparatory School]] * Durban Preparatory High School * [[Highbury Preparatory School]] * [[Merchiston Preparatory School]] * Pridwin Preparatory School * St. David's Preparatory School * [[Waterkloof House Preparatory School]] }} | website = {{url|michaelhouse.org}} | authority = [[Independent Examinations Board|IEB]] | students = 615 boys | colours = {{colourbox|Red}} Red <br />{{colourbox|White}} White | rival = {{Plainlist| * [[Hilton College (South Africa)|Hilton College]] * [[Kearsney College]] * [[Maritzburg College]]}} | tuition = 2021 Annual Board and Tuition E to A Block: ZAR 312 400 }} '''Michaelhouse''' is a full boarding senior school for boys founded in 1896. It is located in the [[Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal|Balgowan]] valley in the [[KwaZulu-Natal Midlands|Midlands]] of [[KwaZulu-Natal]], South Africa. == History == ''St. Michael's Diocesan College'' was founded in [[Pietermaritzburg]] in 1896 by [[James Cameron Todd]], an [[Anglican]] [[Canon (priest)|canon]]. The school was established as a private venture with fifteen boys in two small houses in Loop Street. James Cameron Todd had a clear idea of what he wanted the school to be. He wrote: "A man's tone, moral and spiritual, as well as intellectual, is largely determined for life by his school." Within a few years, Michaelhouse became the Diocesan College of Natal, governed by a permanent trust deed and administered by a [[board of governors]]. In 1901 the school relocated to [[Balgowan, South Africa|Balgowan]], when some 77 boys took up residence in the buildings which remain the core to the school to this day. Its name was later changed to ''Michaelhouse''. The school adopted the 9th century [[chorale]] "Stars of the Morning"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michaelhouse.org/MHS%20-%20Stars%20of%20the%20morning.mp3 |title=Archived copy |website=www.michaelhouse.org |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111035105/http://www.michaelhouse.org/MHS%20-%20Stars%20of%20the%20morning.mp3 |archive-date=11 November 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> as its official school [[hymn]]. === Motto === The [[Latin]] school [[motto]], ''[[Quis ut Deus]]'' translates to 'Who like God?', or, less literally, 'Who is like God?'. This motto is derived from the name of the school whose origin stems from the [[Hebrew]] ''Mikha'el'' which translates to the same.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Michael|title=the definition of michael|website=www.dictionary.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref> The school hymn, ''[[s:Stars of the Morning|Stars of the Morning]]'', reflects this with the line {{"'}}Who like the Lord?' thunders [[Archangel Michael|Michael, the Chief]]." === Rectors === #[[James Cameron Todd]] (1896–1903) #Edward Bertram Hugh Jones (1903–1910) #Antony William Scudamore Brown (1910–1916) #Eldred Pascoe (1917–1926) #[[Warin Foster Bushell]] (1927–1930) #Ronald Fairbridge Currey (1930–1938) #Frederick Rowlandson Snell (1939–1952) #Clement Yorke Morgan (1953–1960) #Robert 'Tommy' Norwood (1960–1968) #Rex Frampton Pennington (1969–1977) #Neil Jardine (1978–1986) #John Hay Pluke (1987–1996) #Reginald Dudley Forde (1997–2001) #Guy Norman Pearson (2002–2012) #Gregory Theron (2013-2018)<ref name="MeaChro2019">{{Cite web |title=Rector transition at Michaelhouse |last=Gordon |first=Phillippa |work=Meander Chronicle |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=13 June 2019 |url= http://meanderchronicle.co.za/rector-transition-at-michaelhouse/ }}</ref> #Paul Christian Fleischack (2018-2019) #[[Antony Roy Clark]] (2019-)<ref name="Pieterse2019">{{Cite news|newspaper=The Natal Witness|title=Michaelhouse's new rector comes with vast experience |date=29 April 2019|first=Chelsea|last=Pieterse |url= https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-witness/20190429/281621011752114 |access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref> === Relationship with Hilton College === [[Hilton College (South Africa)|Hilton College]] and Michaelhouse have enjoyed a long history of friendly rivalry. The two schools have much in common and are the only two full boarding schools remaining in KwaZulu-Natal. The schools are located near one another in the [[KwaZulu-Natal Midlands]]. The bond between Hilton and Michaelhouse has developed since 1904 when the two schools played their first rugby match at Hilton College, which Hilton won 11-0. Both schools consider each other their main fixture in all sporting disciplines. The high point of this rivalry is the biannual Hilton-Michaelhouse Day. This event, held alternately between the two schools, sees them play one another in rugby and hockey. The culmination of the day is the main rugby match between the two schools' 1st XVs, which is the oldest continuous rugby fixture in [[Kwa-Zulu Natal]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Difford|first=Ivor|title=The History of South African Rugby Football|year=1933|publisher=Speciality Press|location=Cape Town|page=173}}</ref> == Academics == The years of study are referred to as blocks E to A. "A block" is the equivalent of grade 12 or year 12 and has boys aged 17 or 18 and "E block" is the equivalent of grade 8 or year 8 and has boys aged 13 or 14. Michaelhouse educates boys and has an academic staff of about sixty with a male teaching quotient of approximately 70%; the master/pupil ratio is 1:10. Each grade has 5 classes with approximately 22 boys per class.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.isasa.org/component/option,com_hotproperty/task,view/id,77/Itemid,147/|title=ISASA School Directory|website=www.isasa.org}}</ref> Michaelhouse school-leavers write the [[Independent Examinations Board]] exams and consistently achieve top results. {| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; text-align: right" ! style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align="left" |IEB Results !2017 !2018 !2019 !2020 !2021 |- | align="left" |Number of candidates |107 |114 |99 |108 |110 |- | align="left" |Pass rate (%) |100 |100 |100 |100 |100 |- | align="left" |University endorsement (%) |98 |99 |94 |99 |100 |- | align="left" |Subject A's per boy |2 |2,5 |2 |2,4 |3,1 |- | align="left" |A aggregates (%) |23 |22 |17 |23 |37 |- | align="left" |Average aggregate mark (%) |72 |74 |71 |73 |75 |} The school has produced over 30 [[Rhodes scholar]]s to study at the [[University of Oxford]] and 10 Elsie Ballot scholars to study at the [[University of Cambridge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genealogyworld.net/michaelhouse/rhodes.html<|title=Genealogy World}}</ref> The school hosted the [[World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships]] in 2002. == The estate and facilities == === Pietermaritzburg foundation (1896 to 1902) === The school was founded in a building in Loop Street, [[Pietermaritzburg]]. It had capacity for about 30 boys in total, but it was not long before that became inadequate. === Balgowan estate (from 1902) === [[File:The Chapel Rose Window.jpg|thumb|The chapel [[rose window]] depicts the head of Christ surrounded by the birds of [[Kwa-Zulu Natal|Natal Province]].]] Around the turn of the century, approximately {{convert|60|acre|ha}} of land in the picturesque Balgowan valley, approximately 45 minutes north-west of Pietermaritzburg was donated to Rector James Cameron Todd. The buildings were started in 1900 and the school took occupation in 1901. The first buildings to be completed were the existing administration block, vestry and gallery of the now extended chapel, and Founders House. === The Michaelhouse Nature Reserve === The hill overlooking Michaelhouse is one of the rarer biomes in the country (Midlands mistbelt grassland) and is the preferred habitat for an indigenous antelope, the [[Oribi]]. === The Estate === The original school buildings are made of traditional [[Pietermaritzburg]] red brick. The entire school is built in a lattice of quadrangles. It is in fact possible to move from one end of the school buildings to the other without ever having to get wet on a rainy day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.michaelhouse.org/about/virtual-tour/|title=Virtual Tour Of Michaelhouse Senior Boys School In KZN|first=Country|last=Digital|website=www.michaelhouse.org}}</ref> ==== Virtual Tour of the Estate ==== Here is a virtual tour https://www.michaelhouse.org/about/virtual-tour/ ==== Boarding houses ==== There are ten boarding houses. The house system was put in place by Rector Warin Bushell in 1928. Initially, four houses were established but as the school grew the number of houses increased. These are, in order of age, with foundation date in brackets: [[File:House Flag Colours.png|thumb|The colours and designs of each house flag]] *Founders (1928, formerly called "Rector's" and "Foundation North") *East (1928, formerly called "Foundation East") *West (1928, formerly called "Foundation West") *Farfield (1928) *Tatham (1935, formerly called "Tathams") *Pascoe (1940) *Baines (1956) *Mackenzie (1995) *Ralfe (2020) *McCormick (2020) Each boarding house houses about 70 boys in dormitories of four to twelve for the younger boys and in double and single rooms for the senior boys. The boys share two dining halls (one for senior boys and one for juniors) for their meals and are supplied by a kitchen, with an on-site bakery and butchery. ==== The chapel ==== The chapel is an important focal point in the school's architecture and ethos. The chapel was built running from North to South with the apse at the North end. [[File:The Michaelhouse Chapel, full school Eucharist, 2019.jpg|thumb|The Michaelhouse Chapel, full school Eucharist, 2019]] In the 1940s, however, the chapel was no longer big enough to fit the entire school in for a service. Thus the chapel was extended towards the East. Because of [[World War II]], the chapel was only finished in the 1950s. A memorial to those who died in World War II is outside the entrance to the chapel. The original chapel now forms the gallery and vestry. The apse of the old chapel is used as a baptism font. The extended chapel can seat nearly 600 people. Beneath the new chapel is a crypt which is used for smaller prayer meetings and services. The crypt can seat 30 people. The [[Stained Glass|stained glass windows]] featured in the [[Sir Herbert Baker]] designed chapel, include the Michaelhouse [[rose window]], created by [[Ervin Bossanyi]] depicting the head of Christ surrounded by the birds of [[Kwa-Zulu Natal|Natal Province]] at the rear of the chapel. There is also a series of lancet windows in the sanctuary by [[Margaret Agnes Rope]] depicting the Virgin and child, flanked by the Archangels [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] and [[Gabriel]] and [[Samuel]] as a boy, King [[David]] as a young man, [[John the Baptist]] as a child and the boy with the [[loaves and fishes]]. The pews are made of solid teak. The chapel has a bell-tower, installed in the 1950s with a [[carillon]] of eight bells. It has been a tradition (with unknown origins) that only boys from Tatham House may ring the bells. The bells are rung before each chapel service (there are three services a week, although not all are compulsory). ==== The Schlesinger Theatre ==== A 550-seat theatre was built and completed in 1976. It was opened at a ceremony by Elizabeth Sneddon in 1976. The theatre hosts a variety of performances, mainly aimed at the resident population of pupils. However, the theatre is open to the local community. Many performers give a one night performance on their way between runs in [[Johannesburg]] and [[Durban]]. The Schlesinger theatre is one of a number of facilities at the school that was funded by an old boy. ==== The Indoor Centre ==== The construction of the Inglis Indoor Centre was finally completed in the month of August 2006. It is named after James Inglis, a past chairman of the Board of Governors. In summer it is used for basketball and cricket and has three courts that can be used simultaneously as well as 4 indoor turf cricket nets, whilst during winter it is used for indoor hockey. The centre also features a cafeteria/restaurant which is available to the pupils as well as the public, and accommodation for visiting teams to stay overnight. [[File:High Performance Sports Centre.jpg|thumb|High Performance Sports Centre, 2022]] ==== Other features ==== The library is stocked with over 16,000 books and has an adjoining 50 seat lecture theatre. There are four Science laboratories, three Biology laboratories and four computer centres. The school has a sanatorium and laundry service. The staff reside on the estate. [[File:Lecture room in the Science and Biology Centre.jpg|thumb|Lecture room, 2019]] [[File:Statue of the Archangel Michael.jpg|thumb|Statue of the Archangel Michael at the front of the school looking out to the Balgowan valley.]] === Sporting facilities === There are 11 playing fields: *''Willows'' - named after the Willow trees that stand along its length. *''Vlei'' - an [[Afrikaans]] name meaning marsh or bog. This is because of the field's affinity for flooding during heavy rains. *''Meadows'' - used as the main rugby field. *''Far Meadows'' - adjacent to Meadows *''Holleys'' *''Tarpeys'' - grew millet during [[World War II]] to feed the school. *''Baileys'' - the former main rugby field. Moved to Meadows when seating the hundreds of fans on its small banks became a problem *''Aitkens Astroturf'' - formerly a grass pitch, the astroturf was completed in 2001. *''Punchbowl Astroturf'' -It was a junior cricket oval,the new astroturf was completed in 2019. *''Hannahs'' - a senior cricket oval. *''Roy Gathorne Oval'' - the first team's cricket oval, named after [[Roy Gathorne]]. These include six turf [[cricket]] pitches, two artificial astroturf [[field hockey|hockey]] surfaces, a heated [[swimming pool]] (12 lanes by 25 metres), a heated water polo pool, eight [[tennis]] courts, a weight training facility, a six [[court]] [[Squash (sport)|squash]] complex, a golf driving range with artificial putting green, an indoor sports centre (used primarily for basketball and indoor hockey - the facility also houses four artificial surface indoor cricket practice nets) and a [[dam]] for [[canoeing]]. === Hosting of Paraguay national football team === The nearby [[Woodridge Estate]] hosted the [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] team for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], and Michaelhouse was chosen to be the team's training base for the tournament. == Alumni organisation == Since the school was founded in 1896, it has produced approximately 8900 alumni. Around 6870 are living. Alumni are members of the ''Michaelhouse Old Boys' Club''. The Club was founded on [[Whit Monday]], 1 June 1903. The School's Founder (Reverend [[James Cameron Todd]]) was the Club's first President. The Club is headquartered in the Heritage Centre on the school campus. [[File:Old-Boys-Club-Logo.png|thumb|Official Logo of the Michaelhouse Old Boys' Club]] It has a global presence with 10 regional branches and 9 regional affiliations across six continents. The Old Boys' Club is driven by its Club for Life<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.notion.so/|title=Notion – The all-in-one workspace for your notes, tasks, wikis, and databases.|website=www.notion.so}}</ref> mantra. The mantra seeks to create an environment to: ask for help, offer help, share knowledge, share memories, do good business and be a force for good in the world. == Notable alumni == The year of matriculation is given in brackets, where it is known. <!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> <!---♦♦♦ Only people with an article on Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> *[[Rennie Airth]] (1952), novelist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rennieairth.net/|title=Rennie Airth - Welcome|website=www.rennieairth.net}}</ref> *[[Dale Benkenstein]] (1992), [[Dolphins cricket team|Dolphins]], Proteas and Durham cricket player, Proteas batting coach. *[[Stephen Bird]], Australian sprint canoeist, represented Australia at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] and the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] *[[Rupert Bromley|Rupert Bromley, 10th Bt.]] (1952), [[Rhodes scholar]] and businessman *[[David H.M.Brooks]] (1967), philosopher and author of "''The Unity of the Mind''" *[[Peter Brown (South African politician)|Peter Brown]] (1941), activist and founding member of the [[South African Liberal Party|Liberal Party]] *[[Michael Cassidy (evangelist)|Michael Cassidy]] (1953) - evangelist *[[Pat Cilliers]] (2005), Sharks, Lions, Stormers and Springbok rugby player *[[Ruan Combrinck]] (2008), Lions and Springbok rugby player *[[Sir John Craven]], director of [[Reuters]] and [[Deutsche Bank]] *[[Ross Cronjé]], Lions and Springbok rugby player *[[Robbie Diack]] (2003), [[Ulster|Ulster Rugby]] [[rugby union|and Ireland Rugby Union]] footballer, formerly of [[Western Province (rugby team)|Western Province]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=18&art_id=vn20060914133717511C269379|title=Cape Argus - 14 September 2006|website=www.iol.co.za}}</ref> *[[Patrick Dorehill]] (1938), Royal Air Force bomber pilot - flew the daring Augsburg raid in 1942. *[[George Francis Rayner Ellis|George Ellis]] ([[Cantabrigiensis|Cantab]]) (1955), scientist and author (co-written book with [[Stephen Hawking]]) *[[John Fieldsend|Sir John Fieldsend]], the first [[Chief Justice of Zimbabwe]] *[[Nicholas Folker]] (1994), South African swimmer, represented SA at the [[1999 All-Africa Games]] and the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] *[[Henry Fotheringham]] (1970), a retired South African cricketer who played in seven unofficial Test matches and fifteen unofficial One Day Internationals *[[Warrick Fynn]], cricketer *[[John Harker]] (1972), retired Natal and Springbok swimmer *[[Chick Henderson (rugby union)|Chick Henderson]] (1947), [[rugby union]] footballer and commentator *[[Giles Henderson]] (1958), Master of [[Pembroke College, Oxford]] *[[Paul Hepker]] (1984), film composer ([[Tsotsi]]) *[[Craig Higginson]], International novelist and playwright *[[Robert Holmes à Court]], entrepreneur [[Mark Richards (rugby union)|and]] Australia's first [[billionaire]] *[[Patrick Howard (rugby union)|Patrick Howard]], Western Province, Munster and Newport Gwent Dragons rugby player *[[Patrick Lambie]] (2008), Sharks and Springbok rugby player *[[Ian Lloyd (UK politician)|Sir Ian Lloyd]] ([[Cantabrigiensis|Cantab]]), [[United Kingdom|British]] politician and [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[British House of Commons|MP]] *Divesh Makan (1991), Founder if ICONIQ Capital *[[Tufty Mann]], former [[South African cricket team|South African]] [[cricket]]er *[[Donald George MacLeod|Don MacLeod]] ([[University of Oxford|Oxon]]), Natal cricketer and chairman of Illovo Sugar *[[Colin Melville]], cricketer and schoolmaster, later taught at Michaelhouse *[[Alan Melville]], Captain [[South African cricket team|South African]] cricket team. *[[Paul Nash (athlete)|Paul Nash]] (1964), a South African sprinter who tied the 100-metre world record four times in 1968 with a time of 10.0 seconds. *[[Christopher Robert Nicholson|Chris Nicholson]], High Court judge in the Natal Provincial Division who declared charges against [[Jacob Zuma]] were unlawful *[[Gary Ralfe]] (1961), former managing director of [[De Beers]] *[[Michael Rhodes (rugby union)|Michael Rhodes]], Stormers and Saracens rugby player *[[Mark Richards (rugby union)|Mark Richards]], South African Sevens rugby player *Andrew Robertson (1977), President & CEO of [[BBDO]] *[[Desmond Sacco]] (1958), Chairman of Assore *[[The Kiffness|David 'the Kiffness' Scott]] (2005), musician *[[Richard Scott, Baron Scott of Foscote]] (1951), [[United Kingdom|British]] barrister and judge *[[Wilbur Smith]] (1950), bestselling novelist *[[Barry Streek]], political journalist and anti-apartheid activist *[[Rex Tremlett]], gold prospector *[[Paul Trewhela]], journalist, communist and political prisoner *[[John van de Ruit]] (1993), playwright and author of ''[[Spud (novel)|Spud]]'' *[[Timothy Woods]] (1961), schoolmaster *[[Jean van der Westhuyzen]] (2017), Australian canoeist, [[2020 Summer Olympics]] gold medalist == Michaelhouse today == The ideals of the founder, James Cameron Todd, are maintained. He said "Our aim is to make, not accountants, not clerks, not doctors, not clergymen, but men of understanding, thought and culture". Michaelhouse is a member of the [[Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa]] and the [[Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference]]. Michaelhouse is also the school in which the novel [[Spud (novel)|Spud]], by [[alumnus]] [[John van de Ruit]], takes place. The [[Spud (film)|movie version]] was also shot here. == Feeder schools == *[[Clifton Preparatory School, Nottingham Road]], [[KwaZulu-Natal]] *[[Highbury Preparatory School]], [[KwaZulu-Natal]] *[[Cordwalles Preparatory School]], [[KwaZulu-Natal]] *[[Clifton School (South Africa)|Clifton School, Durban]] *[[The Ridge School]], [[Gauteng]] *[[Pridwin Preparatory School]], [[Gauteng]] *[[Cowan House Preparatory School]], [[KwaZulu-Natal]] *[[Merchiston Preparatory School]], [[KwaZulu-Natal|Kwazulu-Natal]] *[[Waterkloof House Preparatory School]], [[Gauteng]] *[[St. Peter's Preparatory School]], [[Gauteng]] *[[Durban Preparatory High School]], [[KwaZulu-Natal]] *[[St. Davids Preparatory School]], [[Gauteng]] *[[St. Peter's Preparatory School]], [[Gauteng]] == See also == *[[List of boarding schools]] == References == {{reflist}} == External links == *{{Commons category-inline}} *{{Official website|http://www.michaelhouse.org}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070224062712/http://www.michaelhouse.org/OldBoysClub54.aspx Michaelhouse Old Boys' Club] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070912011303/http://www.isasa.org/component/option,com_hotproperty/task,view/id,77/Itemid,147/ ISASA Schools Directory] {{KZNSchools}} {{authority control}} {{coord|29|24|S|30|02|E|display=title|region:ZA_type:landmark_source:GNS-enwiki}} [[Category:Boys' schools in South Africa]] [[Category:Anglican schools in South Africa]] [[Category:Boarding schools in South Africa]] [[Category:Private schools in KwaZulu-Natal]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1896]] [[Category:Member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference]] [[Category:1896 establishments in the Colony of Natal]] [[Category:Herbert Baker buildings and structures]]'