- Cordwalles Preparatory School
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Cordwalles Preparatory School Location Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Information Type Private, Boarding Motto Courage Builds Character Established 1912 Locale Suburban Headmaster Simon Weaver Grades Pre-primary - 7 Number of students 315 boys School Color(s) Brown and white Fees R 39 900 p.a. (boarding)
R 59 800 p.a. (tuition)Website www.cordwalles.co.za Cordwalles is a private, boarding preparatory school for boys founded in 1912. It is located in Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Contents
Origins
Cordwalles was founded by Bishop Samuel Baines in 1912 as a preparatory school for Michaelhouse. It has grown considerably since its early beginnings as a boarding-only school and has had only six headmasters. Cordwalles has an Anglican foundation.
Headmasters
- J.H.E. Besant M.A. (Oxon) (1912–1946)
- J.D. Parmiter M.A. (Cantab) (1947–1956)
- R.C. Brooks M.A. (Cantab) (1957–1984)
- D.B.E Bawden (1985–1995)
- T.G. Evans (1996–2003)
- Simon Weaver (2004–present)
The school today
Cordwalles
Cordwalles is a boys preparatory school, which educates boys from Grade RR (boys turning 5) to Grade 7 (boys turning 13).
Cordwalles consists of fifteen hectares of ground, an 'Inky' (pre-school to grade 2) block and Lecture Room, Theatre, Science Laboratory, Design & Technology Centre and Computer and Media Centres.
There are over 300 boys taught by an academic and support staff of over 50. Most leavers go on to attend local private senior schools such as Hilton College, Kearsney College, Maritzburg College, Saint Charles College and especially Michaelhouse.
The headmaster, Simon Weaver is an old boy of Cordwalles, having been a pupil at the school from 1970 to 1975. He went on to Michaelhouse where he also did a Post Matric year. Simon Weaver was Deputy Headmaster of the Ridge (1995–1998). He was appointed headmaster of Pridwin (1999–2003) before heading up Cordwalles in 2004.
(Locate Cordwalles on Google Earth - 29°35′40″S 30°21′43″E / 29.59444°S 30.36194°ECoordinates: 29°35′40″S 30°21′43″E / 29.59444°S 30.36194°E)
History
Cordwalles Preparatory School was founded by Bishop Samuel Baines in 1912 when Michaelhouse moved from Pietermaritzburg to Balgowan and needing a preparatory school of its own to ensure its future enrolment.
Cordwalles consisted of 5 acres (20,000 m2) of land, a house and twelve boys. By 1917 the school encompassed 19 acres (77,000 m2) of land, classrooms and dormitories. In the 1930s the Chapel, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool as well as additional classrooms, dormitories and land were added. During the Second World War numbers rose to one hundred and forty seven boys. From the 1950s further dormitories together with a Kitchen block, Sanatorium, and enlarged Dining Hall, Science Laboratory, Library and Staff Houses were constructed. The 1960s saw the development of the double storey block, the five sports fields and the four tennis courts.
Notable alumni
- David Anderson (Andy), cartoonist and illustrator
- Professor David H.M.Brooks (1961), philosopher and author of "The Unity of the Mind'"
- Guy Chennells, philanthropist
- Roger Chennells, lawyer for the San Bushmen
- Norman Crookes, cricketer
- Andile Mazwai, stockbroker and broadcaster
- Gary Ralfe, Managing Director of De Beers
- Barry Streek, journalist
- Wilbur Smith (1946), novelist
- Derek Varnals, cricketer
- Richard "Tiny" Walker, rugby player
- Martin Walker, Previous chairman of MISASA and round-the-world microlight flyer.
- Timothy Woods, schoolmaster
- Dr David Woods, Professor and ex Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University (1996–2006)
External links
Categories:- Anglican schools in South Africa
- Boarding schools in South Africa
- Primary schools in South Africa
- Private schools in KwaZulu-Natal
- Educational institutions established in 1912
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