Pretoria University High School

Pretoria University High School is a public English medium co-educational school located in the heart of Pretoria, near the University of Pretoria, South African Bureau of Standards, and Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The school has a long history, with many of its students going on to attend prestigious institutions such as the University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, and Stellenbosch University. Many notable figures, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and F.W. de Klerk, have visited the school, which is situated near the Union Buildings and Pretoria National Botanical Garden. The school's proximity to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and South African National Biodiversity Institute provides students with opportunities for hands-on learning and research.

● History

The school's history dates back to the early 20th century, when it was established as a Model School for the Transvaal Colony. Over the years, the school has undergone several transformations, with notable events including the South African War and the Soweto Uprising. The school has also been influenced by the Apartheid era, with many of its students and staff playing a role in the Anti-Apartheid Movement, alongside figures such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and Joe Slovo. The school's history is also closely tied to that of the University of Pretoria, with many of its students going on to study at the university, which is located near the Pretoria CBD and Hatfield. Other nearby institutions, such as the Tshwane University of Technology and University of South Africa, also have strong connections to the school.

● Campus

The school's campus is situated in the heart of Pretoria, near the Pretoria Zoo and National Zoological Gardens of South Africa. The campus is also close to the Pretoria Art Museum and State Theatre, providing students with access to a range of cultural and artistic activities. The school's facilities include a range of sports facilities, such as rugby fields, cricket pitches, and athletics tracks, which are also used by nearby schools, including Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool and Pretoria High School for Girls. The campus is also home to a number of clubs and societies, including the Debating Society, Drama Society, and Music Society, which have hosted events featuring notable figures such as Johnny Clegg, Soweto String Quartet, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

● Academics

The school offers a range of academic programs, including Cambridge International Examinations and International Baccalaureate programs, which are also offered by other schools in the area, such as St. Alban's College and St. Mary's Diocesan School for Girls. The school's academic programs are designed to prepare students for tertiary education at institutions such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University. The school's students have gone on to study a range of subjects, including medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand, engineering at the University of Cape Town, and law at the University of Pretoria. Many of the school's students have also been awarded scholarships to study at institutions such as the Rhodes University and University of KwaZulu-Natal.

● Extracurricular Activities

The school offers a range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams such as rugby, cricket, and hockey, which compete against other schools in the area, including Maritzburg College and Glenwood High School. The school's students have also participated in a range of cultural events, including the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and Standard Bank National Arts Festival. The school's debating team has competed against other schools, including St. John's College and King Edward VII School, and has been coached by notable figures such as Tokyo Sexwale and Mamphela Ramphele. The school's students have also been involved in a range of community service projects, including work with organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

● Notable Alumni

The school has a number of notable alumni, including politicians such as Trevor Noah and Helen Zille, who have gone on to study at institutions such as the University of Cape Town and University of the Witwatersrand. Other notable alumni include business leaders such as Patrice Motsepe and Cyril Ramaphosa, who have studied at institutions such as the University of Pretoria and Harvard University. The school's alumni have also included artists such as Athol Fugard and Janet Suzman, who have performed at venues such as the Market Theatre and Grahamstown National Arts Festival. Many of the school's alumni have gone on to achieve great things, including winning awards such as the Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize, and being recognized by organizations such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Category:Schools in Pretoria