School Type: Boys

“A man’s tone, moral and spiritual as well as intellectual, is largely determined for life, by his school.”
~ Founder: Canon James Cameron Todd, 1896.

Founded in 1896, Michaelhouse is recognised as one of the world’s leading Independent senior boarding schools for boys.  Situated on a secure 600 hectare country estate in the picturesque midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the school upholds a long and proud tradition of excellence where each boy is fully integrated into the spiritual, academic, social, cultural and sporting life of the school.

The campus entrance welcomes visitors down a tree lined avenue of century old pin oak trees planted to commemorate past students lost in World War 1, evoking a natural sense of solid heritage, values and charm.  The distinctive architecture of ivy clad inter-linked quadrangles surrounded by rolling grassed terraces encourages a sense of respect and belonging among the 540 boys of local, regional and international origin.

With an active base of over 4500 Alumni across five continents, Michaelhouse has produced in excess of 30 Rhodes Scholars, 10 Elsie Ballot Scholars and over 100 international sportsmen over the past century.

VALUES

To live our lives according to Christian values of integrity, humility, compassion, courage and service to our community and country.

MISSION

To provide a dynamic and progressive education that respects individual needs and differences in pursuit of academic, sporting and cultural excellence, while developing social and leadership skills and nurturing spiritual growth.

VISION

“Our aim is to make, not accountants, not clerks, not doctors, not clergymen, but men; men of understanding, thought and culture.” Founder Canon James Cameron Todd (Speech Day 1897).

COMPOSITION OF THE SCHOOL

Michaelhouse is an all boy, full-boarding school.  Boys enter Michaelhouse in Grade 8 (E Block) and continue through to Grade 12 (A Block). Approximately 50% of the students are from KwaZulu-Natal, 35% from remaining South African provinces and 15% from international countries.

The school has a full compliment of resident staff which facilitates a high level of pastoral care and interaction with the pupils.

SPIRITUAL (Quis Ut Deus - Who is as God)

Michaelhouse has a strong Christian ethos and is observed as the Anglican Diocesan College of Natal.  The resident Chaplain, together with the Rector, are responsible for the spiritual welfare of the school.

Boys of all denominations attend Chapel service and may also elect to follow a confirmation programme from Grade 10 (C Block). The annual Confirmation Service is conducted by the Bishop.  There is a strong practice of Christian Fellowship and well-being among the students, voluntarily exercised through active involvement in various Outreach programmes for previously disadvantaged communities. These include personal coaching in academic, sport and social upliftment activities.

The founding Chapel was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and houses a collection of magnificent stained glass windows individually hand blown by the world famous Hungarian-born artist, Erwin Bossanyi. The solid teak wood pews were hand-crafted by past students in the early 1900’s and each kneeler individually embroidered with the personal initials of students past and present.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

Academic pursuits receive priority at Michaelhouse. Teachers concentrate on providing a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment for the boys supported by state-of-the-art inter-active teaching facilities. Seventeen academic subjects are offered in numerous package options, with outstanding results consistently achieved in the internationally accredited Independent Examination Board (IEB) examinations. The school has an average pupil: teacher ratio of 10: 1, with a male teaching quorum of approximately 70%.

Academic excellence is evidenced with the Class of 2004 achieving 21 A aggregates and 39 B aggregates in the final examinations. In total, 94% of the 2004 final year candidates received A, B or C aggregates – the highest ranking amongst our competitor schools. There were 125 subject distinctions, which equated to an outstanding 1, 3 distinctions per candidate.

CULTURAL

Cultural extension is actively encouraged through the vibrant programmes offered in Music, Art and Drama with outstanding facilities supporting each faculty.

The Music School offers 9 individual practice rooms, extensive use of technology and a recording studio. Michaelhouse is extremely proud of its energetic Music Department where there is a strong focus on performance. A fifth of the school is actively involved in music - either taken as a formal subject, or as a member of the internationally acclaimed choir or as an instrumentalist in the ever popular and performing Jazz Band.

The 550 seat theatre complex is home to a dynamic Speech and Drama Department and provides a venue for numerous school productions, local and international performing artists, enrichment speakers and musicians. The Theatre offers first class technical facilities, acoustics and an orchestra arena for musical accompaniment.

The Art School comprises four studios which complement the creative disciplines of ceramics, sculpture, photography, drawing and painting technique. Dynamic and progressive, the Art School is focused on ensuring that art enhances the lives of all boys by encouraging them to become visually aware, responsive and articulate. The facilities are available to all boys.

SPORT

Michaelhouse offers a vibrant sport programme with a choice of 14 sport options. The Campus has 12 playing fields including an Astroturf hockey facility, 7 turf cricket pitches, a dedicated senior cricket oval, an athletics track, 8 tennis courts, a 6 court squash complex with 3 glass-backed courts, 2 basketball courts, a 25m x 25m heated swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a golf driving range and a dam for canoeing enthusiasts. Midmar Dam (20km from school) is the venue used for sailing. There is a climbing wall on campus for the suitable enthusiasts. The services of extended professional sport coaches are available. Golf is played at Bosch Hoek Golf Club (7km from school) and players compete in district league competitions at various venues.

An all weather Sports Centre to accommodate the increasing competencies of action cricket, basketball and indoor hockey is currently under construction.

The boys’ sport talents are acknowledged at zonal, provincial and international level, with inter-school fixtures played at first league standing. Michaelhouse has produced in excess of 100 sportsmen who have played at international level.

LEADERSHIP

“If a boy walks so tall that he cannot stoop to help those that have fallen – then he knows nothing of the spirit of Michaelhouse” – Ben Parham, Senior Prefect 1996.

Leadership training forms an integral part of the education programme offered at Michaelhouse. Numerous leadership roles are created through a formalised School and House Prefect system together with Team Leaders from various academic, sport and cultural faculties.

Extra curricular activities include over 40 Clubs & Societies, all of which support a culture of active student participation and leadership through the respective committees responsible for organisation, motivation and administration.

The Clubs and Societies of Michaelhouse provide an invaluable opportunity for self-development as well as an excellent vehicle for getting to know boys in an informal environment.

THE HOUSE SYSTEM

Central to the Michaelhouse experience, is the House system, with each House home to approximately 65 students. There are eight Houses, each one in the care of a qualified and compassionate Housemaster. The Housemaster is supported by a management team consisting of a House Tutor, Home Room Teacher and a Prefect body with all parties responsible for facilitating a nurturing and structured environment where every boy can feel secure and valued.

A Housemaster is active in the classroom as a teacher and on the sports field as a coach. He will serve on various administrative working committees, and also control, according to his own area of expertise and special interest, one or a number of clubs, societies or interest groups. It is his specific task to assist each boy to become fully integrated into the spiritual, academic, social, cultural and sporting life of the school and to monitor his progress.

The Houses are Founders, East, West, Tatham, Farfield, Pascoe, Baines, and Mackenzie with all new boys continuing their stay in their House of choice from commencement in Grade 8 (E Block) through to Grade 12 (A Block).

The eight houses are the focal point of group identity, friendship and relaxation, with healthy rivalries between Houses in sporting, cultural and academic achievements. All Houses have a comfortable Common Room including networked DSTV for television viewing and table tennis or pool tables for socialising. Senior boys enjoy accommodation of duel or single bed-sits equipped with internet computer facilities, with junior boys (Grade 8 and 9) in rooms accommodating 8 to 4 boys respectively.

PASTORAL CARE

Michaelhouse prides itself in its pastoral care of all students and across all spectrums - spiritual, academic, cultural, sporting and on a personal level. The school is additionally proud of its permanent services of three medical Sisters and a resident Doctor.

We welcome boys who are eager to embrace the Michaelhouse experience - boys who strive for goodness and decency, honesty and integrity; boys who are eager to take advantage of the outstanding opportunities and facilities offered - boys who are curious to learn and determined to achieve. Michaelhouse is a school that will retain its heritage and focus on development of the individual - your son.

School Phase:

• Secondary

Lowest Grade: Grade 8
Highest Grade: Grade 12
Boarding: Yes
Boarding From: Grade 8
Number of Pupils: 550
Founding Year: 1896
Religious Affiliation: Anglican
Lowest Tuition Fees Per Annum (2008): R117660
Highest Tuition Fees Per Annum (2008): R117660
Lowest Boarding Fees (inc. Tuition): R117660
Highest Boarding Fees (inc. Tuition): R117660
Examinations or Curricula:

• National Senior Certificate (IEB)

Postal Address: PO Balgowan
Postal Code: 3275
Telephone: 033 234 1000
Fax: 033 234 1120
Website: http://www.michaelhouse.org/
Suburb: Balgowan
City/Town: Pietermaritzburg
South African Province: KwaZulu-Natal
Country: South Africa