The school was established in 1963, starting with 12 class rooms and 372 learners in grades 8, 9 and 10 (then called Standards 6, 7 and 8).
Menlopark's school crest was designed by South African artist, Bettie Cilliers-Barnard, who was a big fan of Menlopark. Her daughter, actress Jana Cilliers, was also a learner at Menlopark.
The meaning of the crest:
The crest is designed in the shape of a circle – it symbolises the school's unity and strive for perfection.The most noticeable symbol in the middle of the circled crest is a cross which resembles their love for God and His love for them. Perfection in the Christian religion is the highest value Parkies strive for.Historically, the cross is the symbolic sign of the Huguenot ancestors.The four crossends each diverses into two and on the end appears eight small spheres which resemble the eight beatitudes (Matt. 5:3–10) heraldic embodied. Historically, it symbolises the eight anchors of the Huguenots and their strives.The ends of the cross are bound with each other in such a way that the four heart shaped quarters are formed. The hearts symbolise love and specifically how it is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13-7.Motto and credo
Menlopark's motto is Excelsa Petamus which is Latin for "We strive for the highest values".
The school's credo is Absolut Menlo.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) is called the "Parkieraad" which consists out of two learners (boy and girl) from every class. The council consists out of approximately 100 learners (50 boys and 50 girls).
Menlopark sports include:
AthleticsRugby - FNB Classic Clashes championsHockey - first school ever to win the Noordvaal Cup for two consecutive years – 2010 and 2011. The girls' first team is the title holder of the Noordvaal Cup, City Cup and League winners.)Cricket - winners of the National Standard Bank Pro20 Schools Challenge 2010Netball - National Wildeklawer and Schools Coke Tournament champions)TennisSquashChess - Menlopark's girls' team is the South African champion for the second year in a rowHorseback riding - won the Gauteng Schools Championships for the fourth year in a rowMountain bikingGolfSwimmingWater poloUnderwater hockeyCross countryMenlopark is the title holder of the Jacaranda Prestige Inter High Athletics Competition (A-league) champions and has won this title for the twelfth consecutive year. The girls' competition was won by the Menlopark girls 17 out of 18 times.
Menlopark is the title holder of the Swimming Inter High Competition (A-league) champions for the fifth consecutive year. Menlopark's swimming academy is part of Olympic gold medalist, Ryk Neethling's Players Academy. The school owns a 50m (Olympic size) heated swimming pool (one of only two schools in South Africa) on campus.
Menlopark has a soccer league called the Menlo Soccer League (MSL) where students of any age group in the school can apply to play in the league and compile their own teams. This was a student initiative that was established in 2006. (Logo: [2])
Other activities that Menlopark offers are:
Music (violin, cello, flute, piano, keyboard, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, saxophone, clarinet)ChoirOrchestraFlute Choir (Winners of the Pretoria Eisteddfod)OratorsDebateDramaVoortrekkersSchool newspaper (called "Die Eggo")The Menlo-choir was announced as the best school choir in South Africa at the National ATKV Applous Choir Competition July 2012 and being the only choir at the competition to achieve a Cum Laude award (90%+). They are the title holders of the best mixed choir in South Africa for the fifth consecutive year now (2009–2013). They are also known as the "Van Papendorp-Engeltjies" (Van Papendorp Angels in English) which comes from their director, Jeanmari van Papendorp's surname. The choir consists out of approximately 110 members and has participated on provincial, national, as well as international levels. The piano accompanist is Willem Luitingh. The choir has undertaken national and international tours and visited many countries, including Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Turkey, Austria, Germany and Egypt. During their 2013 European tour, they were crowned as the best mixed choir at the Summa Cum Laude Music Festival.
Menlopark has a theatre on campus, called "Die Blou Teater" (The Blue Theatre in English), where productions are performed by students.
In order of final year at Menlopark (date in brackets)
Jana Cilliers (1965), actressLaurie Dippenaar (1966), founder FirstRand GroupStephan Bouwer (1967), author of television productions, cabarets and lyricsJannie du Toit (1969), Afrikaans musician and singerClaudie van Onselen (néé van Straten) (1971) Springbok athleteKoos Kombuis (1972), Afrikaans writer, singer and songwriter (born André le Roux du Toit)Marianne van Wyk (1974), Springbok squash PlayerCalie Pistorius (1975), Vice Chancellor University of Pretoria; now VC University of Hull, United KingdomStefan Swanepoel (1975), The New York Times bestselling authorMarita van der Vyver (1975), authorReggie Holmes (1976), Springbok squash playerJohan Marais (1976), Springbok rugby playerHeinrich Regenass (1976), Forensic auditor and tax expertDawie Bosch (1977) (called "David" when at school), Author of text books on labour law, and former chief technical advisor of the International Labour OrganisationHenning Gericke (1977), Springbok athlete and currently motivational coach to the Springbok rugby teamAnneli van Rooyen (1978), Afrikaans musician and singerJohan Scholtz (1980), banking lawyerRudolf Straeuli (1981), Springbok and Lions rugby player, Springbok rugby coachEdward Webb (1984), Expert on applied animal physiology and meat science, and Head of Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences, University of PretoriaJacques Olivier (1986), Springbok rugby playerRich Verster (1993), Heineken Cup, Currie Cup, Super Rugby, Springbok amateur rugby playerPieter Murray (1999), trail runnerAmalia Uys (2002), actressAdriaan van der Dussen (2003), journalistTiaan Taljaard (2005), South African WrestlerGideon Louw (2005), South African swimmer in the 2008 Summer Olympics, 2012 Summer Olympics and 2010 Commonwealth GamesWillemien Heyns (2005), singer and songwriter, member of the musical group, Aanklank (formed in 2006)Eugenie Wicksell (2007), Springbok athleteAdam Heyns (2007), actor and comedianNadine Moore (2007), radio newsreporterCarlien Scholtz (2008), Springbok dancerKobus Moolman (2009), Springbok hurdles runner (110m)Sarina Frauenstein (néé Johnson) (2009), radio presenter, radio producer and MCTommy Hill (2009), founder of school's "Omgee-komitee" (Caring committee)Rikenette Steenkamp (2010), Springbok hurdles runner (100m). (Held 3 South African titles (at the age of 17) in her final year: SA Women's Schools champion, SA Junior Women's champion, SA Senior Women's champion)Stefan Vermaak (2010), actor and MCWillem de Beer (2010), pianistTony Jantjies (2010), Junior Boks rugby player and Club rugby playerTheunis de Bruyn (2010), South African cricketer (U/19)Samuel Mofokeng (2010), South African cricketerSonja Scholtz (2011), Springbok chess playerPieter N. Scribante (2011), Springbok ju-jitsu (World champion U/16)Charné van Biljon (2011), Springbok hockey player (U/17), member of the Junior City Council of Pretoria (2009–2011)Regardt Verster (2011), South African cricketer (U/19)Willie Steyn (2011), Junior Springbok shooter.Inge Viljoen (2011), Springbok heptathlon AthleteHardu Nel (2011), Springbok wrestlerWian Human (2012), Springbok amateur wrestling (Protea Colours), bronze medalist African Championships Chad (2013) Greco-Roman WrestlingLenke van Aarde (2012), Springbok chess playerPJ Maas (2013), singer, songwriter and lead guitarist for the musical group TheGeorgeZandi Uys (2013), lead vocalist for the musical group TheGeorgeNiel Markgraaff (2013), guitarist for the musical group TheGeorgeDuard Musk (2014), guitarist for the musical group TheGeorgeWillemien Heyns (2005)Bremer Pauw (2006)Adam Heyns (2007)Ulrich Ohlhoff (2008)Armand Basson (2009)Gunther Matzner (2010)Magrietjie Pelser (2011)Dewald Vlok (2012)Anje de Wet (2013)Altus Bisschoff (2014)To be announced (2015)The association, known as Menlo Alumni, was founded in 2006.
The school song was written in 1965 by Mr J J Botha (lyrics) and Mr O A Van der Stoep (music). The lyrics (in Afrikaans):
Hou hoog die vaandel wit en blouOns simbool van trots en trouJa, ons hart,en ons hand -Aan ons skool is dit verpand.Hier sal ons streef en werk en bou,Waai ons vlag hoog, wit en blou!En al wat ons skool sal vra,Is om trots sy naam te dra,Excelsa Petamus! Excelsa Petamus! Excelsa Petamus!Streef die hoogste na.As Hugenote kinders trou,Sal ons hul geloftes hou;Eer betoon,Sonder loon,Diensbereid en plig getrou;Ons werk en spel getrou volbring;Om Sy naam die lof te singen wat Sy gebod ons vra,Streef ons in ons harte na.Excelsa Petamus! Excelsa Petamus! Excelsa Petamus!Streef die hoogste na.The school's fight song is called "Ons Skool Sal Saamstaan". The tune is based on the Welsh National Anthem (Land of My Fathers). The lyrics (in Afrikaans):
Ons skool sal saamstaangekleed in wit en blou.Ons bou saam en werk saamin trots en in trou.In wen of verloordra die Parkies hul spooren streef ons die hoogste na.Menlo, ons sal jou altyd onthou.Die tyd gaan verby,in ons harte sal jy bly;'
n Anker vir jou en vir my.Valentine's Ball (Known as the "Parkiebal")Matric DanceParkiedag (Parkie Day in English which takes place on Valentine's Day)Liefdadigheidsweek (Charity Week in English)Jesusweek (Jesus Week in English)Menlovaria (the school's own cultural week)Menlo Choir FestivalGrade 10 BallMenlofees (Menlo Festival in English)Spring Tea (for mothers and daughters)Matric Council CampParkieraad (SRC) CampGrade 9 Camp (Although they did not have one this year the camp may be changed into a Grade 10 "veldskool" for 2013)Choir CampThe headmaster's birthday celebrationsFoam Party"Beheerliggaam-skild" spirit challenge (competition between the grades 8,9,10 and 11 that consists out of multiple "boeresport"-activities and which takes place on Spring Day; the grade with the most spirit, wins – the grades 11's (The Matrics of 2013) are the current title holders)Menlo Open DayFNB Classic Clash (rugby match between Menlopark and St Alban's College – Menlopark are the current holders of the cup)Tekkielympics (Co-ed netball competition)Menlo Soccer League (MSL) (Although there has not been an MSL since 2010)The Cricket Big Bash (Twenty20-match between Menlopark and Hoërskool Waterkloof – Menlopark are the current title holders)Subject Evenings (French and German)Former Parkies vs. the first rugby team matchThe Fear Factor Challenges consists of 4 challenges: Oros-downing (the student who finishes downing 2 litres of Oros first, wins), "Koning van die Kaf"-competition (King of the Cafeteria in English – the student who eats the required amount of food the fastest, wins), MXit-competition ("Menlo's Xtreme Intense Typer" – the first student who types and sends a specific given phrase via SMS, wins the title) and hand tennis (dumpie).Restaurant Evenings (Menlopark has its own restaurant on campus, called "Cuisine Le Park", where students can improve and embrace their cooking and waitering skills)The Menlo Choir's Annual Christmas Carol
