St. Andrew's School, Bloemfontein

History

St. Andrew's was founded on 16 November 1863 by Bishop Edward Twells as the Diocesan Grammar School, and was located in a building now known as the Old Raadsaal in St George's Street, Bloemfontein. The first headmaster was George Clegg.

In 1874 the school was renamed St. Andrew's School when it moved to new buildings on the corner of St George's Street and Church Street. The headmaster at this time was Reverend Douglas McKenzie. The foundation stone of the first St Andrew's is preserved alongside the current chapel.

In March 1899 new buildings were built for the school; these were however only occupied for a few months before being requisitioned by the British Army during the South African War and the school closed.

At the conclusion of hostilities in 1902, the facilities were appropriated for use by the new Oranje Meisiesskool, which still occupies the premises.

Bishop Arthur Chandler worked for a number of years to reinstate the school, and the school reopened in January 1916 on its present site on General Dan Pienaar Drive. Canon E. Ford served as headmaster until the end of 1916.

Francis Storey served as headmaster from 1917 until 1946.

Headmasters from 1863-1899

Headmasters in the modern era (1916 to current)

Governance and ethos

St. Andrew's was originally a private school controlled by a board of governors chaired by the Anglican Bishop of Bloemfontein. In 1976, the school was sold to the Orange Free State Provincial Administration (PAO), on condition that it could retain its Anglican character. It is now deemed an Independent school and is registered with the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa.

The Bishop of Bloemfontein maintains a seat on the School Governing Body to this day.

The school maintains links with a number of independent schools in South Africa, participating in the annual Independent Schools Rugby and Cricket festivals and has derby day fixtures with St John's College, St David's Marist, Inanda and St Alban's College.

Construction in the 1980s

A cornerstone of the negotiations resulting in the sale of the school to the PAO was that the PAO would institute a significant capital works program at the school, in respect of upgrading and expansion of existing buildings, and the construction of new boarding hostels.

The project commenced in 1985 with the demolition of the sanatorium, adjacent to the then Storey House. The new (current) Chandler/Twells block was built on this site.

Simultaneously, upgrading and refurbishment of the Ferrandi Block (senior school buildings) and Dunn House (integrated junior school and junior boarding facilities) was undertaken.

At the end of 1986 the old Chandler/Twells block (dating back to the early 1920s) was demolished to make way for the new Storey and Dunn blocks, prep room, sanatorium complex, a number of accommodation units for masters and a walkway linking the three boarding units with the Champion Hall (dining facility for boarders). Chandler and Twells Cottages, providing accommodation for the masters of the respective boarding blocks, were retained.

The bulk of construction was completed in time for the 125th anniversary of the founding of the school, in 1988.

On conclusion, the former Dunn House was renamed Jagger Block, a title dating back to its construction in 1952.

The former Storey House was converted to common room facilities for the senior boarding houses, and more latterly, as the premises of the pre-primary school. It was renamed the Roy Gordon Academic Centre in 2008.

Oubaas Storey's House, home to the school chaplain until the completion of new Dunn House, was transformed into a museum and visitor's centre.

A plaque highlighting the efforts of Mr. Patterson towards initiating the project, and commemorating the completion thereof, may be seen at the Dunn House common room.

Other significant buildings on campus

Chapel

The foundation stone of the structure was laid in 1955, and the chapel was consecrated in 1956.

The chapel is designed in the traditional cathedral fashion and comprises a large nave, with a pipe organ and choir stalls at the rear (west end), transepts including the vestry on one side, the lay chapel on the other, and the sanctuary, which is raised, (and takes the form of a quarter sphere) and houses the altar. Communion is taken at the top step of the sanctuary.

Each school day commences with a short service of prayer in the chapel, and traditional Anglican services are conducted on Sundays.

The chapel observes the rites and festivals of the Anglican church.

The current school chaplain is Rev Deon Lombard.

The accomplished school choir plays an important part in the activities of the chapel. The Master of Choristers is Mr Clive Mott.

Sports facilities

Old Boys' Association

St. Andrew's has a strong Old Boys' Association for past pupils, and Old Boys' reunions are held annually at the school in Bloemfontein, in Johannesburg, in London and in other locations such as the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, the Middle East and Australia.

Notable alumni and former members of staff