Wynberg Allen School

History

From a meeting in Kanpur in 1887 of friends, Mr. Powell, Mr. and Mrs. Foy and Brig. Condon, who became the founders, came the first school at Jabarkhet along the Tehri road. Initially started as Christian Training School and Orphanage with Eugenie Catherine West (d. 1895) as its first superintendent, later it was named Wynberg Homes and eventually became the Wynberg Allen School. It provided education in the hills for twenty children. It was established as a Non-Conformist School though from the beginning, as far as funds permitted, no child of any denomination was refused admission. In 1894, the school was shifted to the present Wynberg Estate.

In 1916 the Governing Society was formed. The object of the society was to provide for and give to children, wholly or partly of European descent, an education based on Protestant Christian principles.

Up to 1926, boys and girls had been accommodated on the Wynberg estate. In that year, however, older boys were transferred to the new Henry Allen Memorial School built on an adjacent hill which became the Senior School for Class 7 and upwards.

In 1963, the school became a co-educational institution. In 1968, a block, consisting of class rooms, dormitory accommodation for Junior boys and members of staff, was opened in Wynberg. The school has an auditorium, gymnasium and a science block (including a computer lab) in Allen, the Senior School. The school is managed by the Wynberg Homes Society, a society registered under the Societies Act of 1860, on inter-denominational lines through a Board of Management.

The school accommodates around 700 children. The principal is Mr. Leslie Tindale.

Management

The school is managed by The Wynberg Homes Society, a society registered under the Societies Act of 1860. The school motto is Excelsior.

The school runs from January to December; and the academic year during which the students are in residence and attend classes, normally extend from March to November.

Houses

The school has four houses named after the school's founders:

Over the course of the school year, each house accrues points through participation/winnings in mainly extra-curricular events and the house with the highest tally at the end of the year wins the "Cock House Trophy". The name of the winning house is declared amidst much suspense on Prize Day, which is typically held on the last day of the school year.

Uniform

The winter uniform consists of green blazer, white shirt and grey trousers. The tie is striped with gold and green.

Prefects

There is one boys and girls school captain and vice-captain each for the Senior and Junior Schools along with prefects. These appointments carry with them disciplinary powers. The school has also in the past conducted leadership workshops to help form the decisions of awarding these posts. There are separate house captains appointed.

Sports

The school has facilities for sports and its students have participated in national championships. The school has two playing fields, a gymnasium, swimming pool, basketball court, tennis court, squash courts and five indoor courts.

Sports played include:

Inter-house sports and athletics along with inter school meets are held. Some of the most noted competitions are those held between rivals St. George's College, Mussoorie. An annual track and field event takes place.

Motto

The school motto is Excelsior. This is derived from the poem Excelsior by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Notable alumni