Kearsney College

Description

Kearsney College is a private boarding school for boys in Botha’s Hill, halfway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The school has both day and boarding facilities on a 125 acre estate at the edge of the Valley of 1000 Hills. The school is founded on Christian principles and has a resident Methodist Chaplain. It offers Grade 8 to 12 classes for 640 students from different backgrounds, cultures and religions. The sister school is Epworth and it also has very close ties with St. Mary’s DSG.

HERITAGE

The school was founded in 1921 by Sir Liege Hulett. The school motto is "Carpe Diem", which means "Seize the Day".

ACADEMICS

Kearsney College has enjoyed a 100% pass rate for over a decade with over 80% of the boys receiving an A, B or C aggregate and a quarter receiving A aggregates. With small classes, excellent staff, and SMART board technology in more than half the classrooms, the school offers exceptional education.

The boys learn English, Afrikaans, and Zulu. Mandarin was introduced to the curriculum in 2006. “If China is going to be at the centre of global business, we want to provide students with the tools to operate in a global economy dominated by China,” says headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg.

Kearsney boys write the Independent Examination Board (IEB) school-leaving certificate. This provides them with the chance to study at universities overseas.

SPORTS & CULTURE

The school believes that participation in sport is vital for personal development. All boys are encouraged to become a part of at least one club.

The school has a Mentorship Programme that pairs senior and junior boys. Each boy is also encouraged to complete at least 15 hours of community service a year at old age homes, conservation and animal welfare organisations, hospitals, lifesaving, and more. An International Exchange programme provides the opportunity for boys to spend a term at a school overseas.

The 12 different sporting codes focus on basketball, cricket, cross country, swimming, and water polo during summer and soccer, rugby, and hockey during winter. Golf, squash, tennis, and canoeing can be enjoyed all year round. The most important sports grounds are Stott and AH Smith.

SPORT

• Canoeing
• Cross country
• Sailing
• Soccer
• Golf
• Tennis

CULTURE

• Choir
• Drama
• History club
• Mountain bike club
• Comedy club
• Dance club
• Music and DJ club
• Theatre sports
• Photographic, filming and editing club
• The Greyhound Magazine
• Enviro Club
• Market Wizards
• Speakers circle
• SCA (Student Christian Association)
• First Aid club

SCHOOL FACILITIES

• Cricket nets, rugby fields, and hockey fields
• Hockey AstroTurf
• Bowling machines
• Basketball courts
• Chapel
• Library
• 2 swimming pools (one heated)
• Mountain bike track
• Squash and tennis courts
• Coffee shop
• Music block
• 280m² indoor weights gym
• Conservancy area
• 5 boarding establishments (4 senior houses, and a junior house)

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of scholarships are offered every year for boys who have excelled in academics, sports, or music.

NOTABLE GRADUATES

• Bradley Barritt
• Matt Stevens
• Tony Leon
• Captain Nick Sloane
• Professor Henry Markram
• Alan Dell
• Etienne Flynn
• Trevor Halstead
• John Alcock
• Kevin Harris
• Andrew Hudson
• Justin King
• Sir Ian McLeod
• Chad Bowes
• Steve Meyer
• Harry Newton Walker
• Terence Reis
• Peter Rodda