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SCHOOL HISTORY
Hillcrest High School is a large co-educational high school situated 2,5 km from the
centre of Hillcrest and 35 km from Durban. The school not only has an
unrivalled country setting but, according to authoritative reports, enjoys one
of the healthiest climates in the world.
Hillcrest High had its origins at Hillcrest Primary School where, for a number of years,
Grade 8 and 9 classes were accommodated. Hillcrest High opened its doors
for the first time on 20 January 1976 with an enrolment of 276 learners and a
staff of 18. The school was officially opened in October 1976 by the then
Director of Education, Mr P R T Nel.
The founding principal, Mr Clive Talbot, served the school for nearly two years
before being promoted to Head Office.
Mr Talbot's successors have been:
• Mr Phillip Hawkins
• Mr Malcom Garrett
• Mr Gerald Delport
• Mr Craig Girvin
Under their enthusiastic and visionary guidance the school has advanced by leaps and
bounds. Today, with a learner population of just under 1 000, and
academic staff of 52, and the support of many ancillary staff, Hillcrest High
enjoys a good reputation in academics, sport and cultural activities.
Over the years the school has had learners in the top 30 candidates in the Natal
Senior Certificate examinations, has obtained Matric exemption rates of up to
80%, has featured consistently in the various academic extension olympiads, and
many past learners have gone on to excel at University and Technikon. In
addition, a large number of learners have represented KwaZulu-Natal in a variety
of sports and cultural activities and some have gone on to represent South
Africa.
The school enjoys the services of a hard working and dedicated staff. Many
have enjoyed well earned promotions and today some teachers who have shaped the
school's history and contributed to its success hold either Head Office
appointments or are school principals.
Hillcrest High is regarded a s a progressive school because of its willingness to
experiment and refusal to be tied to the traditional. Thus, for example,
the school was the first in KwaZulu-Natal to introduce the new and exciting
Craft, Design and Technology subject in 1991, a bridging programme in 1992,
Teacher Assistant programme in 1993, and Zulu for all Grade 8 and 9 learners in
2000.
Not only has this brought local and regional recognition to the school, but we are
frequently consulted on important educational issues. It would be true to
say that we are leaders in the field of education, keeping abreast of the
changing needs and attitudes of society. Our curriculum and educational
policies reflect these changes and are geared to prepare young people for the
demands which they will undoubtedly face in the future.
As with all new schools, many difficulties have been faced. For a long time
it was not possible to use the playing fields. But for the kindness of
Hillcrest Primary School and the Hillcrest Sports Club, sport of any kind would
have been impossible. We now have excellent sports facilities which
include three tennis courts, three netball fields, four hockey fields, two rugby
/ soccer fields and three cricket pitches. Our Inanda Road property is
used for hockey, cricket and soccer.
Fund raising undertaken over the years by the school and various parent committees
has enabled us to buy much needed equipment. Parents were largely
responsible for the levelling and grassing of the Belvedere Field which was
opened in 1984. The most successful fund raising ventures to date have
provided us with a magnificent swimming pool opened in 1986, and a modern Media
Centre opened in 1987. The upper storey of the Media Centre houses books,
periodicals and the catalogue computers, while the lower floor provides a study
area and three fully equipped audio-visual rooms. 1991 saw the completion
of our two Art Studios and The Cage Theatre.
During 1999 the school's Governing Body embarked on a major upgrade of the school's
Information Technology facilities. Structural improvements were made to
the library to allow more the installation of more computers for research and
Internet access. A new server and 30 computers were installed in the
Computer Room. 25 more computers were installed in the Typing Room to
allow the introduction of Computyping, a subject which teaches word processing
instead of typing.
In February 1991 the parents of the school voted overwhelmingly to assume Model B
status, opening our doors to learners of all race groups. In August 1992,
along with most schools controlled by the Department of Education and Culture
(House of Assembly), Hillcrest High became a state-aided school. The
management and control of the school is invested in its Governing Body. In
terms of the South African Schools Act of 1996, Hillcrest High is now a public
school.
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