Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck

Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck
Address
Kloof Street, Gardens Cape Town , Western Cape South Africa
Information
School type	Public & Boarding
Motto	“Wees uself" (Be Yourself)
Religious affiliation(s)	Christianity
Established	1926; 96 years ago (1926)
School number	+27 (021) 437 6347
Headmaster	André Franken
Superintendent Girls (House Mother)	Huibrecht Steyn
Superintendent Boys (House Father)	Jakkie Steyn
Grades	8–12
Gender	Boys & Girls
Age	14 to 18
Number of students	500 pupils
Language	Afrikaans
Schedule	07:30 - 14:00
Campus	Urban Campus
Campus type	Suburban
Nickname	Rebbies
Website	www.janvanriebeeck.co.za

Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck is a public Afrikaans medium co-educational high school situated in Gardens in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It was founded in 1926 by J.J. Jordaan.

Overview[]

The school is situated at the foot of Table Mountain right next to the historical Welgemeend in Cape Town. The school has an enrollment of approximately 500 pupils, who are divided into three houses: Reijger, Dromedaris and De Goede Hoop, named after the three ships that Jan van Riebeeck landed in Cape Town in 1652. Famous alumni include the singer Laurika Rauch, struggle hero and Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom, venture capitalist Roelof Botha, and judge and struggle hero Jan Steyn.

Coordinates: 33°56′01″S 18°24′30″E / 33.933665°S 18.408371°E / -33.933665; 18.408371 (Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck)

Boarding[]

The tradition of boarding at Jan van Riebeeck High dates back to 1953 with the construction of the Huis Jordaan, the then girls hostel, on the school campus, after the Cape Town Administrator and its executive committee decided to make funds available for the construction of residences for the school in 1950. The tradition of boarding continues to this day and has become an integral part of life at the school, with a large number of pupils coming from afar.

Huis Jordaan[]

In 1952, the school committee and staff decided that the girls hostel would be called Huis Jordaan, after J.J. Jordaan, the first head of Jan van Riebeeck High School (1926 – 1936). On 9 December 1952, the cornerstone of Huis Jordaan was laid by W. de Vos Malan, Superintendent General of Education, and on 12 January 1953, Huis Jordaan was captured.

The Huis Jordaan facility caters for boys and girls from grade 8 to 12, and accommodates termly and weekly boarders, with students returning home for the school holidays. Being a resident on campus means boarders have easy access to the school facilities. The facility is located next to the historic Welgemeend on the school premises in Kloof Street.

Currently Huis Jordaan is jointly managed by Huibrecht Steyn, the ladies superintendent (house mother), and Jakkie Steyn, the gents superintendent (house father).

In 2016 management started with a building and modernisation process. All boarders receive WiFi connectivity. From 2018 the Huis Jordaan facility accommodates both residences (girls and boys) on the school grounds.

Controversy[]

In 2004, the then school principal, Hammies van Niekerk, got into trouble for questioning Riaan Vosloo, an prospective job applicants, marital status, circle of friends and sexual orientation during an interview. Vosloo, a bisexual arts teacher ended up getting the job but went on to sue van Niekerk. In the same year van Niekerk sold off school properties including a portion of a sports field worth an estimated R250 million in an effort to raise funds. In 2012 van Niekerk went on early retirement. André Franken took over as headmaster in 2013.

References[]

• (in Afrikaans) Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck

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