| dc.description.abstract | The thesis deals with the history of Potchefstroom Gimnasium, as preparatory
school initially and later on as a secondary school. The school was
founded in 1907 as preparatory school, by the Theological School of the
Reformed Church of Potchefstroom.
The history of its origin is hereby• at tended to against the background of
the general teaching conditions in the Cape Colony and in Potchefstroom.
The misappreciation of Christian-National education during the late nineteenth
century offered the stimulus which led to the foundation of the Preparatory
School in 1907. The Preparatory School was in character a church
school in the period between 1907 and 1914. It was thus exclusively upheld
by the Reformed Church.
When the school year commenced in 1915, it was decided that the name Preparatory
School be changed to Potchefstroom Gimnasium, and that it would
serve under authority of the Government in future. It now contained two
sections namely a primary section and a secondary section.
In 1918 the two sections were separated and they became two independent
institutions. Under the principality of Mr JJA Coetsee, who had served
in this post since the foundation of the school, it grew to become a
worthy secondary school.
During the period 1938-1965 the school developed into becoming a modern secondary
school under authority of its second, permanently appointed headmaster,
Mr W de K Kruger. This process of growth was continued by principals
AJ Combrink, ABJ Kruger, LA Dreyer and AN Grobler.
Finally, the origin and meaning of the schools symbols are discussed. When
dealing with symbols, the author also refers to the motto, the emblem and
the school song.
It has been determined that Potchefstroom Gimnasium had grown into becoming
a school of traditions over the period between 1907 and 1982. It bears a
fruitful history and shows that it is firmly rooted in the traditions of
Christian Reformation and Afrikanerdom. | en_US |
