The History of Hermanus High School

Although Hermanus High School celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in 2001, its roots stretch back far beyond 1941 when the school received official high school status.
Legend has it that the first school, St. Peter's Mission School, was founded in 1868. The Dutch Reformed Church School was founded in 1884 and in 1897 the two schools were amalgamated into what became the public school.
Construction on the famous stone building began in 1907 and it was officially occupied in 1911. In 1918 the school received primary school status under Mr S.G. du Toit as headmaster. Gradually the school expanded until in 1941 it was awarded high school status.

The first matric class wrote their examinations in December 1942. A shortage of facilities made teaching difficult and there followed a struggle between the school and the Education Department to obtain more classrooms. Eventually construction began on a new school in 1974 and in 1977 the High School moved to its new home. The school currently boasts excellent facilities including a gymnasium, 4 netball courts, 4 tennis courts, 2 rugby fields, 2 cricket pitches, 3 hockey fields and 3 well-equipped computer centres; these are just some of the recent additions to the school.

From its humble beginnings in 1941, Hermanus High School has grown in stature to where it is now regarded as a leader in academic, sporting and cultural affairs.

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Mission Statements

We are striving to ensure an effective school through which the potential of all learners will be realised in Academic, Sporting and Cultural spheres

• through a balanced curriculum
• and high standards of teaching

with worthy citizenship as our ultimate goal.

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Philosophy

Our school is committed to faster and the development of the unique potential of each pupil through experiences that promote self directed learning, self-reliance, responsibility and shared decision-making. The school provides a positive, nurturing, disciplined and challenging environment where each pupil can experience the joy of learning and develop skills and abilities needed to be life-long learner.

The future offers many challenges for our school. We are however very fortunate to have a excellent team of dedicated educators and administrators. Out team is confident and motivated to tackle and manage the new Curriculum and Educational programmes (Further and Training) with enthusiasm and responsibility.

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Motto

"Horas signo tempus fugit" - Hours signify (that) time flies.

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The School Text

"In conclusion, my brothers, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise; things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honourable." - Philippians 4 : 8

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Code Of Honour

• We will make God's Word the guiding principle of our lives
• We will endeavour to serve our country with the highest and best in us
• We will love and honour our mother-tongue and likewise honour and respect the other official languages
• We will respect and obey our parents and superiors
• We will strive to lead pure lives physically and spiritually
• We will strive to show friendliness and courtesy
• We will strive to acquire knowledge and wisdom
• We will be faithful to our school and will uphold its good name and protect its honour in every sphere
• We will aim for unity and co-operation
• Where duty calls, we will serve cheerfully

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Educational / Parent / Guidance

Educational programme

Hermanus High School is a Christian-based school where the emphasis is on active participation in the learning process within and beyond the school setting. Pupils receive instruction in English and in Afrikaans. Reports on the pupils progress are sent to parents or guardians on a quarterly basis. Tests, examinations and all forms of continuous assessment, required by the Department of Education, determine the promotion of the pupil from one grade to the next. The school serves pupils of all backgrounds and levels of ability and bases its teaching on Christian principles.

We are committed to building a culture of achievement in academics, culture and sport.

Parent expectations

Parent participation plays an integral role in the success of Hermanus High. It fosters a sense of and need for, a strong community. The success of Hermanus High school is greatly dependant on the support and care provided through the community.

A Governing Body

Guidance and Pastoral Care

The school is privileged to have the service of a Teacher Psychologist and a Counsellor who give support and guidance on many levels.

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Admission Requirements

The learner must satisfy the requirements for admission as determined by the Principal and the Governing Body from time to time. The decision by the chairperson of the Governing Body, after consultation with the Principal, is final. New learners (excluding Grade 8 learners) will only be accepted provisionally until their previous school has been consulted.

Language and Ethos

Compulsory School Fees

Age

Code of Conduct

Parents and Learners must know the contents of this document and sign it before enrolment can be considered. Policy with regards to Alcohol and Drug use / abuse. The signing of the policy document is a prerequisite for admission to the school.

DOWNLOAD ADMISSION PDF/FORM

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School Fees

The school fees are determined by the school's Governing Body (see additional information sheet) and are due on 31 January every year. The school is legally entitled to collect payment thereof, and payments are to be made to the school bursar or paid directly into the school's banking account. If, at any time, payment does not comply with the conditions agreed to, the full amount outstanding shall become due and payable by the parent or guardian immediately and without further notice.

Should it become necessary that the outstanding account be handed over to the school's attorneys for collection, the parent or guardian shall be liable for all legal costs (including collection commission and tracing fees).

Parents may elect to pay school fees in one of five ways as detailed below.

SCHOOL FEES for 2009

Budget

The budget for 2009 was presented to and approved by the parents/guardians on 15 October 2009 at the PTA Annual General Meeting. This budget was also presented to and approved by the Governing Body.

A resolution was adopted for compulsory school fees for the 2009 year. The fee will be R6450.00 per year per learner.
Fees for Art, Drama and Dance are not included in the annual school fees of R6450.00 per learner. these fees are payable directly to the respective parties.

Additional to the above-mentioned fee there is also the teaching material fee of R550 per learner per year. This fee is payable in advance.

Means of Payment

Refer to Terms and Conditions attached.

Bank Charges

The Governing Body has also decided that any bank charges, debited against the school's account as a result of dishonoured cheques and/or debit orders, will in future be debited to the relevant defaulting payer's account.

Temporary Educators

We would like to bring to your attention that Hermanus High School has found it necessary to appoint nine temporary educators to handle the additional classes. The Western Cape Education Department has refused to create additional posts or fund these temporary educators, even though the school has increased tremendously in numbers.

If parent's/guardian's do not fulfil their obligations and pay their school fees, we will be forced to let these temporary educators go. Should this happen, we would also have to turn away learners. These learners would therefore have to make use of the other high schools in our vicinity.

Non-paying Parents/Guardians

Please note that you are compelled to pay the school fees, in terms of Section 39 of the SA Schools Act No.84, 1996. The Governing Body of a public school has the right, according to Section 40 of the SA Schools Act No.84, 1996, to enforce payment of school fees and may thereby obtain such fees through legal action. Parents, who feel that they qualify for complete, partial or conditional exemption from the payment of school fees, must personally collect the necessary application forms from our financial secretary, Mrs. M. Naudé (Tel.: 028 312 3760) for completion. The submission for application forms closes on 28 February 2009.

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Terms and Conditions

NAME of LEARNER(S): ............................................................ GRADE: ............

• Hermanus High School charges school fees as permitted by the SA Schools' Act.
• The father and mother and/or guardian(s) (where applicable) of every learner are jointly and severally responsible for school fees in respect of such a learner.
• The school fees for 2009 have been set at R6450.00 per annum per learner. Please note that we are a fee-paying school and fees are payable annually in advance, unless an alternate payment agreement has been entered into with Hermanus High School.

PREFERRED PAYMENT PLAN

1. Single payment of R6063 (i.e. R6450 less an early payment discount of R387 = 6%). This option is only valid if payment is received before or on 28 February 2009.
2. Debit order (10 monthly instalments of R645.00). No discount applicable.
3. Internet (10 monthly instalments of R645.00, payable by the last day of every month from January to October 2009). No discount applicable.
4. Cash or cheque payments made to the Financial Secretary at Hermanus High School (10 monthly instalments of R645.00, payable by the last day of every month from January to October 2009). No discount applicable.
5. Quarterly (4 installments of R1612.50 payable within the first week of every term). Nos discount applicable.
6. All school fee payments shall be deposited into the Hermanus High School, School Fees Account (First National Bank, Hermanus, Bank code 200412; Account no. 52472058589) and the relevant debtor code as per Hermanus High School, school fee statement shall be used as reference.

Bus Transport

Fees 2009

Bus fees payable for the 1^st and 2^nd school terms for the individual bus routes are as follows:

Increases in bus tariffs wil be given with one month's written notice in advance.

Means Of Payment

Only one method of payment will be accepted, i.e. the full amount must be paid in advance within the first week of each school term.  NO exceptions to the above will be entertained. We make use of a private bus service that does not belong to the school or the Department of Education and we must adhere to their payment requirements.

Bank Charges
The Governing Body has also decided that any bank charges, debited to the Bus Fund's account as a result of dishonoured cheques and/or debit orders, will be debited to the defaulting parent's account.

State Subsidy
Should the State allocate subsidies for the next year, a state subsidy will be granted to those parents who qualify for it. The amount is determined according to total income. The outstanding balance must be settled by the parent.

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