Worcester Gymnasium
Worcester Gymnasium is a high school established in 1992 in Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa. It was created through the amalgamation of two previous schools, Worcester High School and the Worcester East Commercial High School. In the previous South African regime it was known as one of the Model C type schools. Currently, the school has nearly 1000 learners of extremely diverse cultures, truly representative of the new South Africa.
Worcester Gymnasium has a proud academic record, maintaining an average matric pass rate of over 95% in recent years. The majority of the matric learners pass with the necessary requirements for further studies at University level while nearly all pass with the requirements for other tertiary studies. Worcester Gymnasium is a dual medium school instructing in English and Afrikaans.
The school balances this academic record with an excellent sporting tradition. Their learners often form the core of the North Boland teams in various sporting codes, such as cricket, hockey, rugby, netball and athletics. Numerous learners go on to represent provincial and national teams; in 2012 nearly 70 learners earned provincial colours or higher.
History
Worcester Gymnasium has a very rich history dating back to the 1870s. By 1872, the Country District Free School already had 132 learners on its register. The Non-denominational Boys' Public School, which preceded the Boys' High School, started in July 1873 with 78 boys. This Boys' school, as well as the Girls' High School, which started in January 1876 with 16 girls, later became two of the better-known schools in the Cape Province. In the light of the changing modern school system, and the demand for co-ed schools, Boys' High school and Girls' High school amalgamated in 1972 and formed Worcester High School. After operating for 20 years, Worcester High School amalgamated once more with Worcester East High, and formed Worcester Gymnasium in 1992.
Principals
- Mr.W.Theron (1992–1997)
- Dr.H.VD Westhuizen (1997–2010)
- Mr.C.Schoeman (2010–present)
Extra
It has a boys hostel, called Brandwacht, as well as a Girls Hostel, called Seminarie. The school's mascot is a bosvark (warthog).