Queen's College Boys' High School has a vision to be an Internationally Recognised Academic Institution of Excellence, by the time the school turns 175 years old, in 2033.
During 2018, we identified 4 actions to guide us towards Vision 175 & Beyond:
We would like to see the following characteristics as part of the DNA of every Queenian:
1. To try his best every day.
2. Meaningful participation in school activities.
3. To support the school activities as best they can.
4. To honour our uniform as a symbol of gentlemanly behaviour and respect to others.
5. To serve the greater good.
6. To be solution finders and creators, not mere consumers and finger pointers
As part of our Vision our learner numbers and intake is growing.
In 2017 we had 494 learners (with 75 of them being boarders)
In 2024 we have grown to 595 learners (with 173 of them being boarders)
Our Boarding Houses have truly become a "Home Away From Home" for learners from all over the country as well as neighbouring countries.
Our learners are excelling in their respective sporting codes, with the number of Provincial Representatives growing every year! In 2024 we had 41 Provincial Representatives across Rugby, Hockey, Basketball and Squash as well as 7 of our staff representing in coaches positions at these various Provincial Tournaments.
We also believe we have made significant strides towards our vision by the various campus upgrade that have been completed. One of the most notable of these upgrades is our new Tartan Track.
The 4Schools1Family state-of-the-art Tartan Track has been awarded the prestigious Class 2 Athletics Facility Certificate by World Athletics! This significant achievement is a testament to our commitment to providing top-notch sports facilities for our athletes and the entire community.
What does this mean? This certification assures that our track meets the stringent technical specifications set by World Athletics, ensuring a high-quality surface that enhances performance and safety. It means our facility is now eligible to host national-level competitions, attracting top athletes and events to our campus. It guarantees that our track surface is designed to prevent injuries, offering a safe training and competition environment for all athletes. Moreover, this recognition places our facility among the elite athletics venues worldwide, reflecting our dedication to excellence in sports infrastructure.
The Tartan Track, now a prominent feature of our campus, stands as a symbol of our investment in the future of athletics. We are excited about the opportunities this certification brings for our athletes and the broader sporting community.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in this project, from the planners and builders to the athletes and staff who have made this dream a reality. Your hard work and dedication has paid off!
the vision in 2023
2023 marked a new chapter of work towards Vision 175: our endeavours to be World Class have become part of our DNA. The undeniable headway made by Queen’s College Boys’ High School is vividly showcased in the myriad of achievements recorded.
In 2023, our commitment to embracing failure, learn to make good decisions under pressure and “play up” in our competitive endeavours were vocalised. We believe that these critical skills are becoming part of the newly acquired culture of our school and will stand us in good stead as we take up the next leg of the marathon towards our end goal. This led to fortifying the academic culture and associated structures of the school, ensuring a holistic approach to our objectives. As an institution we are proud of the concerted effort, by our learners and staff, through our Strategic Academic Recovery Classes (SARC) and Academic Booster Plan, to enhance our results in 2023.
Our commitment to Vision 175 and Beyond is palpable in the numerous achievements witnessed throughout the year. The characteristic mass participation and support of our boys in school activities and the whole school’s buy-in to The Vision speaks of a combined effort to make us World Class. The exceptional performances of the school’s Debating and Chess teams, the successful execution of the #QCagainstGBV derby by the Think Tank, and the outstanding results achieved by our Sport teams are testament to this commitment. Notably, the school’s first Rugby team was crowned the Eastern Cape schools’ sport team of the year, a fitting recognition for their remarkable achievements in 2023.
Entering 2024, the school wishes to echo the grandeur of Vision 175 and Beyond in all spheres, with strategies to enhance the academic culture, as well as the sport and cultural footprint we leave. We are also reminded of the essence of our dream to build our boarding establishment to 250+. To achieve our Vision, a collaborative effort should be encouraged and embraced by the 4 schools-one-family.
A key focus in 2024 will be the school's marketing on various platforms. This may involve a QC contingent representing Culture, Academics, and Sport visiting prominent centres like Maseru and Johannesburg to promote what the school has to offer aspiring achievers. We need to put the face of Queen’s College in the wider public eye.
The splendid sport facilities, including the newly-completed tartan track, bodes well for the school's future achievements. Currently, the development of an athletics academy is well underway, with a committee featuring representation from our 4 schools-one-family leading the planning and strategy.
Our school is also initiating talks to develop the old swimming pool facility into the home of QC Basketball, new change rooms and other exciting initiatives like a clothing exchange.
At the 2023 prize giving, I emphasised academic rigor, proactive leadership (from both learners and staff members), and the need to serve a higher cause for the future growth of Queen's College Boys’ High School. Drawing inspiration from the recent World Cup win of the Springboks, their success was attributed to playing for something much bigger than themselves. Captain, Siya Kolisi, stated their continued commitment to the growth and betterment of South Africa. This resonates with us at Queen’s College, where it is our dream to serve something bigger than ourselves, a higher cause and in doing so strive for positive change in our communities.
Our school’s growth, as an institution and its boarding facilities, was interrupted by having to endure the devastating impact of Covid, however, The Vision for our expansion has certainly resumed its steadfast trajectory in 2023, welcoming a record number of 57 new boarders and resulting in a total of 175 boys who will find a home away from home on our beautiful campus at the start of 2024. If I look at the boarding facilities now, the numbers and the quality of the people in charge, I am extremely confident in my efforts to promote our boarding establishment. Our boarders is indeed the backbone of our great school.
We have also been strengthened by the positive support of our Old Boys and community who have significantly contributed to the school’s excellence and continued growth. I must commend the bravery of our wider community in embracing Vision 175 and Beyond. In your support lies great hope for Queen’s College Boys’ High School.
(written by Mrs Sonja Raasch after an interview with our Headmaster, Mr Janse van der Ryst)
the vision in 2022
Over the past five years Vision 175 and Beyond, as a roadmap for the future of Queen’s College Boys’ High School, has been guided by the following four main principles: To Care Deeply, Think Critically, Act Bravely and to Collaborate. These principles should be understood as what is being done at Queen’s College is important. It requires the full attention of all stakeholders.
Since 2018, when the Vision started taking shape, it has matured under the banner of Queen’s College becoming a world-class academic institution.
Initially, the idea of Vision 175 and Beyond was prophetic. “It might have seemed crazy, but belief by roleplayers as well as passion and commitment for Queen’s College have provided hope that it is, indeed, achievable.”
Early signs have been a positive change in the culture of the school as embodied in the care being shown towards others (both inside and outside the school), a renewed passion for the core focus and purpose of the school and an upturn in academic and extramural results as well as participation.
The culture of deep care built by Queen’s College has gained understanding and momentum to the extent that even the Covid pandemic and its effects have not impacted on the growth of this core principle.
“If we can get everyone involved and committed in this culture of caring, thinking, acting and collaborating at 100% capacity towards Vision 175 & Beyond, that is where we want to be. We believe those continued actions will drive us towards a sustained world-class standard.”
“In our process of consulting the Queen’s community regarding their thoughts on the future growth towards Vision 175 & Beyond, it was clear that we want to be comfortable with embracing difficulties and challenges. It was heart-warming to hear the boys and staff expressing their desire to learn how to make good decisions under pressure, to be comfortable with the possibility of failure on the journey and to test ourselves against the best. We believe it is another sign of maturing and growing.”
“This includes, for example, not adhering to the notion that, “We can not play against the best as they will beat us. It is in the DNA of Queenians to want to play ‘up’ and to face up to new challenges.”
The driving force behind Vision 175 requires the learners of the school to be creators and solution finders instead of mere consumers. Such skills will stand them in good stead during and after their stint at the school. “Consumerism will hurt us. We should create. We need to fight against corruption and against mediocrity. We need to be relentless amongst naysayers and refuse to accept the status quo.”
The involvement of more roleplayers as Vision 175 and Beyond grows and matures has been refreshing and given added impetus. Better decisions and increased collaboration and/or consultation have improved and expanded the Vision in ensuring that better systems are put in place at the school. “An example is the search to improve the learners’ work ethic and to determine what they expect of themselves.”
Two elements have been identified that will enhance further academic performance. “The first is peer mentorship. We are confident that high-achieving boys will be able to support and understand strugglers in a different way than an educator. We are also inspired to develop more creative teaching skills and methods to reach boys more effectively.”
As a marketing initiative, Headmaster Janse van der Ryst plans to travel through Africa in the next five years as an added step to gain traction for the school on the continent.
“It is necessary to have patience in pursuing the goals set by Vision 175 and Beyond as change will be gradual. Cynics have failed to deter goal setting and the pursuit of such as the school thrives on the belief that success and the ability to be a world-class institution is part of its DNA. We believe we can be extraordinary.”
2022 has been a good year with noteworthy results in academics, debating and sport, particularly rugby. “We are not naïve in that we realise that there are still several areas in need of growth with particular focus to be paid to cricket and hockey.” The establishment of the tartan track and the athletics academy are undeniable signs of growth in the right direction.
“The culture here must be one of work. It must be a culture of learning and development which Queen’s College Boys’ High School must use for the upliftment and betterment of the country.”
2023 and beyond will pose opportunities for Queen’s College learners to help find solutions for the socio-economic ills facing the country and to contribute to making humanity better through excellent education. “We are not in this process to benefit only ourselves. We have to serve our wider community as well. This is a goal to be achieved in collaboration with other schools and civic organisations in Komani.”
The dream of being a world-class academic institution continues. “Queen’s College is destined to succeed. She continuously draws people with an extraordinary winning and healthy DNA. The foundations of our school, laid by our founding fathers are strong and unwavering. It ‘demands’ of current and future generations to honour it and improve on it.”
It is important for Old Boys to stay connected to the Vision and to remain interested in its objectives. “Your support is invaluable.”
(an interview with our Headmaster, Mr Janse van der Ryst, for the 2022 Queen's Quire)
the vision in 2021
Vision 175, which drives Queen’s College Boys’ High School relentlessly towards ever-higher levels of achievement and excellence, was affected by the challenges posed by Covid-19 during 2021. Yet, this Vision has drawn strength from adaptability and a commitment to change.
The markers which define the Vision encourage staff, learners, Old Boys and other stakeholders in the school to: care deeply; think critically; act bravely and to collaborate in building a world-class educational institution.
Composer Ludwig van Beethoven said the mark of an admirable man is “steadfastness in the face of trouble.” The ongoing Covid pandemic certainly did present a “face of trouble” and affected the plans for the school during 2021 - but it was not altogether negative. Queen’s College was forced to think differently (and critically) in ensuring that the education of its learners did not suffer a setback during a time of sadness and uncertainty.
The result was that the Vision had to mature and adapt to the circumstances which enveloped South Africa and the world. Academics, with the goal of improved matric results in 2021, remained a focal area with online teaching taking center stage. In addition, the extra-curricular programme had been severely affected and Queen’s College had to work to replicate the experiences and events that make up the unique character of the school in other ways.
2021, as a year of Covid, taught Queen’s College patience and innovation, both elements which are necessary to provide a world-class institution able to comprehensively prepare boys for the demands of the adult world. In essence, Covid forced Queen’s College to see the Vision differently and to adapt in an innovative way.
Despite the many challenges brought about by a restricted learning environment, the year provided evidence that steady progress was being made on the road to the fulfillment of the Vision. One such marker was the completion of the modern science laboratory used by Mr Wilbert Gumunyu, who was a provincial finalist in the National Teaching Awards. Other achievements included a student leadership body, under the guidance of headboy Eli van Schoor and deputy Desmond Ayeh, who stepped up and made a resounding difference in the school while the greater student body showed signs of an ever-closer adherence to the human values of integrity, kindness, strength of character and Ubuntu.
The move towards the more positive application of discipline also had an impact and was evident in the improved working and emotional connection between staff and learners. It may not be perfect yet, but it is a move in the right direction.
A commitment towards academic excellence continued to grow among the staff with the academic indaba and the academic improvement plan resulting in a more mature and healthier system with the express goal of ensuring top-quality education for learners attending Queen’s College.
Learners and Old Boys continued to make the school proud including Grade 12 learner Mninawe Mayekiso who bagged a gold medal in a national writing competition on gender and gender-based violence and whose essay has since been included in an anthology and various sporting, cultural and academic achievements on a provincial and national level. The Queen’s College social media sites constantly record and pay tribute to these achievers. The school’s squash, athletics and cricket programmes, in particular, achieved outstanding results this year and should be lauded as examples of what an adherence towards excellence means for Queen’s College.
Progress made during the year included the opening of Athlone House to accommodate a growing number of boarders and the maintenance and upgrades of the existing buildings on campus. During a year in which many schools opted to exercise caution, Queen’s College chose bravery, hope and an unshakeable belief in the future of the school by investing in the future of its learners.
The year was a sad one for many with learners and staff losing loved ones. Queen’s College stalwart, Mr Zuko ‘Zuks’ Xoseni, passed away during the year and left a huge void. A man who loved Queen’s College with all his heart and served his alma mater with passion and commitment, Zuks was symbolic of the elements of Vision 175. His legacy has imbued the school with added energy to achieve the goals as set out by the Vision.
The hope and excitement of achieving something spectacular continues to drive Vision 175 as the school strives to empower boys with a sense of confidence to become leaders, creators and solution finders during their time at school and in the world after school.
There is a strange anomaly between the importance of consistency and routine and the need for change. Queen’s College is equal to the task of retaining the values that have made this school great in the past while forging a new and exciting future in line with what is needed to make the school exceptional in the present and in the future.
Headboy Eli van Schoor’s prayer, as delivered on 7 May at the Friday assembly before our Derby against Selborne College at The Rec, lends strength to this:
“Dear Father, we thank you that we can meet together at this very special place. Thank you for your hand of protection over our school over this Covid period. Thank you for the opportunity to once again do what we love on the Cultural and Sporting front this weekend. May we honour You by using the talents you have blessed us with. May we display your qualities of honesty and humility while competing. We pray for your hand of protection over all Queenians this weekend and forever more. Amen.”
Esse Quam Videri.
May the will to excel never falter or fade!
When hard to obtain the triumph seems,
May a light from the past enkindle our dreams -
And the tasks of tomorrow, be they many or long,
God willing shall find us ready and strong.