{"id":87264,"date":"2015-05-17T23:55:27","date_gmt":"2015-05-17T21:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=87264"},"modified":"2015-05-20T08:24:35","modified_gmt":"2015-05-20T06:24:35","slug":"inside-one-of-south-africas-most-elite-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/trending\/87264\/inside-one-of-south-africas-most-elite-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside one of South Africa’s most elite schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michaelhouse, one of South Africa’s most prestigious and elite private schools, offers a glimpse into life on the school campus, and the facilities\u00a0cemented\u00a0in the ground’s rich history.<\/p>\n

“House” is among the top private schools in the country offering boarding only education, with competition coming from it’s close neighbour, Hilton College, which is also situated in the KwaZulu Natal midlands.<\/p>\n

According to research conducted by BusinessTech<\/a>, Michaelhouse is listed as the second most expensive school in the country, behind Hilton – with\u00a0annual fees of around R210,000 vs Hilton’s R220,000 fee – and carries with it a rich history and sense of prestige.<\/p>\n

Notable alumni from the school include a number of prominent businessmen, sportsmen and scholars, including Springbok rugby player, Pat Lambie;\u00a0 Assore chairman, Desmond Sacco; and novelist, Johan van der Ruit, who documented his time at the school through the book, Spud<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Michaelhouse Building<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michaelhouse Surroundings<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michaelhouse\u00a0Chapel<\/p><\/div>\n

Founded in 1896 by Anglican Priest, Canon James Cameron Todd in Loop Street in Pietermaritzburg, Michaelhouse is also one of the oldest schools in South Africa.<\/p>\n

Back when it first opened, it was home to only 15 boys. By 1901, 77 boys migrated by train and ox wagon to its current location in Balgowan.<\/p>\n

“In 1901 things were tough: no running water or electricity and the boys had largely to grow their own food,” a school spokesman said.<\/p>\n

Today, the school is home to around 560 pupils, separated into eight houses, that newest of which was occupied in 1994. Staff also reside on the school property in a staff village.<\/p>\n

\"Michaelhouse<\/a>

Michaelhouse Room<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michaelhouse Games<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michaelhouse Dining hall<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michaelhouse Boarding<\/p><\/div>\n

It offers a multitude of academic, cultural and sporting facilities, and is known as one of the most prestigious and elite – and expensive – schools in South Africa.<\/p>\n

In terms of its academic facilities, the school says it has enough classrooms, equipped with interactive smart board technology, to allow for an average teacher\/pupil ratio of 1:10.<\/p>\n

\"Michaelhouse<\/a>

Michaelhouse Library<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michaelhouse Lab<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michaelhouse Computer Lab<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michaelhouse Class<\/p><\/div>\n

The school also features two fully integrated IT\/AV lecture theatres; a fully equipped media centre; and an outdoor learning facility in the school’s nature reserve.<\/p>\n

For more cultural activities, there’s a fully equipped theatre auditorium; a 1,500+ seat open air amphitheatre and a 600 seat open air amphitheatre; and a fully equipped visual arts and music school, with recording studio facilities.<\/p>\n

The school highlighted a rich sporting history, with sports development in cricket (since 1903), hockey (1928) and rugby (1897) being established at the school for over a century.<\/p>\n

Soccer was formally introduced in the 1990s, after making a “tentative debut” in the 80s.<\/p>\n

Today the school offers significantly more in terms of its sports facilities, including:<\/p>\n