Hoërskool Wonderboom

Die Hoërskool Wonderboom
Groei en Dien(Afrikaans) – "Grow and Serve"
Address
Voortrekkersweg, Wonderboom-Suid, Pretoria, 0084 Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa
Information
Type	Public School
Established	1949
Headmaster	Dr. Stefan T Van Wyk
Grades	8–12
Enrollment	≈1400
Colour(s)	Green, Gold, white
Website	www.wonnies.co.za

Hoërskool Wonderboom also known as Wonnies, is an Afrikaans-medium public high school situated in the city of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, on the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg.

Early history

In 1925 a commission headed by J. A. Friis, started an action to establish a high school in the Moot. The former Department of Education was not inclined to an Afrikaans high school building.

In 1928 the then MEC for Education, Mr. Michael Brink, made a promise for a new Afrikaans high school. Up until 1943 the matter was still on ice. A new Afrikaans high school was not on the agenda of the Department of Education. Mr. Michael Brink again decided to undertake the matter further.

On June 14, 1944, a site was recommended and approved on February 13, 1946. This area was the now famous, southern slope of the Magaliesberg east of Voortrekker Road. In November 1946 the first sod was dug by mr. Michael Brink.

Mr. J Dey was the architect, Mr.. J D Verhoewe the contractor and mr. C. Morgan, chairman of the action committee.

Eventually, after many years, the first Afrikaans High School was established in the Moot, under the name Michael Brink Hoër. A year later, on June 10, 1950 the Administrator of the Transvaal announced that: the school will from now on be known as Die Hoërskool Wonderboom. It was the first step in the direction of the rich traditions, beautiful grounds and outstanding features of Hoërskool Wonderboom, as it is known today.

"Grow and Serve" is the motto of the school upheld throughout the past 58 years. This motto and badge was introduced at the end of 1950. The school song was the next milestone. Mr. J. A. van der Walt, a teacher was the author of the lyrics and the famous Stephan Eyssen wrote the music. The school song was officially inaugurated at the matric farewell in 1953.

The school's number of pupils had increased rapidly, and already in 1955 new building additions were necessary. In 1964 construction started on the new wing and the larger hall. and completed on 16 January 1967. This also included some alterations to existing buildings including the media center.

In 1974 the new pavilion was built, which, with its roof was a big improvement. In addition also the sports fields underwent a metamorphosis.

In January 1949 Mr. Van Vuuren, a retired former headmaster took the reins of the new school in his capable hands. In 1950 dr. J. C. Otto was appointed the first permanent headmaster. He was later the Mayor of Pretoria. He was succeeded in 1962 by Mr. S. H. Friis, son of Mr. J. A. Friis under whose leadership the action began for a new Afrikaans high school. After 14 years, in 1976, Mr. C. Schutte was appointed his successor, and only 10 years later in 1986, D.J. Ferreira took up the reins. Our current principal, Dr. S.T. van Wyk was appointed 1 November 1994 and is already 17 years at the head of Hoërskool Wonderboom.