Good Hope Seminary - Cape Town

Founded: 1873

Good Hope Seminary in Cape Town primarily refers to two related but distinct public schools with shared historical roots: Good Hope Seminary High School (an all-girls secondary school) and Good Hope Seminary Junior School (a co-ed primary school). They are among the oldest schools in the city.

Good Hope Seminary High School

Photo: School Digest

The school was founded on October 6, 1873, as the "Good Hope Seminary for Young Ladies" in the Gardens suburb. The founders were a group of Dutch Reformed Church ministers, including Reverend Andrew Murray (who later resigned from the committee). It was established to provide advanced, less denominationally tied education for girls, as an alternative to prevailing Roman Catholic and Anglican schools.

"It was thought that Murray's Huguenot Seminary might work against the Cape Town school (later called the Good Hope Seminary). In replying to these criticisms, Murray pointed out that far from being too many, two schools were far too few to meet the demand for female education. And he turned out to be quite right, as when the two schools were opened, both were full right from the start, and remained so."²

The school was run by a group of teachers from England and Scotland.The school has a long tradition, with early leadership including Scottish-born headmistress Georgiana Solomon (nee Thompson)  - the inaugural principal. Under the leadership of Mrs Percival from England, the Good Hope Seminary became known as the “highpriced, fashionable school of Cape Town".

By 1897/1898 it was reported that training in feminine “accomplishments” is given greater prominence than academic study (anti-intellectualism):

"Though the privilege of adding B.A. to one’s name is envied by most, yet the exertion of reaching this is a severe strain on the whole of a girl’s nature, and it is questionable whether this giddy height should be aspired to by her." (1898)

It has evolved from a "seminary for young ladies" into a modern public institution while retaining its heritage. It received a Blue Heritage Plaque in 2015.

Architects invloved with the school:

Year	Work	Architect
1891	Bedroom additions	J. Robertson / J. Parker
1893	Classroom additions	J. Parker
1896	Alterations & additions	J.E. Vixseboxse
1902	Laundry	Black & Fagg
1913	Temporary classrooms	F.C. Mills

Good Hope Seminary Junior School

Source: Good Hope Seminary Junior

One of Cape Town's oldest schools. It originated as Vredehoek Junior School (or linked to an earlier Good Hope Seminary Junior in Breda Street). In 1990, due to declining numbers, it amalgamated with Vredehoek Primary and adopted the current name. It was initially for "White girls only" but has become fully multicultural and co-ed.

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Sources

1. Duff, S.E. (2006) From New Women to College Girls at the Huguenot Seminary and College, 1895-1910. Historia, 51, 1.
2. Sass, F.W. (1956) The Influence of the Church of Scotland on the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa. (thesis)