Westville Boys’ High School officially established itself in 1955, although its origins date back to the mid-1800s. In 1935, a private farm school catering to young children opened, which gradually evolved into a fully recognised primary school over the following two decades.
In 1955, the first Grade 9 class was introduced, marking the start of high school education at our institution. Initially, high school students were integrated with younger classes until 1961. With the construction of Westville Girls’ High School completed in 1964, boys and girls were split, and Westville Boys’ High School started its journey to the school it is today.
Marked by excellence in Academics, Sports, Arts, Culture, Service and Leadership, our comprehensive approach is designed to help students discover their purpose and achieve their fullest potential.
Our school is devoted to fostering leadership skills through a service-driven ethos grounded in mutual respect. This framework provides all students with opportunities to maximise their leadership potential. The initiative empowers students to take on responsibilities that will prepare them for future challenges.
The leadership model emphasises training and practical experience to refine skills, ensuring that leadership remains relevant and intertwined with a service-oriented approach that promotes responsibility, accountability, self-worth and discipline.
At Westville Boys’ High School, every member of the community, be it students, teachers, alumni, parents, or supporters, is considered a part of the collective identity shaped by the values of resilience, respect, discipline, humility, character and integrity represented by our school’s emblem, the Griffin. The Griffin symbolises the strength and vision of our school community, inspiring individuals to strive for their best selves every day.
This is where potential meets purpose.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Founding Year: Category: School Level: Number of Terms: Boarding:
1955 All Boys School Grade 8 to Grade 12 4 Yes
THE GRIFFIN
ACADEMICS
CULTURAL PROGRAMME
SPORTS
BOARDING
LEADERSHIP
THE GRIFFIN
The Griffin is the official symbol of the school, fostering a common sense of purpose and identity. It is a symbol of all we strive for at Westville Boys’ High School.
The griffin is a legendary creature with the body, tail and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and sometimes an eagle’s talons as its front feet. Because the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts, and the eagle the king of the birds, by the Middle Ages, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature.
To us, a Griffin is anyone who has been a part of the WBHS family. This includes all our students, our staff, our Old Boys, our parents, and anyone who is invested in creating the best Westville Boys’ High School possible.
A Griffin acts with discipline and resilience. A Griffin is inclusive and ambitious. A Griffin is humble, respectful and has a strong character. But most of all, a Griffin acts with integrity.
If we all embody these values, Westville Boys’ High School is sure to soar on the wings of the Griffin.
ACADEMICS
Our school prioritises academic achievement while motivating students to explore their passion across diverse fields. Westville Boys’ High School remains dedicated to nurturing excellence and providing optimal opportunities for further education and professional development, both locally and globally.
To cultivate a supportive academic environment, the institution encourages collaboration, accountability and a commitment to lifelong learning among both students and faculty. Our school is equipped to support students who excel academically as well as those who may require additional assistance to reach their educational goals.
CULTURAL PROGRAMME
In addition to sports, Westville Boys’ High School offers a broad range of arts and cultural opportunities, enabling students to explore and pursue their creative interests outside the academic curriculum.
Two major productions are staged annually, showcasing high-quality acting and technical expertise across various genres, including Broadway musicals and serious dramatic works.
Students are encouraged to engage in a variety of clubs, societies and task teams that align with their interests, with the expectation that each pupil participates in at least one extracurricular activity.
SPORTS
In the realm of sport, Westville Boys’ High School supports athletes of all levels across various codes, recognising the positive impact of sports on academic performance and emotional resilience.
Since 2001, an integrated timetable includes dedicated sports periods for all students. During these sessions, trained coaches lead skills-based training and a conditioning program that assesses physical, social, and emotional development.
Expert advisors assist coaches to stay current in the field, while afternoon practices enhance teamwork and communication skills. Elite squads are formed for specialised training to nurture particularly talented students.
OFFICIAL SPORTS: Athletics - Badminton - Basketball - Body Boarding - Canoeing - Chess - Cricket - Cross-Country - Golf - Hockey - Indoor Hockey - MTB Biking - Rugby - Rugby Sevens - Soccer - Softball - Squash - Surfing - Swimming - Tennis - Volleyball and Water Polo
BOARDING
WESTVILLE BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL - YOUR SON’S HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Westville Boys’ High School prides itself on a unique boarding experience. Our five modern boarding homes provide a warm, safe and secure setting for our boys in Westville, Durban. Our focus is to ensure that all our boarders feel that they are living in a “home-away-from-home”, with all the support they need to find their purpose and reach their full potential.
The Westville experience also offers parents the unique opportunity of allowing their sons to board in close proximity to where they live, unlike most other larger boarding establishments.
This allows boys who opt for weekly boarding to have valuable quality time with their families, and allows parents greater opportunity to support their sons’ extra-curricular activities.
LEADERSHIP
OUR LEADERSHIP MODEL We are committed to encouraging leadership through a service ethos based on mutual respect, giving each and every one of our pupils the opportunity to maximize their leadership potential. The system we have put in place encourages all our students to take on a degree of responsibility, developing skills which will equip them to face new challenges in all areas of their lives during and after their time at our school.
This enables our boys to take control of their own lives, driven by the ability to think, be imaginative, work with others, act decisively, be accountable and accept responsibilities.
Our model allows us to: - Give purpose to potential leaders in order to fulfil their leadershop potential. - Offer training and practical experience to develop leadership skills. - Make leadership relevant while working hand-in-hand with our service ethos. - Focus on leadership through service, promoting the concepts of responsibility, accountability, self-worth and discipline. - Allow all our students to experience leadership to empower them and develop them as individuals.
The 4 pillars of leadershIp that we ascribe to are: - Law and order - Mentorship - Service - Management
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