Mitchell High School, Durban, South Africa

This is a very old view of the school and many will remember the many fund-raisers for the swimming pool. Alumni pupils will also remember not having the benefit of using the pool!

Founded in 1902 at the original campus near Greyville near Mitchell Park, Mitchell High School moved to its new campus on Earl Haig Road in September 1954. The school combined with Berea Girls High School off Ridge Rd, which was later combined with Ridge Park College. Ms Dianne Liebich was the last headmistress.

School Prayer

Here in our school, O Lord,
inspire us to high endeavour by courage, hard work and prayer.
Help us to face the future with honesty and tolerance.
Let us ever remember all that is symbolised in our school badge.
The pursuit of knowledge is as a guideing star leading us ever onwards.
May we lift our eyes to Thee
as unto the hills and may we set our sails to the winds
of truth to guide us over the seas of life,
until at last we come safely into the Heavenly Harbour.
Amen.

School Song

We've a badge with a book and a star and a hill
And a ribbon that's gold, white and black;
And a motto to guide as we walk side by side
On a path that can never go back.
While the star in our badge leads us onward and up,
There's a message for you and for me:
By our efforts we'll rise, hard work conquers all
And from failure can se us free.

When the task that we're set seems beyond our strength,
And the trial more than we can bear;
We'll remember there's nothing that cannot be done
With courage, by work and by prayer.
So we make our pledge, and we'll hold to it fast:
Though we stumble, we always will always try
To remember the precepts of star and hill
And be worthy of Mitchell High

In the front garden at Mitchell High School,
opposite the Principal's window is a small granite stone inscribed:
"Ginger, 15.8.1958"

This stone and its inscription have a story that is part of the history of the school in Earl Haig Road.

The school moved from Mitchell Road in September 1954 and early in 1955 a bright-eyed, perky, ginger dog came to school every day. We knew he lived in Rose Glen but had no idea who owned him. Miss Miller fastened a note addressed to 'Ginger's Master' to his collar. In a day or so, she received a reply from his owner, saying that his dog disappeared every day, and had wandered where he went.

From then on, with a short break which shall be explained later, Ginger came to school daily. He came to daily assembly, marching in at the head of the lines. When the girls stood up to sing the hymn, he would climb up onto one of their chairs. The girl whose chair he took simply moved along the line and left him in possession of her chair. He went to different lessons every period and knew that the bell meant a change of lessons and would walk up to the door, ready to move on. He was once very puzzled when the bell rang and nobody moved, as it was a double period. He stood at the door until somebody opened it for him to move on.

Girls used to bring him jam sandwiches, to which he was very partial. At small break, he would go to Mrs Miller to get a drink of water.

An article about Ginger, written by Mrs Reinhardt, was published in the Sunday Tribune. Sadly Ginger fell from grace after biting a passing vegetable seller, and his owner decided to send him to the SPCA. Ginger was adopted by a lady who lived in Sydenham Road. Ginger continued to visit the school from his new home. Each day, he made his way to Overport where he waited for the bus. If the conductor was kind, Ginger travelled untroubled but if he was unsympathetic, one of the girls produced his fare. After school, he got on the bus for Overport and went home.

His new mistress tried for a few days to keep him at home. She was sent one of the absentee notes - "Your dog has been absent for three days. Will you kindly explain why?" The note had the same miraculous effect as the notes sent to parents when absentee pupils rose from beds of desperate illness. Ginger was allowed to come back. His mistress was also sent an end of term report with comments for each subject. Conduct – excellent; Scripture – very devout; Attendance – very regular.

On 15 August 1958, Ginger, as dogs will, rushed off the verandah after a police van in Fellowes Road, was knocked down and died from his injuries. He was buried before the girls came out of school. He was mourned by many.

Mitchell High School

Mitchell High School Snippets

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