2 August 2023
Taking a walk around the campus of Westville Boys’ High, the school’s Head of Operations, Shaun Tait, and Head of the Foundation, Pam Hayward, talk with an obvious sense of pride about the new boarding establishment, which is taking shape, and is set to open its doors in 2024.
The project, thanks to the generous support of the Griffins’ very loyal Old Boys, is meeting the need for an increasing demand for boarding. The facility formerly housed 30 boys, but that number is being doubled.
In these increasingly challenging financial times, the Westville Boys’ High Old Boys’ community plays a vital role in helping the school to expand and improve its facilities and educational options. Without them stepping up to support their alma mater, both Tait and Hayward are in firm agreement, projects like the new boarding establishment would not be possible.
The Boarders
Many of the school’s boarders hail from the far up the north and far down the south coasts, but others are from beyond the boundaries of KZN. Then, there are also weekly boarders – local boys, heavily involved with Westville’s numerous offerings, who live a challenging distance from the school, who spend the week there, before heading home on the weekends.
Currently, the school is home to about 130 boarders, spread between five different establishments. With the completion of the new BE, one of those five will be closed, and the number of boarders will increase to 160.
Four of the five boarding establishments are owned by the WBHS Foundation, and it is thanks to the Foundation, under the leadership of Chairman Errol Stewart, that the revamps are happening.
The new facility follows the style of Huberta House, which stands alongside it. Outside, a plaque recognises those Old Boys who made a significant funding contribution to the House. It makes for impressive reading, and it is a reminder of the value and legacy they have gifted their school.
Bucking the trend
Westville must be doing something right. In a time where the general trend is away from boarding, there is clearly a demand for the school to offer more of it.
A walk around the facilities reveals some of the reasons for that. The new boarding establishments have a clean, contemporary feel to them. “A home away from home”, Hayward said, which is, undeniably, fitting. These are not austere, uninviting accommodations. They’re homely and they have character.
The boys share dormitories, unlike some schools where it is two to a room. Many will agree, though, that dormitories provide a more inclusive, fun environment. These boarding houses are about so much more than dorms, though.
Facilities
There are lounge areas, with large windows, bringing in beautiful light and views, homework areas, laundry and kitchen facilities, outdoor green areas, and individual shower facilities. There are also improved accommodations for staff members.
A new, very valuable addition is the inclusion of a sanatorium into the new boarding house.
The BE, furthermore, will also serve as an income generator during holidays, when Westville hosts events.
Recent projects surrounding the boarding establishments have also led to expanded and new parking areas and better thoroughfares, as well as a new outdoor area for the grade 8s.
The Trevor Hall Student Centre
Functioning hand-in-hand with the BE is the Trevor Hall Student Centre (THSC), which was funded by the Educational Trust.
It serves as a dining room, with inside and outside seating, thanks to an awning donated by the class of 1979. The THSC, a multi-purpose facility, also serves a study area, which includes WiFi access. It is, furthermore, utilised for extra lessons and has the versatility to be used for numerous other purposes.
The centre, which is a short walk from the new BE, features some of the most sought-after vantage points for viewing sports events on the fields below. It is a popular venue on weekends.
As a member of a community that includes some of the finest boys’ schools in South Africa, Westville Boys’ High is held to an extremely high standard, and it is not shying away from that challenge. The new boarding establishment is proof of that.
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