St Patrick's CBC
Our School History
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Christian Brothers' College Kimberley, the first Christian Brothers' school in Africa, was founded by the Christian Brothers from Ireland, UK on 8 September 1897. Christian Brothers' College, Kimberley, opened its doors on the first day of school to a mere 15 pupils, to be joined the next day by a further 22. At that stage, it was still called the Christian Brothers' High School. The range of subjects was wide, and tuition was offered in six languages - Greek, Latin, English, Dutch, French, and German.
THE SEIGE OF KIMBERLEY
The Siege of Kimberley began in October 1899 and this became a difficult time for Kimberley and Christian Brothers' College. In 1900 the school was closed and turned into a hospital.
BOARDING LIFE BEGINS
The school built up an outstanding academic reputation from the beginning, attracting boys from both Kimberley and outlying district. This created a need for a boarding house and in 1905 the school opened its own boarding facilities
THE CHAPEL
As the school continued to grow, the original Boys' Chapel had become too small, and a new Chapel was designed to seat 300 people in the nave and 40 in the gallery. Work began as the effects of the Great Depression were being felt. Thus, it was not until St Patrick's Day in 1932 that the Chapel was solemnly blessed and opened.
THE WAR MEMORIAL
In 1933, the distinctive tower adjoining Cornwall Street was redesigned to incorporate the War Memorial Clock. This came about on the initiative of the Old Boys' Union which for some years had been seeking an adequate means of paying tribute to the memory of those former pupils who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. The end of World War Il meant liberation from shortages and limitations and served as a signal for the extension of facilities at the College.
THE HOUSE SYSTEM
In 1945, the House System was introduced. The houses are named after important people who helped the college. Cavanagh was named after Mr. Stephen Cavanagh. Keeley was named to remember Mr. Jim Keeley, who was killed in World War II. Michaelis was named after Sir Max Michaelis, who gave scholarships to schools in South Africa. Spiers was named to remember Mr. Alan Spiers, who also died in World War II.
A NEW LOOK
Throughout the school's history, the layout and look of the campus continued to change, Major alterations to the main College building were decided upon, and work commenced in 1959. The main College block had grown from small beginnings over a period of years as varying and increasing demands had been made on accommodation. These changes were completed in 1961, creating the façade we recognize today.
A MORE INCLUSIVE CBC
St Patrick's CBC, a school that once admitted only white pupils during Apartheid, started admitting students of colour in 1977, ahead of its time and in defiance of government policies. Today, it is a more representative school of South Africa's Rainbow Nation and confronting political issues decades before the collapse of Apartheid in the '90s.
A MORE FEMINENE TOUCH
In 1986 the school opened its doors to both girls and boys, embracing a co-educational status, and becoming a truly inclusive school for all.
END OF AN ERA
The last Report by a Brother Principal came in 1991 when Brother Chris Wise introduced the first lay Principal for the forthcoming year to the parents and staff, Mr Leon Benade, ending the era of Brothers leading the school. In 1994, Nathan Johnstone, took over the reins of CBC, becoming the first non-catholic to do so. In 1997, Michael Thiel became the first past pupil to become Principal of the School
A CENTURY OF THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' COLLGE
St Patrick's CBC School was started in 1897 by Christian Brothers from Kimberley, South Africa. It offers great education while promoting Christian values. Many successful people in fields like politics, academics, and sports attended the school. The school has kept up with changes over time by adding new facilities and courses to fit students' needs. It is still a well-respected school and provides an excellent education to help young pupils be successful in life.
EVER-EXPANDING
In 2019, Keeley Park was upgraded with new facilities such as AstroTurf and Netball Courts that have floodlights. There were also restorations made to the Gully and new irrigation systems and cricket training nets were installed. These changes were part of a larger effort to improve the school, which began when it was first opened in 1948. Other parts of the school have also been improved since then and work on the school is still ongoing.
ST PATRICK’S CBC TODAY
Currently operating from age 1 to Grade 12, St. Patrick’s CBC is a co-educational school and currently the only school in Kimberley offering the highly accredited Independent Examinations Board (IEB) curriculum. Our small classes and quality staff allow for a very personal approach to learning. We believe that education is more than just studies and sports, and have created an environment where every child participates in an array of activities, with a special emphasis on their individual strengths.