The WHPS Ethos

Waterkloof House Preparatory School was founded in 1923 by the Ruddell Brothers. Their vision was for a School of extraordinary ethos to offer prep school aged boys a holistic education based on Christian values.

This vision has not changed in the years since then.

WHPS’ goal is to develop the potential of each of its pupils. In order to achieve this, it is WHPS’ policy to expose its pupils to the various disciplines offered by the School: scholarship, sportsmanship and culture. The School views each of these disciplines as inherently important and as complementary components of a balanced, holistic education.

We do not take the view that academic work is the only success criteria in the School. Although there is an emphasis on academic discipline and achievement, the importance of a balanced life style encompassing physical activity and well being, as well as cultural involvement is impressed upon the boys and to this end they are expected to participate in the full school programme.

WHPS prides itself on developing the individuality of each of its children and is fortunate in having small numbers, which allows this concentration of attention.

WHPS strives to instil an ethos of high self-esteem, self-respect and gentlemanly behaviour in all its pupils. These qualities are vital to allow every child to be the best that he can be and it is these qualities, as well as the all round education that they receive, that makes WHPS boys so attractive to the High Schools of South Africa.

The WHPS ethos is legendary. Ethos is defined as the characteristic spirit of a community, people or system. Every member of School’s community contributes their own special gifts to make the School unique.

Individual teachers, boys, parents and support staff become touched by the atmosphere pervading our independent School for boys and the longevity of service of some of the staff is explained by their devotion to this Pretoria institution.

The Mission statement states its objective to be to promote high moral values, independent thinking, self-discipline and a positive self-image. With a staff that aims to embody these values and through their enthusiastic and caring attitude, the characteristic spirit is expressed through their life in the School.

The teaching at the School is imbued with these values, which are passed on, almost subliminally, to the pupils.

Finally the system embraced by WHPS, almost from inception, reflects the ethos of the School. The various curricula, academic, cultural and sporting, are all aimed at helping the boys be the best they can be.

To be a WHPSian does not just mean that you have been enrolled at a private school for boys and spent a certain number of years here. It is an intangible quality of gentlemanly behaviour, care for others and the environment and a sense of self-esteem, which prepares the boys for the challenges the future holds for them. Each individual who makes up the sum of Waterkloof House Praparatory School gives of his best and in so doing achieves his own personal best.