Waterkloof House Preparatory School
Work Hard. Play Straight
Established 1923
Work Hard. Play Straight
Out ethos is a deep spirit of community
Waterkloof House Preparatory School
Independent Private School
Quality education with a holistic approach
Work Hard. Play Straight
Waterkloof House Preparatory School (WHPS), Pretoria, South Africa.
WHPS is an independent (private) School, offering education as follows: Grade 000 and Grade 00 boys and girls, and Grade 0-7 boys only through the medium of English.
Founded in 1923 by the Ruddell brothers, the vision of the School is to realise the holistic development of its boys using a broad-base to promote high moral values; independent thinking; self-discipline and a positive self-image, enabling each boy to realise his full potential in academics, sporting and cultural fields within a Christian environment. Affectionately known as WHiPS, there is a certain element that sets Waterkloof House Preparatory School apart from any other school – its ethos is legendary.
Embodied in its motto, Work Hard Play Straight, this ethos is a deep spirit of community.
Since its opening in 1923, WHPS has filled a special place, in the educational market place offering a high quality, balanced education backed by a strong ethos which expounds values such as good manners, self-discipline, self-esteem and respect for one’s self, one’s peers and one’s environment.
The Junior Preparatory department comprises Grades 0 to 3. There are two classes per grade. The specialist subjects offered are Music, Art, Drama, Computers and Physical Education. The Grade 1 to 3 boys are also taught Afrikaans and Sepedi by specialist teachers.
Our philosophy of education and approach to classroom management in the Senior Prep phase is one of maximum pupil involvement. It is a journey of self-discovery where we strive to direct and guide the boys to learning for life rather than merely being prescriptive lecturers.
WHPS is the only Boys’ Prep School in Pretoria and one of only a few boarding schools in South Africa that offers residential education from Grade 3 – 7. Having opened in 1923 with 12 dayboys and 2 boarders, WHPS has maintained a tradition of boarding and is proud of benefits offered through this facility.
