From its humble beginnings in 1861, to the present with some 823 pupils and 35 teaching staff, West Bank High School is an institution with a proud history, old traditions and strong community-oriented emphasis.
The ethos of the school, inspired by the simple teaching of the words Justorum Semita Quasi Lux Splendens (The Path of the Just is as a Shining Light) accounts for unique warmth and friendliness which pervades both classroom and staffroom alike.
As a school, we at West Bank measure our success by:
the involvement of family, community and professional teaching staff in a caring partnership of educators;
insisting on the highest standards of professional expertise and dedication from our teachers;
striving for self-motivated excellence in every activity that faces each of our pupils;
developing the virtues of self-discipline, self-examination, humility and determination in each child;
fostering self-esteem, integrity and loyalty in each individual;
encouraging at all times a respect for others, a concern for their needs, and an enlightened understanding of the dignity and warmth of each human being, regardless of race, sex or belief.
We can boast of fine facilities, dedicated and highly qualified staff, disciplined and happy pupils. In the tradition of West Bank High School, it can truly be said that we all belong to and care about one another. The fact that West Bank High School is not only dual medium (i.e. offering tuition through the medium of English and Afrikaans) but also offers education from Grade 1 to Grade 12 bears witness to this fact.
The fact that pupils may begin and end their schooling in the same school without the trauma of changing schools, must be an advantage to the pupils. [West Bank High School is the only school in East London to offer this important facility.] In the primary section there are separate classes for the English and Afrikaans pupils, while in the high school section separate classes exist for the two first languages, while the pupils attend classes together for the choice subjects. Tuition takes place in both languages, and the big advantage here is that the West Bank High matric pupils are probably of the most bilingual in the city by the time they write their matric examinations.
Presently, West Bank High School offers a full and comprehensive education in all respects of the Primary Curriculum, while offering the following subjects in the High School from Grade 10 to 12:
Afrikaans Home LanguagePhysical Sciences
Afrikaans 1st Additional LanguageConsumer Studies
English Home LanguageHistory
English 1st Additional Language Life Sciences
MathematicsComputer Application Technology
Mathematical LiteracyGeography
Life OrientationBusiness Studies
In Grade 8 and 9 the pupils are able to do the following Outcomes Based Education courses:
Afrikaans
English
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Human and Social Sciences
Economic Management Sciences
Arts and Culture
Technology
Life Orientation
The school offers an up to date computer in the library for the use of pupils who need research data for projects and assignments. The facilities in the computer room are also constantly being expanded and upgraded, and pupils are taught basic computing and word processing on one extreme, while being able to access the Internet on the other.
Every pupil is expected to become involved in at least one extramural activity per term. The social, educational and recreational value of sport is appreciated at West Bank and the following activities are offered:
Summer:Cricket, athletics, hockey
Winter:Rugby, netball, hockey
Culturally, West Bank tries to offer a range of pursuits which include:
Chess, choir, drama, debating, SCA, music.
Enrichment beyond the curriculum is the goal of all extramural activity at West Bank and our concern for the ethic of âservice above selfâ is reflected in the success of the Interact Club, our support for the Border Blood Transfusion Service as well as the Schoolâs recognised leadership in the field of conservation.
The payment of school fees, which are the lowest in the city, is imperative for the management of a successful and progressive school. All parents are expected to meet their responsibility in terms of the school fees which are compulsory.
We expect all parents to take an interest in their childrenâs work, particularly homework, and we encourage parents to watch as many of their childrenâs sporting and extramural activities as possible.
Our pupilsâ appearance, neatness, cleanliness, hair and uniform are the responsibility of the parents as well. We expect parents to accept the norms that we set and assist us in running a well-disciplined and ordered school.
Membership of a school means more than taking part in what is only immediately appealing. We expect our parents to ensure that their children support the school in as many of its functions and activities as possible.
Attendance at certain functions will be made compulsory, and we trust that we will receive support for this from home.