Victoria Park High School is one of Port Elizabeth’s leading co-educational day schools, located in the sought-after suburb of Walmer. Founded in 1940, the school retains the founder’s emphasis on the development of all aspects of the child. Approximately 1000 students attend Grades 8 to 12 and enjoy a high level of participation in academic activities, sport and the arts. To maintain a favourable pupil-teacher ratio, the Governing Body employs twenty extra teachers. During 2009, eight new classrooms were added and as a result, our Grade 8 and 9 classes average no more than 29 pupils.

 Learners seeking admission to Victoria Park must be competent in English, the medium of instruction, and be in the correct age range for their grade. Learners must be able to cope with, and benefit from, the rigorous curriculum offered.

Academics

Victoria Park is a school for highly motivated pupils capable of academic excellence. Providing our students with a challenging education will always be the focus of our efforts at Victoria Park. Creative and critical thinking, a love of learning and the development of physical and moral awareness are paramount.

 While our Grade 8 and 9 curriculum focuses on the learning areas prescribed by the Department of Education,, our learners are offered a wide subject choice in the FET band.

 Victoria Park aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in our rapidly changing society. The school boasts four fully equipped computer laboratories with 160 networked computers. In addition to the computer subjects offered as part of the curriculum, learners have access to the work stations in the afternoons and are encouraged to make use of the learning material available as well as the internet, as an extension to the learning process. The upgrading of the school library is an ongoing project. A wide variety of classic and modern literature as well as current magazines is available to encourage a culture of reading among our pupils.

Our learners regularly take part in competitions, Olympiads and Eistedfodds and our school has produced numerous local and national winners in recent years. Our Matric pass rate is among the best in the country and the school is acknowledged as one of the principal feeder schools for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

 Academic achievement is highly valued and is rewarded at the school’s annual prize-giving ceremony. In addition, the top achievers in each Grade are invited, with their parents, to the annual Academic Dinner, where they become members of the VP Top 100 Club.

 Subjects offered

 English Home Language

Afrikaans and isiXhosa First Additional Language

Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy

Physical and Life Sciences

History and Geography

Business Studies and Accounting

Information Technology

Computer Applications Technology

Tourism and Consumer Studies

Dramatic Arts

Music

Visual Art and Design

Mathematics and Science

 Mathematics and the Sciences enjoy particular emphasis at Victoria Park. Our Mathematics teachers are highly motivated and we are proud to be able to boast very high averages for Mathematics in external examinations over a period of several years.

 Faculty and Discipline

 Victoria Park is staffed by a team of highly professional educators with a passion for the whole process of education. They are able to instill in their learners a love of learning and to guide them to reach their full potential, academically and as well-rounded individuals.

 The school follows a strict code of conduct, based on pride in oneself and one’s school as well as respect both for oneself and for others. Discipline is approached in a caring manner and Victoria Park teachers are known for getting the best results from their learners through constructive encouragement and a positive, inspirational approach to learning.

 Clubs and Societies

 Passionate participation is paramount at Victoria Park and learners are encouraged to develop their own unique talents and interests. The aspect of cultural awareness and appreciation is deepened through the wide diversity of extra-mural activities and social clubs that Victoria Park offers. It is important to forge lasting friendships, learn more about yourself and above all…have fun! Service rendered to the community and achievement in cultural activities is recognized and rewarded at our annual Clubs and Societies Prize-Giving.

Sport

 Victoria Park has a proud tradition of team spirit and participation in sports. Derby Days against our local rival schools are fiercely contested, while many sports participate in school leagues that embrace schools from the entire Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage area. Several sports undertake regular tours to other centres to play matches or tournaments against national opposition.

 The school teams and individual representatives have yielded excellent results in all competitive sports. A large number of our sportsmen and women have been included in provincial and other representative teams in recent years. Sporting achievement at all levels is recognized and rewarded through the school’s Colours award system. In addition, the school’s First Teams are invited, with their parents, to an annual Sports Dinner, on which occasion a Team of the Year is announced by the Headmaster.

Student Orientation

 Victoria Park’s learners are known for their friendly, outgoing and confident manner and the older learers, together with the counsellor, student peer leaders, advisors, other faculty and administrators are eager to assist new learners in adjusting to life at Victoria Park.

 As part of our holistic approach, we employ a full-time School Counsellor who is a highly trained health professional. Services provided include regular guidance classes for the Gr 8s and 9s and a highly specialised careers programme, as well as confidential counselling.