Located in a beautiful area of the Western Cape, Rhenish Girls’ High School in Krigeville, Stellenbosch, is the oldest girls’ school in South Africa. Founded in 1860, Rhenish has a tradition of excellence in education. Girls are encouraged to reach their potential and strive for excellence. Rhenish’s top ten ranking for Matric results is indicative of the effectiveness of this well-loved school. Boasting a 100% pass rate for as long as anyone can remember, the majority of Rhenish Matrics qualify for tertiary study with each girl having received a strong foundation towards becoming a meaningful member of society.
Rhenish teachers form a dedicated, passionate staff who identify and nurture potential and provide their girls with the skills they need to develop into confident, independent scholars. The subjects on offer at the school are broad, with a number of speciality courses for those interested in the arts, design, technology and languages. Girls are given every opportunity to excel, and the curriculum is complemented by the Academic Enrichment Programme, which provides practical applications for the work learnt in the classroom. Girls are encouraged to test their ability and enhance the learning experience through a number of outings and events designed to complement the academic curriculum. The Academic Enrichment Programme encompasses olympiads, various subject competitions, eisteddfods, general knowledge quizzes, expos and additional courses. As of 2012, Rhenish girls are also eligible for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship – a highly sought-after scholarship for postgraduate studies at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
The Cultural Programme at Rhenish is a further important facet of the education programme. Through participation in the various clubs, societies and teams, girls obtain a wealth of skills that further enable them to approach their pursuits with confidence, proficiency and grace. The school offers a number of leadership opportunities for the girls, all of which prepare them for the rigours of life outside school. This element of the Rhenish system enables girls to be actively involved in community responsibility and make far-reaching contributions to a number of worthy causes.
The Rhenish Sport Programme is designed to cater for the physical education of its girls, and also has a tangible effect on their social and emotional development. Sport forms an integral part in the holistic development of learners and it is a sphere in which Rhenish excels. Many girls receive provincial and national colours across a range of disciplines. A number of winter and summer sports are offered and girls are also able to pursue additional sports outside of what the school offers as extracurricular options. Rhenish has also been the top girls’ swimming school in the Western Cape for six consecutive years and attracts top swimming talent from across the country.
The hostel at Rhenish is a well-equipped, homely environment where girls live together as a family. The hostel staff provides the necessary care and support care to meet the needs of all girls, creating an atmosphere that is conducive to study, as well as a space where they have the freedom to mingle and create many happy memories
