The Girls next door
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It was the principal of Grey, Rev.
Gustav Radloff, who in 1872 took the lead in the establishment of a
girls’ school in Bloemfontein. The public meeting called to found
the Oranje Vrij Staat Dames Instituut ‘Eunice’ was held in the Grey
College building. In 1876 Dr Brill principal of Grey College,
conducted examinations at the Dames Instituut.
So Eunice was not only ‘fathered’ by Grey’s principal but also born
at Grey. A noble birth.
Some Grey boys even had the honour of attending Eunice till Std 1. A
few lucky girls were at Grey, too, at kindergarten level. One Eunice
girl, daughter of Sir John Fraser, matriculated at Grey, after her
father – on the boards of both schools – used his influence to move
her to Grey after falling out with Miss Steedman. The young lady in
question fell for the classics teacher, Mr Laing, and married him
four years after leaving school. He later became the rector of Grey
High in Port Elizabeth!
So many past pupils of both schools have strong Grey/Eunice bonds.
Brothers and “others” as we say. That bond was given a great boost
when Eunice moved to its new site alongside Grey College in 1983.
Although Old Greys may have mixed feelings about losing valuable
land, the now well-developed complex provides a first-rate service
to so many families. Who wouldn’t want pretty neighbours?
As public schools with a long tradition of excellence Grey and
Eunice serve a broad cross section of the South African population.
As world class schools they offer quality opportunities to the sons
and daughters of the man in the street. The schools offer instant
belonging, firm roots in fragile times, a culture of participation,
standards of behaviour passed on from year to year, a commitment to
activities beyond the classroom, a national network of sporting
contacts and most significantly, a pride in one’s school which fuels
a strong school spirit and which makes teenagers think twice before
letting their school down.
So what’s it like having Grey next door? Well our girls have a head
start being only a fence apart. Eunice adds style and value and
standard to Jock Meiring Street. Grey offers us the security of
having gentlemen next door, the neighbourly big brother attitude,
the big thinking and visionary approach to the best facilities
possible, the unwavering commitment to courtesy, consistency and
hospitality and the wonderful friendship and camaraderie with
colleagues who have served Grey or Eunice as a way of life.
Eunice and Oranje have for years competed for hearts and medals at
the Grey Gala and for brickbats and bouquets from the ‘walk-in Grey
boys’ at Inter-high. Valentine Day actually means “what fence?” How
can I forget the Grey boy who delivered his red rose (in his teeth)
at 05h30 by ladder to the second floor of Eunice House with the Grey
string quartet in attendance! What a Grey gentleman. One of many.
Eunice is proud to share its history with Grey. A shared past and a
joint future. As a Eunice headmaster of nearly 20 years standing I
have enormous admiration for Grey, for the wonderful support it
musters, for the boys who add value even to our school and most
importantly for Johan Volsteedt who, to me, is Grey.
Paul Cassar
Headmaster
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