HISTORY
HISTORY
Danville Park Girls’ High School, situated in Durban North and overlooking the Indian Ocean, first opened its doors in 1967 to just 71 Grade 8 learners and a staff complement of 10. The school has grown into a leading institution for young women who aspire to academic and personal success, currently boasting over 800 learners. However, the friendliness and warmth that characterized the school in its early years endures and the girls – both past and present – talk of being part of the ‘Danville family’.
Like the milkwood tree that is symbolised on our badge and planted at the heart of the school, Danville’s traditions are deeply rooted and anchor the ever-growing tree. The trunk of the milkwood tree symbolises the strength and stability of the management, staff and parents of the school and this “trunk” has supported the growth of the learners as they have grown from strength to strength.
The branches of the tree symbolise the opportunities afforded learners academically and culturally, in sport, service and leadership. These branches bear fruit… the achievements of each learner at the school. Each girl is encouraged to be the “golden seed”, as shown in the emblem, in the area in which she shows potential, enabling her to step through the doors into life as an accomplished, confident young lady ready to live her life happily and successfully.
Danville’s first Headgirl and Dux, Mary-Lou Thompson, was placed first in the province of Natal with seven A’s, a remarkable achievement for those days
SCHOOL BADGE
FORTEM FACET FIDES – FAITH MAKES STRONG’
Mrs Peggy Trewin, the first principal of Danville Park Girls’ High School, wanted the school badge to be heraldically correct. She sought the help of Mr Alan Woodrow, a leading architect in Durban who was a member of the Heraldry Society of Great Britain and an expert in the field.
In the August of 1967, Mr Woodrow submitted his design which was accompanied by a beautifully executed citation detailing and explaining each of the various features within the badge. Mr Woodrow also explained that, because it was a girls’ school, the badge is lozenge-shaped, as opposed to the ‘shield’ shape customarily used for a boys’ school badge. The small bow at the top of the badge provides an additional feminine touch.
Close inspection of the citation reveals the detail and depth of thought that had gone into the production of Danville’s very own coat-of-arms, making it particularly meaningful and unique. For example, the four green leaves represented the leaves of the milkwood tree. Arranged in the form of a cross, they symbolise an educational system based on Christian ethics and principles. Within these leaves, the four gold berries represent the fruit of the milkwood. They symbolise the age-old ideals of education – Gentleness, Tolerance, Courtesy and Love.
