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Houses And Motto

ALEXANDRA HIGH SCHOOLRef: http://www.alexhigh.org.za/about/houses-and-motto/

Official source

Source domain: alexhigh.org.za

Collected on 30 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 30 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This document is a webpage section from Alexandra High School titled “School Motto, Uniform and Houses.” It explains the origin and meaning of the school motto (French and Latin translations), the choice of school colours (sky blue and maroon, later changed to navy blue), and historical uniform items (straw “bashers”). It also describes the symbols and naming of the school’s houses (Founders’, Boyd’s, Downs’, Allison’s, Shepstone, and Trollip), including references to local and historical figures and coat-of-arms elements. It ends with a link prompt to “Download the Uniform Requirements.”

Facts

Places

KwaZulu-Natal, Msunduzi Local Municipality

Reference

http://www.alexhigh.org.za/about/houses-and-motto/

Key Takeaways

  • School: Alexandra High School
  • Motto (French): “Tant Que je Puis” meaning “I do my very best”
  • Motto (Latin): “Summa diligentia laboro” meaning “I work with diligence”
  • School colours originally: sky blue and maroon; later changed to navy blue (early 1980s) due to fabric sourcing
  • Straw “bashers” compulsory headwear until late 1970s; Founders’ House continued until early 1990s
  • Emblem elements: Maltese Cross, elephant (Pietermaritzburg), wildebeest (Natal)
  • Boyd’s House symbol: Maltese Cross; Leo Boyd (M.E.C. for Education in the N.P.A.)
  • Downs’ House symbol: elephant from Pietermaritzburg coat of arms; permission approached from Mayor C. B. Downs
  • Allison’s House symbol: stars from City’s Coat of Arms; named after A. T. Allison
  • Shepstone House symbol: crown; named after D. G. Shepstone; attended Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953
  • Trollip’s House symbol: wildebeest; named after A. E. Trollip; permission granted with conditions (facing correct way, white manes and tails)
  • Alexandra High School
  • Mr Udal (first headmaster)
  • Mr Leo Boyd
  • Mr C. B. Downs
  • Mr A. T. Allison
  • Mr D. G. Shepstone
  • Mr A. E. Trollip
  • Queen Alexandra
  • Pietermaritzburg
  • Natal
  • Natal Provincial Council
  • N.P.A.
  • Roman Catholic Church
  • Queen Elizabeth