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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.

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.”

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

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Download the Uniform Requirements

The school provides a downloadable document outlining the current uniform requirements for students. This resource is available to all students, parents, and guardians associated with Alexandra High School.

Who it is for: students, parents, and guardians of Alexandra High School
How to act on it: Visit the school website and click on the 'Download the Uniform Requirements' link in the 'School Motto, Uniform and Houses' section

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Download the Uniform Requirements

How to apply

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