About Brebner High School
A Rich History of Service and Excellence
Since 1906, Brebner High School has been serving the Bloemfontein Community with distinction. We are committed to scholastic development, personal growth, and ethical enrichment. Our motto, “Magna Est Veritas” – Great is the Truth – reflects our unwavering commitment to integrity and excellence in all we do.
The Foundation (1898-1906)
Our Pioneering History
In 1898, amidst the mounting political tensions on the eve of the Anglo-Boer War, a pioneering educational institution took root in Bloemfontein’s bustling “Railway Camp” (known today as the historic suburb of Hilton). At a time when formal schooling was largely a privilege reserved for the wealthy elite, this new establishment was guided by a vision that was profoundly revolutionary for its era. Its founding purpose was to provide life-changing educational opportunities to working-class families and those living on the margins of society. By offering a robust academic foundation, the school aimed to empower these young minds to break generational cycles of poverty and transcend the physical and economic limitations of their inherited circumstances.
This enduring ethos of equity, resilience, and community upliftment was deeply intertwined with the life and legacy of Dr. John Brebner. Himself a descendant of illiterate manual laborers, Dr. Brebner had navigated his own path out of hardship, allowing him to intimately understand the transformative power of learning. He firmly believed that a child’s background should never dictate their future potential.
In 1906, following the devastating interruptions of the war and upon the inauguration of the school’s first permanent brick-and-mortar buildings, the institution was proudly and officially named Brebner School. This dedication served as a lasting tribute to a visionary educator who spent his final years fiercely advocating for the belief that quality education is a fundamental right accessible to all, rather than a guarded commodity. Today, more than a century later, the echoes of those founding principles continue to resonate through our halls, serving as a constant reminder that our school was built on a foundation of perseverance, inclusion, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence.
A Pioneer in Integration (1990-1993)
Brebner High School’s commitment to inclusivity and equality reached a historic milestone in 1990/1991. The school became the very first institution in the country to receive “Model B” classification, making it the first former white school from the apartheid era to be awarded the freedom to enroll pupils classified as “non-white” alongside its traditional complement of white pupils.
This classification came with significant challenges, including the loss of departmentally-funded teaching posts. However, the staff members unanimously agreed to enlarge class sizes to accommodate the new status, and the school’s parent body exceeded the department’s requirement of a two-thirds majority vote in favor by a large margin. This decision reflected the deep-seated values of the Brebner community.
In 1993, Brebner School became one of the three very first “Model D” schools in the country. This meant the school would be multi-cultural in its enrollment whilst still being serviced by the same department of education responsible for white pupils. The significance was profound: schools attached to non-white departments of education at the time were bound by apartheid-based policies of providing education only to prepare non-white pupils to be useful laborers to their future (white) masters.
Therefore, Brebner School was one of the first three schools in South Africa to pioneer equal education to all children irrespective of color, creed, or race, complete with a curriculum designed specifically for future masters and leaders in society.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
The School Today
A Thriving Educational Community
Today, Brebner High School is home to over 1900 learners from all cultures and backgrounds. We are proud of our diversity and the rich learning environment it creates. Our school offers subjects that emphasize the Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurial fields, preparing our scholars for success in the competitive academic and professional environments.
Our dedicated staff includes 78 teachers, 14 administrative staff members and 75 support staff members at school and hostel. We also have 2 sports organizers, 3 counsellors and a social worker on staff, ensuring that our scholars receive comprehensive support in all aspects of their development.
Our Facilities
Top Infrastructure for Holistic Development
Hostel
Our school operates a 200-bed hostel that provides a supportive home away from home for boys and girls. The hostel has its origins in the old St. Peters and St. Aidens hostels that were run by the Anglican Church. When Brebner School moved to its existing premises in the 1970’s, these hostels were amalgamated into the Brebner High School Hostel.
The hostel prides itself on being a place where young people learn independence and key social skills, and understand how to live within a diverse community. Our hostel staff are dedicated to ensuring that boarders’ actions reflect not only on themselves but also positively impact others in the community. In addition, the hostel prides itself on its sense of family, celebrated through fun activities, like the annual hostel induction day.
Sports Facilities
We believe that physical well-being and teamwork are fundamental to a well-rounded education. Our expansive, lovingly maintained grounds serve as a premier sports hub designed to support a vibrant sporting culture. Students have access to five versatile, competition-grade fields that seamlessly accommodate soccer, field hockey, and rugby. Additionally, our four dedicated netball courts and two basketball courts provide specialized spaces for both practice and matches. Beyond these structured fields, our sprawling grounds offer abundant recreational space, empowering every scholar to discover their passions, develop lifelong sporting skills, and engage in a rich array of outdoor enrichment activities.
Academic Resources
Our dedication to high-quality education is reflected in our outstanding academic resources. Students are empowered to research, discover, and excel through our continuously updated library and two fully equipped, DBE-standard Computer Applications Technology (CAT) labs. By providing these essential physical and digital spaces, we ensure learners develop the critical thinking and technological skills needed to navigate and lead in a fast-advancing global society.
What makes Brebner Different?
Our Progressive Spirit
Throughout our history, Brebner High School has maintained a progressive and “big school with a big heart” approach. We have always been an alternative choice for learners in Bloemfontein who opt for an English-medium education, irrespective of their culture, religion, or political affiliations.
Our school has given many learners with varying talents and skills the opportunity to achieve their goals. Many of our alumni, who are now successful professionals around the world, would not have achieved what they have today without the supportive and inclusive environment that Brebner provided.
In the same progressive spirit, our school remains open to learners of all cultures, races and religions who want to receive quality education in a nurturing environment. We continue to meet the challenges of the modern era, while maintaining the values and ethos that have established Brebner as a unique and inclusive school for over a century.