History

GENERAL HISTORY

It took perseverance and courage to continue the struggle here in the Olifants River Valley, to help tame the wild wilderness and turn it into a promising attractive home. It sounds almost impossible to think that the town and the vast lands were dense bushveld a few years ago, that the game grazed here peacefully; that lions had captured cattle in 1932, not even 16km from Groblersdal, and that in 1944 malaria had caused the death of  95% of the population.

The possibility of prosperity and happiness attracted more than one family and families were willing to face the danger of the wilderness together. But the biggest concern was educating the children.

At the insistence of the parents, a private school was opened in Kalkfontein. Five public schools did exist in the area at that time, but because the facilities at all these schools were extremely limited and inadequate, the parents along the Olifants River began to think of one central school.

On 16 October 1930, the Klipbank 267 school with 28 learners was opened by the Pretoria District School Board in collaboration with the community. Mr. J. L. Muller was appointed acting principal. In 1945 it was decided to establish a separate Junior High School.

Hoërskool Ben Viljoen was opened on 21 February 1947 as a junior high school with Dr. H.P. van Coller as first permanent principal, eight staff members and 185 learners in Grades 8-10, transferred from Groblersdalse Laerskool (currently Laerskool Julian Muller). During 1947 and 1948, Grade 6 and 7 learners were also housed at the junior high school due to accommodation problems. The environment was desolate, the site uncultivated with shrubs, grass and thorn trees covering the earth's surface. The buildings were half-finished and consisted of only seven classrooms in semi-finished condition. From the primary school, school desks and books were received while there was a shortage of scripts, stationery, and the necessary furniture, but thanks to the prompt action and sympathetic attitude of our Circuit Inspector, Mr. B.J. Viljoen and his capable staff, they soon succeeded in bridging this gap and the great task of running a school could be started.

On 8 November 1947, the cornerstone was laid, observed by Genl. JJ Pienaar, then Administrator of the Transvaal and mr. WJ Grobler, founder of Groblersdal.

During February 1948, the school was named after Mr. B.J. Viljoen, then circuit inspector, as an appreciation for his zeal for the expansion of the school facilities for the bushveld child. In August 1948, approval was obtained for the establishment of a Grade 11 class from 1949 and the first group of 14 learners wrote the matric exam in 1950. Since then, the number of learners has continued to grow to where we can today boast more than 730 learners.

In January 1951, the first hostel (Boomhuis, the current boys' hostel) was taken into use as a mixed unit. In 1954 the current girls' hostel (Huis Cherie) was taken into use. The school was outgrowing its infancy and a period of steady growth and development of the terrain and facilities took place.

Expansion and progress took place in most areas, in 1965 the first rugby team won the renowned Administrators 'Cup and in 1995 the girls' tennis team won the Director's Trophy!

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL LOGO

In 1947, Dr. H.P. van Coller requested a school emblem for this bushveld school. The school emblem was designed by mr. Louw Odendaal, an art lecturer at the Pretoria College of Education. This school emblem includes various symbols depicting the Loskop Valley area as well as the progress of the school in the later future.

  The color symbolism:

The white background in the center of the school emblem reflects the purity of faith.

The green symbolizes the fertility of the Loskop Valley agricultural environment.

The gold shield symbolizes the joy of your studies and labor, along with the successes of the future you will achieve.

The symbols are as follows:

The shield rests on a scroll on which the motto 'OUR WORK-OUR HONOUR' stands, it symbolizes the building of a successful future.

The wings symbolize the flight of the eagle.

Together with the wings, wheat sheaves are formed which refer to the fruit of the labor done in school.

Between the wings is the lock valve of Loskop Dam, which symbolizes the power of the water in the dam - it is symbolic of the power of the learners in the school and connects to the area. The school mainly serves the Loskop Dam irrigation area.

The round arch in the coat of arms represents the bank of Loskop Dam - it is symbolic of restrained strength, solidity and solidarity and it points to the life-giving power that emanates from it.

Inside the arch is a pole with the light on top - light is emitted from the power. It also refers to the symbolism that the learners should serve as an inspiration to their fellow students and community members. This light also represents the historic lights that were on Loskop Dam's embankment.

Furthermore, the embankment also forms a 'G'. It stands for Groblersdal.

Together, the embankment and the 'G' again form a key - it opens the future for us.

The owl symbolizes wisdom and knowledge, which form the basis of the future.

Below the dam with its water are the wheat and tobacco fields that represent green life and growth - the fullness of the earth. It symbolizes the growing, pulsating life of the youth who are educated in the school and led to adulthood.

PRINCIPALS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

PRINCIPALS

ACTING PRINCIPALS