.....

The name "College"

Old Boys Society

...............

After Union in 1910, the Transvaal Education Department instructed Potchefstroom College to change its name to Potchefstroom High School for Boys as the term “college” could only be used for tertiary educational institutions. The tradition of calling the school “College” however, never stopped, and by 2005 the school headmaster, Titch Cartwright, finally succeeded in getting official recognition from the Department of Education that “College” is an alternative name for the school..

On 25 November 1911, in Granton House, “The Potchefstroom College Old Boys’ Society” was established. They are affectionately known as “The Old Moois”..

The War Cry

New Boys' Concert

.

The School war cry is a particularly strong characteristic of the school. The origin is clouded in mystery but is a highlight and climax for any occasion were both current and past Collegians get together.

For more than half a century, New Boys have entertained the school with a concert in the beginning of the first term of school. They perform either individually or as part of the group resulting in much hilarity.

.....

Hofmeyr Cup

Polar Bear Club

AThe early 18 th Century student song, De Brevitate Vitae (“On the shortness of life”), better known as Gaudeamus Igitur is the official School Song. The Houses compete annually to determine who sings it the best, to honour the original choir master Haldane Hofmeyr (1942 -1966).

On the coldest day of the year, the bravest learners (as well as all grade 8’s) participate in an icy swim of four lengths in the C.D. Hope Swimming Bath. At the end of the ordeal, swimmers are handed a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Tradition dictates that new teachers and Principals must also participate.

Cross Country

The Woods Bowl

.

Cross country running is a sport in which teams and individuals run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain such as dirt or grass. Sometimes the runners are referred to as harriers. The course, typically 4–12 kilometres (2.5–7.5 mi) long, may include surfaces of grass, and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road. It is both an individual and a team sport; runners are judged on individual times and teams by a points-scoring method.

For more than half a century, New Boys have entertained the school with a concert in the beginning of the first term of school. They perform either individually or as part of the group resulting in much hilarity.

.....

Memorial Service

Armistice Day is commemorated every year on 11 November to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France at 5:45 am, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o’clock in the morning—the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918.  The tradition of Remembrance Day evolved out of Armistice Day. Remembrance Day (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of the remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty.

Potchefstroom High School for Boys Holds a Memorial Service on the Saturday closest to the 11th of November at 5:45 every year. Wreaths are laid down at the Memorial Light that shines throughout the year.