Paarl Girls High Pre-School is located in Paarl. Paarl Girls’ High School was founded after the School Committee of Paarl Boys’ High School decided in September 1874 to establish a girls’ school, because Miss Elizabeth Barker’s school for young girls was closing. Miss Barker’s vision was a school for young girls where the focus was firmly on Mathematics and Science.

What makes us really proud? To hear the following: Girls’ High is really a well-balanced, excellent, competent institution – not because they always win, but there is always the belief… Our girls are able to communicate in a multicultural world and across varied types of teams.

Academic achievements here at Girls’ High don’t reflect just intelligence but also what we call “non-cognitive skills”, such as perseverance, good study habits and the ability to collaborate – in other words, conscientiousness. Personality counts. Economist James Heckman says a personality trait, marked by diligence, perseverance and self-discipline even correlate with financial success – and that is one of our most important responsibilities – not only to lay the foundation to financial independence, but to develop each girl’s personality into conscientiousness.

Almost the first thing a girl purchases when she comes to this school is a blazer. In order to wear it with pride it is necessary to know its significance as well as the meaning of the school badge. The Latin words in the white scroll attached to the dark green shield read AMPLIORA ET ALTIORA, meaning ‘Larger and Higher’. These words highlight the reason why we are inspired to emulate the lifestyle of the Nautilus. To turn away from things that are small, mean, foolish and unworthy and to follow what is true, pure, honest and just.

The shell pictured on the dark green background between the letters G and H is the Nautilus, a well-known shell which is often washed up on rare sea-shores. The Nautilus forms the home and shelter of a small and defenceless sea organism. In the Nautilus, the sea organism is safe and grows every day until it is strong and ready to leave its shell. This symbolizes the life of a Girls’ Higher at Paarl Girls’ High School – she will be protected until she is ready to leave the shell.