J.J. du Preez High School (also known as JJ du Preez or PDHS) was a secondary school in Parow, Western Cape, South Africa. It no longer operates under that name but has a clear documented history.
Founding and Early Years
- The school officially opened on 4 February 1922 as Parow Secondary School.
- It later became known as Parow and Districts High School (PDHS).
- It served the growing suburban area of Parow and surrounding districts in the Cape Town region during the early 20th century, a period of expansion in South African public education.
Name Change and J.J. du Preez
- In 1953, the school committee renamed it J.J. du Preez High School in honour of Mr. J.J. “Japie” du Preez, who served as principal from 1931 to 1953.
- He was a long-serving educator whose leadership left a lasting impression on the school and its alumni. Former students often remember him fondly in personal recollections.
Later History and Amalgamation
- The school operated at its Connaught Road (or Connaught Street) premises in Parow for many decades.
- In 1991, it merged with Tygerberg Commercial High School due to educational restructuring (common in post-apartheid South Africa to consolidate resources and preserve traditions).
- On 1 January 1992, the combined institution became Parow High School, located on the more modern Tygerberg Commercial site in Toner Street. Mr. P.T. Theron was the first principal of the new school.
- The old J.J. du Preez premises later became part of a college (initially Parow Campus of Tygerberg College, later Northlink College).
Additional Context
- The school was historically an Afrikaans/English dual-medium or English-medium institution in a predominantly white area during the apartheid era, though details on demographics evolved over time.
- Alumni from the 1940s–1980s frequently share memories online, indicating it was a significant local institution.
- Parow High School retains elements of J.J. du Preez’s heritage (e.g., parts of the badge, such as fleur-de-lis symbols, and traditions) in its current identity.
In summary, the school originated in 1922 as a local public high school serving Parow and grew under the leadership of J.J. du Preez before being renamed in his honor. It eventually merged into the modern Parow High School in the early 1990s. The old alumni site (pdhs-jjdupreez.co.za) provides more details and photos for those interested in its earlier decades.
