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In June 1873, a group of ladies met in the old Grey Institute on the Donkin and proposed a school for girls be established in the town. On 12 July 1873, a deputation of gentlemen joined the committee and by 2 September, there were twenty guarantors, and a constitution of “Rules and Regulations for ‘The Port Elizabeth Collegiate School for Girls’”. Almost nine months later, in February 1874, the school would open with its first 38 pupils.

As we celebrated the sesquicentenary of our school in 2024, the 150-year anniversary of the founding of Collegiate, we were excited about the various events to mark this significant milestone. It was a year with a VISION of CELEBRATION and FUTURE LEGACY.  We celebrated all that Collegiate is, those who have been through the School, its achievements, our friendships and connections. it was a year of looking to the FUTURE through the legacy we create and leave for the future, and this idea is extended beyond our 150th year.  We celebrated 150 years of Collegiate excellence. It was a year to look back with pride and forward with hope. We spoke of uniting as a community of Collegiate girls worldwide and igniting the Collegiate of tomorrow. That is the vision that we carried with us in 2025 with the theme of, “Living our Values, Building our Future”. It was about putting into practice everything that we have learned from our history and from the stories of the Old Girls who have gone before us. Living our values means showing a good work ethic, respecting others, taking responsibility, being compassionate, and leading with integrity. It is about letting these values guide how we treat each other, how we tackle challenges, and how we grow as individuals and as a school.

In 2026, we now take the next natural step with our theme "Leading with Values through Belonging and Contribution". At Collegiate, belonging means more than inclusion; it is about girls being truly seen, known, and valued, and learning that it is from this place of security that they find the confidence to contribute and to lead. We are entrusted with developing strong young women with sound values, who live well-rounded lives of facta non verba –  pursuing excellence with integrity, compassion, responsibility, respect, and a strong work ethic in all that they do. So, let us make 2026 a year of action. Let us live our values proudly, knowing that we are laying the foundation for an even brighter Collegiate, life and world.