Celebrations are culminating with St Michael’s School for Girls commemorating 150 years of history in Bloemfontein.
This school was founded on 6 January 1874 by Dr Allan Becher Webb, second Bishop of Bloemfontein and a small contingent of Sisters from England. The Community of St Michael and All Angels was established.
It became one of the few independent communities with their roots truly South African.
Bishop Webb, who succeeded Bishop Twells who resigned in 1869, was consecrated on St Andrew’s Day, 1870, in the Inverness Cathedral.
Today, St Michael’s School stands out as a beacon in both the educational- and Anglican Church history of South Africa, being the first Anglican Sisterhood in Africa and the oldest girls’ school north of the Orange River.
The old school was situated on the site where the Sand du Plessis theatre complex can be found today.
Sister Emma, with her four new associates, left England on 5 March 1874 and arrived in Port Elizabeth via Cape Town on 12 April 1874. Amongst the young associates was Miss Stockdale, later the famous Sister Henrietta, nursing pioneer in South Africa.
They arrived, accompanied by Archdeacon Croghan, on 25 April 1874, with their belongings packed in wooden pioneer chests. On their arrival in Bloemfontein, Sister Emma had the following to say:
“The town looked so pretty by moonlight, and does also by daylight. I think it is a delightful place. The Bishop and Mrs Webb received us so kindly and we were located at Bishop’s Lodge for a while.”
On Friday, 11 December 1970, the school closed for the last and final time in the old St Michael’s buildings.
On 20 January 1971, the new school in Klerck Avenue, in Brandwag, was opened in pouring rain.
After a period of 103 years of being an independent Anglican girls’ school, St Michael’s became a departmental school in 1977.
In the agreement of sale, a clause was included stipulating that St Michael’s School would retain its character and traditions and, as departmental school, would continue to serve society and be a blessing to pupils and parents.
Facts from this period:
- Henrietta Stockdale, nursing pioneer in South Africa, managed to get state registration of nurses and midwives instituted in 1891. Thus, making South Africa the first country in the world with such legislation.
- Dr Ann Fenton Cleaver, matriculated in 1884 and became the first medical inspector of schools in 1915. She was appointed by Dr C. Louis Leipoldt.
- Annie Emett matriculated at St Michael’s and became the wife of Louis Botha, the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa.
- Joan Carter, head girl of 1960, later became Miss South Africa in 1966.
