Rondebosch Boys High School

Boarding House

The tradition of boarding at Rondebosch dates back to 1900 and was established to accommodate those families from the farming areas who wanted their boys to go to Rondebosch. This tradition continues to this day, with a large number of boys coming from the rural areas of the Western Cape. The tradition of boarding at Rondebosch dates back to 1904 and was established to accommodate those families from the farming areas who wanted their boys to go to Rondebosch.

This tradition continues to this day, with a large number of boys coming from the rural areas of the Western Cape.

The Boarding House Management Council, comprising parent representatives from the feeder regions, Headmaster and Senior Staff meet on a quarterly basis to report back on the term’s activities. Management has an open-door policy.

A quarterly newsletter is published highlighting the achievements and forthcoming events taking place in the Boarding House. A weekend system operates whereby boys may go home at lunchtime on Friday or Saturday, depending on sport commitment and venue.

The Grades 8 and 9 are accommodated in Mason House, whilst the senior boys (Grades 10-12) are housed in Canigou, making a total of 120 boarders. These buidings are centrally situated amongst the leafy surroundings within the school grounds and give easy access to all the school facilities.

The Boarding House is situated within walking distance of Cavendish Shopping Mall, Newlands Swimming Pool, Rugby and Cricket Stadiums, and our sister-school, Rustenburg Girls’ High.
All meals are served in the Tinkie Heyns Dining Hall from a well-equipped kitchen.
Pastoral care and guidance are provided.
Senior boys (Grades 11 and 12) are allocated single bedrooms where they may study.
Junior boys (Grades 8-10) study under supervision in individual cubicles in the respective prep rooms.
The school computer centre is available for use under supervision on certain nights of the week.
A well-equipped gymnasium, situated in the hostel, is available for the use of the boarders.
Supervised joint social functions are organised with girls’ schools such as Rustenburg and Wynberg.
A camaraderie and hostel spirit exist which will be with the boys for life.

Leisure Activities

Boarders' Orientation Weekend

A Boarders’ Orientation weekend is held in early January to integrate the new Gr 8 boarders into the Hostel at RBHS. The weekend includes many fun activities that are aimed at introducing the younger boys to the senior boys and to make them feel that the hostel is their “home away from home.” With sporting activities, general knowledge quizzes and a braai beside the pool the boys are made to feel most welcome.

Professor I de V "Tinkie Heyns

19 November 1924 - 6 January 2009

Tinkie Heyns Memorial Garden opening - 19 November 2011

This garden was established and opened in memory of Professor Tinkie Heyns who was a dedicated member of the boarding house and Rondebosch family for over 60 years.

Professor I de V “Tinkie” Heyns was involved with Rondebosch for over 60 years. Known affectionately as Prof to thousands of Old Boys, particularly the boarders of Mason House, he came to Rondebosch in 1948 to assist with the coaching of sport. He also taught Maths to Std 6 boys for a period. He served the School in a variety of capacities both prominent and humble. Prof played a leading role in the coaching of Rondebosch athletics, cross-country and rugby over many decades and was also associated with sport at a much wider provincial level. As a runner he at one stage held the South African 880 yards record and was an athletics Springbok.

He served for various periods as secretary, vice-chairman and chairman of the RBHS School Committee (now the Governing Body). He was a lecturer, professor and Dean of the Faculty of Education at UCT and had a great influence on many students who went on to become teachers themselves.

Apart from a few years when he was doing research in the USA and elsewhere, he spent most of his Rondebosch years living in Dorm A in Mason House. To mark his 80th birthday in 2004 funds were raised for the extension of Mason House. In ending his birthday speech to a standing ovation Prof said: “If I had my life over, I would do things differently the second time, but I would quite certainly still want to be a teacher, to be at RBHS and to live at Mason House, the best house in the world.” The Tinkie Heyns wing was opened in 2006 by Prof Heyns and included a suite of rooms for him.

Several plaques adorn the walls of the Tinkie Heyns wing. One acknowledges the generous donations from the Carleton Lloyd Trust, Professor Heyns himself, Old Boys and parents. The other reads: “This wing was built to honour Professor Tinkie Heyns’ long association with Mason House”. The dining room in Canigou is also named in his honour.

Prof Heyns was awarded Honorary Life Membership during 2008 of the South African Rugby Referees’ Association. He was also a Life Member of Western Province Referees' Society and the Western Province Rugby Football Union. He served on the Executive Committee of the WP Rugby Referees Society for over 40 years and edited the SA Rugby law book for a similar period. He gave a lifetime of service to the game at many levels – referee, referee’s coach, international touch judge and administrator. He was also an honorary Vice-President of the Rondebosch Old Boys’ Union.

Prof Tinkie Heyns will be greatly missed by all who loved, honoured and respected him. The memory of Prof as a humble gentleman is captured with the inscription on the plaque below one of his canes which has been mounted outside the new Mason House Prep Room: “In honour of a great man who gave so much and yet asked for so little”.

Altius et Latius.

Boarding House / Gallery (Click here for photos)

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