Marian High was founded by three Dominican Sisters in 1931 and classes were initially held in a tent and in the church to accommodate the growing number of students. The Sisters financed the school entirely and it was only later on in the school’s history that parents were asked to contribute financially.

In the 1950’s/1960’s the school began to accommodate more students from the surrounding areas and operated as a private school where parents were required to pay fees. The school continued to grow in numbers and in the 1970’s Marian was one of the first schools to open its doors and accept isiXhosa speaking learners.

 

In 1976, the school became a state-aided school with financial support from the government. As the sisters moved out of the convent, more of the convent buildings could be used for classrooms and the chapel was converted into a school hall.

 

Today, Marian School hosts 510 learners from Elsies River, Delft, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Langa, Bishop Lavis, Gugulethu, Belhar. The school has an excellent pass rate of 95% and a large number of the girls go on to study at a tertiary level and find themselves employed in many professional areas. The school is open to all in need of education and does not turn anyone away regardless of previous education or results. Despite limited resources, the teachers work tirelessly to assist students with weak academic backgrounds and to help them overcome many of their financial and social problems to still achieve success.

 

Besides the academic side of the school, our learners are exposed to many other activities. We have taken our grades 8-12 pupils on leadership and motivational camps by gaining sponsorship from donors.  The girls have also participated in the Jive Charity Walk, served as marshals at the Two Oceans Marathon and are taken on various excursions/workshops for enrichment, one of which is sponsored by the Iziko Museum.

 

Six of our grade 10 students have received bursaries from Capitec Bank and the school boasts other achievements such as the Safe Schools Literacy Award and a number of sporting prizes. We encourage our pupils to get involved in extra-curricular quizzes and competitions to enrich their education.

 

 

Extra-murals: Athletics, netball

 

Subjects offered in Grade 12: English, Afrikaans (FAL), isiXhosa (FAL), Mathematics, Maths Literacy, Life Orientation, Accounting, History, Tourism, Life Sciences, Computer Applications Technology, Business Studies.