Robbie History

Robbie History

The Origin of Rob Ferreira High School

Rob Ferreira High School grew out of the old Witrivier Primary School which changed its status to a Junior High School in 1948. The school then developed into an independent High School in 1955 with Mr. P.H. Kat as acting principal. The school building was completed in 1954 and the hostel in 1959.

Rob is proud to have had the following seven extraordinary gentlemen as principals. They left deep footprints in the history of the school and the hearts of all learners, parents and teachers with whom they came in contact:

  • Mr. H. Toerien from 1956 to 1966
  • Mr. Jan Nel from 1967 to 1971
  • Mr. Jan Herbst from 1972 to 1973
  • Dr. Willem Boshoff from 1974 to 1981
  • Mr. Johan Coetzer from 1982 to 1992
  • Mr. Jack J van Rensburg from October 1992 to December 2011
  • Mr John Reyneke  from 2012 to December 2013.
  • Mr. Dawie Oberholzer is our current Principal since 2014.

Mr Rob Ferreira

Rob Ferreira High School proudly carries the name of the late Mr Rob Ferreira, a respected former L.U.R. in the old Transvaal provincial government. Fondly known as Uncle Rob, he was a man deeply committed to his community and worked tirelessly to help establish opportunities and facilities that would serve future generations. His vision, generosity, and dedication played a vital role in the founding of the school, and his legacy continues to live on through the institution that bears his name.

The land on which the school buildings, sports fields, and hostel now stand originally formed part of Uncle Rob’s farm. In a remarkable act of generosity and belief in the future of education, he set aside 28 hectares of his land and donated it to the education department for the construction of the new school. This contribution laid the foundation for what would become one of the region’s most respected and admired schools, creating a place where countless learners would have the opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed.

Today, Rob Ferreira High School stands as a lasting tribute to the vision and commitment of Uncle Rob. The beautiful campus, quality facilities, proud traditions, and exceptional achievements of its learners reflect the kind of future he helped make possible. One can only imagine how proud he would have been to see the school flourish into such a place of excellence, character, and opportunity.

His connection to the school is also deeply personal and enduring. Not only were his children and grandchildren former pupils of Rob Ferreira High School, but even some of his great-grandchildren also walked the halls of the school founded through his vision and generosity.

This special family legacy adds even more meaning to the story of Rob Ferreira High School and serves as a reminder of the lasting impact one person’s commitment can have on an entire community.

School Anthem

Tussen Oos-Tranvaalse berge
aan die Witrivier se soom.

Among lush green fruit orchards
and the red Flamboyant tree.

Daar verrys ons dorpie pragtig
uit die wildheid van weleer.

In our school we are united
Since here we all have learnt:

Vorentoe een,
Vorentoe al,
Honour our High School,
Rob Ferreira
Rob Ferreira skool.

Listen to our anthem=

The symbolism of our school badge

The school colours as compiled in 1954 are GREEN, ORANGE and WHITE.

  • GREEN: In heraldry, green symbolises youth and hope.
  • ORANGE: It symbolises strength and endurance.
  • WHITE: It symbolises faith and purity.

With the symbolism of YOUTH AND HOPE, STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE, FAITH AND PURITY as a basis, it is logical that the school’s motto should be FORWARD!

The symbolism of the crest

  • THE TREE: The High School has grown from the Primary School. The tree is anchored in our own soil. The Wild Fig on the crest is characteristic of the Lowveld.
  • THE CIRCLE: The orange background is symbolic of endurance as well as a reminder of the orange farms surrounding our town and school. Furthermore it refers to the neverending cycle of a school. Year after year and generation after generation the task of a school is to prepare young people to make a significant contribution to society.

  • THE HILL: LEGOGOTE – the pride of the White River escarpment, has a significant place in our crest.

  • THE SKY: This white element of the crest reminds us that faith should always be placed above anything else.
  • THE WHITE LINES: These lines have been placed under LEGOGOTE and pay homage to the White River, after which our town was named.

The Wild Fig Tree in our school emblem

Mr. A.B.J. Kruger designed the school badge and said:
“It immediately became a foregone conclusion that this old wild fig should be given a place of honor in the composition of the coat of arms.”

The symbolism lies in the fact that the High School “grew” from the Primary School, just as the old Wildevy grows and gets bigger every year.

Furthermore, the tree also symbolizes the following:
• The tree stands firm and anchored in its own soil – so Rob Ferreira must remain anchored in its own soil.
• Like the tree, so too must our school grow and progress from the strength drawn from its own soil.
• The wildevy captures the character of the Lowveld in the Coat of Arms.

The Wild Fig Legacy at Rob Ferreira High School

On Thursday 23 October 1980, an overview was given by Mr. Basie van Wyk during the tree planting ceremony. Uncle Basie sawed off a branch of the original tree and planted it here at our own school. The tree is on the lawn next to the hall in the far corner behind the sign indicating where the hostel is. There where the buses stop and what time the buses of the Super 12 are supposed to arrive.

Next time, just walk a little straighter when you walk past the tree. Oh, and the original tree? …

Behind the magistrate’s office, between the apartment block and the townhouses, you will see the tree sticking out. It stands in a private plot, but it certainly is beautiful. The wild fig is therefore not only the symbol that the High School grew out of the Primary School, but it is also a symbol of inspiration, strength and growth.

Incidentally, Mr. I. Zaayman was in Gr. 1 when the original tree was planted at the first school near the station.

Olifantjie

Since Langenhoven’s time, the elephant has become the symbol of the Wonder of Afrikaans. A small replica of an elephant has been mounted in the school’s square for decades.

This elephant is an incongruous part of Rob tradition. It changes colour regularly, because it is regularly painted by the Robbies. Six of Rob’s previous principals tried their best to put a stop to this painting. Of course, without any success. A few years ago, Mr Van Rensburg saw that this was not a fight he would ever win. It was a piece of tradition at Rob that could not be eradicated. He then made the painting of the elephant legal on one condition: do not mess up!

Now there is no more mess because the painters can now do it in broad daylight and no longer sneak around at night and they no longer have to flee when a teacher is nearby.

If the little elephant had lived, he would have certainly experienced an identity crisis. When it’s Valentine’s Day, he’s painted pink with hearts on it. When the Blue Bulls play the Lions, he’s blue one day and red and white the next. And so it goes on and on…but one thing is certain: his blood is definitely orange!

The little elephant even became the inspiration for the school’s mascot.