Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
The admission guidelines include all-round academic ability, residential proximity and satisfactory reports in terms of behaviour, attitude and participation at current school.
No, all-round academic ability is considered and no specific aggregate is required. If a boy is clearly struggling, we would not advise a big school environment.
Yes. Even though applications have closed you may submit the first term report.
Yes. Due to the overwhelming number of applications received, it is strongly recommended that all boys consider a wide number of options.
By regulation, preference is given to boys for whom Rondebosch is the closest public school although this is not the only criterion.
- It is important for pupils to be able to take a full and active part in the extracurricular life of the school. There are often activities, e.g. cultural, social, in the evenings.
- It helps to have friends from school in your local community – shared interests, lifting, homework, etc.
- Those who live far away need to be prepared for long hours, including travel time during the week and sporting fixtures over the weekend, to account for extracurricular activities such as sport, music, societies, etc.
Although there are fewer places available for boys living a distance away, we do consider applications from all boys who fulfil the required criteria.
No, however, many boys use private bus services that operate from the Northern to the Southern Suburbs or from the Peninsula. Several boys also use public transport.
Results of scholarship applications will be advised as soon as possible (before acceptance / regret letters are sent).
Admissions to RBHS for 2026 Academic Year (Gr 8)
1. ALL applications for admission to Rondebosch Boys’ High School must be done online via the WCED website. https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/
- Opening date for admission applications is 11 March 2025. (current proposed date as per the WCED)
- Closing date for admission applications is 15 April 2025. (current proposed date as per the WCED)
- Outcome of Gr 8 applications The WCED system displays the outcome 30 May 2025.
2. Applications for admission to Grades 9 to 11 in 2026:
Applications for admission to Grades 9 to 11 in 2026 will be considered during mid-August 2025 to approximately mid-October 2025.
- Applications must be done online via the WCED website.
Application Enquiries:
Admissions Secretary:
Tel: 021 686 3987
Email: admissions@rondebosch.com
Grade 8 Boarding House Admissions to RBHS for 2026 Academic Year (current proposed dates as per the WCED)
- Opening date for admission applications is 11 March 2025
- Closing date for admission applications is 15 April 2025
1. Application Process
Please contact our Admissions Secretary for more information.
Attention: Admissions Secretary
Delivery Address: Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Canigou Avenue, Rondebosch, 7700
Email: admissions@rondebosch.com
Please include the below Supporting Documentation:
- Handwritten motivational letter from the learner
- Motivational letter from the parents/guardians
- Copy of latest school report
- Academic achievements
- Sporting achievements
- Cultural achievements
- Other achievements
- Leadership positions
- Any other relevant motivational information you may wish to include.
2. In addition, please ensure to apply via the WCED website. ALL applications for admission to Rondebosch Boys’ High School must be done online via the WCED website.
https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/
- Opening date for admission applications is 11 March 2025 (current proposed date as per the WCED).
- Closing date for admission applications is 15 April 2025 (current proposed date as per the WCED).
- Applications for admission to Grades 9 to 11 in 2026 will be considered during mid-August 2025 to approximately mid-October 2025. Applications must be done online via the WCED website.
Application Enquiries:
Admissions Secretary:
Tel: 021 686 3987
Email: admissions@rondebosch.com
General
School ends at 15h00 from Monday to Thursday and at 12h45 on Friday. Sport practices and other extra-murals begin at 15h15.
Parental permission is necessary for a boy to go home for lunch.
Boys may stay after school and do homework. The library is open from 07h30 to 15h30 Monday to Thursday and from 07h30 to 13h15 on Friday. The Commons in the Murison Centre is open after school until 6pm every day.
We have a dedicated prayer room which is operated by the Muslim Students Association.
The school closes early on a Friday (12h45) to accommodate boys going to prayers.
The school policy is to encourage self-discipline rather than to impose discipline. As such, disciplinary measures are intended to change bad behaviour into good. We expect parents to support the school and its processes in order to encourage accountability. We ask parents take responsibility for their sons’ appearance and to see that they conform to the rules of the school.
In the Classroom
Grades 8-9: There are six classes of 30 per grade, some are smaller, especially for Maths and English where there are seven classes.
Grades 10–12: The classes vary from 25 – 30 (some are smaller depending on subject choice).
There are approximately 70 computers available to boys at various times, including after school. Wifi hot-spots are available for academic work only.
When boys come from so many feeder schools it is difficult in Grade 8 to fairly identify those who need extension. Classes are arranged according to subject choices (Creative Arts options) with a top set for Maths. From Grade 9, advanced classes are offered in Afrikaans, English and Maths for those who show ability.
In Grade 8 there are smaller remedial classes for English and Maths. Extra lessons are available for some subjects after school.
No, however there is one class of Advanced Afrikaans for Grades 9-11.
SBA stands for School Based Assessment, which takes place every Tuesday morning. The SBAs count as 40% of the final mark in Grades 8-9 and 35% in Grades 10-12.
Full scale formal exams take place in the second and fourth terms. The second term exams are followed up by parent learner meetings (PLM) with the appropriate subject teachers. The fourth term exams help to determine promotions to the next grade.
Boarding
Generally preference is given to boys who fulfil the admissions criteria and come from country areas outside of the Cape Town metropole. Consideration is however given to all applicants who live more than 15km from the school. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the school
No. Only one application may be submitted per pupil. A choice therefore must be made between a boarder place or a dayboy place and this should be indicated on the application form.
Grade 8 Boarding House Admissions to RBHS for 2026 Academic Year (current proposed dates as per the WCED)
- Opening date for admission applications is 11 March 2025
- Closing date for admission applications is 15 April 2025
1. Application Process
Please contact our Admissions Secretary for more information.
Attention: Admissions Secretary
Delivery Address: Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Canigou Avenue, Rondebosch, 7700
Email: admissions@rondebosch.com
Please include the below Supporting Documentation:
- Handwritten motivational letter from the learner
- Motivational letter from the parents/guardians
- Copy of latest school report
- Academic achievements
- Sporting achievements
- Cultural achievements
- Other achievements
- Leadership positions
- Any other relevant motivational information you may wish to include.
2. In addition, please ensure to apply via the WCED website. ALL applications for admission to Rondebosch Boys’ High School must be done online via the WCED website.
https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/
- Opening date for admission applications is 11 March 2025 (current proposed date as per the WCED).
- Closing date for admission applications is 15 April 2025 (current proposed date as per the WCED).
- Applications for admission to Grades 9 to 11 in 2026 will be considered during mid-August 2025 to approximately mid-October 2025. Applications must be done online via the WCED website.
Application Enquiries:
Admissions Secretary:
Tel: 021 686 3987
Email: admissions@rondebosch.com
Sport
Sport plays an important part in the extracurricular life of the school:
- It provides a structured outlet for adolescent energy and offers life lessons in self-discipline.
- It provides an opportunity for pupils and staff to make contact and relate on a more informal level.
- It provides a shared interest / activity for parents and boys at a time when, as adolescents, they may be drawing away from home bonds.
- It provides opportunities for boys to make friends with boys from other classes and other grades.
- It prepares boys to make healthy life-style choices.
We expect every Grade 8 and 9 boy to play a team sport because it is an important socialising factor in his membership of a new school. In addition to this, boys may also take part in other individual sports.
No because:
- we do not have the capacity to cope with any additional sports.
- we believe we offer sufficient choice to interest most pupils.
- we would not be making possible or increasing participation in those sports by offering them, (i.e. the people who sail, sail anyway, with or without the school’s support).
