HOERSKOOL SENTRAAL

School profile

We profile Hoërskool Sentraal of Bloemfontein.

The school was founded in 1905.  The founders chose the name in the belief that the school was in the centre of Bloemfontein, in the centre of the Free State and in the centre of South Africa.

The school’s origin lies in Lord Milner’s policy of anglicizing the two Boer republics after the South African War.  The Bittereindes revolted against Milner’s policy and decided to found their own Christian National schools as distinct from the British state schools. 

The three sister churches took the lead and worked for mother tongue education, allowing Dutch its full rights in the classroom.  Sentraal was a product of this resistance and was founded on 26 August 1905.  From its foundation Sentraal has been a nursery for aspiring young Afrikaners who wanted to play a full role in the life of South Africa.

The school has had many names. Its name was first Vrije Christelike School, on a stoep at the Gereformeerde Kerk in Zastron Street with DF du Toit (Oom Lokomotief) as principal.  In 1908 it became a state school as the Voorbereidende Praktiese Skool. In 1912 it became the Voorbereidende Tegniese Skool and in 1930 it became Sentraal.

School Information

Name of school: Hoërskool Sentraal
Motto:  Werk en Wen (Work & Win)
Date of foundation: 26 August 1905
School address: Generaal Cronjé Street, Dan Pienaar, Bloemfontein.  9300

Rugby

The Hoërskool Sentraal in Bloemfontein is one of the biggest schools in the Free State with a proud rugby tradition.  The annual Sentraal-Grey College match is decidedly the biggest interschool match in the Free State and draws widespread interest. This has waned recently as Grey seek opponents from further afield.

Sentraal won the Free State Trophy in 1991 and 1995.

Famous players

The following old Tralies have played rugby for South Africa – Buks Marais, Nelie Smith (captain), Piet Goosen, Piet Greyling (captain), Edrich Krantz and Stephen Brink (Sevens).

Heino Senekal played for Namibia at the Rugby World Cup. Recent provincial players are Joe Beukes and  the Powell brothers, Jimmy and Neil.

Traditional Rivals

Apart from the big match of the year with Grey College, Sentraal has interschool matches with Stellenberg of Cape Town and Noord-Kaap of Kimberley.