The Clarendon-Selborne schools began their existence together more than a hundred years ago as one co-educational institution founded in 1872 by Pastor Muller. In 1886 the girls' section of the school was housed in a large double storey building in Park Avenue. New school buildings were opened by Dr Muir, the Superintendent-General of Education, on 3 February 1903 - the Girls' School facing onto Oxford Street and the Boys' School in Recreation Road.
Miss Alice MacKay, who had from 1886 been Vice-Principal to the Head of the Boys' School, was appointed Principal of the EastLondonAcademicInstructionSchool for Girls on 13 October 1903. The total enrollment was 223.Miss MacKay was succeeded by Miss Gittins (later Booty) in 1905. She gave the school its motto, Fac et Spera (Work and Hope) and chose the Cycad leaves as the school's emblem.
Miss Marjorie Ketchen, Vice Principal from 1907 became Principal in 1912 and introduced a broader curriculum. She put the school into its navy serge uniform with green and white colours on the badge and hatband. A Boarding Hostel was introduced.
Miss Donald, headmistress for twenty years (1925 - 45) divided the school into three Houses: Gittins, Hunter and Ketchen. In 1933 a Prefect system was introduced and in 1934 the first Headgirl was appointed, viz Betty Chew. Green and white striped girdles were introduced as a team award for Hockey.
The school moved to its present position. The Foundation stone of the new school was laid on Friday 27 March 1936. On 22 February 1937 the new school buildings were officially opened by Lady Clarendon, wife of the Governor-General. Twenty years later the Headmistress, Miss Pat McGaffin and Mr George Randall, MPC and Chairman of the School Committee, obtained permission from the Earl of Clarendon (grandson of the Governor General) to change the name of the school from the East London Girls' High School to CLARENDON HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
The uniform was a navey box-pleated gym and Panama hat. From 1931 all girls wore a metal school badge. Miss Majorie Hill, Headmistress from 1945 - 1955 was appointed towards the end of the war. She was "Captain Miss Hill of the Artillery". She changed the uniform to navy tunics instead of box pleats, white shirts, black shoes and green berets. 1953 saw the celebration of the school's Golden Jubilee - 50 years. A special service was held, which laid the basic foundation for the Founders' Day service still celebrated today.
Miss Pat MacGaffin (1956 - 1983) changed the name of the school and introduced the new green tunic. In 1963 the school's swimming pool was opened, named after Olympic Gold medal winner and old girl, Joan Harrison. Miss Mary Laurie (1969 - 1983) held celebrations in 1978 to commemorate 75 years of tradition. The new squash courts were opened.
Miss Judith Stuart-Watson (1984 - 1994) introduced the white Honours blazer and the school hymn, "Work and Hope in the heart of Clarendon". 90 years of tradition were celebrated in 1993.
Mr Owen Nel was appointed as the school's first Headmaster in 1995. The school has seen many new additions to the buildings, an Astroturf (shared with Selborne), Rowing and Waterpolo introduced as official sports and the introduction of a broad curriculum. The new tartan tunic was introduced in 2004.
The school celebrated its centenary in 2003 - 100 years of tradition!
Opening of the new building by Lady Clarendon in 1937 1952 Carol Service
The High School, 1903
Miss Gittins (1905 - 1912) Teacher-Pupils - 1905