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Barnato Park High School is a co-educational school located in Berea, Johannesburg, South Africa. It was built on the mansion that had been designed for Barney Barnato, The mining Millionaire

Joel house
After the first hectic scramble for Johannesburg's gold-bearing land, the Randlords sought less spectacular profits through turning their surplus landholdings to real estate. The Johannesburg Consolidated investment Company headed by the colourful Barney Barnato, laid out the township of Berea in the 1890s as a better-class suburb that they hope would rival Rand Mines' Parktown. Among its attractions was a public recreation ground, Barnato Park. In the middle of it Barnato had in 1897 decreed himself a very stately home indeed. The large stone mansion, built in classical English country-house style, served from 1912 till its demolition in 1962 as the boarders' residence of the Johannesburg High School for Girls.

The original five-hectare park was elaborately laid out with lawns, statuary, shrubberies, a 'Ladies Mile' for riding a lake big enough for boating. Barney Barnato neither saw his home completed nor lived in it; in 1897 he threw himself into the Atlantic from a London-bound liner and drowned. After his death it took the name of his nephew and heir Solly Joel, who later presented the mansion and park to the Government to commemorate the 1910 Union of South Africa.

Before the school moved in in 1912 Joel House has been used for a time during the Anglo-Boer War as a British Officers' convalescent home and later as temporary premises for King Edward VII boys' school while its present-day buildings were being erected in Houghton.

Finding the name Barnato Park and Vincemus
The name Barnato park can be traced back all the way to the school song which was composed by Mr. John Connell and words by Miss G. Johnson. The word Vincemus means "We shall Conquer". The diamond on the crest represents the Barnato diamond mining company which he owned during his time in South Africa.

Our younger sister school Johannesburg Girls preparatory School continues to use the original badge as well as the motto which we both Barnato Park high school and Johannesburg Girls Preparatory School maintain. The original school uniform is still being worn by the younger sister school.

The Gates
The gates at Barnato Park High School are all that is left of randlord Barney Barnato's mansion.There remain three magnificent pairs of wrought-iron gates (a fourth was quietly spirited away during the rebuilding operations), facing onto Barnato Street, Park Lane and Beatrice Lane. These along with a gatekeeper's cottage at the Barnato Street entrance are the only relics of Barney Barnato"s 'country mansion.'" The gates were manufactured by Gardiner Sons & Co.Ltd. Bristol.

The Buckland Bath
Swimming began in 1923 when girls used the public pool in Doornfontein. The school started collecting funds for the building of their own pool which was completed in 1924. The Buckland Bath was officially opened on the 4th March 1925.

Centenary of Barnato Park High School
November 2nd 1987, marked the 100th Anniversary of Johannesburg Girls High School : Barnato Park High School. The centenary celebrations at the school, were held on the 19th of September with a special formal assembly, graced by Dr. K.R Paine (The Deputy Director Of Education) who addressed the young leaners, parents, stuff and dignitaries. The Johannesburg High School for Girls matric class of 1963 is gearing up to celebrate its 50th reunion next month.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the school on the historic site of randlord Barney Barnato’s estate.

Former pupil Helen Popplewell said the school was only one year younger than the city.

“As the city has changed, so has the school. In 1887, Fanny Buckland opened her school in the mining village of Johannesburg, and in 1913, the school moved to its present site, Barnato Park, Berea,” she said.

After Barnato’s death, his nephew Solly Joel presented the estate to the new Union government for use as a school.

“Sadly, Joel House, Barnato’s mansion, was demolished, and all that remains of the original Barnato Park are the beautiful wrought iron gates which were made in Bristol, England,” said Popplewell.

Today, the school is known as Barnato Park High School, a dynamic, co-educational institution that attracts pupils from Hillbrow and the inner city.

“This year marks both Barnato Park High School’s 100th anniversary on the site, and it marks the 50th year celebration for the approximately 100 matric pupils of the class of 1963,” she said.

Popplewell invited her former classmates to celebrate their 50th reunion on 25 October at the school.

“We’re looking forward to a wonderful trip down memory lane. Vincemus, vincemus, we will win yet again,” said Popplewell.

School Song
Oh, the world is wide and its schools are many,

And Africa's schools are as fine as any;

But Barnato Park is beloved of all

Who have watched her growth from a nursling small

To the school that we honour and love to-day,

So we'll cheer our Founders with this refrain:

" Vincemus! Vincemus! We'll win yet again! "

We've a Bath for swimming and a Hall for " gym,"

For we must be supple and fleet of limb

In a land where such sports are conducted in style

By the Springbok, ostrich and crocodile;

And at seasons proper we stake our fate

On a contest grim, but devoid of hate,

And we cheer the victors with this refrain:

" Vincemus! Vincemus! We'll win yet again! "

Oh, years of freedom, how fast you flee!

We shall yearn for you in the years to be.

For the joy of striving with all out might

To play as a team, with the goal in sight;

For the love of a friend who will see us through

Whatever the hazardous things we do;

Yet we'll greet the future with this refrain:

" Vincemus! Vincemus! We'll win yet again! " 

Alumni
Gill Marcus - The ninth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, the first woman to hold the position.

Maggie Kaniki - Procurement Professional and JA South Africa Alumnus 2005

Notable Achievements
Jacqui Mofokeng and the Junior Mayor and Mayoress of Johannesburg visit Barnato Park