NORTHWOOD SCHOOL - Durban North

Ethos The school promotes a culture of the highest ethical and moral values through the commitment of educators, parents and learners to good conduct and the practice of integrity, honesty, sincerity, sensitivity and a willingness to help others achieve their full potential. History Northwood traces its origins back to the founding of the co- educational Durban North High School on the site of the present Northlands Girls’ High in September 1949. It started with 12 staff members and 215 pupils under Headmaster, Mr George J. Armstrong. By 1951, numbers had grown so rapidly that it was decided to build a second high school in Durban North, and split the existing school into a boys’ school and a girls’ school. On 30 September 1953, the boys marched out of the gates of the old campus  

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to the present Northwood campus in Kensington Drive. Northlands Boys’ High School opened with 338 boys and 17 staff members, under Mr Percy Hardaker. It made rapid progress in both academics and sport, and numbers continued to grow, requiring the building of yet another boys’ school in the area. The new Beachwood Boys’ High School opened in Gleneagles Drive in 1963 with 135 boys and 7 staff members under Headmaster Mr E.T. (Ted) Lewis. Both schools continued to make fine progress as they rivalled each other for the enrolment of the best academics and sportsmen in Durban North. At the end of 1971, Mr. Lewis retired from Beachwood and was succeeded by Mr A.J.M. Wilkinson. In 1975, he became Headmaster of Northlands Boys’ High. The thaw in the relationship between the two schools had begun, but the rivalry continued. During 1989 it was proposed that, for economic reasons, the two boys’ schools in Durban North merge to form a single school. In 1990 Beachwood and Northlands merged to form Northwood. It was possible, with an adjustment of colours, to merge the school badges and retain both mottoes.