independent
Independent or Independents may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups
* Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in Pennsylvania, United States
* Independentes (English: Independents), a Portuguese artist ...
boarding school
A boarding school is a school where pupils live within premises while being given formal instruction. The word "boarding" is used in the sense of "room and board", i.e. lodging and meals. They have existed for many centuries, and now extend acr ...
for boys and girls aged 12–18 in the southern
Matabeleland
Matabeleland is a region located in southwestern Zimbabwe that is divided into three provinces: Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, and Matabeleland South. These provinces are in the west and south-west of Zimbabwe, between the Limpopo and Zambezi ...
region of
Zimbabwe
file:Zimbabwe, relief map.jpg, upright=1.22, Zimbabwe, relief map
Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Bots ...
Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation (CAF), was a colonial federation that consisted of three southern African territories: the Self-governing colony, self-governing British colony of Southern ...
(now Esigodini, Zimbabwe), 55 km southeast of
Bulawayo
Bulawayo (, ; ) is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and the largest city in the country's Matabeleland region. The city's population is disputed; the 2022 census listed it at 665,940, while the Bulawayo City Council claimed it to be about ...
on the remains of the Bushtick Mine. The College's graduates include a British member of parliament, surgeons and doctors, leaders of industry and commerce, soldiers, educators, and sportspeople.
The college has 40 km2 of Matabeleland bush, 10 km2 approximately is game fenced and houses Quiet Waters game park. The park contains examples of most of Zimbabwe's plains game species, including zebra, giraffe, kudu, impala, tsessebe, bushbuck and warthog. The campus is surrounded by an electric fence (a reminder of the bush war of pre-1980). An air strip is nearby.
The school's motto is ''Sic itur ad astra'' and the school badge is a representation of a
Lanner Falcon
The lanner falcon (''Falco biarmicus'') is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. It prefers open habitat and is mainly resident, but some birds disperse more widely after the breeding season. A l ...
designed by the wife of a former Headmaster.
Falcon College is ranked as one of the Top 10 High Schools in Zimbabwe.
Falcon College is a member of the Association of Trust Schools (ATS) and the Headmaster is a member of the
Conference of Heads of Independent Schools in Zimbabwe
A conference is a meeting, often lasting a few days, which is organized on a particular subject, or to bring together people who have a common interest. Conferences can be used as a form of group decision-making, although discussion, not always d ...
(CHISZ).
In December 2015 Falcon became a coeducational school accepting girls in January 2016.
Historical background
Originally Bushtick Mine, and with 36 boys and a handful of staff, the college was founded on Wednesday 3 February 1954. It was opened by the
Governor General
Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...
of the
Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation (CAF), was a colonial federation that consisted of three southern African territories: the Self-governing colony, self-governing British colony of Southern ...
, Lord Llewellin, on Saturday 10 April 1954. Much has changed since then but the college has some remains of its founding days.
The original motto was ''Arduus ad Solem''. The newer Motto is: Sic Itur Ad Astra
The school motto comes from the words of
Virgil
Publius Vergilius Maro (; 15 October 70 BC21 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Rome, ancient Roman poet of the Augustan literature (ancient Rome), Augustan period. He composed three of the most fa ...
(70-19BC) a classical Roman poet who wrote: “nova virtute, puer; sic itur ad astra” which translates: Look to your new-found courage, young man, for that is the way to the stars.
In the beginning, the boys were divided into three colour groups for sport, Whites, Blues, and Khakis. Later, the houses were named A, B, C, and D, and in April 1956, Sir Robert Clarkson Tredgold, chairman of the Board of Governors, announced that the houses were to be renamed Hervey, Oates, Tredgold, and Founders. Founders was so named to commemorate the Founders of the School; Tredgold after Sir Robert Clarkson Tredgold, who was also Chief Justice of Southern Rhodesia; Oates after
Frank Oates
Francis Oates (1840–1875) was a British naturalist, explorer, and uncle of the Antarctic explorer, Lawrence Oates. He was one of the first Europeans to see the Victoria Falls.
Early life
The second son of Edward Oates (1792–1865), of Meanwoo ...
, explorer and naturalist who travelled extensively in southern central Africa in the 19th century; and Hervey after Hubert Hervey, adventurer, gentleman and soldier, who was killed in the
Second Matabele War
The Second Matabele War, also known as the First Chimurenga, was fought between 1896 and 1897 in the region that later became Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The conflict was initially between the British South Africa Company and the Mata ...
and buried in the
Matopos
The Matobo National Park forms the core of the Matobo or Matopos Hills, an area of granite kopjes and wooded valleys commencing some south of Bulawayo, southern Zimbabwe. The hills were formed over 2 billion years ago with granite being forced ...
..
Student body
The College admittance is based on strength of prior education and character of the applicant. Although the majority of students are Zimbabwean, roughly 20% comprise residents from neighbouring countries (
Zambia
Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bor ...
,
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70 percent of its territory part of the Kalahari Desert. It is bordered by South Africa to the sou ...
). Some
scholarships
A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need, research ...
are available to deserving students whose particular financial circumstances do not allow for the payment of school fees.
The House system
The school is based on a
House system
The house system is a traditional feature of schools in the United Kingdom. The practice has since spread to Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth countries. The school is divided into units called "houses" and each student is allocated to on ...
that is divided into six
Houses
A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condi ...
; Founders, Hervey, Oates, Tredgold, George Grey and Chubb, each comprising the full range of year groups. Each house has a
housemaster
{{Unreferenced, date=October 2024
In education, a housemaster is a schoolmaster in charge of a boarding house, normally at a boarding school and especially at a public school. The housemaster is responsible for the supervision and care of board ...
in charge who lives nearby. Each housemaster has a house Tutor and two assistant tutors, as well as other members of staff, who assist in duties. Girls are all members of Kestrel, their residential House, but are also assigned sporting Houses as for the boys. Kestrel has two housemistresses.
Boys and girls can either go home, or (with parental permission) to friends or relatives on two Fixture-Free weekends which last from break time on a Friday to dinner time on the following Monday. There is a Mid term
Exeat
The Latin word ''exeat'' ("he/she may leave") is most commonly used to describe a period of absence from a centre of learning.Quiet Waters conserves indigenous fauna and flora, furthers the educational pursuits of the college and serves as a base for conservation education in other schools. It is also used for scientific research and provides recreational facilities for the college community and visitors.
Picnic sites are available for the use of day visitors within the Nature Reserve area, with four chalets which can be rented for overnight stays in the Wilderness area.
Animals which can be seen are
kudu
The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus '' Tragelaphus'':
* Lesser kudu, ''Tragelaphus imberbis'', of eastern Africa
* Greater kudu, ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'', of eastern and southern Africa
The two species look similar, th ...
,
zebra
Zebras (, ) (subgenus ''Hippotigris'') are African equines with distinctive black-and-white striped coats. There are three living species: Grévy's zebra (''Equus grevyi''), the plains zebra (''E. quagga''), and the mountain zebra (''E. ...
,
giraffe
The giraffe is a large Fauna of Africa, African even-toed ungulate, hoofed mammal belonging to the genus ''Giraffa.'' It is the Largest mammals#Even-toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant on ...
,
reedbuck
Reedbuck is a common name for Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Ea ...
,
bushbuck Bushbuck is a common name that may refer to one of the following African antelopes:
*Cape bushbuck
The Cape bushbuck (''Tragelaphus sylvaticus''), also known as imbabala is a common, medium-sized bushland-dwelling, and a widespread species of ant ...
,
steenbok
The steenbok (''Raphicerus campestris'') is a common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa. It is sometimes known as the steinbuck or steinbok.
Description
Steenbok resemble small oribi, standing 45–60 cm (16"–24") at the ...
,
tsessebe
The common tsessebe or sassaby (''Damaliscus lunatus lunatus'') is the southern, nominate subspecies of ''Damaliscus lunatus'', although some authorities have recognised it as an independent species. It is most closely related to the Bangweulu t ...
,
impala
The impala or rooibok (''Aepyceros melampus'', lit. 'black-footed high-horn' in Ancient Greek) is a medium-sized antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. The only extant member of the genus '' Aepyceros'', and tribe Aepycerotini, it ...
,
klipspringer
The klipspringer (; ''Oreotragus oreotragus'') is a small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. The sole member of its genus and subfamily/tribe, the klipspringer was first described by German zoologist Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zi ...
,
bushpig
:''"Bush pig" may also refer to the red river hog.''
The bushpig (''Potamochoerus larvatus'') is a member of the pig family that inhabits forests, woodland, riverine vegetation and cultivated areas in East and Southern Africa. Probably introd ...
and
warthog
''Phacochoerus'' is a genus in the family Suidae, commonly known as warthogs (pronounced ''wart-hog''). They are pigs who live in open and semi-open habitats, even in quite arid regions, in sub-Saharan Africa. The two species were formerly cons ...
and the two species of
jackal
Jackals are Canidae, canids native to Africa and Eurasia. While the word has historically been used for many canines of the subtribe Canina (subtribe), canina, in modern use it most commonly refers to three species: the closely related black-b ...
, while there are many smaller mammals which are not so easily seen, such as four species of
mongoose
A mongoose is a small terrestrial carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Herpestidae. This family has two subfamilies, the Herpestinae and the Mungotinae. The Herpestinae comprises 23 living species that are native to southern Europe, A ...
.
List of Headmasters at Falcon
* Frank Cary (1954–1955)
* Ashley Gordon Brooker (1955–1959)
* Hugh Cole (1959–1960)
* Dougal Turner (1960–1984)
* Neil Todd (1984–2000)
* Gordon Macdonald (2001)
* Reginald W Querl (2002-2019)
* Dave van Wyk (2020 - 2024)
* Dave Kirkman (2024 - Present)
Debrett's
Debrett's () is a British professional coaching company and publisher and authority on etiquette and behaviour, founded in 1769 with the publication of the first edition of ''The New Peerage''. The company takes its name from its founder, John ...
hotel executive.
*
David Curtis David Curtis may refer to:
*David Curtis (rugby union)
David Michael Curtis (born 10 April 1965) is a former Zimbabwean-born Irish rugby union international. He also played some first-class cricket while at Oxford University.
Career
Curtis wa ...
Rhodes Scholar
The Rhodes Scholarship is an international Postgraduate education, postgraduate award for students to study at the University of Oxford in Oxford, United Kingdom. The scholarship is open to people from all backgrounds around the world.
Esta ...
A. C. Grayling
Anthony Clifford Grayling (; born 3 April 1949) is a British philosopher and author. He was born in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and spent most of his childhood there and in Nyasaland (now Malawi). Until June 2011, he was Professor of Philos ...
,
CBE
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
FRCS
Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (FRCS) is a professional certification, professional qualification to practise as a senior surgeon in Republic of Ireland, Ireland or the United Kingdom. It is bestowed on an wikt:intercollegiate, ...
, cardiothoracic surgeon.
*
Gail Kelly
Gail Kelly (née Currer) is a South African-born Australian businesswoman. In 2002, she became the first female CEO of a major Australian bank or top 15 company, and in 2005 was the highest-paid woman in an Australian corporation. She is the f ...
,. business person and banker (ex Staff).
* Charlie Knaggs,
OBE
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
, Colonel, British Army.
* Graham Lord,. author, journalist and biographer.
*
Tafadzwa Madondo
Tafadzwa Bernard Madondo (17 February 1981 – 17 November 2008) was a Zimbabwean cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler and wicketkeeper who played for Manicaland. Born in Bindura, he was the brother of Test pla ...
Keegan Meth
Keegan Orry Meth (born 8 February 1988) is a former Zimbabwean cricketer. He played domestically for the Matabeleland Tuskers and represented Zimbabwe in international cricket. An all-rounder, he bowled right-arm medium-fast and generally batted ...
, cricketer
*
Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni
Tribal chief, Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni (born 1963) is a Ndebele traditional leader from Zimbabwe who is known as one of the few traditional leaders to speak out against the ZANU–PF, ZANU-PF government. He is a Chief in the Matabele ...
Mluleki Nkala
Mluleki Luke Nkala (born 1 April 1981) is a Zimbabwean international cricketer. He took the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar with his second ball in senior international cricket in 1999. He also took five wickets against England in a test match in Nott ...
Heath Streak
Heath Hilton Streak (16 March 1974 – 3 September 2023) was a Zimbabwean cricketer and cricket coach who played for and captained the Zimbabwe national cricket team. He was the all time leading wicket taker for Zimbabwe in Test cricket with 2 ...
Brighton Watambwa
Brighton Tonderai Watambwa (born 9 June 1977) is a Zimbabwean cricketer who in 2014 captained the Belgium national cricket team.
A right-arm fast-medium bowler, Watambwa played six Tests for Zimbabwe between April 2001 and March 2002, taking ...
, cricketer.
*
Andy Whittall
Andrew Richard Whittall (born 19 March 1973) is a former Zimbabwean international cricketer who played in 10 Test matches and 63 One Day Internationals between 1996 and 2000. He made his Test and ODI debuts against Sri Lanka in September 1996. ...
List of boarding schools
This list includes WP:NCORP, notable boarding schools (where some or all pupils study and live during the school year).
Africa
Cameroon
*Our Lady of Lourdes College Mankon, Our Lady of Lourdes College, Mankon
*Saker Baptist College, Limbe, C ...
*
List of schools in Zimbabwe
This list of schools in the African country of Zimbabwe includes the country's primary school, primary and secondary schools. Zimbabwe's tertiary education, tertiary schools are listed on a separate sub-list at List of universities in Zimbabwe.
...