MULLINS HOUSE 
Opened in 1921, Mullins was considered very smart and comfortable, not only because of the characteristic elegance of its Kendall design, but also because it had running water and electric lights from the start! But then, there always has been something special about “The Republic of Mullins”.
Situated as it is at some distance from the centre of the campus, it has developed its own special practices and a spirit of independence. Its dining room, decorated in homely fashion by Leon and Anna Jacobs in the 1990s, is inside the boarding house, making it unnecessary for uniforms to be worn to meals. After the closure of Mullins’ kitchen, food was for a time wheeled to the house in a barrow, before a motor vehicle took over the task. The national flag is raised outside Mullins each day, but on his birthday every Mullins boy gets to hoist the blue house flag instead.
Canon Robert John Mullins and his wife Jennie, who came to Grahamstown with Bishop Armstrong in 1855, were the progenitors of a large family, all of whom have given immense service to College. It is for Robert and his son Charles Mullins VC, hero of Elandslaagte and benefactor of College, that Mullins House was named. The first housemaster remains one of the school’s most distinguished and well-loved teachers. Arthur “Foxy” Knowling OBE served also as second master and later as estates manager. His wife Ruth, “Mother Knowling” to the house, was the youngest daughter of the seminal Mullins family. Many a gist was made to College in recognition of Foxy Knowling, including Crawhall and Webster fields, both given by parents of Mullins boys.
Legend has it that a ghost frequents Knowling Field – a matter of terrifying concern to newboys who have to cross the field to Holland House. The area is also frequented by owls, and in the early 1990s housemaster John Jones mounted a box on the eaves to encourage a pair to breed there. The project has had lasting success. Mullins boys have tried their hand at raising rejected chicks, and human parents who visited Mullins during the breeding season have to guard against being nipped by anxious owl parents. In his long and varied career at College John Axe included a full spell of housemastering in Mullins (1970s – 80s). Ashley Brooker (1940s – 50s) was a keen player of fives. With a court on Mullins’ doorstep, anyone visiting Ashley would be apt to be roped into a game. Today Mullins boys play Venkatesh cricket, a game of their own invention, on the disused fives court. Text from A Place to Celebrate (Written by Tim Nuttall and Lynette Paterson, assisted by Marguerite Poland)
Newly refurbished Holland House for Grade 8s
For more information on the current Housemaster of Mullins please click here: Mullins
Jacky Jones's and Mullin's tutor group had a great trip to Bushman's in September. They went up the river skiing with Pete Andrews, followed by a braai, table tennis and darts - a great day was had by all!
