GRAHAM HOUSE
The courtyard of Graham House with its big oak trees, the rockery covering the well and the rough stonework of the arches, is one of the most pleasant corners of College. The bell for evening prayers echoes in this space and rugby balls whiz across it in free time.The trees mark the phases of the year. In the first term there are acorns to throw, in the second there are leaves to pick up, and in the third there is shade to rest in.
Generations of boys have played in this quad, but for only some 40 years they have been Graham House boys. In the late 1800s the boys of Canon Mullins “Kaffir Institution” lived and worked here and developed many of the physical features that survive in the house today. The stonework arches were their handiwork, as were the carved rood screen and the bishop’s throne in the Grahamstown Cathedral. A large underground water tank was constructed and an orchid flourished in the garden, which extended to Pear Lane. Today a lone and venerable pear tree survives outside the newboy dorm.
In 1963 Graham House became the sixth fully-fledged boarding house at College. Seventy-five boys were drawn from the other five houses, while Day House was dissolved and its members evenly distributed. The first head of house was also headboy of the school that year. Serving as second head of house was sixth former Anthony Kitson. From the outset Graham entered into every school activity in a spirit of enthusiasm and quickly became fully competitive. At times it has enjoyed its own share of dominance in some spheres notably shooting, swimming, hockey and culture.
Roger Clark was given the task of establishing Graham House, something he did with his characteristically sincere and meticulous care, before going on to be second master. The Bob Sutherland Quad is named in warm memory of his successor, a housemaster and English teacher with a rare combination of gentleness and strength. Ant Kitson returned to Graham in 1987. A man of common sense and philosophical bent, he was well suited to steer the house along its unostentatious but quietly confident course.
It must have been an interesting breed of boy who chose to move to Graham House in 1963, to forego old loyalties and comforts for he challenge of something new. To this day in Graham, the interesting individual can flourish, the unconventional boy finds his niche.
Text from A Place to Celebrate (Written by Tim Nuttall and Lynette Paterson, assisted by Marguerite Poland)
Newly refurbished van der Riet Lodge for the Grade 8s and The Sutherland for the Grade 12s
The beautifully wood panelled reading room. Grade 8 refurbished dorm.
Graham House Supper Speeches 1978-1983
(This takes a while to open but it is worth the wait to read!)
For information on the current Housemaster of Graham please click here: Graham
