ARMSTRONG HOUSE
One of the most outstanding landmarks at College – and indeed in Grahamstown – is the tall, white-trimmed Armstrong House which stands prominently at the top end of Somerset Street. It is as fine a monument as any to the city’s well-known architect, William White-Cooper.But for all its elegance it is not quite as White-Cooper envisaged it. A cost-cutting effort during its construction in 1898 saw as much as ten feet shaved from the plans, giving the building its strikingly tall and thin look. The south verandah was added during extensions in the early 1920s, and the common room was added in 1935.
Along with the arrival of Armstrong as the second house at College, came the English house system with its attendant competitions, rivalries and loyalties. Also new on the scene was the prefect system, introduced by the housemaster of Armstrong and second master of the school, The Revd WEC Clarke. Under this fiery but remarkably capable man these traditions were established, and although they are constantly reviewed and renewed, they continue to underpin every Andrean’s experience of comradeship and belonging, and at their best they foster the unique genius for friendship that is the hallmark of this school. In 1903 the school was full at 290 boys, but no sooner had Armstrong’s neighbour, Espin House arrived than post-war depression hit, causing Armstrong House to stand empty for four years. New headmaster Percy Kettlewell made it his home in 1909, only to be joined a year later, happily, by a full complement of boys once again. WW Hoskin OA, Rhodes scholar and second master of College, was Armstrong’s most prominent housemaster. Jock Cawse, who succeeded Hoskin in the house in 1939, had been a newboy in Hoskin’s first year, 1913. Jock was one of those Andreans of whom it can literally be said that College was his life. He became a prefect, a science teacher, housemaster of Armstrong, second master and headmaster, as well as secretary, treasurer and president of the OA club. In the words of the Andrean of 1964: “How small the Cawse, how great the effect”. Alan Sanderson (1970s) was a kind and caring housemaster and an excellent head of science, while John Creese (19802-902) was an erudite man with many, sometimes hidden, gifts and interests. Two housemasters, Terry Stevens (1960s) and Harry Birrell (early 1980s) went on to write histories of College and DSG respectively. Armstrong is a house of diverse character and great spirit. It features in every competition, both sporting and cultural – a dynamic house that is always in the chase. Text from A Place to Celebrate (Written by Tim Nuttall and Lynette Paterson, assisted by Marguerite Poland)
For information on the current Housemaster of Armstrong please click here: Armstrong
