DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
School in Grahamstown

The DSG Junior School is an integral part of the historic Diocesan School for Girls in Grahamstown, which has proudly offered an outstanding education for girls over the past 141 years. At the heart of our school is a caring and loving ethos that encourages every girl to experience success and find self-fulfilment. Creating a challenging and stimulating educational environment that will enable all pupils to realise their academic, cultural, physical and social potential as well as encouraging individual and independent thought. The DSG experience refers to the traditions and practices that go beyond the academic, cultural, sport and spiritual pillars and make DSG a school of choice in South Africa and beyond. It is known the leadership of a school has an enormous impact on all aspects. The leadership of schools in the 21st century is faced with enormous challenges as society, schools, expectations of parents and pupils and the way we learn are changing rapidly. DSG needs leaders who have a vision for the future, yet are hands-on in the day-to-day running of the school; leaders who are flexible and adaptable, but will maintain the values and ethos of the school; leaders who can prepare girls for the society they will be entering, but focus on age-appropriate activities; leaders who can foster Christian beliefs and values in line with our mission statement. To accomplish these aims, DSG has several layers of leadership, each of which has its own focus but work together for the common good of all at the school. We believe that part of our mandate is to have a school that considers our environmental footprint and lives as sustainably as possible. Environmental awareness and sustainability is another arm of the girls’ education: as well as the awareness of potential problems, the girls are also encouraged to consider solutions to the problems and their role in establishing a sustainable environment. The DSG also has close links with St Andrew’s Preparatory School where the girls attend classes with the boys in the Pre- Primary School and the Junior Primary section. Individuality and independent thought are encouraged, and the school offers an exceptionally wide choice of subjects. Education in the acquisition of life skills is also emphasised. Qualities such as respect, responsibility, self-discipline and tolerance are encouraged\. The provision of quality education in a stimulating and challenging environment that will enable and encourage pupils to realise their full potential\. Nurturing independent thought and action within the bounds of interdependence and companionship\. Producing confident girls who are eager to meet the challenges of our changing world and serve the society in which they live\. Providing open communication among staff, pupils, parents and the wider communities of our schools. For superb accommodation and activities to do in Grahamstown when you come to visit, the Grahamstown Hospitality Guild can get you where you need to be. All DSG girls, on leaving school, automatically become members of the All Saints Guild. Annual Reunions are held at DSG and various functions are held at different venues in South Africa. The Gauteng Branch of the Guild is particularly active, and its annual Golf Day has become legendary for its organisation, the amount of money that is raised each year and the fun that is had by all. The Guild appoints a President each year, and it is represented on the Council. The Guild also offers a bursary to the daughter of an Old Girl to attend DSG. This has been halted for the time being as funds are being generated to ensure the sustainability of the bursary.