Blackmore House

Blackmore House is a home for many boarders at DHS. With a proud record stretching over more than 100 years, the House is often spoken of as the backbone of the School. Discipline and high levels of good manners are the foundation stones of the House. The staff of Blackmore attach a high priority to ensuring that the boys are focussed on doing well in all aspects of School life – academic, sport, cultural, leadership and service. Their needs are well catered for with excellent food, computer facilities, TV, audio-visual facilities and comfortable dormitories.

The boys go home for most weekends and may return on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Any parent or guardian can be assured that their son is in good hands in Blackmore House while he enjoys the camaraderie for which the House is famous. He is part of a caring, structured and disciplined environment where he is constantly adopting valuable life skills in order to survive in an ever-changing society. Blackmore House will continue to prepare young men to face the future

Boarders learn self-reliance and appropriate independence as well as a deeper understanding of others.

Mission Statement

To provide a safe and welcoming environment that will encourage boys to reach their full potential in all spheres of life by getting maximum use out of the rich resources and heritage available at DHS.

We achieve this by:

  • Providing accommodation that is clean, well maintained and suitable for boys who are active, robust and adventurous.

  • Serving meals that are healthy, balanced and can provide consistent energy levels throughout the day.

  • Ensuring that all boys are actively and regularly participating in the extra-mural programme of the School.

  • Ensuring that all our masters are properly trained to provide guidance in both academic and personal matters.

  • Providing suitable facilities and resources for boys to study, do homework, complete projects and pursue academic excellence.

  • Providing supervised prep sessions where boys can study, do homework, complete projects and be provided with assistance that will ensure that each boy is given the opportunity to reach his full potential.

  • Giving access to suitable recreational facilities both on the School grounds and in the Boarding Establishment.

  • Organising regular social and recreational opportunities where boys and masters can forge stronger relationships and deepen their sense of camaraderie.

  • Providing a clear understanding and consistent application of rules and responsibilities.

VISION STATEMENT:
Producing young men of integrity and excellence who will form the backbone of our School and eventually of our nation.

As part of the ethos of the School (which requires boys to honour all relationships), duties, responsibilities and privileges of a Blackmore Boarder include being a Fielder (Grade 8’s), estate duty, bell duty, litter duty, demonstrating good manners and showing respect to all. He is expected to uphold the Code of Honour, to be an ambassador for Blackmore House in the School and to be actively involved in all aspects of the School.

Initiation is prohibited. Each Boarder participates in an induction programme the weekend before School starts each year and participates in the Closed Weekend activities for the House the following weekend. These first two weeks are a period where Grade 8’s have no contact with their families so that they can get to grips with boarding and forge new relationships. Boarders will be allowed to go home every weekend after that if they choose, as long as their extra-mural commitments are met, except for the other closed weekends during the year.

Only at boarding school can you live with your friends during your most impressionable teenage years. You learn to embrace differences and celebrate diversity, an asset for anyone in their future field of study or work environment be it in South Africa or abroad.

Rooms range from single-man (Grade 12s only) to 12-man rooms. Prep forms part of the daily routine which takes place in an air-conditioned prep room and is overseen by a master. The House has a computer room with internet facilities, and TV and recreational areas where boys can relax. Musgrave exeats are allowed in the week, increasing in frequency the older the boys are.

Three home cooked meals are provided daily for the boys. Their needs are well taken care of by the live in Housemasters and the House Mother. The House has a well equipped sick bay. Laundry and cleaning services are contracted out to private companies.

The staff team of Blackmore House include:

  • The Superintendent
  • Senior Housemaster
  • The Housemasters
  • The House Mother

Parental involvement is an essential part of the House, with an active Blackmore’s Council. This committee contributes towards policy decisions, social functions and upgrading of facilities and equipment.

BARRY RICHARDS CRICKET CENTRE

SEABROOKE’S THEATRE

CHRIS SEABROOKE MUSIC CENTRE

VICTOR DAITZ MATHS & SCIENCE CENTRE

MEDIA CENTRE

BLACKMORE HOUSE

SPORTS FACILITIES