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IOL News
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Hilton College head's rebuke of opulent parent behaviour wins support
Hilton College in KZN Image: Hilton College/Facebook Despite mixed reactions on social media, parents at KwaZulu-Natal's Hilton College have reacted positively to headmaster George Harris calling out 'opulent' behaviour at sporting events. Harris, headmaster at the country's most expensive private school, made headlines when he admonished parents for their flashy behaviour on the sports field sidelines. Referring to a specific event, a derby-day between Hilton College and fellow posh all-boys high school, Michealhouse, the headmaster called on parents to scale down on trying to one-up each other as it sent a wrong message to learners. "When hospitality and generosity became self-serving displays of opulence, and began to pull away from what we aspire to be as a community," he wrote in the letter. Harris added, "For next year, can we ditch the opulence in favour of more wholesome hospitality devoid of showmanship and loud extravagance. When the extravagance stretches into overconsumption, the messaging we send to our children is awkwardly wrong. The community can do better." Hilton College headmaster George Harris has called out parents on their displays of opulence Image: Hilton College\Facebook Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Hilton College Director of Advancement, Pete Storrar, told IOL that Harris's message could apply to many schools. "His letter was not an open letter. It was addressed to our community. The response from Hilton College parents and alumni has been overwhelmingly positive. His message seems to have resonated with parents far and wide who want to instill in their children the values we espouse," Storrar said. Social media reaction "Was anything the parents did against the school code of conduct, or perhaps illegal? There, enough said," commented Sewraj Girdhurparsadh. "Me thinks the principal might just be jealous he is not as rich as them," added Uchechi Nwaka. "He is so correct, two years ago we were playing their 1st team cricket. Having come from Jhb. The Hilton parents announced that they had prepared us lunch, but there was cost to it R150 per person. These are the wealthiest showing how self-focused they are. The headmaster is 100% correct," said Facebook user, Kurt N Kirsten Transport "Good values, humility and kindness begin at home. How are children supposed to grow up and practice these qualities if parents cannot even watch a sports match and remain 'firmly on the ground'. "Wars are going on in the world! People are too caught up in themselves and materialism! Our children need to practice more kindness and giving and much less competition comparison and one-upping," said Jodi Tarrant-Phillips. According to its website, Hilton College fees for 2025 are R430 054.00 per annum. This fee covers tuition, food and board, games, minor medical attention, the use of the sanatorium, library and laundry. Furthermore, upon acceptance, parents/guardians will need to pay a R105 182.50 non-refundable entrance fee. IOL
The South African
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Hilton College: The EIGHT Springboks who attended SA's most expensive school
South Africa's most expensive school, Hilton College in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, made headlines for all the wrong reasons this week. This came after its headmaster George Harris told parents of learners at the all-boys private boarding school to 'ditch the opulence, rein it in on expensive marquees and catering and stop behaving badly at the annual Hilton/Michaelhouse rugby derby'. Among other things … Harris's criticism came following the most recent derby against another prominent private school in the province, Michaelhouse. Hilton College, founded in 1872, boasts eight former Springboks among its old boys. They are: Player Date of birth Ebbo Bastard 20 February 1912 Brian Pfaff 3 March 1930 Paul Johnstone 30 June 1930 Clive Ulyate 11 December 1933 Gary Teichmann 9 January 1967 Hentie Martens 29 October 1971 Wayne Fyvie 28 March 1972 Bobby Skinstad 3 July 1976 Both Teichmann (36 Tests) and Skinstad (12 Tests) captained the Springboks. Meanwhile, other prominent figures who have passed through its gates include Proteas cricketer Lungi Ngidi, sports broadcaster Robert Marawa, Democratic Alliance's Christopher Pappas, and two constitutional court judges John Didcott and Arthur Chaskalson – among other famous names. George Harris, who has been headmaster of the school since 2017, is not among Hilton College's alumni. He matriculated at Pretoria Boys High School. Hilton College holds the number one spot as South Africa's most expensive private or public school. Its annual fees for 2025 are R420 729, which includes boarding and tuition fees. Parents of learners would need to earn around R700 000 gross per annum just to afford the school fees for one child. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Times
Parents chastised for ‘displays of opulence' on rugby touchline
The headmaster of South Africa's most expensive school has urged parents to 'ditch the opulence' after sofas and liveried waiters were spotted at the side of the rugby pitch during a match against its closest rival. In a letter to Hilton College parents and old boys, George Harris said he had noticed that the rivalry with Michaelhouse was drawing as much effort off the field as on it, with a 'growing tendency towards one-upmanship in the scale of hosting and catering'. 'When hospitality and generosity become self-serving displays of opulence, they begin to pull us away from who we aspire to be as a community,' Harris, who joined the school in 2017, wrote in a note that has circulated on social media. Security staff had also reported verbal abuse from spectators and 'growing levels of aggression and entitlement', the headmaster said, highlighting a 'distressing' amount of litter. Refusal to comply with parking guidelines had resulted in a jam that took two hours to clear. Billed as the oldest uninterrupted schoolboy rugby rivalry in South Africa, the Hilton–Michaelhouse derby in KwaZulu-Natal province has been contested since 1904. The fixture is played twice a year, home and away. In a blunt message printed in the programme for the latest clash, hosted by Hilton on June 21, Harris wrote: 'Let's allow the boys to play — unhindered.' Following the match, which his school won 29-20, Harris appealed to parents and former pupils to make simpler plans for next season 'and determine to ditch the opulence in favour of a wholesome hospitality devoid of showmanship and loud extravagance'. Peter Storrar, from Hilton's staff, told South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper that the response to the principal's letter had been 'overwhelmingly positive'. Richard Bates, president of the Michaelhouse Old Boys' Club, said it also backed 'a move away from displays of excess', such as restricting spectators to bringing only what they can carry themselves to matches. Hilton College, near Pietermaritzburg, was founded in 1872 by William Newnham, a British teacher and cleric, and Gould Lucas, a naval officer who had survived the wreck of HMS Birkenhead, which sank off the coast of South Africa in 1852. Its annual fees for boarding and tuition are £17,500. Michaelhouse was founded nearby in 1896. Both schools have produced a number of players who have gone on to play for the Springboks, the national rugby side.
The South African
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
'Extravagant': Is THIS what caused Hilton College controversy?
Images of the 'extravagance' shown by parents of learners – as criticised by the principal of Hilton College – has gone viral on Facebook. The pics stem from a recent rugby derby day between the school and its rival, Michaelhouse. Both learning institutions are ranked as the top two most expensive private schools in South Africa. On Facebook, catering company Capitol Caterers shared a look at their five-star display for Hilton College parents at the derby day against Michaelhouse. The lavish display featured beautifully decorated cakes and snacks, including biltong, salmon, fruit, nuts, and fresh fruit. The company bragged about its 'delicious spread,' praising the school for its 'big weekend of school spirit, sportsmanship, and great food!' . A big weekend of school spirit, sportsmanship, and great food! We were proud to be part of the action as the catering… Posted by Capitol Caterers on Wednesday 25 June 2025 In another pic that went viral on social media, an X user shared a look at parents who attended the rugby derby. On one side were parents of colour who sat on camp chairs, whilst on the other side were white parents who enjoyed catering services and shaded gazebos. 'Watching Hilton College vs MichaelHouse, schools' rugby. Hhay' no, as a black community, we are generations behind', posted @prophilani. In an open letter following their rugby derby day, Hilton College principal George Harris scolded parents of the school for their 'extravagant' display of hosting and catering. He also criticised the parents for not cleaning up after the events. He wrote: 'When hospitality and generosity became self-serving displays of opulence, and began to pull away from what we aspire to be as a community. The principal of Hilton College has urged parents of learners to not be 'extravagant'. Images via Facebook: Hilton College The principal added: 'Next year, can we ditch the opulence in favour of a wholesome hospitality devoid of showmanship and loud extravagance?. 'When the extravagance stretches into overconsumption, the message we send to our children is wrong'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
05-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Hilton College: Famous figures who went to SA's most expensive school
South Africa's most expensive school, Hilton College, made headlines this week after its principal scolded parents of learners for being too 'extravagant.' The headmaster's criticism came after a rugby derby featuring another prominent private school, Michaelhouse. This week, Hilton College made headlines for all the wrong reasons when principal George Harris scolded parents for their flamboyant display of wealth at a rugby derby day. The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands school boasts a long list of prominent figures who have passed through its gates. Some of them include former Springboks Bobby Skinstad and Gary Teichmann, Proteas cricketer Lungi Ngidi, sports broadcaster Robert Marawa, Democratic Alliance's Christopher Pappas, and the late rapper, Riky Rick. George Harris, the Hilton College headmaster who wrote the now-viral open letter, is not among the privileged few who attended the private school. Instead, the Wits-schooled leader matriculated at Pretoria Boys High School, the same school attended by Elon Musk, the world's richest man. The principal of Hilton College has urged parents of learners to not be 'extravagant'. Images via Facebook Hilton College bags the number one spot as South Africa's most expensive private school. Its annual fees for 2025 stand at R420 729, which includes boarding and tuition fees. According to reports, parents of learners are in the top 0.01% of South Africa's working class. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
