Our teachers are enthusiastic about finding and developing best practices in education. The administration and support staff are continually growing their skills. The combined efforts of the whole staff ensure that Rustenburg enjoys success.
Message from our Principal
Belinda Petersen
Rustenburg Girls’ Junior is a beautiful school in the heart of Rondebosch in Cape Town, South Africa. Throughout its 130-year history, the school has always existed to provide quality education and serve the needs of its community and society at large. The school has been through many changes since 1894 and continues to transform to be relevant for the girls of the present and the future. We cherish the traditions of our long history, balanced with providing an excellent 21st-century academic, sporting, and cultural program.
Rustenburg Girls’ Junior is a school leading the way in preparing girls to embrace the challenges of the present confidently and courageously and to excel in a continuously changing world.
To provide opportunities for learning the values of independence, critical thinking, innovation, self-belief, honesty, integrity, commitment, respect, pride, and loyalty. ensure that each girl is exposed to a wide variety of inspirational opportunities so that she may explore her unique, individual, and special talents.
The school is a happy, vibrant and caring place that strives toward being a community of belonging for all. RGJS is continually evolving in its relevance in the 21st century and in present-day South Africa by focusing intentionally on interconnectedness through integration, holistic education, and skills development.
The school was founded in 1894 in the historic Rustenburg House, which dates from the early years of the Dutch settlement at the Cape. The terms of surrender of the Dutch to the English after the Battle of Muizenberg were signed in it on 16 September 1795. Rustenburg House was declared a National Monument in 1941. Rustenburg was specifically founded to provide education for girls equal to that given to boys. It is our belief, supported by research, that girls develop their potential more fully when educated in a single-sex environment.
The house system was introduced in 1930 and names were given to honour those who had played an important role in the history of the school. Originally the houses were:
Bleby, after Miss Alicia Bleby, the founding headmistress.
Wiener, after Mrs Jean Wiener (nee Donaldson-Wright), the second headmistress.
Van der Stel, after Simon van der Stel, one of the early governors of the Cape, who developed the Rustenburg estate significantly.
Marchand, after Rev BP Marchand, chairman of the School Committee from its founding in 1894 to 1917.
Michiel Vos, who was chairman of the School Committee from 1925 to 1939.
Innes, after Sir James Rose-Innes, Chief Justice of South Africa from 1914-1927, a distinguished member of the School Committee.
Cambridge, after Lady May Cambridge, for her generosity to and interest in the school.
Muir, after Sir Thomas Muir, who was the Superintendant-General of Education at the Cape when the school was founded.
The allocated gate exits mentioned below are preferential to ease with traffic congestion around our school. Girls may enter through any gate in the morning.
Grade R: Monday – Friday 07:50 – 12:45 Top Gate, Burg Road
Grade 1: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 07:50 – 12:55 and Tuesday Games day: 07:50 – 14:25 and Friday: 07:50 – 12:55 Top Gate, Burg Road
Grade 2: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 07:50 -12:55 and Wednesday Games day 07:50-14:25 and Friday: 07:50 -12:55 Middle Gate, Burg Road
Grade 3: Monday: 07:50 -12:55; Tuesday – Thursday: 07:50 – 14:25 and Friday: 07:50 – 12:55 Main Road Gate
Grade 4-7: Monday – Thursday: 07:50 – 14:25, Friday: 07:50 – 12:55 Any of the 3 exit gates
School day starts promptly at 07:50 for all learners
T: +27 (0)21 689 1981
E: admin@rgjs.org.za
Rustenburg Girls' Junior School
12 Main Rd, Rondebosch
Cape Town, 7700
© 2025 Rustenburg Girls Junior School
