Sir John Adamson High School is located in Winchester Hills, a suburb in southern Johannesburg, Gauteng in South Africa.
The first headmaster, G Newby, noted that he had to send home pupils in sub-standards and Standard II and III because the marquee was swamped by rain.
In 1908, the Turffontein Evening Government School, at which elementary subjects were taught, was opened and a Senior Cadet Corps was started.
After several years of makeshift and inadequate accommodation, the new brick and wood building was complete on 11 October 1910, later that month, the school was closed for three weeks because of an outbreak of measles.
There have been alterations, additions and renovations to the building over the years but it remains essentially the same structure occupied by Turffontein Central, Intermediate and Sir John Adamson School until relocation to Winchester Hills in 1959.
The classrooms, situated on the east, west and north wings, were large and cold, and featured sash windows.
Over the next few years enrolment continued to increase and by December 1915, nearly 1,000 pupils attended the school, making it one of the largest in Johannesburg.
By 1931, the school budget was two hundred and twenty pounds and everybody paid a "modest subscription of six shillings per year".
Pupils who were enrolled in Standards II, III and IV at the time had to leave to attend other schools in 1938.
Education was disrupted during the years of World War II when many staff members - both male and female - were involved in active service.
The foundation stone of the new building was laid on 7 June 1958, by Dr A H du Preez van Wyk, the then Director of Education.
It was on this occasion too that the school song, composed by Miss Weiss with words by Mr J H Whiteford, was heard for the first time.
The School Board provided a 5-ton truck and, on this, over 400 desks, tables, chairs, library books, Science, Industrial Arts, and Home Economics equipment, office furniture, piano and pictures had to be transported more than two miles.
The new school was officially opened on 31 October 1959, by the Administrator of the Transvaal, the Honourable Dr William Nicol.
The school cadet detachment changed into a naval unit, and the distinctive prefects' blazers were introduced.
By the end of 1961, many of the additional facilities and amenities essential to the running of a high school had been completed: the playing fields, tennis courts and hall.
In 1975 and 1976, the main improvements included the grassing of the hockey field, the completion of concrete netball fields, precast fencing around the swimming pool, swimming change rooms, the first stages of a concrete pavilion and a languages room.
The entire principle of "free" education changed and, with the exception of staff salaries, the parents became responsible for the financial needs of the school.
Computing was introduced as an examination subject at Grade 10 level and Junior pupils were given the opportunity to make use of the centre under the guidance of Future Kids.
As a result of government rationalisation that accompanied the dramatic changes occurring in educational years, many staff members opted for early retirement or voluntary severance packages.
In order to maintain the standards of education that had characterised the long history of our school, it was decided to appoint additional staff on the governing body's payroll.
In 2004, the long-awaited utility hall was built and opened on 31 August 2004, by Mr. Plessis, chairman of the governing body.
Every year students who have been awarded three scrolls (for excellence in their respective fields) are presented with an Honours Blazer.
It is awarded to matriculants who exhibit a generosity of spirit, humility and unselfishness in school life; who display loyalty, dedication and qualities of responsibility, integrity and reliability.