The Erica Flower

The Erica Cerinthoides is an indigenous flower - a member of the fynbos family. The flower itself is red and the plant is sturdy - well able to withstand the strong winds of the Eastern Cape and more particularly able to survive the ravages of fire. The Erica, a name so aptly chosen for our school! The girls and staff represent all the people of South Africa - we have stood firm since 1883, acknowledging the time - honoured values of Honour, Loyalty and Truth.

The changes in our society and in education require that we are strong, that we are visionary in our leadership and that we utilize every resource to its fullest in order to ensure top quality education to every deserving pupil on an equitable basis.

We are committed to being a leader in education in these changing times. We invite you to join us as a member of the Erica Family.

The School

Erica school was started in a hall in 1883 in Irvine Street by Mary Anne van Wyk, a young woman of 26 who had set herself high ideals and let nothing divert her from them. For the name of her school she chose the Red Erica - the heath with flowers of glowing scarlet which grew nearby.

At the time the population of Port Elizabeth was about 33 000 and Erica was the fifth school to be opened in the city.

The school, held in the Erica Hall in Irvine street very quickly became too small and three houses in 52, 54 and 56 Mackay street owned by Miss van Wyk herself were used for the extra classes.

The school moved to its new building, based somewhat on the old Dutch style of architecture, on 4 November 1903. Unfortunately Mary Anne van Wyk did not live to see her beloved school move into its new elegant premises as she died in the preceding April aged 46.