LIFELONG INTERESTS
Clubs & Societies
At Michaelhouse, education doesn’t end when the bell rings — it expands far beyond the classroom. Our wide range of clubs and societies gives every boy the chance to explore personal interests, discover new passions, and connect with others who share them. Whether it’s debating at a national level, learning to roast the perfect cup of coffee, managing a mock investment portfolio, or getting hands-on with conservation in our nature reserve, there’s a space here for every kind of curiosity.
Many of our societies are steeped in tradition, like Photography, which dates back to 1896, and Debating, a national force for decades. Others, like the Barista and the Cooking Club, reflect the evolving interests of our boys today. From the First Aid Society’s calm under pressure to the energy of surfers chasing early waves, the variety of options speaks to the diversity of our boys.
These clubs foster leadership, confidence, creativity, and practical skills — and often become the launchpad for lifelong interests or careers. More than anything, they reflect the spirit of Michaelhouse: curious, engaged, and always pushing forward. Every boy is encouraged to get involved, get his hands dirty, and discover what inspires him.
Clubs & Societies
Find Your Thing
With over two dozen clubs and societies on offer, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re into public speaking or photography, scuba diving or soil science, this is where passions are sparked, friendships are built, and skills are sharpened. Here are some of the more popular ones.
Agriculture
Since the earliest days of our school’s history Michaelhouse has been a home form home for many farmers’ sons and their love of the land and how to work it has rubbed off on generations of boys. The Agricultural Society is an active one working practically on weaning the Nguni calves which graze on our reserve to frequent visits to auctions, courses and farms in the Midlands covering topics as diverse and interesting as soil and grass science to milk and crop production to AI and agricultural economics.
Barista
Appreciation of a good roast has evolved into one of the newer societies at Michaelhouse. Our boys visit local roasteries and cafes, learns from coffee farmers, and when its all said and done, get down to learning how to make the perfect cup of their favourite hot beverage.
Conservation
Many Michaelhouse Old Boys rank amongst the most influential personalities in the history of conservation and household names like Andrew Zaloumis, Keith Begg, Graeme Duane, Chris Macbride and Andrew Campbell are just some of our alumni who still actively stoke the flames of our boys’ passion for the environment. The club involves itself with maintenance of our school’s reserve, and its members roll their sleeves up to do game counts, eradicate alien invasives and snares and to constantly check our fence line.
cooking
One of the newer clubs at Michaelhouse, our culinary society provides opportunities for boys to express their passion for cooking, baking and to share their appreciation of fine cuisine at cook offs with boys and girls from neighbouring schools. Today the club has more members than most societies at our school.
first aid
The Michaelhouse First Aid Society is a significant part of life at Michaelhouse and its members combine relevant knowledge with practical real life opportunities on the side of our sports fields and on field trips to exercise their skills and accumulate experience. Their commitment to serving the staff and boys of our school is almost Hippocratic, and they regularly learn from Old Boys who have become paramedics, surgeons, physiotherapists, and experts in their specialised fields.
investment
The Investment Club gather regularly to manage mock portfolios, debate topical issues and policies and actively engage with Old Boys who are global giants in their fields. Our boys arrange quarterly dinners and seminars where they invite thought leaders to attend as guest speakers to keep the club up to date with trends as they prepare to one day manage their own portfolios and manage significant businesses.
photography
The Michaelhouse Photographic Society was one of the very first clubs to be established in 1896 and has run continuously since those early days. Our boys are exposed to everyday opportunities to hone their skills in sports photography, still life, portraits, wildlife and landscape photography and they enjoy frequent engaging with Old Boys are world-renowned artists behind the lense.
president’s award
More and more northern hemisphere universities are expressing an interest in candidates who have immersed themselves in opportunities which the President’s Award offers. Linked to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the President’s Award offers opportunity for community engagement, skills development, adventure, recognition and personal growth.
reading
Michaelhouse is home to an energetic and active readers’ club who collaborate on sophisticated reading lists, arrange book launches and signings and share a passion for quiet time with a good book!
scuba diving
This active club facilitates courses for beginners in one of the school’s swimming pools while our more experienced divers enjoy reefs, wrecks and whale sharks around some of the more adventurous dive destinations in South Africa
surfing
Early mornings and 90 minute bus trips are a small price for our more avid surfers to pay to enjoy each other’s’ company on backlines around KwaZulu-Natal. Our surfers compete in provincial tournaments and are energetic in arranging holiday surfing safaris.
toastmasters
Places in this senior club are seriously sought after and members of the Toastmasters’ Society enjoy opportunities to develop their confidence, hone their communication skills, develop leadership qualities and forge a skill which will stand them in excellent stead in the world beyond the gates of Michaelhouse. High quality and entertaining prepared speeches, impromptus and speaker evaluations are highlights of he quarterly Toastmasters’ dinners are enriching, memorable occasions.