The School Name

The meaning of the word “ Arboretum” is a collection of trees. An arboretum, in general terms, is a botanical garden with a collection of wooden plants, which is used for scientific experiments.

John Claudius Loudon, in an English Publication, “The Gardeners’ Magazine”, first used the term “arboretum” in 1833. The first arboretum in use, since 1492, was the Arboretum Trsteno, near Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Our school is named after the suburb, Arboretum, in which it is situated. All the street names in this suburb are named after trees. The school is in Waterberry Road, a tree that is common in Zululand.

The School Badge

The eagle’s head is prominent on the badge. We often see fish Eagles flying high above our school, serenading us with their characteristic calling. The eagle is a bird of prey that soars high in the sky from where it can hunt its prey to survive.

Water is symbolised on each side of the eagle. Our school is approximately 8km from the sea, as the eagle flies. The Mzingazi, a fresh water lake, lies between the school and the sea. This is where our Fish Eagles catch most of their prey.

Water is symbolic to life. We live now; for the moment. We only have today. Arboretum motivates children to live life to its fullest at every moment and to appreciate life.

A three-armed- chandelier, which symbolises light, is situated underneath the eagle. The world that we live in is becoming darker and more unsure by the day. Our school strives to give each child a beacon of light and hope. The world we live in needs “torch bearers” to make a difference. Herein lies our vocation.

The motto on the badge: Alta Pete means to aim high. Children that aim high develop spiritual and emotional wings that will help them to soar above their circumstances and to make a success of their lives.