Science

When the school first opened its doors to 216 pupils in 1910 , it occupied a double storey building in West Street with the kitchen serving as the science laboratory .From these humble beginnings Glenwood , and its science department , have grown to become one of the province’s leaders in high school education .Described many years ago as ``an academic school with a technical and scientific bias '' , Glenwood has continued to provide a steady supply of learners to the engineering and science departments of many institutions of higher learning .

Glenwood has five science laboratories in addition to the newly revamped Science Centre. Thanks to a generous grant from the Victor Daitz Foundation, the school can now boast two fully equipped ``state of the art '' laboratories and a 60 seater lecture theatre .Besides being used by the senior students on a daily basis, these laboratories are used by the ``GAMES '' programme in the afternoons to educate and stimulate an interest in science in primary school learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In addition to the FET curriculum, learners are involved in numerous extra-curricular activities such as the National Science Olympiad, the University of KZN Bridge Building competition and the FFS Science Expo for Young Scientists .Furthermore, top Grade 12 students are involved in a remedial / tutorial programme where fellow students who are struggling with the subject are assisted.

Each year the Grade 8 science excursion to Vetchies Pier is eagerly awaited .Over a period of a week, the classes are able to visit and study a marine eco-system at spring low tide .For the majority of learners, and it is an unforgettable experience.

At the present moment in South Africa , there is a dire shortage of qualified manpower in fields requiring a mathematical and scientific background .In the 2008 matric exams , 170 Glenwood learners passed science with a similar number in mathematics .Certainly , Glenwood is doing its part in helping to solve the country’s shortage of qualified workers.