the first hostel was built in 1885, and was situated where the main hall is today. the new school was built in 1900, and had dormitories upstairs. the room now used as a staff workroom and offices for hod's used to be a dormitory. lab one was the kitchen, and the library was the dining room. the school at this time was called girls' public school. during this time physical education and sport were introduced into the school. wynberg was the first girls' school in south africa to have a fully qualified physical education teacher, mrs dolly rees who studied in london. a gymnasium was erected in 1900, and a hockey field was laid out where the wellington quad is today. activities at school were hockey, cricket and tennis.