Clarendon Primary began its existence in 1903, as part of what was known as Girls High School.
The premises were on the plot of land between Muir and Oxford Streets, currently occupied by Grens
Primary but having then just been vacated by an Uitlander refugee camp.
The original school included pupils from Grades 1 to 10 but in 1936 the upper grades were moved to new
premises on the corner of Union and Connought Avenues. In 1939 the primary school was also moved,
to Cheltenham Road where it exists today.
The name "Clarendon" was bequeathed to the two schools in 1959, named after Lord Clarendon
who was the Governor-General of South Africa. In 1962, the pre-primary section of the school broke away
to become a separate institution.
