In 1860, Mrs Hugo (born Du Buisson) established a school for 40 girls and young ladies. (She was the widow of Pieter Hugo, organist and music teacher). This school was probably the first school where girls were taught in English and the school was situated on the premises of the present primary school.

In 1872 the school was taken over by Prof and Mrs Jan de Villiers. (He was a descendant of a Huguenot, de Villiers, who came from La Rochelle in France.) Jan Orrelis was a music teacher in Paarl and, together with his wife, started a hostel. Now with 200 pupils, Jan Orrelis taught music while Mrs de Villiers was the headmistress of the Ladies Seminary. Tuition was in English with French and Dutch being two of the subjects.

Dr Andrew Murray realised the great need for educating girls and he founded the Huguenot Seminary in Wellington. Meanwhile, Professor and Mrs De Villiers asked the Northern -Paarl Church Council to take over their school in Paarl, but the Council declined their request. Dr Andrew Murray offered to intervene, resulting in the Ladies' Seminary becoming part of the Huguenot Seminary and the Department of Education in 1890. The principal of Huguenot Seminary, Miss Ferguson, supported this move and consented for a property to be purchased.

Miss Pride, a teacher from the Huguenot Seminary, was appointed principal of the Paarl branch of the Seminary. Being young and inexperienced, Miss Pride's task was a difficult one. In addition to this, as an American, she lacked the ability to communicate with some of the girls in their mother tongue, being Dutch.

Miss Cillie was appointed headmistress in 1899. At that time there were 221 learners in the school with 25 in the hostel. A new school building (the present high school) with 11 classrooms, a hall, a staffroom and a office were used from 1902. The first annual was published in 1906 and thereafter each year, except in 1918 during the Big Flu Epidemic.

In 1913, the school was separated from the Huguenot Seminary and became known as the La Rochelle Girls' High School. The name means 'the small rock' and is a reference to one of the fort cities of the French Huguenots. The changing of the name caused some sadness amongst teachers and past pupils, but the aims of the school were kept intact. (Head, heart and hand have an equal place in the education of the young girls.) An interesting fact is that gradually Dutch was replaced by Afrikaans and the girls enjoyed their literature classes even more.

In 1921, Miss J J Meyer, a teacher of La Rochelle, took over as the new headmistress from Miss Cillie. During her reign, the school song was written by Jan F E Cilliers and composed by M L de Villiers in 1922.

In 1923 the school badge was brought into being and in 1924 more classrooms were added on. The Scholar Union was established in 1929.

The Coligne hostel was demolished at the end of 1934 and the present hostel was build at a cost of €25,000.00. Esperanza was demolished in 1936 but Eendracht and Navarre are still used today as hostels.

1938 Sub A up to St. 5 took over the Primary School which Mrs Conradie officially opened the school in March.

1944 Ms. SJ Pienaar became the first principal of the primary school. During this year the primary school enrolled 344 pupils.

1945 There were 31 boys in the Kindergarten but in 1946 they were moved to a boys’ school.

1946 Ms. I. Pauw became the new principal.

1954 Ms. L le Roux was appointment as acting principal till June 1955. There were 464 pupils and 15 staff members.

1955 - 1973 Ms. E. Jordaan was appointed as principal. The school became a Grade A school.

1960 A new summer uniform in both Senior and Junior Primary was introduced and wearing a uniform in the Kindergarten became compulsory.

1962 Netball fields, which would be used for Tennisette, were constructed. A new Assemble Hall was built.

1963 A music teacher was appointed.

1973 - 1974 Ms M.P. du Preez was prinicipal. The Scholar Patrols started during this year.

1975 - 1986 Ms. E.J. Blom was prinicipal. An intercom-system was installed which enabled the principal to contact the staff.

1977 The first two head girls were appointed and the first school annual for the primary school was printed

1979 The first School Committee was elected.

1980 The J.J. Meyer trust fund was established

1987 - 1992 Mrs J.J. Beukes was prinicipal.

1993 - today Mrs. L. Marais is the prinicipal.