The Chronicle 2022

Michaelhouse, an Anglican Diocesan College of Natal, was founded in 1896 and is a South African boarding school for senior boys, with an international reputation. Situated on a secure estate in the beautiful Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, the school has a fully residential staff which facilitates a high level of pastoral care and interaction with the pupils. The distinctive architecture of interlinked quadrangles inspires a sense of belonging amongst the 626 boys. VALUES To live our lives according to the Christian values of integrity, humility, compassion and courage in service to our community and country. MISSION To provide a dynamic and progressive education for boys that respects individual needs and embraces diversity and change in pursuit of academic, sporting and cultural excellence, while providing social and leadership skills and nurturing spiritual growth. VISION “Our aim is to make, not accountants, not clerks, not clergymen,

but men; men of understanding, thought and culture.” Canon James Cameron Todd, Founder of Michaelhouse (Speech Day 1897)

Vol CXXV No.1

JUNE, 2023

Price 0,00

CONTENTS.

Environment and Community. . 82 Sport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Michaelhouse Life . . . . . . 135 House Reports. . . . . . . . . 142 Old Boys . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Class of 2022 . . . . . . . . . 184

Message from the Rector . . . . 01 Leadership and Staff . . . . . . 02 Prize-Giving. . . . . . . . . . . 12 Speech Day . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Academic Reports. . . . . . . . 39 Clubs and Societies . . . . . . . 68

‘Let us preserve for them a record of our thoughts and doings, so that the Michaelhouse boys of five hundred years hence may learn something of their predecessors from the pages of St. Michael's Chronicle.’ (The Editor of the Chronicle, May 1897) ‘What we record may seem to us dull and uninteresting - once we have furtively scanned the pages for possible appearances of our name in print - but one day - presumably, it will vie with the Anglo-Saxon and other Chronicles in importance and historical value.’ (The Editor of the Chronicle, December 1931)

MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR

T

and will be opened in March 2023. We have also added four new classrooms adjacent to the Pennington Quad to cope with the increased numbers of boys in the school. Joni Warburton, Financial Director, has overseen the finances of the school and her innovative approach and attention to detail have been of great benefit to Michaelhouse at a time of steeply rising prices in building materials, fuel and elsewhere. Ground has been broken in the building of a new Tatham which will preface the further development of Pascoe, Farfield, Founders, East and West in order to bring all the boarding facilities up to a world class standard within the foreseeable future. The school has worked very closely with the Old Boys, led by Wayne Witherspoon and Sean Lumley, continuing to make a significant impact on the well-being of the school. Sean Lumley gave generously of his time to inspire a giving day which built on the association of Old Boys through OM+ and led to financial support for several projects, including a commitment to our Community Partnership Trust and the sixteen schools in our vicinity which we support. Two new Deputy Rectors started in their roles during the course of this year: Sibusiso Ncamani, formerly Housemaster of East and Brendan Gittins, previously Deputy Head at Jeppe High School for Boys. They have both made a significant impact in their roles and, inevitably, several staff left us at the end of 2022 to go on promotion: Dean Forword and Mark Blew to Uplands College as Deputy Heads and Paul McKay to Clifton College in Durban, also as a Deputy Principal. We wish them well in their new roles and also welcome the fact that this has provided new opportunities for current staff to gain promotion. Four new Housemasters will start at the beginning of 2023: Herman Visagie in Founders, Doug Rodger in Farfield, Matthew Higginson in Baines (Richard McMichael having stood down) and Paul Snyman in Ralfe. The grounds remain beautiful and we are very grateful to all those who support the school: Old Boys, parents and other benefactors who give selflessly of their time and resources to ensure that a wonderful environment is created in which Michaelhouse boys may learn and grow.

he year recorded in the Chronicle, 2022, marks the beginning of the return to normality following the enormous upheaval of Covid-19 over the past two years. Despite the many complexities associated with those years, the boys of Michaelhouse demonstrated resilience, particularly in the academic area, where some very good results were recorded for the matric group of 2021. We started the year with the good news that our boys averaged 3.1A symbols per student with 100% achieving a bachelor’s pass and an average per subject per boy of 75%. It was noteworthy that matrics in the first XV achieved 84% per subject per boy, surely an unrivalled success rate throughout the country! With our new Houses, Ralfe and McCormick at capacity, we commenced the year with 626 boys (up from 550 in 2018), the highest enrolment ever and, though there is no desire to grow bigger, the extra enrolment provided us with more fire power in several areas such as in our sport. The development of the High Performance Centre has further led to our boys being fitter and in better condition than in the past and this, in turn, enabled the boys to achieve significantly improved results in all sports, but especially in rugby where our lower teams were often able to bring home the bacon against much larger schools. A weekend rugby/hockey winter fixture with St John’s was aborted after an allegation of a racial slur made by one of our players in the first XI hockey match. This led to a very difficult situation for a number of reasons not the least of which was that minors were at the heart of the matter and two schools, rather than one, were involved. Despite some thinking otherwise, the matter was conscientiously tackled with our board being engaged in discussions, as well as a smaller group comprising the outgoing chairman, the incoming chairman, specific board members, legal advisors and a PR Company all playing important roles. As Anglican and Christian schools we have started to make good the ground lost and will continue to do so in the years ahead. 2022 has been another year in which we continued enhancing the campus through projects: the most notable of these has been the development of the Makan Centre, funded by the generosity of the Makan family which spans Pietermaritzburg and the Silicon Valley. This is a hub for academic innovation

(+27) 33 234 1000 info@michaelhouse.org www.michaelhouse.org facebook.com/michaelhouse.org @IAmMichaelhouse vimeo.com/michaelhouseschool

EDITOR: Murray Witherspoon FORMAL PHOTOGRAPH ADMINISTRATOR: Joanne Morrison DESIGN & LAYOUT: Shanice Cassim PRINTERS: Uniprint (PTY) LTD CONTACT: Private Bag X1, Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal, 3275, South Africa

LEADERSHIP AND STAFF

Michaelhouse was founded in 1896 and is a South African boarding school for senior boys with an international reputation. The school is governed by a board made up of significant South Africans. At the heart of the school’s academic, pastoral, spiritual and cultural endeavours is a fully resident academic staff complement whose daily role it is to nurture, guide and encourage our boys.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

GOVERNORS Deon Dhlomo Ross Elliot

Nkululeko Sowazi Nigel Tatham

MICHAELHOUSE STAFF Ray Mkhulisi Njabulo Mthembu Philip Nel Bongani Phakathi Andrew Schaefer (Chairman from July 2022) Delysia Timm Wayne Witherspoon (President OBC) ASSOCIATE GOVERNORS Gordon Bruins Pat Goss Nick Jonsson Des Sacco MPhil: Senior Academic, Life Sciences, LO, Tutor-Farfield Ryan Strudwick, BAgric Mgt PGCE: Senior Master Sport, Economics, EMS, Tutor-Founders Amy Webster, MSc: Community Partnership Manager (07/09/2022) Akhona Sikhakhane, Community Partnership Manager (wef 17/10/2022) Murray Witherspoon, MA: Head: Marketing and Admissions; Old Boys’ Club Director ACADEMIC STAFF Grant Ball, B.Journ (Hons) PGCE: English, Assistant Housemaster-Pascoe Gemma Blew, BA (Hons) PGCE: English, E Block Tutor-Ralfe (Part-time) (31/12/2022) Mark Blew, MEd PGCE: Economics, EMS, Housemaster-Ralfe (31/12/2022) Bernice Borain, BA (LAL) BA Hons PGCE MA Eng PhD: English, Tutor East, Intern Coordinator (31/03/2022 Nico Boshoff, BEcon (Hons) PGCE: Mathematics, HOD (Mathematical Literacy), Tutor-Founders, MIC –

TRUSTEES Simon Jonsson

Mike Gammie Richard Gush Anthony Hewat (Chairman until July 2022) Zuko Kubukeli (Vice Chairman from July 2022) Bassie Kumalo Sean Lumley (Vice President OBC) Mark Lynn Debbie Martin

Richard Gush Zuko Kubukeli Peter Hayward-Butt Anthony Hewat Jamie Inglis Gary Ralfe Nkululeko Sowazi Joni Warburton

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Antony Clark, MA HDE: Rector Win de Wet, BA HDE: Economics, Deputy Rector Academic Brendan Gittins, HDE FDE MEd, Mathematics: Deputy Rector Pupils Rev Chris Meyer, BCom LLB Post Graduate Diploma in Theology: Chaplain, Divinity Sibusiso Ncamani, BEd: Deputy Rector Pastoral Joni Warburton, BComm (Hons), CA(SA): Financial Director / Bursar PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE James Fleming, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy: Head of Sports Medicine, Tutor-Pascoe, MIC – Rugby Marius Henn, BA (Hons): Operations Manager Tim Jarvis, BA Ed (Hons) BA Psych (Hons): Life Orientation, School Counsellor: Senior Master Pastoral Lynne Moore, BA HDE BEd (Hons) HRM Dip: Human Resources Manager Gerard Noel, BSc (Hons) PGCE PGD

Athletics / Cross Country (30/06/2022) Sally Cahill, PGCE, English: E Block Tutor -Pascoe Katherine Cass, BA (Sp & H Th), MA (Sp Pathology): Learning Support Coordinator, English, LO, E Block Tutor-Farfield Jenni Clinton-Parker, BA Psych (Hons) BA Fine Art (Ed): HOD (Visual Arts), E Block Tutor-Founders Marcel Cornelius, BEd: Afrikaans, E Block Tutor-Pascoe, Assistant Housemaster – West Jed Coventry, BA Psych (Hons): HOD (Media Centre, Media Studies), Tutor-Mackenzie Ian Crawford, BEd: ICT, CAT, Housemaster-West (wef 13/08/2021) Carika de Swardt, BMus (Ed) M.Mus Ed: Music, Tutor-McCormick Paul de Wet, BSc HDE BEd (Hons): Director of Mathematics Jaco Dippenaar, BMusEd MMus: Director of Music, Tutor-Ralfe Paul Edgar, BEd (Hons) IT / Cat, Tutor-Tatham

3

BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2022 Back Row: Ray Mkhulisi, Deon Dhlomo, Joni Warburton (Financial Director), Philip Nel, Sean Lumley, Wayne Witherspoon, Gordon Bruins, Mike Gammie, Ross Elliot and Peter Hayward-Butt Front Row (seated): Basetsana Kumalo, Richard Gush, Antony Clark (Rector), Anthony Hewat, Zuko Kubukeli, Gary Ralfe, Njabulo Mthembu

Paul McKay, HDE: Geography, Housemaster-Farfield (31/12/2022) Brad McManus, BA, PGCE: History, HSS, Tutor-Ralfe, MIC – Swimming Mary McMichael, BA, HDE: English, Tutor-Baines Richard McMichael, BCom HDE: Housemaster-Baines, Accounting, EMS Evan Mickleburgh, BEd EGD / CAT; Tutor-Pascoe Karin Moffat, BSc (Hons) HDE: Housemaster-McCormick, Mathematics, APM Steven Ngwenya, BEd: Mathematics, Tutor-McCormick Sibusiso Ncamani, BEd: Housemaster East, Geography, HSS Nkanyiso Ngcobo, BSc PGCE BEd (Hons): Housemaster-Pascoe, Physical Science, NS Jean-Pierre Olivier, BEd: Afrikaans, Tutor-Pascoe / Assistant Housemaster-Tatham

Olwethu Hugo, BSc PGCE: HOD (Geography), HSS, Assistant Housemaster-McCormick (31/12/2022) Edward Jeffrey, BEd: Physical Science, Natural Science, Housemaster-Mackenzie Sibonelo Khanyile, BEd: Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Assistant Housemaster-Ralfe Righardt Kotze, BSc (Hons) PGCE: Housemaster-Tatham, Life Science, Natural Science, LO Leigh Kotze, MPhil PGCE: English, Assistant Librarian (Part-time), E Block Tutor-Tatham William le Cordeur, MA: Drama, Theatre Director Siphesihle Mabaso, BSc, PGCE: Mathematics; Tutor-West Cheron McConnell HEd: Life Science; Tutor-West Justin McDougall, Masters, PGCE: Geography; Tutor-Ralfe

Gerhard Erasmus, MSc: Life Sciences, Natural Science, Tutor-Tatham, MIC – Canoeing Wendi Erasmus, BEd Educational Psychology (Hons): English, Assistant Learning Support Coordinator Dean Forword, BCom PGCE BEd Honours: Housemaster-Founders, HOD (Accounting) (31/12/2022) Emsoné Fourie, BEd FET: Afrikaans, Tutor-Founders Dominic Gruijters, BSc (Hons): Information Technology, ICT, Mathematics, Tutor-McCormick Lieshen Harrison, PGCE: Visual Arts / LO; E Block Tutor-McCormick Lisa Hardie, HDE: Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, E Block Tutor-Baines (22/08/2022) Matthew Higginson, BSc (Hons) HDE: HOD (Physical Science, Natural Science), Assistant Housemaster-East, MIC – Squash

4

ACADEMIC STAFF 2022 Back Row: Ms Aldi Smith, Mr Jacques Linde, Mr Brandon Venter, Mr Sean Rice, Mr Jed Coventry, Mr Sibonelo Khanyile, Mr Joshua Turnbull, Mr Matthew Stringer, Mr Simeon Goddard, Mr Sifiso Masina, Mr Evan Mickleburgh, Mr Grant Ball, Mr Junior Mazibuko, Mr Dominic Gruijters Fourth Row: Mr David Pachonick, Mr Alex Deetlefs, Mr Doug Rodger, Mr Matthew Binnington, Mr Sanele Zikhali, Mr Paul Snyman, Mr Nico Boshoff, Mr Matthew Higginson, Mr Anele Cebo, Mr Garth Quaite, Mr James Fleming, Mr Herman Visagie, Mr Linda Mabuza, Mr Thabani Mchunu Third Row: Mr Sifiso Shabangu, Mr Jaco Dippenaar, Mr Brad McManus, Mrs Jenni Clinton-Parker, Mrs Katherine Cass, Dr Bernice Borain, Mr Grant von Mayer, Ms Cheron McConnell, Ms Marcel Cornelius, Mrs Tanith von Mayer, Mr Ernest Rindfleisch, Mr Sihawu Dube, Ms Riette White, Ms Emsoné Fourie, Ms Glynnis Owen, Mrs Ilne Visagie, Mrs Leigh Kotze, Mr Olwethu Hugo, Mr Jayden Gengan, Mr Clint Sliedrecht Second Row: Mr Justin McDougall, Mr Jean Pierre (JP) Olivier, Mr Michael Sevenoaks, Mr Mlibo Tyala, Mr Lwando Saunders, Mrs Gemma Blew, Ms Nqobile Zuma, Mrs Sally Cahill, Ms Martine Planteau de Maroussem, Mr Banele Mlangeni, Mr Steven Ngwenya, Mr Siphesihle Mabaso, Mr Mthunzi Mdunge, Mr Richard Johnson, Mr Chris van der Berg, Mrs Leischen Harrison, Mrs Asha Royappen, Mr Paul Edgar, Mr William le Cordeur, Mr Cameron Barry Front Row (seated): Mr Paul de Wet, Mrs Mary Michael, Miss Lisa Hardie, Mr Tim Jarvis, Mr Linda Shezi, Mr Ian Crawford, Mr Edward Jeffrey, Revd Chris Meyer, Mr Dean Forword, Mrs Win de Wet, Mr Antony Clark, Mr Sibusiso Ncamani, Mr Richard McMichael, Mr Righardt Kotze, Ms Karin Moffatt, Mr Mark Blew, Mr Nkanyiso Ngcobo, Mr Paul McKay, Mr Gerry Noel, Mr Ryan Strudwick, Mrs Carika de Swardt

Chris van der Berg, MA HDE: HOD (Afrikaans), Tutor-Baines, MIC – Soccer Brandon Venter, BEd: HOD (History), Tutor-East, MIC – Cricket Herman Visagie, BA (Hons) PGCE: HOD (Life Orientation), School Counsellor, Assistant Housemaster Founders, MIC – Tennis Ilne Visagie, BA PGCE: Afrikaans (Part-time) Grant von Mayer, BSc: Mathematics, Natural Science, Tutor-Farfield, MIC – Hockey Tanith von Mayer, BA PGCE: HOD (English), E Block Tutor-Mackenzie Riette White, BCom PGCE: Economics, E Block Tutor-McCormick

Glynnis Owen, Mathematics (Part-time) Craig Pieterse, BEd: HOD (Engineering Graphics & Design), Assistant Housemaster-Baines (31/12/2021) Martine Planteau de Maroussem, BA PGD HDE: HOD (French) Ernest Rindfleisch, BCom HDE: HOD (Economics), EMS, Tutor-Mackenzie Peta Roberts, BA, PGCE: English; Tutor-East Doug Rodger, BA PGCE: English, Assistant Housemaster-Farfield Asha Royappen, BA PGCE: HOD (Dramatic Arts), E Block Tutor-East Michael Sevenoaks, BBusSci: Economics; Tutor-West

Linda Shezi, BA PGCE: HOD (isiZulu), Housemaster-East Clint Sliedrecht, MSc PGCE: Physical Science, Natural Science, Assistant Housemaster-Mackenzie, MIC – Basketball Alida Smith, BA, PGCE: HOD Mathematics, Tutor-Pascoe Paul Snyman, BSc HDE: HOD (Life Sciences, Natural Science), Tutor-Farfield, MIC – Canoeing Peter Stevens, BA HDE: Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy (Part-time) Joshua Turnbull, PGCE: Music; Tutor-Mackenzie Garth Quaite, BEd (Hons): EGD / CAT; Tutor-East

5

PREFECTS 2022 Back Row: Kamohelo Rathepe, Peter Woodland, Benjamin Frost, Rupert Hechter, Samuel Berchowitz, Andisa Young Middle Row: Robert Lawrence, Lazola Mayekiso Front Row (seated): Sikhumbuzo Mabuza, Mr Antony Clark, Andrew Davis, Revd Chris Meyer, Matthew de Villiers

Simphiwe Xulu; PGCE: IT / CAT; Tutor-Ralfe Sanele Zikhali, BEd: IsiZulu, Tutor-Tatham

Thabani Mchunu, Tutor-Baines David Pachonick, Tutor-Founders Lwando Saunders, Tutor-Tatham Sean Rice, Tutor-Pascoe Sifiso Shabangu, Tutor-McCormick Mlibo Tyala, Tutor-Founders Bruere Venter, Tutor-Farfield SPORTS Ryan Strudwick, B.Agric Mgt: Senior Master Sport James Fleming, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy: Head of Sports Medicine, Tutor-Pascoe, MIC – Rugby

Ayanda Duma, Tutor-Ralfe (31/12/2022) Jayden Gengan, Tutor-East

Simeon Goddard, Tutor-Farfield Richard Johnson, Tutor-Ralfe Michael Kimber Jacques Linde, Tutor-West (30/06/2022) Linda Mabuza, Tutor-West Sifiso Masina, Tutor-Pascoe Mayibongwe Mazibuko, Tutor-Tatham (30/04/2022) Mthunzi Mdunge, Tutor-West Banele Mlangeni, Tutor-Mackenzie Siphiwe Mazibuko, Tutor-Pascoe

Rodney Zondi, BEd: isiZulu (Part-time); Tutor-Founders

Nqobile Zuma, PGCE: 2nd Language Practice isiZulu Support Classes (part time), Tutor Tatham (31/03/2022) INTERN STAFF Cameron Barry, Tutor-McCormick (31/12/2022) Anelele Cebo, Tutor-Mackenzie Alex Deetlefs, Tutor-East Sihawu Dube, Tutor-Baines

6

that he was asked to take on the Deputy Rector, Pastoral role earlier this year. Dean has always had the ability to come across as older, more mature, and wiser than many his age. His size and presence might have played a role in this regard, but whatever the reason might be he quickly become a role-model. I will remember Dean for his unwavering belief system and moral compass. Dean never has a bad word to say about anyone but this does not mean he is a push-over. His current Head of House – Kamo Rathepe describes him as a father figure in Founders. Kamo recalls many occasions where Dean adopted a tough love approach. The boys generally only saw the wisdom of his approach in hindsight. DEAN THE FAMILY MAN Despite his busy schedule Dean always ensures that he gives time to his family. Rachel, William and Anna always come first. Dean has supported Rachel in her career encouraged her in her running; he seconded her on a long Comrades route and up in the Witteberg Mountains when she ran the SKYRUN. Dean loves his children and makes time to be with them, this has been so well illustrated over the past cricket season with William joining Dean at training sessions and some matches. DEAN THE FRIEND Dean is always honest with advice and quick to act in times of need. He shares a love of conviviality, sunsets in the reserve, and discussing life’s more complex conundrums (usually in the wee hours while staring into the dying embers of a Webber) with a broad range of friends. I suspect it is Dean’s love of people marked by some deep-rooted Eastern Cape moral compass that makes him so endearing to those he encounters. That and an uncanny ability to walk into a room of strangers, stride up to the first person he sees and, within ten minutes, have established a mutual connection that places him and the stranger from moments earlier on the most intimate terms sharing their fondest memories. If Dean were to ever take Facebook seriously, I suspect his social network would span the continent at a level rivalled by no other. This is perhaps what Michaelhouse will miss most about Dean: his genuine desire to forge positive relationships with all those he encounters. I suspect this is a trait that will be warmly welcomed amongst the avocado and pineapple farmers of Mpumalanga and one that all those that are part of the Uplands community are lucky to be receiving.

DEAN THE TEACHER Dean quickly made his mark as a good Accounting teacher. On the departure of Rory Drysdale, Dean was a natural to step up as his replacement, and rose to the role of HOD in 2014. His Accounting lessons can be entertaining and lively at times and Dean’s only major flaw is his ability to procrastinate when there is marking to be done. Whilst normally calm and relaxed the odd explosion has happened which whilst amusing for the class next door, would certainly subdue any miscreant. Dean always had the boys’ interests at the forefront of whatever he did in class. DEAN THE SPORTSMAN / COACH Dean is an accomplished and well respected rugby coach. He played in the local squash league for Michaelhouse and he completed two Comrades Marathons along with some testing trail runs like the SKYRUN. But his real passion lies on the cricket field. Dean had happy memories of Michaelhouse before he even arrived. He was selected for the South African U17 cricket side after the inter provincial tournament that was held at the school. The next year he notched up one of the best bowling figures ever at the U18 Kaya Majola Coke Week. When Dean took over the reins of the first XI he landed with a miserably weak bunch of cricketers, but his energy never waned and the boys improved well beyond expectation. He employed different ways to help the fast bowlers, particularly reducing the number of wides bowled. Dean believes that cricket is greater than any moment or person. As a result, he was admired and respected by so many opposing first XI coaches. He fought hard for his boys but whatever the result he never lost the art of being admirable as victor or loser. The way Dean handled a particular situation when an opposing coach swapped balls during an innings was a lesson on how to deal with shady people and difficult situations. All Dean said was “I’m disappointed and will put it in the memory bank”. Many would have jumped up and down and hyped his team members up. The team were not even aware of the incident. Dean led the Cricket Club when there was no one else to do so. On top of all the extra admin and first team coaching responsibilities he had, he also took on coaching the U14Ds, how he did it no one knows. It can’t often be recorded that the same man coached the top and the bottom team in the school. Dean was always prepared to get his hands dirty. After a middle session the covers were hauled on and Dean would carry four heavy weights at a time to baton the cover down with. Normal strong first teamers manage just two! Dean’s organization of the cricket trip to Sri Lanka was impeccable. He had everything under control down to the last laundry wash, demonstrating all the traits of a great accountant. In typical Dean fashion the tour guide was eating out of his hand after a few minutes and there could never have been a better ambassador for South Africa. DEAN THE HOUSEMASTER / MENTOR / ROLE MODEL Dean took over as the Housemaster of Founders in 2018 and is highly regarded by parents, boys and tutors. It was not surprising

RICHARD MCMICHAEL

T

his evening we celebrate McMichaels, nearly departed, It’s been quite a journey for all since they started, All will be missed because all are unique, But before they go here’s a little critique.

And so we come to the undisputed Master of Baines, Who runs the House with ice in their veins,

9

CECELIA ZONDI AND IRENE HLELA

Fierce and tall and a little bit scary, Wait, that’s not Rich, I must be thinking of Mary. Titch, I mean Rich is just a bit smaller, Who most of his tenure wished he were taller, But the boys don’t mind, they’re simply relieved, That he keeps on dishing out unlimited leaves. Straight talking, no b******t, and sometimes offhand, The thing is with Richard that you know where you stand, The Baines boys have learned at least one lesson well, “Life’s unfair, then you die, oh well what the hell.” First up of a morning to put boys on the bus, Covering extra evening duties without any fuss, And after those nights when sleep was fleeting, He would always catch up by dossing in meetings. Richard, soon comes more time to indulge in your vices, To read and smoke instead of collecting devices, With more leisure time pleasure almost in reach, Perhaps the greatest will be relaxing as Mary goes teach. After ten years of roll calls and handing out meds, Dealing with vapers and boys flipping beds, We can say in summary, now it’s your time to depart, That you always had the best interests of the boys in your heart.

C

ecelia began working in the Michaelhouse Laundry 36 years ago on 1 February 1986. Irene Hlela started one year later on 1 October 1987. They served under many managers including: Lizzy Morgan, Victor Kisten, Rem Maharaj, Neil Akal and Happy Nzima. They also worked with many Rectors: Neil Jardine 1978-1986, John Pluke 1976-1996, Reginald Dudley Forde 1997-2001, Guy Pearson 2002-2012, Greg Theron 2013-2017, Paul Fleischack 2018-2019 and they take their pension under Rector Antony Clark. Both Cecelia and Irene worked with commitment in their spheres within the laundry, but it was never too much to ask them to help out when the pressure was on in other areas. They took great satisfaction in always being available to help with those little extras on open days, early in the morning or late at night. They both had a special knack for finding lost clothing, something which happens in every laundry, everywhere on earth! Once, on a day when Cecelia was away from work and her colleagues had spent a sleepless night wondering where something was, she was able to call in and point them directly to it! These two ladies became so much a part of the woodwork in the Michaelhouse laundry and came to know generations of boys, and in most cases could recite their laundry numbers, even more than a quarter of a century later. Both will be missed.

Senizophila isoft life. Ngiyabonga kakhulu

Written by Tim Jarvis

INTERN PROGRAMME

Mr Anele Cebo (B. Ed), Mr Sean Rice (PGCE),

Written by Mr Doug Rodger

Staff Member in Charge: Mrs Win de Wet Programme Coordinator: Mr Doug Rodger

Mr Sifiso Shabangu (B. Ed), Mr Simeon Goddard (PGCE), Mr Lwando Saunders (PGCE), Mr Banele Mlangeni (PGCE), Mr Thabani Mchunu (B. Ed).

T

he Intern Programme presents aspiring trainee teachers with the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the life of the school, where they are given similar responsibilities to full-time members of staff and are considered an integral part of the team. The interns’ contributions in the classroom, on the sports field, culturally, in the Houses and as part of our community outreach projects are invaluable, and our vision is that through this programme we will help to shape the next generation of teachers in South Africa.

During the course of this year we also welcomed Michaelhouse Old Boys Mr Bruere Venter and Mr Michael Kimber into the programme. The interns threw themselves into their work in all aspects of school, and their willingness to step into the gap when there is a need of any kind has been commendable. The camaraderie and teamwork which they have displayed as a group has also

Nine new interns joined us at the beginning of 2022: Mr Alex Masina (Sports), Mr Mthunzi Mdunge (Strength and Conditioning),

10

INTERNS 2022 Back Row: Mr Simeon Goddard, Mr Jayden Gengan, Mr Cameron Barry, Mr Thabani Mchunu, Mr Sifiso Shabangu, Mr Mlibo Tyala; Third Row: Mr Alex Deetlefs, Mr Anele Cebo, Mr Jacques Linde, Mr Sean Rice, Mr Alex Masina, Mr Siphiwe Junior Mazibuko; Second Row: Mr Banele Mlangeni, Mr Mthunzi Mdunge, Mr Sihawu Dube, Mr Linda Mabuza, Mr Richard Johnson, Mr Lwando Saunders; Front Row (seated): Mr David Pachonick, Mr Herman Visagie, Mrs Win de Wet, Mr Antony Clark, Dr Bernice Borain, Mrs Lynne Moore, Mr May Mazibuko

added an extremely positive note to their interactions around the school with both students and staff. A highlight of the year was a networking function hosted by Michaelhouse at which the interns from St Anne’s and Hilton College joined the Michaelhouse interns for a talk from the Rector and our Deputy Rector (pupils), Mr Sibusiso Ncamani – himself a former member of the Michaelhouse Intern Programme. The opportunities for the interns to compare notes and discuss best practice with their peers from other institutions proved a valuable experience. Earlier this year we bade farewell to Mr Jacques Linde, who joined the programme in 2021, when he took up a full-time teaching position at the Drakensberg Boys Choir School. At the end of this year, we will also say goodbye to Mr Ayanda

Duma, who will be taking up an intern position at Kearsney College; Mr Alex Masina, who has been employed in the corporate sector; Mr Sean Rice, who will be entering the engineering industry; and Mr Cameron Barry, who will be taking up a teaching post in the United Kingdom. We thank these gentlemen for their time with us and for their commitment and service to Michaelhouse. We also congratulate Mr Richard Johnson, who has spent two very productive years on the intern programme, as he takes up a full-time post in the Michaelhouse Economics Department. In 2023, the intern programme will continue to be headed by Mrs Win De Wet, and Mr Bradley McManus (another former member of the Michaelhouse Intern Programme) will take up the reins as Intern Coordinator.

11

PRIZE GIVING

During the course of each year, two events are traditionally held to recognise academic endeavour and to celebrate excellence. Prize-Giving, which takes place in the first quarter, acknowledges academic performances by boys during the latter half of the preceding year. Speech Day, now held annually in the Indoor Centre during the fourth quarter, acknowledges academic, cultural and sporting contributions by boys at Michaelhouse.

ADDRESS BY THE RECTOR, MR ANTONY CLARK

16 FEBRUARY, 2022

The academic cake has to be baked in the right circumstances with just the right mix of ingredients: firstly there needs to be academic ambition which is the drive and determination and vision which each individual must have; secondly intellectual curiosity which spurs students to look beyond what is presented to them and to reach into unexplored areas; thirdly the capacity to learn independently, to form judgements which may not be in all subjects the obvious ones; fourthly the wrestle that takes place in the brain between protagonists of different views and, fifthly, the scholarly resilience that determines that a student will return to the material which has not been so successfully assimilated and internalised. If we pop all of that into the Michaelhouse oven at 180⁰ and keep a careful watch on things, we are likely to have a successful outcome. The people watching the cake through the glass of the oven door are, naturally, the staff and I thank them for their commitment and for the extra mile to which they go to educate and inspire all of the boys both in class and after hours. They are involved in an ongoing development programme and learning themselves through workshops, conferences and similar activities. Many of our staff mark the IEB papers and so have an inside track to the thinking of learner development. And they participate, too, in a wide range of other activities. I think few parents are aware of the enormous benefit that lies in having staff who live on the campus as our full-time staff do here at Michaelhouse. Their way of life, like that of the boys, is campus-orientated and what happens here really matters. I wish to thank them warmly on this important occasion and, in particular, acknowledge the great work of our Deputy Rector: Academic, Mrs Win de Wet, and the Senior Academic, Mr Gerry Noel, along with the Heads of Department. The Sir Henry Strakosch Scholarship is held for one year and it is awarded to the top boy in each Block with the best combined mark for academic performance in Mathematics and Science in the previous year. In the E Block the Scholarship is won by Reily Elliot, in the D Block by Dylan Hewlett, in the C Block David du Toit, and in the B Block by Tristan Hoyle. Well done to all of those boys. The John W Hamilton Internal Scholarship is awarded for one year to a boy with the top aggregate in his Block who is not a recipient of another academic scholarship. The winners are the following: in E Block Reily Elliot, in D Block Carlyle Hawkins, in C Block Theo Apteker, and in B Block Peter Woodland. Well done to all of those I have just mentioned. I hope that tonight provides an inspiration to you boys to be what I called at the beginning of this year “realistically ambitious” in your academic and other goals for this year. The all-important message going out to you is to aim to “be the best that you can be”. Nobody can ask more of you, but you would not expect us to ask for anything less than that. Good luck to you all. I now come to the announcement of the Sir Henry Strakosch and the John W Hamilton internal scholarships.

G

ood afternoon to you all, parents, boys and staff and, on this occasion, may I extend a special welcome to Mrs Paula Davis, the mother of our Senior Prefect, who has kindly agreed as our Guest of Honour, to award the prizes today to the boys. Mrs Davis, thank you for giving of your time to come down to grace Michaelhouse today. We hope that you will be here often this year, especially during the rugby season. As everyone knows, our chief purpose today is to encourage and reward those who excelled in the academic realm in 2021 in the current A to D Blocks, and, quite naturally, in doing so we restate our intention which is to develop each boy to the maximum of his potential. This comment is applicable in an overall sense as we believe in holistic education, above all, but today we focus on and celebrate success in an important sphere, that of academia. The commitment to the academic well-being of our boys is the golden thread that runs through Michaelhouse and success does not happen without a certain magic that occurs when staff and boys, boys and staff work together in confluence to maximise that potential of which I spoke earlier. The feeling shared by the boys, along with their teachers that they have done as well as they could have hoped for is the reward that comes from focused and cohesive work together. Looking back on 2021, our matriculation class and their teachers deserve to feel really pleased with their results and there are a number of metrics which can be used to identify excellence. One hundred percent of our boys passed and 100% of the boys achieved a Bachelor’s Degree entry pass. On average, across all subjects, there were 3.1 A symbols per boy and the average mark across all subjects was 75%. Forty one boys achieved an A aggregate, and 38 boys achieved a B Aggregate. Our dux was Alexander Brits who appeared on the IEB Outstanding Achievements List by achieving within the top 5% in six or more subjects as well as a distinction in Life Orientation. His particular strength lay in Mathematics for which he received 97% in both Mathematics and the Advanced Programme Mathematics course. The promixe accessit was our Senior Prefect of 2021, Kwande Dhlomo, who achieved an aggregate of 89.14% including six distinctions with 95% in Economics and Jaden Jordaan was third with an aggregate of 89% and eight distinctions. In eight subjects, boys achieved results in the top 1% in South Africa and so there were many areas in which our boys reached for the stars. In certain subjects the boys achieved at a remarkable level and I cannot go into all of these, but 52.9% of the boys writing Core Mathematics achieved a distinction against the IEB figure of 23.9%. In English there were 29 distinctions; in Drama 80% of those taking the subject achieved an A; in Economics 62.3% of those taking the subject achieved an A against the IEB figure of 26.2%. One could carry on with detail, but the key point is that, in most cases, the boys and staff felt that they had done themselves justice, having improved on their results from the June exams and the September trials.

13

SUBJECT PRIZES

E BLOCK GABRIELLE MASSEY PRIZE Daniel French SUBJECT PRIZES AFRIKAANS First in Subject: Franko Bocking Diligence: Daniel French, Ethan Muir, Michael Pitt, Luke Marks ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES First in Subject: Reily Elliot Diligence: Mark Conway, Ofentse Mdaki, Takudzwa Ngorima, Craig Cribbins, Luke Sidebottom, Matthew Butcher Diligence: Daniel French, Dillon Lahaye, Robert Steyn, Seth Harie, Lerotholi Seeiso, Kholahano Mokutu FRENCH First in Subject: Jacques le Vieux Diligence: Jacques le Vieux HUMAN AND SOCIAL SCIENCES First in Subject: Reily Elliot Diligence: Oliver Bruyns, Keagan Elliott, Lerotholi Seeiso, William Ridl, Luke Macduff, Thabo Mashego INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY First in Subject: Reily Elliot ISIZULU First in Subject: Boitumelo Motsepe Diligence: Simon Bailes, Boitumelo Motsepe MATHEMATICS First in Subject: Mark Conway Diligence: Daniel French, Luke Sidebottom, Seth Harie, Ofentse Mdaki, Phiko Madlanga, Nicholas Baker ENGLISH First in Subject: Reily Elliot

NATURAL SCIENCES First in Subject: Reily Elliot

FRENCH First in Subject: Lucien Baldry Most Improved Mark: Tom Telford Diligence: Elijah Kangueehi HUMAN AND SOCIAL SCIENCES First in Subject: Luke Kaufmann Most Improved Mark: Liam van Aardt Diligence: Lucien Baldry, Matthew Asherson, Maanda Ramabulana, Nelisuzungu Zungu, Gregory Goldby, Lukhanyo Nhlapo INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Diligence: Justin Higginson, Ofentse Mdaki, Takudzwa Ngorima, Seth Harie, Kyle du Plessis, Lukas Lorenzo MERIT CERTIFICATES (Year Mark Aggregate over 80%) Simon Bailes, Franko Bocking, Oliver Bruyns, Matthew Butcher, Mark Conway, Khwezi Dube, Reily Elliot, Daniel French, William Gilson, Seth Harie, Hayden Hewlett, Justin Higginson, Radhesh Jhilmeet, Harry Latter, Lukas Lorenzo, Ross Markham, Luke Marks, Ofentse Mdaki, Andreas Papadopoulos, Michael Pitt, Roelof Rossouw, William Russon, Luke Sidebottom, Tinashe Simelane, Nicholas Smithers Third in Block: Oliver Bruyns Second in Block: Roelof Rossouw First in Block: Reily Elliot D BLOCK GABRIELLE MASSEY PRIZE Seth Segal SUBJECT PRIZES AFRIKAANS First in Subject: Johannes Zietsman Most Improved Mark: Benjamin English Diligence: Patrick Lambert, Cameron Strudwick, William Brothers, Angelo Nkosi ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES First in Subject: Matthew Kennedy Most Improved Mark: Matthew Solms Diligence: Luke Kaufmann, Ntando Mbhele, Ike Githinji, Cival Rugbar, Sanele Mnganga, Jack Hughes ENGLISH First in Subject: Lucien Baldry Most Improved Mark: Ngaakudzweishe Chikarango Diligence: Ruben Visagie, Tshiamo Boikhutso, Angelo Nkosi, Isa Shabalala, Awande Ngcobo, Luke Banfield

First in Subject: Ruben Visagie Most Improved Mark: Matthew Asherson ISIZULU First in Subject: Sinnon Khosa

Most Improved Mark: Sanele Mnganga Diligence: Ayabonga Shivane, Sinnon Khosa

MATHEMATICS First in Subject: Dylan Hewlett

Most Improved Mark: Siyolise Finiza Diligence: Nathan Strachan, Damian Watson, William Brothers, Isa Shabalala, Stephan Macamo, Bongani Ngcobo

NATURAL SCIENCES First in Subject: Dylan Hewlett

Most Improved Mark: Bongani Ngcobo Diligence: Dylan Hewlett, Tshiamo Boikhutso, Angelo Nkosi, Louis Souchon, Johnathan Baber, Ayden McDavid MERIT CERTIFICATES (Year Mark Aggregate over 80%) Johnathan Baber, Lucien Baldry, Tshiamo Boikhutso, Nicholas Fearnhead, Ike Githinji, Carlyle, Hawkins, Dylan Hewlett, Brett Hill, Jack Hughes, Luke Kaufmann, Matthew Kennedy, Sinnon Khosa, Patrick Lambert, Joshua Lebenon, Ross Moller, Katlego Morema, Kian Moses, Anesu Nduru, Angelo Nkosi,

14

Dylan Noach, Anelechi Obasi, Luke Payne, Max Rautenbach, Seth Segal, Ayabonga Shivane, Michael Spencer, Nathan Strachan, Tom Telford, Ruben Visagie, Alex Vries, Damian Watson, Johannes Zietsman, Nelisuzungu Zungu Third in Block: Patrick Lambert Second in Block: Carlyle Hawkins First in Block: Ruben Visagie C BLOCK GABRIELLE MASSEY PRIZE Andrew Woodland SUBJECT PRIZES ACCOUNTING First in Subject: Nicholas Pitt Diligence: Dylan McCoy, Thomas Denny Most Improved Aggregate: Bongani Ngcobo ADVANCED PROGRAMME MATHEMATICS First in Subject: Kofi Asumaning Diligence: Kofi Asumaning, Dylan McCoy AFRIKAANS First in Subject: David du Toit Most Improved Mark: Blake Neale Diligence: Erich van Zyl, Bradley de Klerk, Dylan McCoy, Thomas Lahaye COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY First in Subject: Theo Apteker Diligence: Torin Wright, Andrew Beviss-Challinor, Luke Jankowitz DRAMATIC ARTS First in Subject: Anotida Mashamhanda Diligence: Anotida Mashamhanda ECONOMICS First in Subject: David du Toit, Oliver Walters Diligence: Dylan McCoy, James Gil son, David du Toit, Caleb Vermaak

ENGINEERING GRAPHICS AND DESIGN First in Subject: Dominic Furby, Theo Apteker, Jaden Adam Diligence: Jaden Adam, Erich van Zyl ENGLISH First in Subject: David du Toit Most Improved Mark: Jude Njeru Diligence: David du Toit, Kofi Asumaning, Oliver Armstrong, Bradley de Klerk, Nathan Hoatson, Otsile Maphosa FRENCH First in Subject: Aiden Jinnah Most Improved Mark: Kamogelo de Almedia Diligence: Kamogelo de Almeida GEOGRAPHY First in Subject: Angus Wattam, Oliver Walters Diligence: Caleb Vermaak, James Gilson, Joshua Hoatson HISTORY First in Subject: Muako Maepa Diligence: Muako Maepa, John Yeadon INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY First in Subject: Kofi Asumaning, David du Toit Diligence: Dominic Furby, Erich van Zyl ISIZULU First in Subject: Azipheli Sithole Diligence: Abongile Xulu LIFE ORIENTATION First in Subject: Theo Apteker LIFE SCIENCES First in Subject: Aiden Jinnah Diligence: Robert Butcher, Aiden Jinnah, Samir Dookie MATHEMATICAL LITERACY First in Subject: Jack Williamson Diligence: Caleb Vermaak

MATHEMATICS First in Subject: David du Toit

Most Improved Mark: Glen Chiimba Diligence: David du Toit, Abongile Xulu, Donovan van Staden, Otsile Maphosa, Edrich van Loggerenberg MUSIC First in Subject: Kofi Asumaning, Andrew Woodland, Gqamile Mbuyazi Diligence: Bradley de Klerk, Andrew Woodland, PHYSICAL SCIENCE First in Subject: David du Toit Diligence: Cameron Retzlaff, Thomas Lahaye, Dominic Furby, Sandiso Hlongwa VISUAL ARTS First in Subject: Donovan van Staden Diligence: Aeden Turner, Torin Wright Nicholas Pitt, Donovan van Staden, Oliver Walters, Andrew Woodland Most Improved Aggregate: Blake Neale Third in Block: Aiden Jinnah Second in Block: Kofi Asumaning First in Block: David du Toit B BLOCK GABRIELLE MASSEY PRIZE Reuben Baldry SUBJECT PRIZES ACCOUNTING First in Subject: James Asherson Most Improved Mark: Robert Lawrence Diligence: Robert Lawrence ADVANCED PROGRAMME ENGLISH First in Subject: Xihluke Marhule Diligence: Xihluke Marhule MERIT CERTIFICATES (Year Mark Aggregate over 80%) Theo Apteker, Kofi Asumaning, Jordan Baxter, Andrew Beviss-Challinor, Marc du Plessis, David du Toit, Dominic Furby, Aiden Jinnah, Thomas Lahaye, Dylan McCoy, Ntando Ndhlazi,

16

Diligence: Joshua Hadley-Grave, Ross Rhodes, Jonathan Segar, Khala-Khulu Mashiyi, Kevin Smith MUSIC First in Subject: Peter Woodland Diligence: Tomas Szudrawski, Peter Woodland PHYSICAL SCIENCE First in Subject: Letlotlo Sekatle, Adrian Hill, Tristan Hoyle Most Improved Mark: Khala-Khulu Mashiyi Diligence: Joshua Hadley-Grave, Joshua Heafield, Khala-Khulu Mashiyi, Robert Lawrence VISUAL ARTS First in Subject: Letlotlo Sekatle Most Improved Mark: Leo Baber Diligence: Leo Baber, Tristan Hoyle MERIT CERTIFICATES (Year Mark Aggregate over 80%) James Asherson, Reuben Baldry, Andrew Davis, Matthew de Villiers, Benjamin Frost, Mvelwenhle Guma, Joshua Hadley-Grave, Joshua Heafield, Adrian Hill, Tristan Hoyle, Lekgotla Kebonang, James Kennedy, Xihluke Marhule, Jack Martin, Christopher Masefield, Lusanda Mrasi, Mayenziwe Nene, Skulule Ngejane, David Nienaber, Alejandro Sartini-Kruger, Letlotlo Sekatle, Tomas Szudrawski, Frederick Waller, Peter Woodland Most Improved Aggregate: Kamohelo Rathepe Third in Block: Reuben Baldry Second in Block: Peter Woodland First in Block: Benjamin Frost HOUSE ACADEMIC AWARDS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (FLEISCHER SHIELD): West ACADEMIC EFFORT (RALFE CUP): West

ADVANCED PROGRAMME MATHEMATICS

FRENCH First in Subject: Alban le Vieux Most Improved Mark: Alban le Vieux Diligence: Lekgotla Kebonang GEOGRAPHY First in Subject: Adrian Hill, Joshua Heafield Most Improved Mark: Aidan Wood Diligence: Robert Lawrence, Colm Geraghty, Mitchell Davies-Webb HISTORY First in Subject: Colm Geraghty Most Improved Mark: Bophelo Dipico Diligence: Ayanda Nongauza, Angus Fleming INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY First in Subject: Peter Woodland Most Improved Mark: Skulule Ngejane Diligence: Kabelo Setipa, Joshua Hadley-Grave ISIZULU First in Subject: Andisa Young, Ayabonga Zakwe Most Improved Mark: Skulule Ngejane Diligence: Chenge Gondo, Mvelwenhle Guma LIFE ORIENTATION First in Subject: Lekgotla Kebonang, Adrian Hill Most Improved Mark: Kamohelo Rathepe LIFE SCIENCES First in Subject: Adrian Hill, Joshua Hadley-Grave Most Improved Mark: Kamohelo Rathepe Diligence: Byron Mitchell-Innes, Joshua Hadley-Grave

First in Subject: Peter Woodland Most Improved Mark: Liam Telford Diligence: Lusanda Mrasi, Xihluke Marhule ADVANCED PROGRAMME PHYSICS Diligence: Lusanda Mrasi AFRIKAANS First in Subject: Benjamin Frost, James Kennedy Most Improved Mark: Thomas de Lange Diligence: Peter Woodland, Alejandro Sartini-Kruger, Tristan Hoyle, Robert Lawrence COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY First in Subject: Peter Woodland Most Improved Mark: Alban le Vieux Diligence: Mvelwenhle Guma, Oliver Gauntlett, Peter Woodland DRAMATIC ARTS First in Subject: Letlotlo Sekatle Diligence: Dakalo Nonge ECONOMICS First in Subject: Benjamin Frost Most Improved Mark: Mitchell Davies Webb Diligence: Dakalo Nonge, Skulule Ngejane, Kabelo Setipa, Liam Brander First in Subject: Benjamin Turner Most Improved Mark: Lusanda Mrasi Diligence: Lusanda Mrasi ENGLISH First in Subject: Joshua Hadley-Grave Most Improved Mark: Neo Sodi Diligence: Joshua Hadley-Grave, Lusanda Mrasi, Noah Bedingham, Duncan Davies-Webb, Michael Vincent, Khala-Khulu Mashiyi ENGINEERING GRAPHICS AND DESIGN

MATHEMATICAL LITERACY First in Subject: Jack Shooter Diligence: Carter Karan

MATHEMATICS First in Subject: Tristan Hoyle Most Improved Mark: Thomas de Lange

17

SPEECH DAY

ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR ANDREW SCHAEFER

14 OCTOBER 2022

the press from Sean Lumley who is the current Vice-President of the Old Boys’ Club, I am advised that there are currently 6,750 living Michaelhouse Old Boys spread literally all over the world. OM+ has been implemented over the last year as a powerful online portal to connect Michaelhouse Old Boys globally, and to facilitate connections in many powerful ways which represent significant opportunities for you. There are currently 2,200 registered OM+ members which constitutes one in three living Old Boys; this number is growing all the time and the vision is to have at least half of living Old Boys as registered and engaged members. Of these, over 40% have indicated they are ready and willing to mentor Michaelhouse Old Boys; almost 50% have offered to make employment and business introductions to their personal and professional networks, 34% would be very interested to be in business with a Michaelhouse Old Boy and 314 or 14% of Old Boys, would be interested to invest in a business or venture established by a Michaelhouse Old Boy. This growing and impressive engagement amongst Michaelhouse Old Boy speaks to a loyal, very committed and enabling Old Boy network which you should not hesitate to make use of through OM+ when a need or opportunity arises. In practice this means that when you are looking to chat to a professional in a career you are considering or following, find a nearby Old Boy in the role concerned to chat to. This is easily and quickly done on OM+. If you are looking for a first or second job or just a new position, try OM+ and the Old Boy network as one of your recruiting channels. Potentially an investor in an entrepreneurial venture that you may be involved with and wanting to scale can be found on OM+ amongst Old Boys who have flagged this criterion as relevant to them. Don’t be shy or hesitate to leverage the value of the Old Boy network and equally, pay forward your benefits or potential benefits, by assisting other Michaelhouse Old Boys in the very same manner. This is very much the culture and standard practice we should all promote across the Old Boys’ Club. It is reassuring to know that an approach to a Michaelhouse Old Boy potentially through OM+ should achieve a warm and receptive welcome and some effort to assist where practical. At the very least it will be interesting to share memories and stories which generally unearth surprising commonality. The Old Boys’ Club has huge plans and in fact has changed its business model to launch two new businesses in the form of Meadows Clothing and JC Todd’s Pizzeria to increase revenue for the Old Boys’ Club to support an increased staff complement which will support and facilitate the broader vision and plans of the Old Boys. I urge you all to register on OM+, stay engaged, attend nearby Old Boy functions and try to attend your year Gaudies when you can. I can certainly attest to the Old Boy events I have attended as hugely enjoyable and an important way to stay in touch with very good friends made at Michaelhouse.

G

ood afternoon ladies and gentleman; my name is Andrew Schaefer. I would like to extend a special greeting and thanks today, to a very distinguished Michaelhouse Old Boy, Andrew Robertson, for attending Speech Day today as our guest speaker and for his significant effort for being here today. I am also mindful that today is all about the Michaelhouse matriculants of 2022 and to celebrate your achievements and careers this year. We are here today to participate in a significant milestone in your lives and personal journeys as your secondary schooling draws to a close, and hence I hope the proceedings today will be especially meaningful and memorable. If not, I understand there will be a recording to refer to in the years ahead, when memories may have refined and matured. It is also a particular privilege that we can attend altogether in person in this venue for Speech Day, which has certainly not been the norm over the years of Covid restrictions and which cannot therefore be taken for granted. Let me begin with a few disclaimers as relevant context. Firstly, it has been 34 years since I addressed a Speech Day at Michaelhouse and on that occasion, I was completing my years at Michaelhouse in post matric, and the venue of Speech Day was in the amphitheatre. A very long time ago I know and therefore there is some risk that I may be a little rusty. Secondly, I am proudly Farfield, which was also a point last year’s guest speaker raised. Thirdly, I am four months into the role of Board Chairman which hopefully will provide some poetic license for my brief board report I hope to share today. We have a very busy programme this afternoon, so I am under strict instructions to complete within ten minutes to make sure that we are all fresh and alert for the events to follow throughout the programme this afternoon. Men of Michaelhouse – congratulations to all those who will be receiving awards and prizes today and to the A Block of 2022 for approaching the end of your years at Michaelhouse. Yours has been a school career disrupted in many ways by the Covid pandemic, but as with life there have been many benefits and lessons learnt from the changes, hardships and disappointments which will stand you in good stead in the years ahead. I am certain that there has been substantial effort, grit and perseverance which has gone into your outstanding achievements which are being recognised, celebrated and applauded today. Take time to reflect and celebrate on your successes and what it has taken to achieve these; these attributes will almost certainly stand you in good stead ahead, if you can maintain and develop these as habits. I am also very conscious that there will be many here today that have met and exceeded their own objectives and personal bests, and on these achievements, you can equally be very proud indeed. You will shortly become fully fledged Old Boys of Michaelhouse and it is so important to emphasise that there are lifelong benefits ahead by remaining actively engaged with the Michaelhouse Old Boys’ Club which has been positioned and is steadily developing as a value adding Club for Life. Hot off

ON TO SOME RELEVANT BOARD RELATED FEEDBACK

The Board is developing a Building and Grounds masterplan and Generational Plan for Michaelhouse with the time horizon

19