The 2023 Chronicle

GROUNDS AND SURROUNDS With unprecedented summer storms and the ongoing need for maintenance on a large campus, there were a few major estate- based upgrades during 2023. Major staff housing renovations and conversions of older buildings to create better use of space for housing, along with the delivery of mini-UPSes to staff houses, were the start of these projects. An upgraded transformer by the Indoor Centre, replacing the roof in the laundry, upgrading the bathrooms at Entokozweni and fixing the electrical reticulation of overhead lines were even more important items to check off during the year. The projects listed above are the ones we highlight but are certainly not the only ones undertaken. The need for maintenance, upkeep and upgrading in the buildings, estates, gardens and grounds never ends. We have a hard-working team in each of these departments who, headed by our competent Operations Manager, make these incredible, world-class grounds an absolute pleasure to work at and – for most – live on. Our thanks go out to the parents who pay their fees, the donors who give generously and the Old Boys who make Michaelhouse the wonderfully inviting place that it is. To all the staff involved with maintaining the grounds and buildings – from the people with soil under their fingernails to the ones administering and crunching numbers to make it possible – we thank you.

Environmental Committee, Mr Gordon Bruins.

It is not alone that we achieve greatness, it is a team that makes greatness possible. As we strip bare the inside of Pascoe, which is the House being renovated during 2024, we also look forward to more environmentally sustainable methods of energy generation through major solar installations and the continuation of the modernization of the campus. NATURE RESERVE The Michaelhouse Nature Reserve continues to be a popular attraction for the boys and staff. There has been a significant increase in bookings for the use of the Mvuleni Lapa. It has been encouraging to see more boys using the reserve over weekends for trail running, fishing and hiking. Discussions have been initiated over the upgrading of some of the Lapa facilities. Drinking water, electricity supply and toilet upgrades have all been tabled for discussion. ONGOING MAINTENANCE: • Mowing of grass roads and campsites. • Cleaning of main indigenous forest hiking trail. • Perimeter fencing. • Lapa facilities – toilets, storerooms and firewood and braai area. • Alien invasive plant clearing and management. • Nguni herd and veld management.

Lastly, we thank the Chairman of the Buildings, Grounds and

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