FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

FIRST AID SOCIETY

Staff Members in Charge: Mrs Alida Smith Chairman: Ayden McDavid Vice-Chairman: Craig Cribbins Junior Co-ordinator: Remofilwe Khoale

consists of shadows, medics and senior medics. It has been specifically set up to create a culture of learning, respect and discipline. Shadows are boys who are yet to complete their first-aid levels and don’t have much experience. They shadow the more senior members, observing the games to watch out for injuries, alerting them if an injury occurs and fetching equipment. They also assist in packing the first-aid bags and setting up the first-aid stations on derby days. The medics are boys who have completed their level 1 and level 2 first-aid courses. They assist the paramedics on derby days and practically apply the skills they have learned. The senior medics are boys who have completed at least one season of first-aid duties as well as their level 3 course. The committee members, who are the beating heart of our proud society, are also senior medics. We managed to train 15 new medics this year.

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he First Aid Society at Michaelhouse is a service society, and is thus an integral part of the school community. In 2024 its membership grew to nearly 50 boys, who are required to spend hours next to the basketball courts, swimming pool or rugby and soccer fields every Saturday. I am always amazed by the dedication with which they do this sometimes scary but mostly tedious job. However, I’m incredibly proud to see how professional and calm they are when tragedy strikes, as they often deal with situations that would cause most adults to panic. The society’s hierarchy

FLY FISHING AND TROUT CLUB

Staff Member in Charge: Mr Righardt Kotze Chairman: Henry Walters

from setting up their rods and casting a few lines at Belmont Dam.

The following days passed all too quickly, filled with great jokes and intense fishing, where the elusive “one that got away” became a common tale. Some trophy fish were successfully caught, and gleeful snapshots were taken as proof of these memorable catches. The trip was a huge success thanks to Murray and Bimpy Cathcart and their amazing hospitality, for which we are eternally grateful. In 2025 the 70th EG Trout Club trip is going to be one for the records. KZNFFA Fifty anglers from around South Africa came together to form ten teams for the SA Junior National Fly Fishing Championships. The highly competitive annual event took place in Barkly East just two days after a big snowfall that covered the Drakensberg. Due to this the water levels were higher than usual and made the rivers murky. It was not uncommon that an angler would come off one of their five gruellingly tough and cold three hour sessions without catching a fish. Nevertheless, the KZN A team, which included Sean Robinson (A Block, Ralfe) and Henry Walters (B Block, Tatham), pushed through to win the tournament – and the team gold medal – with Sean finishing 18th and Henry 20th overall. Henry also won the prize for the largest trout at the championship.

AWARDS Colours: Sean Robinson, Henry Walters Gold medal, SA junior champs: Sean Robinson, Henry Walters ishing this year was very hard because fish numbers were down, but the ones that were caught were big. To go and fish for a day but catch nothing makes it very unappealing for novice boys. However, the stocking of Alex Dam allowed boys to get on the water in the afternoons and over the weekend (free bounds). The fish are thriving, and it is in every sense a trophy dam, with the odd brown trout and a big rainbow if you have the patience and skill. We remain indebted to the many friends of Michaelhouse, who so kindly give us access to their lovely waters. Without their generosity, there would be no club. EAST GRIQUALAND TRIP (TROUT CLUB) The weather looked promising this year, and the 69th annual EG Trout Club trip was shaping up to be a memorable one for the officers and men. Although the en masse Inhlosane hike caused some early departures to be delayed, everyone arrived safely at the cottage. Despite tired and weary legs after the gruelling 52km hike, a few hours of driving did not deter the keen and enthusiastic F

Such lucky young men. - Mk Duma, via Facebook

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