The 2025 Chronicle

placing in the top ten academically. M Grant capped off a superb year with a top-five academic ranking and an invitation to the ac ademic tour. Altogether, the achievements of these boys reflect the depth, talent and dedication that defined D Block East’s year. Our C Blockers had their moments of harmless mischief, as growing boys often do. Yet beneath that was clear evidence of growth, humility and pride. These once-tentative juniors are now beginning to step into leadership roles, and it was a privilege to watch them develop into the young men we know they can be. • William Aylward: U16A hockey captain and KZN U16A hockey. • Simphiwe Poopedi: U16B football and Second Marimba Band. • Esethu Sithole: U16B basketball and rugby 7s bowl winner. • Ethan Makamure: U16A football, KZN Midlands football and U16B basketball captain. • Nathan Simons: U16A and seconds cricket, U16A/B soccer. • Banembo Mkhize: U16A rugby and thirds 7s. • Riley Muir: U16A rugby and first-team cricket. • Connor Wilson: second-team water polo, U16A hockey, SA debating and public speaking. • Nivan Royyapen: first in KZN in the National Debating League. The boys in B Block consistently embraced the spirit of East, playing a key role in guiding the House to success. I wish them good luck with their leadership journey in 2026. There were some standout accomplishments. • Nicola Salamousas: First XV rugby, U17 Afgri Week rugby (champions), Academy Week rugby, SA Rugby U17. • Henry Love: Second XI cricket, first-team tennis, First XI hockey. • Ross Ferguson: first-team water polo. • Victor North: first-team 7s, first- and second-team cricket. • Tyron Kaufmann: Competition Marimba Band, First XI soccer (FA Cup win), second-term top ten academics, second-team basketball, Toastmasters. • Oliver Vickery: first-team 7s, first and second-team rugby. My brothers in A Block have been incredibly supportive and have contributed greatly to our collective strength and to our accomplishments. Our grade included: the captain of cricket, Ethan Muir; the captain of soccer, Jason Brufau; the captain of hockey and tennis, William Gilson; and the vice-captain of rugby, Dominic Sesink Clee. The red and white of Michaelhouse runs in my veins but it is the maroon of East that is etched on my heart. SALVETE: Finn Aylward, Likhonkcolomzi Filtane, Cole Hooker, Tagara Hove, Leo Kiprios, Thomas Luscombe, Bandile Mahaye, An drew McMurray, Philasande Mkhize, Leuta Phakoa, Mholi Phi li, Brett Roberts, Harry Strachan, James Witherspoon VALETE: Nicholas Baker, Noah Bates, Matthew Butcher, Reily Elliot, Christopher Gilson, William Gilson, Christopher Grout, Cole Karan, Ethan Muir, Michael Pitt, Jean-Luc Rey, Dominic Sesink Clee, Harry Vickery, Adrian von Klemperer, Jason Brufau Galvin

cornerstone of the Michaelhouse community. Year after year, the House excels across academic, cultural and sporting fields, all while remaining true to the values that shape us – unity, brotherhood and a lasting spirit of camaraderie. Many East boys come to Michaelhouse with long-standing family ties, and this generational heritage is felt most strongly within our House. This ongoing connection is at the heart of East’s iden tity – a House grounded not only in accomplishment but in the enduring relationships that bind its members across the years. As 2025 began, we were delighted to bring a new group of E Block boys into the East community. Moving from junior school into high school is a meaningful step, bringing new expecta tions and plenty of change. Watching this group tackle each challenge with energy and determination has been genuinely rewarding. Despite the inevitable ups and downs of their first year, they have already matured into polite, grounded young East men who value friendship, connection and the sense of belonging that defines our House. The Cack/Cop system – so central to life at Michaelhouse – once again played a crucial role in this transition. Our senior boys of fered steady support and guidance, ensuring the newcomers felt settled and understood the rhythms of House life. The rela tionships formed during these early months lay the foundation for the lasting friendships and memories that will accompany them throughout their school journey. As they found their feet, it was wonderful to see the youngest boys gradually push them selves beyond the familiar and becoming part of the East family. The growth we witness in these first months is always remark able; confidence and maturity emerge quickly, shaped by both the boys’ character and the traditions that support them. They represented themselves well in many fields, with Phila Mkhize playing U15A basketball and soccer while also being selected for a Serbia and Dubai basketball tour. Brett Roberts played U15A tennis and U14A hockey. He also did well in the classroom by finishing seventh in the grade. Bandile Mahaye played U14A rugby and water polo, and made the KZN B water polo team. He was exceptional in the pool, making KZN and South African (zone 4) swimming. Leo Kiprios played U14A soc cer, and Finn Aylwood played U14A cricket and hockey. Finn also made the KZN hockey team. Our D Block boys, too, faced an important and formative year. Choosing subjects for matric is never a simple task and we hope they continue to choose paths that excite them while preparing them well for what lies ahead. Their strong performance across academics, sport and culture reflect both their enthusiasm and their willingness to give their best in all they do. J Campbell led the way with selection for an academic tour and a standout sporting year as U15A cricket captain, while also representing the school in U15A tennis, U16A hockey, first-team golf, U15B KZN tennis, U15 KZN cricket, and U19A KZN golf. K Ngidi contributed im pressively across multiple codes, featuring in U15A basketball, soccer and rugby, as well as earning selection for U15B KZN basketball. M Phili continued to shine as a remarkable all-round athlete, representing the U15A rugby team, the U15 Sharks, and achieving both KZN and SA sprinting honours. M Elliot represent ed the House with pride in the U15A water polo side, while L Nene made valuable contributions to U16A hockey and the U16 KZN C team. E McMurray added strength to U15A soccer, and J Moodley excelled in first-team squash and KZN squash. K Royap pen balanced academics and sport with distinction, being invit ed on the academic tour, contributing to first-team squash, and

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