The Chronicle 2022

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,

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