The Chronicle 2022

up to 2046 when Michaelhouse will be celebrating its 150-year anniversary. Medium to long term planning is very much within the scope of the Board’s responsibility. You will have been advised that the construction of the new Tatham has been approved and will be mobilising this year before the December holidays. New Tatham which will take approximately the full duration of 2023 to construct will provide the best logistical solution for the older Houses in need of renovation to be undertaken, with the boys from the Houses concerned rotating through the new Tatham considering that the expected renovations will take more than a single holiday to complete. At this stage Pascoe and then Farfield will be the first House renovations tackled after Tatham has been completed with the others to follow. I am really hoping that up to two House renovations can be completed per year. The Makan Innovation Centre is due to be completed at the end of the year and will be formally opened by the Makan family in around April 2023. This exciting new building with lots of light and a double volume atrium positioned in the heart of the school, will provide a catalyst for innovations with the curriculum and learning, and will be central to ensuring that a Michaelhouse education remains globally relevant in the age of digital innovation leading to substantial changes in the workplace and with traditional career choices. Michaelhouse is on board with the global environmental sustainability imperative. A significant solar installation is currently underway above us with further phases planned on the successful completion of this installation currently underway. Energy and water efficiency, recycling, a worm farm and a number of significant environmental projects are all underway together with direct involvement by Michaelhouse boys for their hairman, distinguished guests, parents, staff, Men of Michaelhouse. Good afternoon to you all on this special day in the life of Michaelhouse, our 2022 Speech Day, a day on which we pause to reflect on some aspects of the past and to consider some aspects of the future. But this day, in the Michaelhouse context, is traditionally one on which we celebrate with our leavers, their special achievements, rather than reflect on the year as a whole as the ups and downs of each week have already been regularly relayed to you in the eNews, on our website and on social media. With this in mind I have tried to keep my address to 14 minutes and I hope that you might just be able to concentrate for that long. Leading our boys this year we have had a truly remarkable Head Prefect, Andrew Davis, whose ebullience on the rugby field, the head down and go attitude, has been matched by his integrity, desire to serve and intention to improve where improvement has been needed. Fearless, prepared to deal with difficult issues, a people person and loyal, Andrew has served Michaelhouse with distinction. He has been well supported by Lucky Mabuza as his C

learning and exposure.

Transformation remains squarely on the Board’s radar as a priority. The Advisory Transformation Committee ably chaired by Deputy Rector Sibs Ncamani meets twice a term with wide representation including from A to D Block. This forum provides a pivotal platform of exposure and learning for the boys directly involved, as well as to the whole school by virtue of theme-based feedback and guest speakers. The Board will be establishing a dedicated Transformation Subcommittee of the Board to meet quarterly to provide support, guidance, priority and continuity for progressive transformation efforts. The Michaelhouse Community Partnership Trust with which I have been closely involved for the last five years is an important service and transformation team which partners with 16 local schools from Lions River to Mooi River, helping to improve infrastructure, teaching effectiveness and school management with a variety of donor funded targeted projects. A memorandum of understanding has been signed a few months ago with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Basic Education to create a platform for positive engagement and collaboration and to achieve alignment and endorsement with the work being done. Respecting my ten-minute limit (or nearly), I would like to close with thanks and appreciation to Michaelhouse’s outstanding Rector Antony Clark in whom the Board has significant confidence, the Exco leadership team, the academic and ground staff whose tireless efforts and dedication are exceptional and central to where Michaelhouse is positioned today. We are certainly not complacent and the focus on continuous improvement and long-term sustainability is top of mind for us all. deputy and Head of East; Lucky has been to the fore in many areas such as basketball too. Now you will realise that I have to be eclectic in mentioning boys as I cannot applaud nearly 120 other matriculants at this length or even half or even a quarter of them if I am to stick to my 14 minutes. But there are some boys whose activities give a rounded picture of some of the high points of the school year: Letlotlo Sekatle and Ayanda Nongauza have been recent recipients of Music Honours with the clarity of Ayanda’s voice being something any lover of music would remember. Max Chapman has led the Competition Marimba Band with inspiration and perspiration to the number one spot in KwaZulu-Natal and Mayenziwe Nene was also a huge influence in the success of this band. Tristan Hoyle has been a keen member of the orchestra. Peter Woodland has been an excellent Head of House, a very strong academic and a gifted musician whether on sax or trumpet. Another School Prefect who has made a great impact on the school is Rupert Hechter who had a memorable flight by helicopter from Meadows after breaking his jaw in a rugby match. It was particularly pleasing

ADDRESS BY THE RECTOR, MR ANTONY CLARK

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