The Chronicle 2022

Housemaster’s accommodation adjacent to that of the boys in all of our Houses and also because of the need to upgrade five other boarding Houses in a way which precludes our having prefab buildings marring the beauty of the campus over a five year period. We look forward to a start on the Tatham project in January 2023. It is due to be completed by December next year. I return, at this juncture, to our matriculants who we would wish to be working as hard as possible in order to be the best that they can be in this vital final phase of their schooling. Academic success is naturally important, but it is also quite obviously only one aspect of what we consider vital in shaping a significant man. A commitment to the scales of justice on every boys’ badge represents one part of what we hope you will take away from Michaelhouse: doing the right thing rather than what is expedient will define the character within you that will continue to evolve. We have tried to lead you to understand the value of service above privilege, kindness and empathy above position. We cannot claim that ambition as been wholly fulfilled, but we do consider that the principles contained in the Michaelhouse Code which you know well will continue to shape your lives as you move further into manhood. You and we have a proud

heritage and, because we are a boarding school, you will have a keener understanding of people and stronger bonds between you than if you had not had the privilege of a Michaelhouse education. So the simple message today is to build on your Christian and Anglican heritage and to use the advantages you have had to the best effect and, as many have done before you, strive to make an impact on humankind. Finally, may I express gratitude both to the outgoing chairman, Anthony Hewat, and the new chairman Andrew Schafer, and others who are key to Michaelhouse for their support and encouragement through the vicissitudes of 2022. It is actually quite a challenging role being a Rector in this country, in this era, and I am also grateful to my ExCo, Brendan Gittins, Sibusiso Ncamani, Win de Wet, Chris Meyer and Joni Warburton, our Financial Director, for their support. My 14 minutes is now up and I haven’t made the mother of the Head Boy cry, and I am looking forward to the words of wisdom of an Old Boy, Andrew Robertson, who has made a profound impact in the world of marketing. Good luck to our matriculants and thank you to all who have made 2022 a memorable year. a very different take on how school life can be, we can only applaud the way the Red Brick Fortress responded to the enormous challenge. The silver lining for the class of 22, was managing to get the infamous C Block journey in, and what an amazing learning experience that was. B Block – The challenge of Covid continued, certainly fine tuned by that stage but the silver lining for most and selfishly me, the sounds of Meadows in autumn and winter in full swing was music to our ears! A Block – Back to life as we knew it, back in class, concerts, plays, sport, building construction, sound of lawnmowers, beef stews, and a classy matric dance! With that short summation, well lets face it, it has certainly gone past in the blink of an eye.

ADDRESS BY THE SENIOR PREFECT, ANDREW DAVIS

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ood afternoon to the Rector, Mr Clark, Chairman of the Board, Mr Schaefer, members of the board, our guest of honour Mr Robinson, attending staff members, parents, members of the Michaelhouse Community, and men of Michaelhouse.

My name is Andrew Davis, the Senior Prefect for 2022.

And it is with great honour that I address you this afternoon and again welcome you to the Michaelhouse Speech Day of 2022. I stand before you today as a proud Michaelhouse boy, representing the thousands before me who have proudly worn their No1s with the red and white badge on their heart steeped in 126 years of tradition; encompassing strong values of compassion, integrity, humility, courage, and service but most importantly sharing an undying passion for their school. Throughout my tenure I have considered myself extremely lucky and privileged to have experienced the passion, the spirit and the values that are shared amongst each and every boy, Old Boy, parent and staff member of the Red Brick Fortress.

With that all in mind, I have termed the theme of my address to you today as my take on the spirit of Michaelhouse.

What comes to mind when you think of the spirit of Michaelhouse?

For the class of 2022 it has been a fascinating journey.

The dictionary definition of school spirit is “The feeling of being proud and enthusiastic about the school that you go to.” As basic as that sounds, it is the most popular answer students come up with when asked.

Starting as Cacks, coming in unsure, wide eyed and ready to take on the challenges that Balgowan High would throw at us. In D Block as James Armstrong aptly termed us – unmanaged Cacks!

I would like to touch on some points that I believe add to, enhance and solidify the spirit of this proud school.

In C Block – Covid – No need to say much more other than

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