22 May 2015
The big day dawned fair and mild with a light breeze stirring the air. The programme kicked off with the Class of 1955, some of them and their wives and partners, gathered at the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion between 08.00 and 09.00, from whence the school mini-bus ferried them in relays to the Solomon House front lawn.
There they received their name tags and had their first opportunity to greet one another. Recognition at first sight was as usual quite a challenge as physical change over the course of ten years and in some cases even more, can be quite dramatic. Fortunately the previously-mentioned name tags with bold print saved the day and soon thereafter conversation flowed effortlessly.
The first event of the day was an informal welcome by the master of ceremonies, Darryll Verwayen and an amusing briefing by the headmaster, Mr Tony Reeler, all of which was given on the Solomon House lawn. This was followed by a tour and leisurely stroll which the headmaster led down Main Drive to “Loch Armstrong” and then to the rugby and cricket fields. On the way he pointed out interesting topographical features and commented on the importance which the school placed on the preservation of the environment and its birds and wildlife.
A leisurely climb led us past the swimming pool where Terry Collard and his hose pipe were fondly recalled and Joe Leps, apropos, recounted an amusing story involving the infamous red rubber hose pipe with a kink in the middle. Joe had come all the way from London with his charming wife Avrille, to be with us.
Those who could not manage the walk were given the option to be taken on a tour of the excellent school museum and the school buildings, or alternatively the boarding houses with school perfects as their guides..
A highlight of the day was undoubtedly the presence of Danny Swart in our midst whom as we all know was the model for the Battiss statue on the top of the cupola.
Word got around and spread like a wildfire amongst the boys and soon Danny was swamped with a huge demand for photographs, “selfies” and autographs, which he generously agreed to. He looked very dapper with his grey beard, brown felt hat and smart attire, and not in the least like the boy on the top of the school dome! It was suggested that perhaps he should remove his attire, to which he politely declined.
The walk-about was followed by an excellent tea and eats at 11.00 in the Solomon House trophy hall, where the schools media centre had mounted an impressive display of school photographs dating back to 1955 and to the Reunions of Forty and Fifty years on.
Thereafter the open air School Assembly was held in front of the main building at 12.00. What was most impressive of the Assembly was the sudden and complete silence that descended on the gathering immediately as the headmaster and his guests appeared from the main entrance. Another sign of the discipline instilled in the boys by the prefects and staff.
he headmaster then dealt with school matters, sports results and awards and welcomed the Class of 1955. Rev (Dr.) John Tooke was then introduced and invited by the headmaster to take the podium for his address to the boys. John delivered a very deep and stirring address from which every boy could take home a profound message on human attitudinal behaviour, loyalty and resilience in the face of adversity.
This was followed by the school pipe band playing Highland Cathedral and a medley of traditional highland pieces. The singing of the Hymn “Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer” rekindled many memories. The Bible lesson was read by Peter Smith and finally the School song was sung – and I know that many a silent tear was shed. Mine was one of them.
For once these words hit home. Many of our class were no longer with us and sadly I think we all knew that it was very unlikely that we would ever meet again under similar circumstances and that the familiar refrain heralded the end of an era.
“Sixty years on, growing older and older.
Shorter in wind, as in memory long.
Feeble of foot, and rheumatic of shoulder
What will it help you if once you were strong?”
After the singing of the School Song group photographs were taken by stalwart Inge and then we all gravitated to the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion for drinks and lunch. On request the school provided a selection of attractive school supporter memorabilia which were displayed on tables adjacent to the dining tables and sold by one of the school mums who volunteered for the duty.
The school did us proud, led by the caterer Steffani Kruger and her helpers, who were dedicated to making the day a memorable one for us all. The tables were very attractively decorated in the school colours and with flower arrangements that toned in perfectly. Above all an excellent menu of appetising food was provided and those who had special dietary requirements were also looked after.
It was here that Darryll came into his own as master of ceremonies and acquitted himself very well indeed. Short speeches were made between the starter and the main course and then between the main and dessert. Tony Reeler once again had an opportunity to address then gathering where he emphasised the diversity that exists at the school but that all of this integrates extremely well within the school fabric where everyone is treated in the same way.
Expressing one’s thoughts on a 60th Reunion is easier said than done, given the many emotions that bombard one’s senses during the course of the day. Suffice to say that nostalgia at meeting old school friends and exploring old haunts assails one throughout the day’s proceedings. Pride wells up at every turn at what a wonderful educational institution Pretoria Boys High has continued to be. Finally, thankfulness at having had the opportunity to have been a part of what is most certainly the “best of the best” boys’ high schools to be found anywhere in the world – and it just keeps on getting better!
That said I have to pay tribute to our organising committee chairman Brian Stewart, for his unflagging dedication to the School and for accepting the challenge of organising the Reunion. He has not only been an inspiration to Darryll Verwayen and me, but has been a friend of ours of many years standing. Suffice to say that this has not prevented him from being a hard task master, not only with respect to the job at hand, but also on himself. We have enjoyed working with him immensely and had lots of fun in the process.
The Reunion has been the culmination of a year’s work in trying to find Old Boys of our year who are still untraceable. This has been one of the most difficult things to do as many of our number have moved overseas and have not renewed their contact details. Repeated telephone calls have either not been answered, or have been answered by unknown persons in the US, Canada the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Many of these missing members were untraceable for the fiftieth reunion and have remained so for the sixtieth. It must therefore be presumed that they have either passed on or do not wish to be traced. There are a few local Old Boys in this category as well. Given that this is the very last reunion to be held, this task will no longer be pursued. Sadly, we know of at least forty two class members who have passed on over the years, thinning our numbers considerably.
Unreserved tribute has to be paid to the headmaster and staff of the School as well as to the Old Boys’ Association for their unflagging assistance in helping us to cobble this final Reunion together. Mr Clyde MacDonald, the deputy headmaster, gave us his full support in arranging the luncheon venue and bar facilities at the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion, as well as facilitating contact with the school’s media coordinator, the caterer and the clothing store’s memorabilia manager. His support and sound advice has been unflagging.
The efficient secretary and PRO of the Old Boys’ Association, Mrs. Inge Paulsen-Liddle, was a stalwart supporter of the Reunion and provided us with invaluable administrative guidance. She was also responsible for producing the attractive menus, printed name tags and photographic services on the day, as well as introducing us to key members of the school staff. The School’s pamphlet standardising the proceedings for the various reunions has also been an invaluable guide to us as organisers. With a team like that in full support of our efforts it was relatively easy to put the final touches to a very memorable day. We were most grateful to all of them, as well as to the many unsung members of staff who rendered support behind the scenes. We offer all of them our heartfelt thanks.
The headmaster Mr Tony Reeler made an impression on all of us as a very affable and efficient person and one who is totally dedicated to the school. He stated the importance of inculcating the principles of discipline, respect and good manners in the boys, which he emphasized were absolutely non-negotiable. Observing the orderliness, neat uniforms and politeness of the boys, impressed on us that the School was on the right track, with Tony’s hand firmly on the helm. “Boys High!”
– Trevor Beddy 1955 (TOW)
