18 May 2018
The morning of 18th May 2018 dawned with a clear blue sky, but a very chilly easterly breeze reminded us that winter had arrived and lead to thoughts that any self respecting pensioner wouldn’t out of choice venture into this environment if it weren’t for a really worthy cause. But this cause, being the celebration of the Class of 1958’s Diamond Jubilee – 60 years on – made the sacrifice worthwhile.
From 08H00 on that chilly morning a group of 30 Old boys and 11 wives gathered at the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion from whence the school provided a shuttle bus to transport them to the lawn in front of Solomon house.
Here they received their nametags and over a warming cup of tea or coffee had an opportunity to meet and greet their old classmates. At 09h00 precisely the Headmaster, Mr Tony Reeler welcomed us from the steps of Solomon House and gave us an outline of the programme for the day.
Considering the various physical capabilities of the group we were given the option of a leisurely walking tour of the school grounds which Mr Reeler led down Main Drive, along Jacaranda Drive past Loch Armstrong, sports fields, the central dining room the swimming pool and the heated water polo pool before returning to the school up Polly Shorts. Their tour ended with a visit to the School Museum. The group were hugely impressed by the development of the school grounds and sporting facilities.
Those who felt they could not manage the walk went on a tour, which included the School Museum and the very impressive “Bill Schroder Centre” which encompasses the schools media centre, library and Music Department.
Both groups then met in the Library for tea and eats at 11h00. Here there was time for some fellowship, viewing of a display of photographs, including class and team photographs, casual photographs of several schoolmasters and two group photographs from the 1958 Matric Dance and reminiscing about our schooldays.
We were requested to take our seats, in the gallery of the magnificent new hall, by 11h55 as Assembly starts at 12 noon sharp.
The boys sang the school song “Tis here we learn to live” after which the headmaster dealt with school matters, the previous weeks sports results, details of the weekends sporting fixtures and welcomed the Class of 1958 to their 60 Year Reunion. In his opening remarks of his address to the school Mr Reeler made a very thought provoking statement that some of the boys seated there that day may in 2078 be seated where we were now, attending their own 60 year reunion. 2078 seems to be so far in the future and yet the sixty years since we were at school seem to have passed so swiftly.
After the headmaster’s address the School Orchestra and cast of the current school production of “The Pirates of Penzance” entertained us. Two extracts from the operetta were performed – “I am The Model of a Modern Major General” and “A Policeman’s Lot is not a Happy One”. Both very competently performed and indicative of the high standard achieved by the school’s music department.
The headmaster then introduced our Head Prefect of 1958, Tony Murray, to address the assembly.
The following is an extract from his address:
“The School has over more than 100 years developed a very special personality which makes it unique.
It has built up traditions and values, which are really at the heart of a liberal education.
The school has believed in encouraging the development of all-rounders, rather than making a fetish of examination results or sporting achievements. It has given every opportunity for the development of the individual, but it has never felt that the interests of the individual should be put before the interests of the team. As John Smit, Head Prefect in 1996 and former South African rugby captain, so aptly put it in a Founder’s address to the School in 2017, the School gives boys “the best chance to be the best version of themselves”
The school has not set out to produce prototypes and there has always been room for the “characters”, both boy or master. Twenty per cent of the boys at the School may be prefects or excel at some activity, while 80% are common folk. Boys High creates the vital sense of belonging for both groups”.
The values which have made the School what it is are not values that have been contrived in order to meet particular circumstances. They are eternal values which ensure that equity and decency will prevail. These include, honour, humility, integrity, loyalty, mutual respect, dependability, responsibility, and tolerance. Also the ability to engage in healthy robust debate, and to appreciate a different point of view. In order to do this, one has to have developed the difficult task of listening. Desmond Abernethy headmaster from 1956 to 1973 frequently stated, “that a man with knowledge speaks, while one with wisdom listens”. Finally in terms of values it is important to approve what is worthy of approval and to condemn fearlessly that which deserves to be condemned.
This was followed by the singing of the Hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past”. The Scripture reading was done by Dudley Aylward and finally “Forty Years On” was sung. The words of the song really hit home under these circumstances and the familiar refrain heralded the end of an era with many a moist eye or silent tear shed by our group.
After assembly we gathered in front of the school building where a group photograph was taken and then we made our way down to the Sommerville Pavilion for lunch.
The duty of Master of Ceremonies at the lunch fell on Neville Holmes who acquitted himself very well indeed. He introduced our special guests for the day, Mr and Mrs Tony Reeler, Mr Bill Schroder, Mr and Mrs Tony Wilkes and Tiny Barnetson, and his wife Jan, who was representing the Class of 1959 who will be celebrating their 60 Year Reunion next year.
Neville then invited our classmate’s resident artist and poet, Simon Bold, to come up and read a poem he had written especially for our reunion.
Simon’s Poem:
ROCKERS
PBHS 2018 Reunion,
Class of ’58.
Silver, see-through hair,
bright future to the rear;
out of armchairs baring wares
of banter, conquest, bawd
and dusty souvenirs:
Granddads,
great lads,
footpads,
old wags
bring bonhomie, elation
with chronic medication;
creaking rock-n-rollers,
amalgam in their molars,
making shaky hay
in achy shades of grey.
Mulled memories to trade,
pale sepia, school-made;
catch-up time and to distil
prized moments on ‘The Hill’.
Bless their constant compass,
abide their dodgy reign,
the nineteen-fifties rockers
are back at school again.
– Simon Bold.
One of Simon’s etchings of the West Tower of the school building was reproduced on back of the lunch menu.
Thys Botha said Grace for us whereupon the starter for lunch was served. Anton Thompson proposed the toast to South Africa and Allister Rogan, resplendent in his Old Boys blazer, proposed a toast to absent friends. These included those who were unable to attend and the 44 classmates who are known to have passed on to higher service. Many of our number have moved locally or overseas and have become untraceable for this or other reasons, so it is difficult to know exactly how many are still with us.
Stan Brown, a retired Headmaster, who travelled all the way from New Zealand especially for this reunion, proposed the toast to the School. Stan was a member of the First Cricket team of 1958 and recalled a number of memories and incidents of his time in the team. There were, in fact, five members of the 1958 First XI present at this reunion.
The headmaster in his reply gave us another of his very insightful talks in which he shared some thoughts about leading an authentic life. When talking about people, being authentic has to do with being sincere. It is when our actions and words are the same as our beliefs and values. It’s about being ourselves. Not an imitation of what we think we should be or have been told to be. It is generally accepted that people are really only truly authentic and perfectly honest when we are very young, before the age of six or seven, and then again towards the end of our lives. In between these extremes of age most of us are not truly authentic. Authenticity is a quality we should all aspire to achieve in our every day lives in dealing with others and be truly genuine, reliable, trustworthy and honest.
Tony Murray proposed a vote of thanks to Tony Reeler and the School for hosting the reunion. Thanks were also expressed to the Organising Committee for an outstanding job, well done, as well as Inge Paulsen-Liddle and the catering staff. The headmaster; Bill Schroder and Inge Paulsen-Liddle were presented with small gifts.
The floor was then open to anyone who would like to contribute. We heard from Dave von Broembsen, who related his experiences in emigrating to the USA and setting up a very successful water treatment business. Dave and his wife Diana, who live in Atlanta, Georgia, had travelled to Pretoria especially for this reunion.
Of course no reunion of ours would be complete without a word or three from Felix Starker who regaled us with anecdotes of his school days in which his father, the legendary Joe Starker, featured prominently. Much to the enjoyment of all old boys who still carry vivid memories of Old Joe.
The afternoon flew by and soon it was time to make our way up to the school buildings for the playing of the Last Post from the West Tower at 17H30. An event which takes place every day. Port and Sherry were served as the last rays of sun disappeared behind the pines and the haunting notes of the Last Post drifted across the buildings and grounds of our beloved school.
This brought an end to a day full of camaraderie and fellowship with our classmates. It was a very moving experience and there was an air of reluctance on behalf of the old boys to leave the school that evening knowing full well that it was very unlikely that we would meet again at a similar reunion.
– Derek Brown (1958)
