Friday 14 May 2021 – what a momentous day!
On this beautiful cloudless day, some 43 of us, including a number of wives and specially invited guests gathered to “meet and greet” in the traditional way over tea on the lawn of Solomon House. Great friendships were renewed and memories rekindled.
Early in 2020 with COVID shutdowns looming, the 1960 organising committee decided to postpone their upcoming event and asked the leader of the 1961 matric group (Doug Henwood) if they could join with them. This decision was warmly welcomed and a combined organising committee set to work with Inge Paulsen-Liddle at the school to search for the respective old boys, send invitations and make other critical decisions.
We were extremely privileged to have Mr Gregg Hassenkamp, the new Headmaster, give his whole day to us. His personal taking us on the traditional walkabout through the beautiful grounds was a highlight, giving us interesting, historical and up-to-date commentaries on the school’s life and development. Thank you so much Headmaster.
Then to tea in the new Bill Schroder library excellently served to us by boys before joining the school seniors for the traditional Friday Assembly. It’s easy to describe the events of Assembly but not our emotions, feelings of nostalgia, wonder and privilege – surely our most unforgettable experience of the day. We were privileged to have Pieter Cox, a 1961er, and retired CEO and Chairman of Sasol, as our Speaker, addressing his remarks to the boys on the essence of the school’s historical values and philosophy which established that ethos for which Boys High has become famous: the development of the balanced all-round young man through discipline, culture, desire for knowledge and sport. Boys and staff have come and gone but this ethos and philosophy has tied us to our past and carries the school forwards. Leon Kok expressed his experience this way:
“I believe that apart from re-uniting with a fabulous group of people, the Reunion brought home once again that PBHS remains a pocket of excellence, and has always stood out because of its strong leadership tradition and its capacity to produce balanced individuals – academically, culturally and in the sporting arena. These are the people who go on to become successful and make a difference”.
And then, like hungry schoolboys we walked down to the school central dining hall (what in our day was the bicycle shed). What a privilege to sit down to a marvellous lunch with our fellows and the Headmaster. How wonderful to have Bill Schroder join us for that! Thank you so much Bill. The chatter and reminiscences continued all afternoon before we moved to the front of the school for further fellowship and sherry.
The day concluded at 5.30 pm with The Last Post sounding out from the West Bell tower by a bugler – perhaps a note of sadness to close a remarkable, enjoyable and emotional day.
There are so many to thank, but we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Old Boys Association, Inge Paulsen-Liddle in particular, the Headmaster and staff, the boys of the PBHS, our special guests and all who attended.
Virtute et Labore.
Bill Temple (1960)
Doug Henwood (1961)
