PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
Dear Old Boy
Summer Sports’ Day 2016 will take place on Saturday 16 January at Pretoria Boys’ High School.
The following activities will be on offer:
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Cross Country
- Squash
- Tennis
- Water Polo
- Chess
We look forward to see a great turnout of Old Boys supporting each other and the school!
A LOOK BACK…
The Pretorian 1976 – First Team Water polo – Standing:
G.H. Todd, R. Lombard, C.D. Wesselink, J. Preece, G. Stevens, K. O’Brien, Mr. I. Davidson. Seated: J.V. Voorendyk, S. Dolgoy, B. Kuyper (Captain), P.A. Carinus, D. Dey
Adamant Umpire
“For the first time ever I played cricket.” This dramatic statement was made by one of the budding Don Bradmans on our side. Yes, you are right. He was playing Masters League. This is the cricket league where anything can and does happen.
This is the league where the umpire is the only person on the field who does not think that the batsman is out.
I can remember one match where, after the batsman had played a foolish stroke, missed the ball and had been right in front of his wickets when the ball hit him on the leg. The whole side appealed and turned expectantly towards the umpire.
The umpire, however, had been watching one of the boarders riding his motorbike, and was annoyed at being woken from his slumbers. He turned around very hotly and said, “Not Out! His bat never went near the ball” Using forceful language we informed him that we had appealed for l.b.w. The umpire looked stunned then said, “He’s still not out. The ball hit his bat before it hit his pads.”
This is just one of those incidents that makes Masters’ League the game it is.
– Thompson, The Pretorian 1956
The Pretorian 2006 – Simon Harmer – putting the ball in the grandstand in the match against Wynberg
The Pretorian 2006 – LEFT: Daniel Smith – always a smile
from our dedicated scorer. RIGHT: Peter Beckwith – keeping his eye on the ball
The Cross-Country
The annual inter-house cross-country is to be held today. I am going to enter and I feel that I will walk it – J.S. Form III
When I first heard about this year’s cross-country, I had no intention of exposing myself to that kind of torture. Last year when I had run (or, to be more explicit, when I had walked). I had made up my mind never to do it again. – P.B.M. Form I
For nine weeks I have been training solidly, I have experienced many pains during the nine weeks of training. Yesterday when I arrived at the pavilion they were playing military march music. Whenever I hear military march music I get irritated and I start getting nervous. This was the case yesterday. – P.T.S. Form I
Cross-country always makes me think of running through mud, stones and all other obvious obstacles. After placing my bicycle in the sheds, I joined in the jumping up and down and short sprints. Within three minutes I sat down exhausted, waiting for the start of the race. – W.J.C. Form I
My main worry now is to beat my friend.
For the last quarter of “A” field I begin to feel funny. My brain passes a message to my legs and I feel as if I am hurtling towards the finish but to no avail. My friend has beaten me.
I am given an orange and for the rest of the afternoon all I am asked is where I came. I keep saying, “Four – one – three.” Then back to the house to loaf. – K.S.S. Form I
I had never run in a cross-country race before, and when my friend asked me if I was running in it, I thought he was mad. “Do you want me to run all the way to L.M.? He laughed, and told me it was only three point two miles. But even one mile sounds quite far to me. – C.J.M.K. Form I
I made up my mind in Assembly one morning, two days before, that I was going to run the cross-country. I had, of course, done no practice of any sort.
That morning I went to the notice board to study the course. The first thing I saw was the distance written in big bold letters, three point two miles. I wanted to, at that very minute, cast the thought out of my mind of running, but I remembered what Mr. Abernethy said: “It does not matter where you come, at least you run.”
After standing in front of the notice board for ten minutes, I left to have some water, for my throat was dry with nervousness. – A.G.M. Form I
I was excited all morning, and studied the track three or four times, so as not to lose my way. J.J.D. Form I
Just before the run was supposed to begin, I suddenly realised that I did not know the course. I ran up to the notice board, and found it had disappeared. When I had returned to the field, I asked someone the course. To my joy it was the same as last year’s – J.A. v. A. Form I
Before yesterday morning I hadn’t even known there was a cross-country. When I was told, I thought I would run. I arrived at school, took off my shirt and went to the starting line. I walked up and down looking for one of my friends. At five-to-four I got into the line. At ten seconds-to-four the starter said: “Ready”, and then I heard a bang. – S.H. Form I
– The Pretorian 1966
The 1966 Cross Country
The Courts
A dictionary defines tennis as “a game played with racquets and tennis balls on a grass or hard level surface.” From this it would appear as though, for the last couple of years, Boys’ High has been playing not tennis, but a uniquely chaotic hybrid sport vaguely resembling tennis but also elements of skating, blind man’s bluff and various beach-type games.
Not content with all the difficulties normally presented by the game, we have added a whole new set of variables. For example, in tennis, PBHS version, the player never knows whether the approaching tennis ball is going to (a) bounce to the left, or (b) bounce to the right, or (c) bounce high, or (d) bounce low, or (e) bounce at all. He never knows whether he is going to be able to (a) stay on his feet long enough to attempt to strike the oncoming ball; (b) avoid stubbing his already lacerated toe on a projecting outcrop of rock, or (c) keep an eye on the oncoming projectile despite the regularly recurrent dust storms.
Now, however, thanks to the efforts of our parents’ committee, we are to be given the hard level surface that the inventors of the game intended us to have. As a result, the game is going to become comparatively so simple, that the general standard of play will improve out of all recognition. It had better! The days of blaming every bad shot and every lost game on the courts are over. Tennis players be warned!
– The Pretorian 1966
LEFT: The Tennis Pavilion. RIGHT: Front Row: L-R: D. Zinn,
C. Johnson, R. Stronach. Second Row: L-R: Mr. A.M. O’Brien, K. Mathews
In order to secure your place at Summer Sports’ Day 2016, we encourage you to please complete the attached entry form and return it to info@pbhsob.comas soon as possible or for more information, please contact following persons:
| SPORT | NAME | CONTACT |
| Water Polo | Jacques Erasmus | Jacques@xtrasport.co.za |
| Water Polo | JP Dumas | jdumas@boyshigh.com |
| Squash | Craig Stephens | cstephens@boyshigh.com |
| Cross Country | Lincoln Keeton | LKeeton@boyshigh.com |
| Basketball | Caterina Christodoulou | Cchristodoulou@boyshigh.com |
| Tennis | Gerald Stoffberg | gerald.stoffberg.pbhs@gmail.com |
| Chess | Elma Dreyer | edreyer@boyshigh.com |
The Pretorian 2006: LEFT: The A-team capturing the year’s activities
in a typical ‘Chess Club’-style! L-R: Lorenzo Negri, Albert Mijburgh, Jason Webber, Daniel Ribeiro, Waseem Jeenah.
RIGHT: Brian Harding is planning a final strategy for a win in the 2006 Individual Chess Trials.
LEFT: The Pretorian 1996 – First Team Basketball – L-R Standing: Mr R.
Rademeyer, D. Chiang, M. Matidza, Mr. S. Manyasa. Seated: M. Dingle, A. Yang, R. Cox (Captain), K. Sekgobela, A. Cox.
RIGHT: The Pretorian 2006 – First Team Basketball – L-R Front: W. Jumat, T. Matsebula, O. Molonyama (Captain) S. Mthombeni (Vice Captain), S. Makgamatha. Second Row: K. Ditsebe, R. Maswanganye, G. Semyalo, T. Motomboti, S. Biyana, A. Molefe
(Scorer). Back Row: Mr. L. Ndyoko (Coach), S. Magagula, B. Theron, K. Mmango, Mr. T Iraka (M-I-C)
The Pretorian 1996 – LEFT: “Psycho” slam-dunking. RIGHT: Richard Cox
scores another great shot in the final of the Pretotia Basketball League.
CLASS OF 1995 – 20 YEAR ON REUNION
The reunion for the class of 1995 was held at the school on Saturday the 7th of November. But the festivities had already started the day before at the Swartkops golf course, where five four-balls played a very social round of golf. While many of our peers were making their way into town on Friday, different little informal gatherings were formed and old friendships were rekindled.
On Saturday afternoon, some of the group met for a light lunch under the trees at the old boys’ club, and there was an unsuccessful attempt at a game of touch rugby. The lads made their way across to the school grounds and like we did for the first time in 1991, we once again met in the front of the main building at the fishpond.
Mr John Illsely welcomed the group, and he proceeded to give a tour of the new hall. The chaps then strolled through the memorial quad, and some visited the school museum, before making their way down the cricket pavilion for dinner.
Andrew Tucker took over the MC duties for the evening and his execution was suave and efficient. Duncan Boustead respectfully helped us to remember those who were unable to attend as well as our peers and educators who had passed on.
The renowned wild life photographer, Greg Du Toit delivered a sterling toast to South Africa, while Jimmy Eracleous, humorously reminded the class of our time at the school.
Mr Reeler proceeded to update the group on the current status of the school, and confidently the realization was made that all is well at the helm. Ian Williams then gave thanks to those involved with arranging the evening.
First up on the open microphone was Mr Schroder, who was well received by an upstanding group. A special connection was made between the class of 1995 and Mr Schroder, as the group was the first official intake during his term as principal.
Some messages were read out from guys who were unable to attend and the emotional singing of “40 Years On” brought dinner to a close.
The festivities lasted into the early hours of the Sunday morning at the Old Boys’ Club as the chaps continued to catch up with old friends.
The evening overall was both emotional and humorous. Many old friendships were rekindled and countless memories were shared. I am confident to say that the reunion was a huge success and I definitely believe the occasion can be labelled as a memorable one.
To sum up the evening I leave you with a paragraph from the “toast to school” on the evening:
“Whatever you may be going through, I sense a common desire that we are all feeling to reconnect with each other. Somehow we understand the need to put aside our personal setbacks, and to gather in a common place,
non-judgementally, a place that takes us back to the happiest time in our lives. This meeting is long overdue and a healthy dose for the soul.”
– Jimmy Eracleous, Class of 1995
REMEMBRANCE DAY 2016
The Remembrance Day Service at Pretoria Boys High School on
Wednesday 11 November 2015
Front (L-R): Moth Bruce Michler (Wee Bill: Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole and the father of two Old Boys), Moth Johnny Demetroudes (Adjutant: Field Marshal Shellhole and an Old Boy), Mr Gary Nowosenetz (Recruit: Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole and
an Old Boy), Moth Joe Bezuidenhout (Member: Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole)
Back (L-R): Moth Eddie Penzhorn (Old Bill: Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole – a former Master and an Old Boy), Moth Andrew Woodwright (Member: Field Marshal Shellhole and an Old Boy), Moth Dave Berry (Pay Bill: Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole), Moth
Lindley Oberholster (Sar’Maj: Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole and the grandfather of an Old Boy)
PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
A contingent of the PBHS Pipe Band played at a sunset ceremony at Smuts House. The function was a tribute to the role that General Jan Smuts played in the formation of the Royal Air Force (in 1918) and the role of the SA pilots in the Battle of Britain 75 years ago. The Boys High pipers together with the Salon Band of the RAF provided the musical interludes during the ceremony which included speeches by RAF officers and a sunset ceremony performed by the Queen’s colour party of the Royal Air Force.
LEFT: Pretoria Boys High School was recently voted Best English High School in the Best of Pretoria Rekord Readers’ Choice Awards 2015.
RIGHT: The PBHS Aeronuatical Society members viewed the visiting Royal Air Force A330 Voyager aircraft at AFB Waterkloof on Friday 30th October. The boys were shown the transport and inflight refuelling capabilities of the aircraft.
SCHOOL BUILDING UPDATE
Building Update; Week ending 10 November
Preparations for the casting of the western side of the roof slab are presently underway.
Ground floor external walls are almost complete.
Walkways from the music centre to the hall building have been cast and the main entrance (from the south) to the music centre has been partially completed.
LETTERS
I started at Boys High August 1955 coming from Switzerland speaking only a few words of English. It was strange for me to have to go to school on uniforms. It was not easy to follow classes when you have to concentrate for every word.
We had some lady teacher for maths, I cannot remember her name but she tried to make me feel part of the class. The subject was factorizing in algebra. I had to read (a-b) (c-d). So I wanted to say (a-b) factorizing (c-d). But after the first syllabus I realized that it was wrong and stopped. So I said “a-b fac” and stopped. The class roared with laughter and I had not a clue why. The teacher then gave them absolute hell and again I had no idea what was going on. It was many months later
that I realized what I had said.
In Form 4 I had Mr. Moerdyk as my English teacher. Once a week we would write a short paragraph on some subject and every time I got a zero out of ten. This went on for months. Then one day I got a one out of ten. I was so happy and yelled out yea I got a one. Mr. Moerdyk just smiled and said: It is really a zero but I gave you a one for encouragement.
Many years later I met him in town and we had a quick lunch and I told him about that story. He felt bad and could not believe he had been so mean and paid for the lunch. I still today use this expression.
But he helped me to matriculate within two years having to learn Afrikaans as well. I can also say this that after 15 years of athletics at international level the athletics match against King Edwards in 1957 where I came third in the long jump and then won the two hurdles races and the high jump was perhaps the most enjoyable sports event. Nothing like winning for PBHS.
The high jump was before the two hurdles races. After my warming up jumps I had to be near the high jump pit and there was no shady place. I asked one of the Schmikl twins for his big sombrero hat so that I could sit under it in the shade while I waited for my first jump of my chosen height. As it worked out my first jump was enough to win the competition. They would not let me go for the school record as it would have taken extra time. The competition was over, Boys High won it.
The next day however I got two different feed backs. Mr. Collard, the swimming coach and ex-commonwealth competitor shook my hand and told me how cleverly I psyched out my competition with my hat and waiting to win in one jump.
Mr. Fair however scolded me in the English class for not being a sport. Even though I was the superior jumper, I should have jumped at the lower heights and joined the competition and not showed off with my big hat. I was so taken aback that I could not defend myself that I was trying to stay out of the sun and keep my strength for the next two races.
Well, that was a long time ago, but the memories are still alive.
– Klaus Schiess (1957)
California
OLD BOYS IN THE NEWS
Vending machines deliver Chivas Regal’s most exclusive whisky
“A truly singular whisky deserves a truly singular method of showcasing” says brand manager of Chivas Regal South Africa, Mandla Holomisa (2005 – Ed).
Lock Wins #NIIC Singles Consolation
Flushing, N.Y. (Tallahassee) – No. 25 Benjamin Lock (2011 – Ed) won the singles consolation championship Sunday afternoon at the National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in New York.
BOYS HIGH PICK UP LINES
The following have a 100% record on all bints. Use of the following magic lines will get guaranteed numbers for days. Warning – Use at own risk!
I’m in the photographic society and I can picture you and me together
I think I’m going to have to go to the SAN? I just scraped my knee falling for you.
Do you take EGD? You seem Wright for me.
Do you know what my colours blazer is made of? Boyfriend material
Are you a tractor path? Because you took my breath away.
I’d ‘fetch’ you in a rugby match, just so I can sweep you off your feet.
If being good looking was a crime, you’d be sitting lates.
Are you the head of School House? You just Blew me away.
It’s a good thing that I’m a media prefect – I’m totally checking you out.
So you believe in love at first sight or should I walk up Polly Shorts again.
If you were words in my textbook, you’d be fine print.
I’m not trying to impress you or anything, but I go to Boys High.
What do you and the prefab classrooms have in common? You’re both hot.
How much does a polar bear weigh? Enough to beat Affies.
Girl, you’re like the keratin to my gym sesh.
Girl, without you, I’m like a gym week with no leg day.
Are you an Ad maths test? Whenever I look at you I forget everything?
I will stop loving you when St. Albans beats Boys High at rugby, so forever.
I’m in the Science Club and I swear that we have chemistry.
Do you hang out in the forest? Girl you’re smoking.
If you were a pie at the tuck shop, you’d be a prime rib.
I take Civils and I think we should build a relationship.
I take Art and I could never create a masterpiece like you.
Life without you would be like a day boy trying to win Inter House Cross Country. Pointless.
You are so fine, I wish I could plant you and grow a Shalang field of you.
Is your last name Boys High? You are the best a boy can get.
I play the Brooks field and it looks like I just scored a try with you.
I must be in the Battisphere ’cause you truly are a work of art.
Girl you’re better than a free period.
I’m in Ad maths, so I’m pretty good with numbers. Tell you what, give me yours and watch what I can do with it.
I’m writing an English paper on the finer things in life, and I was wondering if I could interview you?
Damn girl, you have more curves than S Bend.
I hope there’s a prefect nearby, ’cause you’re smokin’!
You’re so hot, I bet you could re-light a candle in the candle race at the Inter House gala.
Here’s the key to my locker… and my heart.
If you were a burger at McDonalds, you’d be my McBride.
I’m in the orchestra and I C Major potential between us.
– By David Slabbert
Taken from The Boys Highlights, May 2015
IN MEMORIAM
RICHARD STUART LORD (1987)
LEON DU TOIT VLOK (1947)
DAVID IAN GOODMAN (1953)
LIONEL KATZENELLENBOGEN (1941)
UPCOMING OLD BOY EVENTS
- 16 January 2016
SUMMER SPORTS DAY - 18 May 2016
PBHSOB ASSOCIATION AGM - 20 May 2016
60 YEAR ON 2016 - 3 June 2016
ANNUAL OLD BOYS’ GOLF DAY - 4 June 2016
ANNUAL OLD BOYS’ DINNER - 23 July 2016
20 YEAR ON 2016