PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
Dear Old Boy
YVONNE REYBURN ‘S ASSEMBLY ADDRESS 26TH NOVEMBER 2019
Mr Reeler, colleagues and friends, dearest family, old boys, boys and the especially the music boys..
The first time I walked onto this stage was during the second term of my matric year. This was the same year the famous Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky died, and the year the well-known band, ‘Queen’ was established by Freddie Mercury.
Two years before this in 1969, The Education Department built a brand new school on a piece of land taken from the magnificent grounds of Pretoria Boys High School. Temporary, pre-fab classrooms were erected and the Art, Ballet and Music School opened. I attended this new School for the last two years of my schooling and during my final year, the headmaster of Boys High at the time, Mr Desmond Abernethy invited me to perform during a Friday Assembly. I clearly remember the ‘sea of green’ as I nervously came out from behind the curtains. Little did I know that that would be the first of countless appearances I would make on this stage to play the piano.
Since the beginning of my teaching career in the Music Department, it has been my task to accompany the Form 1s singing “500 Faces”, to accompany the school choir and many, many solos and ensembles that the music boys performed during countless Friday Assemblies or Special Services.
After my first appearance as a schoolgirl, the next time I entered this Hall many years later, was when my husband and I attended our eldest son, Murray’s Commencement Ceremony. It was January 1993 and we were very proud parents of our Form 1 Town House boy.
This was also the year the piece of ground and the pre-fab classrooms of the Art, Ballet and Music School were returned to Boys High, to form Pollock Campus.
The first half of my teaching career was spent teaching music at the Art, Ballet and Music School and one afternoon I clearly remember a conversation Murray and I had when he was in Form III. He told me what had happened in his Science class that day. Mr Dave van Suilichem had the entire class crowded around his lab desk as he was conducting an experiment. The Bunsen burner was fired up and he was teaching away, trying to impart a whole lot of scientific knowledge to the class. There was a knock on the door by a little Form I boy. Mr van Suilichem didn’t hear the knock, but the boys did. The boy knocked again, and again Mr van Suilichem did not hear him. After the third knock, one of the Form III boys broke out with his version of a Little Richard pop song,
” He keeps on knocking but he can’t come in!”
The rest of the class roared with laughter!
My immediate response on hearing this story was, “I would love to teach at Boys High, as those boys would certainly make me laugh!”
Well, the call came 2 years later when one Monday afternoon in October, Dr van der Watt phoned. I started teaching in the music department of the best school in the world, the following January 1998.
Our younger son, Duncan was a Form IV flautist and oboe player in the music department when I started here, and I had the privilege and sheer joy of accompanying him many times on this platform.
My daughter Heather is the only Girls High girl who did her music at Boys High because Girls High’s Music Department was brand new and they needed some guidance.
I am passionate about teaching music; I have loved teaching the music classes, teaching the piano and accompanying the school choir and hundreds of young instrumentalists. I have also simply loved the boys. I firmly believe there is nothing more rewarding and nothing better for the holistic development of young people and particularly boys, than for them to be involved in some form of music.
There was a Heineken slogan that said, “Heineken refreshes the parts no other beers can reach.” Well, I believe music refreshes the boys no other subjects can reach! To have the opportunity and discipline to learn the skill of playing an instrument, or to be able to sing well; to be able to perform with others in ensembles, bands, choirs and orchestras, creates fully-rounded and complete young men.
I have had the privilege of getting to know so many talented and special young men; many of whom, I know will always appreciate the wide range of music they learnt about while at school. There have been a great number who only started their instruments in Form Iand grew and developed into exceptional musicians by the time they reached Form V. I admire all these boys with whom I have worked because, through hard-work, discipline and often, sheer grit and tenacity, they have accomplished exceptional things. They pass their Royal Schools Grade 7, Grade 8 or even Diploma Exams and they generally fly through their final matric practical exams.
Yes, these boys in green blazers have certainly made me laugh!
Recent examples come to mind:
During the time of the cricket world cup in June this year, a Form IV clarinetist was trying to get his clarinet in tune before he played his practical exam. The clarinet simply remainedfar too sharp and after several attempts at trying to get it in tunehe looked up at me and said, “Ma’am, if only the Proteas were this sharp, we might win one of our cricketmatches!”
Did you know that there is a composer, Wolfgang ‘Amardeus’ Mozart who was born in Salzburg, Australia and he lived from 1756 to 1971?
Last Thursday afternoon, I had the matrics for a quick revision class. I played them a music example and one of the questions from a past exam paper we were working through required them to identify the prominent instrument. While the music was still playing, one of the boys said, ‘I hate these cheap clarinets!’ The boys burst out laughing as that ‘cheap clarinet’, was actually a penny whistle!! Of cause, in true Boys High fashion, every answer to the questions that followed included a cheap clarinet, much to Brendon de Beer’s horror!
Many compositions or arrangements I have particularly enjoyed playing and performing on this stage have been works by Dr Niel van der Watt. Thank you so much, Sir, for the billions of notes you have penned over the years, all of which have brought beautiful and unique sounds to our music department and much enjoyment to many audiences.
As I am on the stage this morning and my tradition during my time in this school has been to play the piano whenever I walk onto the stage, I decided it might be appropriate for me to provide you with the usual Assembly music item.
In 2008 Doc arranged a Henri Mancini song for piano and voice, entitled ‘Sometimes’, which he subtitled (Especially for Mrs R). Brandon Robertson and I will now perform this song for you – ‘ Thank you, Sir for this special arrangement and ‘thank you so much Brandon for agreeing to sing with me!’
As Brandon makes his way on stage, may I thank you Pretoria Boys High for all you have given me during my past very happy 22 years!
May the Lord God of Truth continue to bless this incredible school and all who have the privilege of working, teaching or learning in it!
– Yvonne Reyburn
Over the last few months, since it became a reality that you would officially retire from PBHS, I have made many speeches in my head. Some of these were better than today’s attempt. But these attempts have taught me something: it is so difficult to do this.
While chastising myself for this admission of feebleness and weakness, I also realised that nobody would be able to do justice at this moment and, full circle, I am probably the best person to attempt to do so. And you did ask me…
I speak not only on my behalf but also that of hundreds of boys whom you taught and to some degree, on behalf of many, if not most of the people here.
Boys High was lucky that you came to here 22 years ago. We did not know how lucky we were. But let me tell you, we are so thankful that you came. You were preceded by your son, Murray so you must have had some idea of what you were letting yourself in for. Murray was not a music pupil but he was in the Dixie Band with me and so I get to know you as a parent and not only a teacher. Duncan followed and was a music pupil in overdrive. He matriculated with three distinctions for three different music subjects, and then pursued a career in art and design. Do you remember all those great performances with Duncan: Poulenc Sonata, the Bolling Suite? Those were fun times! And then there was Heather, who was at Girls High, but also an auxiliary member of the Boys High Music Department. I mention the children because you are always a mother first. And that, I believe, is the secret of your success as a teacher.
Yvonne is the mother of the Music Department. She is the one who feeds the boys’ imaginations (and their stomachs on occasion). She is the one who nurtures their talents (and their frail egos at times). She is the one who mops up the errors (and the tears when they come). She is the one who fires up their musical performances (and calms down afterwards).
Just as she has done with her own children, every boy under her care has had the privilege of her kind heart. Firm hand and wonderful sense of fun. So Yvonne, for the being the mother of the Music Department, we thank you!
But, Yvonne is also a friend. That so many of you are here at this farewell function bears testimony to this. She is a loyal friend, a scarce commodity in this modern world. She has old friends and young friends, many of whom are boys she taught 20 years ago. There are countless ones who visit her and Lindsay at home for tea or supper. She has also been a most loyal friend and dear friend to me. Luckily Lindsay has also become a friend, in fact we have worked together on several music projects: I am the voice of Africa, Wet none Ones, Brothers let us Rise! Thanks Yvonne, for also sharing Lindsay with me. Thank you Lindsay for proofreading so many documents and whipping them in to shape. You probably should have done the same to this speech.
Yvonne also happens to be a music teacher. She can teach anything in the broad discipline of music. Apart from that, she knows when to teach what – sometimes there is a very small window in which a boy will learn and the perceptive teacher will wait for exactly that moment and then teach, with vengeance or reticence, exactly what is needed. Yvonne is an expert at this. This is why she recently gathered the 2019 matric class together, luring them with food and then cracking open their skulls in a final attempt to allow learning to take place. It works! I have seen the results at the national marking centre, year after year.
But what Yvonne enjoys the most, and does just as well as everything else (in spite of the occasional protestations), is to play the piano. That is why she ended her farewell assembly address playing the piano. Yvonne, I cannot thank you enough for this, because the words “thank you” are inadequate. So, I am going to say nothing about it. You just keep playing the piano! This is what keeps you in great shape – physically, mentally and emotionally – so just keep going Ma’am! Your reward is in heaven and the results speak for themselves.
We are not losing you completely but we want you to know that what you have meant to us as a mother, a friend, a music teacher and an accompanist, is embedded in our hearts and minds and will stay there. Long may it continue!
Dr Niel van der Watt
PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL
MATRIC RESULTS 2020
Pretoria Boys High School is pleased to announce our 2020 Matric results. The Class of 2020 has shown a slight decline in both the pass rate and the bachelor’s pass rate. This was perhaps to be expected in an unprecedented year, which in many ways proved to be difficult and unpredictable. Under the circumstances the boys need to be commended for their efforts.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
PBHS Percentage pass: 97.9%
PBHS Bachelor’s pass: 82.4%
National Pass: 76.2%
National Bachelor’s pass: 36.4%
PODCAST JINGLE
The Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys Association, in collaboration with Pretoria Boys High School and the Old Boy business owners of Veldskoen Shoes, will be launching a new Podcast which will tell the legendary stories of Old Boys and Masters, young and old.
The Podcast team is looking for a catchy jingle that captures the essence of the Boys High magic and would like to appeal to the more creative Old Boys amongst us to send us some ideas or samples which could become the signature of the series.
Old Boys who are interested can contact the PBHSOB Association at info@pbhsob.com
EXTRACT FROM MR ABERNETHY’S BOOK
“A SCHOOL THAT IS SET ON A HILL”
One of the most difficult days in the life of a Headmaster is the first day of the school year. In my case it was the first day in which I experienced my worst problems. There was a long queue of parents and their offspring. My heart sank. Some, of course were there in all innocence to have their sons admitted the school. But the majority, mostly mothers, were there to take advantage of the new Headmaster and knowing that he was not likely to be aware of their sons’ records, were determined to have the decision of failure converted into promotion before the new man could find out. They could be adamant that injustice had prevailed before the Head arrived. Flattery and even threats were used with impunity by some determined to win the day. And a determined and unscrupulous mother is a doughty opponent.
I remember so clearly on that demanding and confusing day one lady who called herself Mrs. McLean, asking for the admission of her son. She said that she was a hospital nurse in the Springs Hospital. I had known, while an Inspector of Education, a Mr. C.S. McLean who was president of the Chambers of Mines. I asked her if he was a relative. “Oh Yes”, she quickly answered, “Charles is my brother”. I gave her admission forms to fill in and then looking sad and discomforted, she asked me for a loan of £15! She had left her purse at home. I began to think – too slowly. I said that I couldn’t possibly lend her £15 as I had only £5 in my pocket. I thought that she might call off her first bid. Not at all! “Oh well, a fiver will do”, she said quickly – too quickly and too slickly for my comfort. No lady would say “a fiver will do”, I thought. However, I reasoned: she is bringing her son tomorrow and she can hardly forget between now and then. Neither she nor her son ever arrived and I was certain that I had been had. As I opened the door to let her out an unmistakable smell of gin pervaded my study. I believe that the “lady” was a tramp and must have passed on the word that “there’s a fool born every minute” because a few days later in the afternoon I had another strange visitor. This man practically forced himself into my study and after a long story of how he had helped to build the cupola on the main building at the time of Mr. Hofmeyr – whom he remembered very well as a “grand old man” – asked me to lend him £50 “for old times sake”. This time I was more alert. The cupola had been built before Mr Hofmeyr’s arrival. I showed interest and sent him down to my secretary, Mr. John Cochrane, who I said had been there for many years and would certainly recognise him and be pleased to see such an old servant of the school. John was a faithful secretary, a canny Scot, not easily put upon, and knew exactly the type he was dealing with and gave him a short shrift. The hobo was dismissed and I was not bothered with suchlike from then on. I am sure that this hobo reasoned that if the “lady” asked for £15 and received £5, he would ask for £50 and receive £15. It was worthwhile.
A PUNISHMENT
A Boy from Rissik House bunked out one Saturday morning and went to Johannesburg. On touring Johannesburg he met Mr Fair who politely greeted him.
On returning he was worried stiff and remained so for two weeks while he hoped Mr Fair had forgotten about the incident. After receiving a marked essay back from Mr Fair he noticed the comment at the bottom which read: ““Good, but I would much rather have read about your exploits in Johannesburg.”
M Stubbs, Form I A – The Pretorian, 1971
IN MEMORIAM
DAVID CLATWORTHY (1977)
Hi Inge
I received the alumni newsletter and realised that the sad passing of David Clatworthy (Class of 1977) was not noted. I was not close to him but he was a bit of a celebrity. Here’s a link to a report on his death with a bit of background on his acting career.
https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/sa-actor-david-clatworthy-60-dies-20200908
He attended both our 30 and 40 year reunions but kept a very low profile.
It would be nice if he was given some recognition.
Kind regards
Eduard Murray (1977)