PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Dear Old Boy

The last whistles had been blown on the winter sports season in the rugby and hockey fixtures against Affies. On the following Monday a week of soccer trials began to which 250 boys signed up. Eleven teams were selected and an intensive five week set of matches started with our first home fixture against Parktown.

Mulvenna West and East fields became home to soccer at the School on the Hill. The green and white blocks from the hockey teams were blended with the green and white rugby socks. Practices were strictly attended in white Boys High T shirts, green shorts and green and white rugby socks. No exceptions were permitted, resulting in perfect and disciplined practices with a complete buy- in from all the boys. Coaching was provided by Craig Serfontein (School House Old Boy and Old Boys Club Soccer Coach) and seven competent and qualified coaches. They were even stricter than most teachers in terms of dress, sportsmanship and technical aspects of a very difficult and physically demanding game.

Myths and legends of bad behaviour, such as diving and play acting never occurred because, even at soccer, our boys do things well, better, and have great pride and passion for their school.

More than eighty games will have been played by the end of the season, which will end on 27 September 2017 with notable highlights being the victory by the First XI over arch-rivals at all sports King Edward VII School (KES), and the one hundred percent win record by the Under 16A Team (eight wins from eight games). The KES First XI who had been unbeaten at home for the last three years were stunned by a determined and dedicated Boys High team. The Under 16A boys provide much hope for very successful soccer seasons in the future.

P Franken
Master-In-Charge

30 YEAR ON 2017 – CLASS OF 1987

Class of 1987 rocks!!!

It’s hard to believe that the 20 year reunion was 10 years ago! It felt like the other day that we had dinner at the communal dining room, and then progressed to Old Boys to watch the Springboks in the quarter-finals against England at the Rugby World Cup. In most cases this was the last time we had seen old friends from school, but it felt like yesterday! Yet one steadfast reality is that time doesn’t stand still and we have been out of school for 30 years, some of us have greyed significantly, some have lost all our hair and all of us are fast approaching 50!

After several committee meetings starting in August last year, which involved a very short administrative meeting followed by numerous drinks and good food, the 25th August 2017 dawned and we met on the Solomon House lawns for tea and biscuits and the start of an unforgettable weekend of meeting old friends. The biggest chuckle was seeing Jannie Biddulph greet certain Old Boys, who did not recognize him and wondered where he came from. He has defied time and still looks the same as he did 30 years ago.

After tea, the Deputy Headmaster, John Illsley, led us on a thoroughly informative walk through the school grounds and we caught up on the latest developments and improvements to the school. This was followed by a visit to the school museum, more tea and eats at the very impressive media centre and then the special Friday Assembly for the class of 1987. Despite his nerves and trepidation, Neil Rom, gave a wonderful speech at assembly, providing sound advice and insights into the positive role that Boys High had in his life and career.

We then made our way to the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion, for a lunch with our spouses and partners. One of the legends from 1987, Andre (Cassie) Van Zyl gave a passionate and humorous toast to the Masters. Clearly he had missed his calling and could have taken up public speaking. A new tradition that we had not yet seen, was the playing of the Last Post at 17h30 in front of the School. This was especially moving and we were all overly emotional after the lunch!!

The main event of the weekend was the stag dinner on Saturday evening. We again met at the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion, some of us dressed in suits we had last worn at our weddings. The overriding memory of the evening was the camaraderie and spirit at the dinner. Passionate speeches, a rousing rendition of 40 Years On and genuine discussions and memories of the good old times were the order of the evening. Time flew by and before midnight most of the Boys (Men!) made their way to the Old Boys Club, which stays open especially for these reunions until the early hours of the morning.

At around 04h00, I made my way home (via Uber!!) and was flabbergasted to leave behind at least 20 guys, some of whom went from the club straight to breakfast!

I’m sure I speak for everyone at the reunion, that the whole weekend exceeded all our expectations. The culture of the school, the manners of the school boys and the general standard of the school and facilities were amazing and it gives one confidence and hope that these boys one day will be the leaders and the future of our country.

Till the 40 years on reunion in 2027!

Donald Weir
Class of 1987

A LOOK BACK…

A VISIT TO A FORMER BOYS HIGH MASTER

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Paul Katzeff (1978) :

On a remote farm in Calitzburg, Western Cape Mike Lane and I found our Pretoria Boys High School Physical Education Teacher Tallie van Aswegen from a few years back.

He lives alone, a recluse ‘awaiting the second coming’, he says. What an awesome Dude he still is, totally at peace with himself at 79.

He still rides a bike and a bakkie, and tends his horses and dogs.

That morning he had some ice cream with some of the local port, which I assume is to make the wait slightly more palatable. Respect!!

PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

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The Childrens’ Flight is a major aviation charity initiative, now in its second year, organised by Felix Gosher but with an important role played by PBHS Old Boy musician Michael Ferguson. Because of Michael’s involvement, the Aeronautical Society of PBHS was invited to provide volunteer workers for the day, part of a large group of people known as “Helping Hands”.

On Friday 1st September, thirteen members of the Society accompanied by Mr Illsley and Mr Moodley were at Grand Central Airport to help make the day’s activities possible. The initiative is centred on taking 400 disadvantaged children from a variety of schools and homes (including orphanages and schools for the deaf ) on a flight from the airport. The children were also provided with lunch and entertained with various musical items (including Michael Ferguson’s performance of the song “Paper Planes”) and an aerobatic display.

The Boys High Aeronautical Society members assisted with moving light aircraft as they were loaded with passengers and with accompanying children to and from the larger passenger airliners. This required them to receive airport apron training some weeks before the event.

Later in the day the PBHS boys helped with the serving of lunches. The boys acquitted themselves very well and drew much positive comment from the organizers and from other volunteer workers. By way of thanking the volunteers before they rendered their service, the Society members were given the opportunity to fly to Grand Central from ORT International Airport on an early morning positioning flight for a Cemair Dash 8 airliner. That in turn meant that the day started at 3am with a 4am departure from the school. It was therefore not surprising that boys and staff were looking a little weary by mid-afternoon!

Apart from their contribution to a major charity event, the boys were given an opportunity to view and handle a wide variety of aircraft types, with the cross section not often seen at one venue in South Africa.

OLD BOYS IN THE NEWS

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT “PANIC” IS UNTIL…

… you are a Drum Major of the Bugle Band and are parading before a capacity crowd at Loftus Versveld. You hurl the mace high into the air and, to your horror, you realise that it will fall about nine feet to your left …!

… you are cribbing furiously during a Latin test, when you look up to see the master looking over your shoulder with a sickly grin on his face …!

… during a master’s league cricket match a member of your side drops an easy catch. You vociferously give vent to your feelings of indignation. Then you notice that the Headmaster and his wife are on the boundary looking at you with a queer expression on their faces …!

… you are diving in the diving competition on the night of the annual gala. The MC announces that you will do a triple forward somersault. After completing one and a half times you realise that you will never make it and that you will fall flat on your face ..!

– The Pretorian 1957

OVERBERG OLD BOYS

Old Boys in the region enjoyed an excellent luncheon, arranged and hosted by David Leppan (1966) at the Burgundy in Hermanus on Friday 15th September 2017. A few Old Boys from Cape Town and Paarl, who have holiday homes down here attended and shared in the warm fellowship and exchange with those who were at our first meeting a year ago. At that meeting, Old Boy Greg Hassenkamp, the principal of Hermanus High School (HHS) discussed his desire to create a more supportive ‘Past Pupil’ group, similar to the Pretoria Boys High Old Boys’ Association.

We had enthusiastic support to hold two meetings a year in Hermanus in future, one to include wives or partners. Our Old Boy address list is growing as more people move to this beautiful part of our country. Contact details for David Leppan are Email : hps@ hermanus.co.za or 028 313 0914

– Ed Meyer
CONVENOR

LETTERS

Hallo from Ashdod, Israel !

I left Boys High in 1945 [At Rissik House 1941 till 1945] – BUT Boys High NEVER left me! Being at Boys High was a rare privilege that has had a great and positive influence on my life.

Reading about Bob Fair and Kevin Wynne recently has motivated me to drop a few lines. Bob Fair never taught me but all of us boarders knew him well. Kevin Wynne was my History teacher and also coach of the 3rd Rugby Team of which I was a member. A few times the Monday History lesson would start with: Little Geffe-e-e-en–off side again on Saturday!! He was a great teacher-he made History-which can be a dry subject so interesting. To be in Rissik House with Mr. Pollock as House Master was a rare privilege and to have had him as English teacher was a super privilege! He taught me to use a dictionary and in these days with computers, etc. I still use a dictionary.

All the teachers were “just special” but I must mention Walter Battiss who tried to teach me to draw – One day he said to me: Geffen, you have a style all of your own! To this day I don’t quite know what he meant! But he taught me to love and appreciate art and when I was fortunate to visit the famous Art museums in Europe, Ryksmuseum, Louvre, Prado and National Gallery I was grateful to him!

Inspite of being “off side” sometimes I continued playing rugby after I left school. I was not so good but I enjoyed playing. After recuperating from a long illness I started reffing and was a referee in what was Eastern Transvaal – Springs, Brakpan, Nigel, Standerton, etc, until I emigrated to Israel. I got involved in Badminton, founded a club and helped to form other clubs. I was founder-chairman of the Badminton Association of Israel. I managed the Israel National team on many occasions in Europe and on a few occasions met South African teams and it was good to have a little ‘gesels’!

Two weeks ago I became 90 [not out]. The Almighty has Blessed me with health and fitness. I am on the badminton court 4 times weekly coaching and playing ‘for fun’. All my life I have been active in sport-not so good- but I enjoyed and continue to enjoy sport. All this thanks to the wonderful education I had at Boys High. I have won quite a few awards in my sporting life but the most “treasured” award is the third team rugby scroll which I sweated for at school-in spite of being off side occasionally!

They say old people can talk a lot so I had better stop. As I said-I left Boys High BUT Boys High NEVER left me ! It was a rare privilege for which I have always been grateful!

My best and sincere wishes to all Old Boys and of course to ALL young boys still at school.

Most sincerely,
Jeff Geffen

OLD BOYS PRIDE

Dear Editor

I was reading the newsletter this morning and I have yet again come to realise just how incredibly amazing Pretoria Boys High School is.

I started at Boys High in 2006 as a Form I. I came from a reputable primary school where the hopes of many were to get into this magnificent school. I was one of about twenty who was accepted.

Form I was a drastic change but I enjoyed it. The friendship and the newness, the magnitude of the school itself, the highly competitive nature of sport and the insane talent these boys from all over South Africa showed in cultural, academic and sporting achievements was something I wished to strive for. Just as Dane Blignaut – Head Prefect of 2006 – always reminded us and how Mr Hassenkamp reiterated. “You are small fish in a big pond!”

At the end of 2006 our family relocated to Witbank and I followed. Even though I never regret going to Witbank, I missed the School on the Hill dearly. Going into Form 3 I told my parents that I had to go back to Boys High, even if it were to be in boarding (on which, at first, I was not keen).

In 2008 I saw myself walk through the doors of Rissik House to meet the boys I would later call my brothers. Greg Lavagna, the innocent little boy from the coal fields of Witbank showed me how incredible boarding is and how strong a bond you can form with those around you. Even though he is now the party-animal and rebel-head, he is still someone I will always be grateful to for showing me the ropes back into Boys High.

I went back as a day boy the following year due to unforeseen circumstances but the bond of the brothers I had formed in hostel never broke.

Matriculating in 2010 as a house prefect for Arcadia, I knew I had made the right choice to come back to Boys High three years prior. I had learnt what it means to have pride in your school, to be selfless in your acts, to respect every single person you meet and grab opportunities when they come around. I learnt that balance in life is important, that friendships are vitally important and that, at the end of the day, Boys High taught us to be men.

Teachers who heavily influenced my success in school were Mr K Mansfield, Mr & Mrs C MacDonald and of course, Mr Schroder. Teachers are usually overlooked for what influence they have on people but I do not think they realise that they can make or break the makings of a man.

I am now 7 years out of school and so much has happened and it is all a result of going to the greatest school in the world and as the years have gone by, I have come to realise that we, as Old Boys, are not pompous in saying we are the best because it is the truth.

I studied at Tuks after school and graduated a couple years ago, slowly losing ties with the friends from high school but this never meant I would ultimately lose them because there is a global bond that spread much further than just seeing each other 5 times a week in class and then on the fields on Saturdays.

Sean van Niekerk, an Old Boy from 2010 as well, passed away a few years ago and when I spoke to Greg, I heard that his memorial weekend was a blast. Sean was the happiest guy and a fun-loving, live-life-to-the-fullest person. The brotherhood who had gone to mourn his passing were saddened by the news but they celebrated a life that was well-lived.

Steve, a good mate of mine, and I used to play squash together in school and were always closely matched up against each other. Seven years later, we are still playing…weekly. Not sure if it is the attraction of a beer at the club afterwards or if it is for the squash, but either way it is enjoyed.

Crossing paths with people later on in life who you used to know, is amazing as one immediately has that respect and understanding of where they came from.
Louis Buys, a friend from school too, had started up a company that assists schools in receiving monies and I work at a school in Joburg now and I was immediately there to jump on the wagon to support him and recommended it to my boss that we at least hear them out.

This is what the Boys High culture is all about. We will always be there for each other, even though we do not see each other or speak to each other on a regular basis.

Hearing about each other’s achievements and accolades makes me proud to have been part of such a wonderful school that produces such quality men.

Reading about Cherry Schroder’s passing was terrible, but to hear of the support that was shown at her service was heart-warming and it showed how much care from Old Boys was given to the school and the principal, Mr Schroder. The gratitude to a great man who gave two decades of his life to the boys and how the support his wife gave to him in order for him to fulfil his duty as a role model of a man.

When I hear about the events at the school, the sport, the concerts, plays, choirs and so on all doing so extremely well and the events which are hosted, they are of a quality that cannot be matched.

Currently working at an “elite public school” which falls in the same category as Pretoria Boys, one would expect that exact same calibre of gentlemen to be moulded, but this is not the case as Pretoria Boys is just streets ahead of any other school which may even think they qualify to fall into the same category. The manners are impeccable, the standard of teachers is high and the facilities, the fields and the opportunities are boundless.

Any boy who went to Pretoria Boys High School might not realise the gift they have been granted until years later and that is truth.

I just wanted to thank you for running the highly successful Old Boys Association and for keeping the worldwide community together.

I want to thank the teachers from my time and for the teachers who are teaching the next generation.

I want to thank the Headmasters past and present, the admin staff, the ground staff and the people running the club. Thank you for the pride instilled into the boys and Old Boys and know that Boys High is a one of a kind school, and I am so proud to have been a part thereof.

‘Tis here we learn to live

Kindest regards
Jacques Ehlers (2010)

Hi there,

What an awesome newsletter!!! This edition absolutely captivated me with nostalgia, sadness, hope for our future and indeed a deep sense of pride. We are a community of boys, men and extended family that are true to the concept of Nation Building and true chivalry.

Thanks again!

Andrew Wallis (1998)

SOLOMON HOUSE GOLF DAY

Dear Solomon House Old Boys

The annual SOLLIES GOLF DAY planning has begun and we look forward to your continued SUPPORT and PARTICIPATION in this fabulous event!

BOOK A 4-BALL R4000 or BOOK AN INDIVIDUAL GAME (We place you in a 4-ball) for R 1000

Includes: Halfway House + Prize Giving Dinner at Wingate Country Club, PTA East
Format: 4-Ball Alliance, 2 scores to count
Tee-off: Shotgun start at 12h00

ALL ENQUIRIES, BOOKINGS & SPONSOR FORMS:
Contact Debbie Mc Hardy – 083 459 5559 or dmchardy@iafrica.com

IN MEMORIAM

JOHN MICHAEL VERSTER (1964)

John Michael Verster of the Class of 1964 passed away on September 14 in Hermanus following a lengthy battle with Prostate Cancer.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, two sisters, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

The son of Oliver John (known as Tim) and Natalie Carole (known as Bordie), John was born in Krugersdorp in 1947 and grew up in Pretoria. He was initially schooled at the former Mrs van Bergen’s Milner Street prep in Waterkloof, followed by two years at Brooklyn Primary and two at Arcadia Primary.

Graduating to Boys High in 1960, he proudly became a member of the ‘German Class’.

After matriculating, John completed his first degree at the University of Pretoria, in Economics, Psychology and English. This was followed by an Honours degree at University of Stellenbosch, then a master’s in psychological measurement and doctorate in cognitive science, both completed through UNISA.

He commenced his working career at the National Institute of Personnel Research in Johannesburg headed then by Dr Simon Biesheuvel, where he met and married Biesheuvel’s daughter Mary Ann. She eventually became head of the Management Development unit at Wits Business School, among other roles.

Dr Simon Biesheuvel was a prominent commentator on the social and political importance of race problems and more specifically the study of race, culture and the psychology of African personality under the South African climate of apartheid and its development at all cultural levels.

At the NIPR John’s focus was on research and research leadership; he published widely on research themes involving human development and social change; and was the recipient of national and international awards for research excellence. He was also a NATO-sponsored member of an international Advanced Study Institute aimed at promoting peace through inter-cultural understanding.

Recruited to Standard Bank in the mid-1980s, he spent 15 years there as Human Resources Director, and was sponsored to Harvard Business School in the US, where he completed the Advanced Management Programme for global business leaders.

On leaving the banking group he was appointed an emeritus professor at the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

John and Mary Ann retired to Hermanus several years ago, he became involved with the Whale Coast Conservation Foundation of the Western Cape, and served as chairman of a public benefit organisation, Hlumelelisa, dedicated to giving failed citizens a fresh start in life. His role there was interwoven with another eminent PBHS Old Boy, Paul Bruns.

– Leon Kok

ROBERT JOHANNES WILLEM SPANJAARD (1954)

LOURENS JOHANNES (LARRY) VAN MIERLO (1975)

CLAUDE DENNIS VICTOR (1968)