PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Dear Old Boy

Warren Wiese is “living his dream” brewing beer, especially since the massive upsurge in craft beer. Warren matriculated in 2001 and was in Armstrong House. He belonged to the Aeronautical Society and played rugby for the U14, U15, U16 E and the 9th and 5th Team. Warren remembers the school train exchanges as a definite highlight in his school career and that in “Form I, U14E were the only team to beat Grey Bloemfontein on the day 14-0 and as a team we were incredibly proud.”

Warren recalls “I think it was the year 2000 and the school walked to AFFIES to watch the 3rd team play. Huge atmosphere, the thirds won if I remember correctly and the first team drew. The school spirit was something to behold.”

Warren was interested in science and initially wanted to study medicine or dentistry, but he eventually found an interest in Microbiology along with Biochemistry and Biotechnology. He obtained a BSc(Hons): Microbiology at the University of Pretoria in 2006. In 2007 he obtained a Diploma in Brewing from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling and as of September 2016 he qualified as a Master Brewer.

“Boys High teaches great morals and social behaviour. It also has great sporting facilities, a huge variety of cultural endeavours and a holistic approach which sets you up for life.”

After university he joined SAB Alrode in January 2007 as a Brewing Technical Operator. It was his job to operate the Brewhouse at Alrode and ensure that daily production targets were met. “A good couple of years working on shift and learning the business from the ground up.”

In January 2009 Warren was selected as a Brewing Technical Trainee and underwent a rigorous training programme in which he learnt more about brewing, packaging, engineering and quality management related to brewing.

Once qualified as a brewer, he held various acting roles at Alrode Brewery such as Acting Brand Brewer, Technical Brewer, Acting Cellars Manager and Acting Filtration Manager until a vacancy opened up for a Yeast Specialist.

In February 2011 Warren was promoted to Yeast Specialist and was responsible for yeast and fermentation quality at Alrode. He was also acting Castle Brewer at Alrode from 2012 – 2013, and during that period he was responsible for the Castle Brands portfolio such as Castle Lager, Castle Lite and Castle Milk Stout. He was also very involved with Miller Genuine Draft which was brewed at Alrode.

Warren transferred to Chamdor Brewery in 2015 where he is currently based as the Craft Brewer. He is responsible for the three Fransen Street Brand of beers which are available in draught in Gauteng and KZN as well as at a couple of beer festivals.

“My schooling at Boys High has taught me to work hard and play hard; you don’t always need to win. Treat people fairly and have respect for others.”

50 YEAR ON 2017 – CLASS OF 1967

It is always with some trepidation that one approaches any reunion, let alone a 50-years on class reunion, partly because of age and partly because of the unknown. Concerns of that nature are immediately put to rest on driving through the gates of the School, up the tree-lined avenue to those magnificent buildings. Within minutes of getting out of the car, you are confronted by passing pupils wishing you good morning and asking if they can help. You realise, immediately, that you are in the midst of a quite extraordinary and most wonderful institution.

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Then on to Assembly – another extraordinary experience in listening and observing the wonderful sound of boys chatting and the discipline that enabled all that chat to end the second the Headmaster walked into the hall. The Assembly, apart from numbers, has changed little over the years included an interesting mix of music, news, addresses and prizes. The boys were reminded of how fortunate they are to be at such a quality institution benefitting from the talent, values and wisdom of their teachers. They were told of the need to be positive in an ever increasing negative portrayal by the media of the world we live in. Regrets of yesterday and fears of tomorrow are two thieves that rob us of the joys of today.

Moving on to the Sommerville Pavilion for lunch , another great place where many of us experienced the benefits of sport, team work, bonding and competitiveness. A wonderful lunch and some inspirational comments regarding the development and growth of one of South Africa’s most successful companies emphasising the need for team work, openness and tough love.

And then a gentle walk back through the grounds to the front of the School to listen to the Last Post, played every day at 5.30pm, a truly inspiring moment. Many thoughts came into one’s mind at that moment including how fortunate we all had been to have been educated at the School and how extraordinary it was to observe at 50 years on how the School continues to be a most remarkable institution which is an enormous credit to the Headmaster, the teachers and the pupils.

The black tie dinner on Saturday was a very memorable occasion. The various toasts to the School and South Africa mentioned world events 50 years ago – the Mandela treason trial, just a few kilometres down the road, with its remarkable outcome of life imprisonment, as opposed to the more probable death sentence; the assassination of John F Kennedy; Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech; the Johannesburg station bomb with one of our classmates reading at John Harris’ funeral – extraordinary times leading to the development of South Africa into a true multi-cultural society with all the benefits and challenges that that brings noting the very positive role played by the Constitutional Court.‎ It was uplifting to listen to the Headmaster and appreciate how brilliantly the School has coped with these challenges and gone from strength to strength. A visit to the Old Boys Club for a farewell drink concluded a memorable weekend.

Finally, the School puts an enormous amount into our Reunions which undoubtedly makes the day the fantastic success that it is. For those of you who have Reunions coming up, make every effort to attend – it is a truly inspirational outing.

– Peter Rogan
Head Prefect 1967

A LOOK BACK…

BRIEF HISTORY OF PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL
CADET DETACHMENT NO. 141

The Pretoria Boys High School Cadet Detachment is the oldest existing Cadet Detachment in Northern Transvaal Command and was established on 1 September, 1910 with a strength of 40 cadets as part of the Transvaal Cadets, which were a component of the Transvaal Volunteers. The latter was the name given to the defence force of the Colony of the Transvaal before the establishment of the Union Defence Force in 1912.

When numbers increased, the school’s cadets were designated the 84th Company, Transvaal Cadets and in 1912 the school cadets began to show their success when the 84th Co. won four out of seven floating trophies at the Pretoria Cadet Bisley plus 25 individual prizes. The school’s record in shooting has always been an impressive one. In 1976 the School Shooting Team won the S.A. Inter-Schools Competition, receiving both the Prime Minister’s and Connaught Trophies. This feat was repeated in 1977 and in 1978. In 1987 the School Shooting Team won the Northern Transvaal Command Bisley League.

In 1947, during the Royal Visit of H.M. George VI and Queen Elizabeth, 10 boys of the Cadet Detachment were selected to fill ten places in the Guard of Honour of the Pretoria Regiment, when the Royal Family arrived in Pretoria on 29 March, 1947.

Up until 1968, the School had a Bugle Band. The band was South African Champions in 1966, 1967 and 1968. At present, the Cadet Detachment has a pipe band. This was established in 1971 and is the only official Cadet Pipe Band in Northern Transvaal Command. The Pipe Band were South African Junior Champion Pipe Band in 1973, 1982 and 1984.

In the field of Drill, the detachment’s greatest achievement was in 1952 when the School Drill Squad was adjudged the best in South Africa at the Van Riebeek Festival held in Cape Town.

The Detachment has always had strong ties with the Pretoria regiment, and it was affiliated to the 1st Battalion Pretoria Regiment on 12th May 1937. Three of the regiment’s Commanding Officers have been Old Boys.

At present, in the 77th year of the Detachment’s existence, its strength is 800. Members of the School served in all branches of the service in World War I and World War II. In World War I 30 masters and Old Boys made the supreme sacrifice and in World War II the figure was 93. One of our Old Boys was Chief of the Defence Force. Lt-Gen. Len Beyers in 1949, while Lt-Gen H.V. Verster is another Old Boy who has distinguished himself as the Senior Deputy Commissioner of the S A P. During his time as a pupil at the school, he was the RSM of the Cadet Detachment. Another Old Boy to reach general’s rank is Maj-Gen. D.M. Ralston of SAAF.

Officers Commanding
Cadet Detachment No. 141
Pretoria Boys High School

1910 – 1912	Lieut. J.B. Davis	1947 – 1948	Major M.S. Geen E D
1912 – 1915	Captain Mathews	1949 – 1965	Cmdt. R.S. Fair
1915 – 1916	Lieut. T.J. Abbott	1966 – 1968	Cmdt. C.W.S. Hendry
1916 – 1931	Major A. Meester	1969 – 1971	Capt. K.G. Ilsley
1932 – 1939	Major G.J. Joubert VD	1972 – 1978	Cadet Detachment Not Active
1939	Captain K.F. Wynne	1979 – 1980	Cmdt. E.H. Penzhorn
1940 – 1942	Captain R.S. Fair (Acting)	1981 – 1984	Lieut. J.L. Denton
1943 – 1946	Lt-Col. K.F. Wynne	1985 –	Captain P.K.A. Digby

Old Boys of the B H S who commanded
The Pretoria Regiment
to which Cadet Detachment No. 141 has been affiliated since 1937

1952 – 1953	Cmdt. H.S. Morony
1970 – 1975	Cmdt. B.V. Blignaut SM JCD
1980 – 1985	Cmdt. E.H. Penzhorn
Also 1965 – 1970	Cmdt. H. Dittberner JCD (Member of Staff)

Source: The Pretorian 1987

REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY 2017

Old Boys are invited to attend the Remembrance Day Assembly at Pretoria Boys High School on Friday 10 November 2017.

Guests are requested to be seated by 10:45 in the reserved seating in front of the school’s main building.

Weather permitting, the Assembly will take place in front of the school building, failing which, it will be held in the Abernethy Hall.

Tea and coffee will be served in the East Fountain Courtyard after the service.

Please RSVP to Jamie-Lee Fisher at pr@boyshigh.com

We look forward to seeing many Old Boys attend.

PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

WELCOME 2017 MATRICS

We would like to welcome all the 2017 Matrics who have recently become Life Members of the Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys’ Association
and wish all the 2017 Matrics well with their final examinations.

An extract from the 2017 Head Prefect’s speech

To my Matric brothers:
To the guys who have shared the greatest five years of my life with me, here we are, the last of our lasts. I remember my first day of Form I as if it were yesterday. I looked up to Danny and the main school building in awe as I started to day dream away, until I heard “Hey pipsqueek, come here!” My heart dropped – this was it, all the stories of high school and how rough it is was becoming a reality on my first day. So I braced myself for the worst and ran across to him. He was alone, put his arm around me and pointed to the main school buildings which I was so amazed by a couple of minutes prior.

He asked me how many bricks there were in the main school buildings. I was shocked, confused and had no idea. In this time of complete befuddlement, for some reason every Matric there seemed to get the memo as to what was going on and they all gathered around me. It was sorted – I told myself it’s time, the end … I’m going to give some silly answer and it would be the end of me. Just before I answered, the Matric said I know you don’t know – so we, we will tell you, and don’t you ever forget it. How many bricks in the main school building, and all the Matrics there in unison said – enough to be the greatest school in the world and you are a part of it, so welcome. Goosebumps covered my body and any hair I had at the time was raised.

You see, at the time all I could do was take their word for it, but the past five years have continually proven and showed me that it’s the truth. Yes our sports teams make podium positions in national rankings and yes our cultural department is one of the best in the country as well as our academic results being of the greatest standard but that’s not what makes us the greatest school in the world. It’s something much deeper, much greater, the reason we sit here close to tears as we say goodbye to the flag which has been imprinted in our hearts forever.

We are the Red:
The Red Giants which incorporate a value in our school to protect,
that value is respect.
The kind of respect which stops all sports games, clubs and societies and even passing cars,
as we all place our hands on our hearts in remembrance of those who have passed. We respect the fallen both in this school and our own lives
because we are a family, a community, Giants bound sides by sides

The Red which sheds tears of joy and happiness too,
Victories of course and losses which are few.
The reason being is because the Giants of Red don’t lose – they learn
they learn to a point of no return,
where weaknesses become strengths
because the Boys High boys, they have respect.
We are the Giants of Red.

We are the White:
The White Giants which incorporate a value so passionately,
that value is integrity.
Boys High boys don’t bust,
The reason being is because we trust.
That golden rule number one,
Our rule of owning up has already been done.

The white which marked a new beginning,
And now the end with the last school song singing.
The amount of friends we all have made – they are none
Because brothers today we sit here as one.
For five years our character has gained energy,
Because the Boys High boys, they have integrity
We are the Giants of White.

We are the Green:
The green Giants which incorporate a value opposite to royalty,
That value is loyalty.
Through thick and thin, brothers we stand,
Shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.
Gents I’m going to miss you and this school as well
As today we hear the final bell.

The green which marks the never ending legacy,
Memories that are made and stories told endlessly.
All these years later still a place they call home,
As boys they have come and into men they have grown.
In Boys High we’ve received but also learned to give,
As this here we learn to live.
We are the Giants of Green.

– Geordie Collaros (2017)

OLD BOYS IN THE NEWS

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition Finalist

Old Boy Greg du Toit’s photograph titled Wild Dog Pack has placed finalist in the Black and White category of this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition which is in its 53rd year.

This is the sixth image Greg has had placed since his first winning image in 2009, which also placed in the black and white category.

Read more here >>

PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL
12 HOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE

The grit & determination of the Gauteng mountain biking fraternity will be tested to the full when the Pretoria Boys High School 12-Hour Challenge takes place on Saturday 2nd December 2017.

The 5th edition of this endurance event, will once again roll out across the 85-acre campus in Brooklyn, southeast of the city centre. Up to 300 participants are expected to push the limits of their mental & physical staying power. It’s a unique experience – taking on a 12-hour challenge within the city limits.

The course covers the school estate, taking riders between the historic school buildings, around the pristine sports fields & through it’s 100-year old forests. Sole riders & relay teams of 2 to 4 participants would be required to cover as many laps of the 6.1km circuit within the 12 hours.

There will be up to R10 000 worth of prizes as well as products from the title sponsor. Every entrant will also receive an event buff & starter pack. You are invited to enjoy the carnival atmosphere of the annual school fundraiser, which will include food stalls, children’s play area, musical entertainment & the screening of the Springbok rugby test. The event will also provide camping sites.

For more information, please contact:

Race Office:
Graham Smith 083 661 8595

Pretoria Boys High School:
pr@boyshigh.com

Or visit the Facebook page

THE BOARDER VIEW

I was asked to write this article in response to an article in the previous edition of the Boys Highlights. I approached the task nervously and my anxiety increased when I re-read the previous article. A strong case was presented for the day boys. However I had been asked to give a boarder’s perspective on the debate and I felt I should do my part for my fellow hostel boys.

The boarder-day boy rivalry at the school dates back many years. One fact is clear, and that is that even though after Form I, day boy and boarder routines are largely the same, boarders do receive a fuller education from the school.

The school becomes a boarder’s home; to a day boy it always remains just that, a school. Boarders have more passion and love for their school as a result of this.

Contrary to the previous article, day boys are not the matrix that holds the school together. The boarders are the core of the school who support the additional bulk of the day boys. The school would not cease to exist without the day boys. It would merely become a more elite establishment where only the best are accepted.

The school would not function without the boarders. Who would remove the cricket covers on a Saturday morning? Who would make sure the school is tidy before reunions and important sports fixtures? Who would bring on the buckets of water at half time? Who would usher people to their seats? Who would support mid-week sporting fixtures or keep the Boys High score boards rolling over? Not only small jobs such as these would stop without boarders; but the quality of our school’s sport and general discipline would also drop. It cannot be denied that these are two of the most important aspects of the school.

The school would not be what it is without the elite group of about 300 boys known as the boarders. We may not be the most intellectual or charming element of the school but we are without a doubt its core. History repeats itself in the fact that we are only 300 and severely outnumbered but in this case 300 do rule supreme.

I believe the boarder-day boy rivalry is a fascinating and healthy one. I think it will carry on for years to come in the way that it always has. Day boys will try and try again, but then they get a boarder to do it and he succeeds.

– Luke Newby
Boys Highlights Number 9 – November 2007

LETTERS

Dear Old Boys

The Schroder family would like to express our deepest appreciation for all the letters, emails, SMS’s and Whatsapp messages we received in recognition of Cherry’s death. We have been overwhelmed by your sympathy and support and the outpouring of affection and gratitude for her life. We have tried to answer each one personally but should some have slipped through the cracks, please accept our apologies and thanks with this brief paragraph. We continue to receive messages on a daily basis. Thank you to all who attended the Memorial Service as well – it meant a great deal to us.

The School has let us put up a plaque in Cherry’s memory on the Memorial Wall and the simple wording encapsulates what all the hundreds of messages contained.

With gratitude and warm good wishes

Bill, Tracey, Glenn and Bradley

To whom it may concern.

My name is Andrew Falkson. I matriculated in the class of 93.

I was taught by Mrs van Etten, our guidance teacher who always used to say “Noblesse Oblige, Gentlemen” – those who have been blessed have a greater obligation to give back.

I have always retained this important life lesson and tried to put it into practice often overshooting the mark or missing it completely.

Keeping the balance is a real challenge.

After touring Europe as a Rotary exchange student I entered a career in advertising which I practiced for 10 years.

I didn’t feel that I was giving back sufficiently and decided to enter into the ministry.

I became a youth pastor and worked with teens orphans and disadvantaged youth in the church environment.

I had 12 orphan boys pass through my house in a 4 year period.

I still felt that I was not making a significant enough contribution as we were helping the individual not the community.

I have since started a company called Back on Track sneakers which aims to create and boost small businesses in the townships by approaching business people in the church to offer cost price products for redistribution into the townships.

We have thus far received branded sneakers clothing , jewellery, cleaning products and possibly cement.

We have 20 young people working in 6 townships around Jhb and Pretoria .

5 are registering their own companies.

We have sold 1300 pairs of shoes in 14 months, thank God.

I feel we are headed in the right direction.

Thank you.

Blessings
Andrew Falkson (1993)

Dear Editor

On a recent trip to Canada, I met up with a 1957 Matric classmate, Len Moore in Sarnia, Ontario. Len has been in Canada since the mid 1960’s, where he owned his own golf course in Sarnia which he sold in 1997. He is now retired and still living in Sarnia on Lake Huron.

Len was a legend at Boys High in the 1950’s, one of the sporting icons in 1957 together with Eddie Barlow. He was athletics Captain and Victor Ludorum for three successive years, breaking the long jump record, which stood for quite a long time. With his speed as a sprinter, he played on the wing for the First XV for a number of years and says he still cherishes his rugby colours blazer and his white Athletics Honours blazer.

I was able to share with Len something of the 60 years-on reunion event we held in Pretoria in May 2017 and discussed with him the reunion photo. I also gave him a collage of early photos of our 1957 group and the staff at Boys High over the years. He was interested to have firsthand news of some of the Old Boys who were at the reunion and sad to hear that a few of his best friends had died in recent years.

Len was in good form, although he has had some health issues in the past few years. We shared an amiable chat over coffee with his lovely wife Avril. He asked to be remembered to his Solomon House friends in particular and to his Old Boy classmates of 1957.

Ed Meyer (1957)

IN MEMORIAM

OWEN BRIAN (MOOSE) TALJARD – (1965)