PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Dear Old Boy

On Friday 30 October 2020 a group of around 70 Old Boys gathered at the Pretoria High School Old Boys Club to bid goodbye to Mr Chalkie Sommerville.

Mr Elwyn van den Aardweg was asked to say a few words of farewell on behalf of all the Old Boys to this legend, Mr Somerville who will be moving to Franschhoek for his well-deserved retirement.

TRIBUTE TO PAUL “CHALKIE” SOMMERVILLE
30 OCTOBER 2020
HOFMEYR PARK
BY ELWYN VAN DEN AARDWEG

We are all gathered here today to pay tribute to, and to bid our farewells to Paul Sommerville who will be relocating to the Cape.

One of Chalkie’ s longest standing friends and colleagues is John Oehley who is living in New Zealand. I contacted him some weeks back in preparation for this occasion and he was kind enough to send his good wishes and provide me with some anecdotes dating back to the 1970s and 80s.

John relates. “I first met Chalks when I started at PBHS in 1971. He was also relatively new and we were Maths teacher neighbours in the old prefabs on the koppie.
One of my abiding memories was a cartoon in one of the Boys Highlights of ‘ 71 or ‘ 72 which epitomized the Chalkie I knew. In the cartoon he was standing at the blackboard with a long stick in his hand, cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, explaining some complex mathematical concept to the class. In the background the classroom cupboard was empty with the exception of a Playboy magazine, a pack of Texan cigarettes and several empty cans of Castle lager. Of the few visible class members, one was carving his name into the desk, one was fast asleep and one was staring out of the window and through the broken pane of glass in one of the windows was an outline of Headmaster Abe doing his rounds. Was a classic!”

Now we all know Chalkie has had a fine upbringing and John’ s account was a little harsh there – I mean an open cupboard door revealing soft porn magazine, booze bottles and cigarettes. We all know Chalkie just would not have done that, he would never leave a cupboard door open.

Paul was for years the Father Christmas at the staff childrens Christmas party held initially by Malcolm and Justine Armstrong and later by Bill and Cherry at their home. One Christmas, one of the toddlers asked her mom, after receiving her present from Paul, why the Father Christmas smelled of smoke. “Well, darling you see he came down the chimney and must have got some black soot on his clothes.” was the quick and clever response. The reply came, “Well Mommy, why are his fingers yellow then?”

John Oehley continues, “Chalks & I taught Maths together for the 23 years I was at the school. Firstly as colleagues, then later as a Head of Department. He was the most popular member of staff and the kids loved having Chalks as a Maths teacher and it was rare that he had a bad word for any student. We also coached 3rds rugby together for many years – were very successful and had lots of fun. As the school timetabler I would always arrange that Chalky, Louis Denton and I were free last two periods on a Friday and we regularly snuck out for 18 holes at that time. I also have very fond memories of the Michaelmas cricket tours that we went on together. I wonder how many tens of thousands of hours he has spent on or around cricket field across the country – all in service of others.”

At one stage at Boys High, Chalkie managed to employ and gather around him the most stunning set of young lady Mathematics teachers. Amongst these were Baps Posthuma, Heather Scott, Jane van Zyl, Lilla Skinner, Tara McCully and Miss Dedekind. The Maths Department soon came to be known as Chalkies Angels.

Chalkie and his wife Liz raised three wonderful children in Greg, Kevin and Fran. These children are are a tribute to both Paul and Liz, and in particular Liz, who had to endure many weeks, weekends and holidays taking care of the children whilst Chalks was on cricket duties.

Boys’ schools around the world are built upon legends. These legends may be amongst the schoolboys themselves and include sporting heroes, particularly bright boys, boys with quirky senses of humour, courageous boys and the like. These are the legends who are spoken about whenever Old Boys gather to reminisce. The traditional boys’ schools are also built on icons amongst the teaching corps. These may be schoolmasters who not only taught the boys but who also made a lasting impression upon them. These schoolmasters are frequently the glue that hold generations of schoolboys together as Old Boys of different eras can relate through a single master whom they admired. Paul Sommerville is such a schoolmaster as evidence of his iconic status is found in the large number of Old Boys who have gathered here today to attend this function.

Chalkie Sommerville is:
Well-loved by thousands of Boys High Old Boys.
He is one who is remembered with great affection and humour. His personality so easily kindles memories, laughter, banter and respect.
One who is gentle of nature, has a genuine love of the boys, staff and Old Boys of Boys High.
One who personifies all that is desirable in a Boys High schoolmaster.

Let us charge our glasses, rise and toast a Boys High icon and wish him well on his move to the Cape

To Chalkie Sommerville.

– Elwyn van den Aardweg

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen

First of all I would like to thank all those involved in the organisation of this get together this afternoon, the Old Boys Association, the Old Boys’ Club and Queen Inge. Thank you James, Geoff and the rest of the guys.

The association between the Old Boys and the School has been something special and unique. Think of the Old Boys’ Sports Day: 11 cricket teams and numerous other sporting and cultural activities. The Old Boys reunions at the School and many others held at different parts of the country.

For those missing their reunions this year one cannot but feel a sense of loss, particularly those of the 1980 group. I always felt that 40 years was always special, maybe 40 years on is the catalyst. Maybe next year could be a double up year.

The reunion in White River where the Old Boys play golf against Potch and Jeppe, I will surely miss.

I have lived in Pretoria for almost 78 years, it is my birthday next week, a large proportion of which I have spent at Pretoria Boys High School.

It started in 1965 when I did my teaching prac at the School and Charlie Mulvenna suggested I apply for a post, it ended at the beginning of 2020 coaching the U14E and F cricket teams.

There are far too many memories to even think about mentioning any of them.

You’ ll be pleased to hear I have changed my habits. Camel Filter instead of Plain and Klippies and Coke instead of spook and diesel.

I am moving to Franschhoek as my youngest son, Kevin and family live just outside Franschhoek and my daughter Fran has moved to the Cape, time to make a move before it is too late.

Finally I would like to thank all of you for coming out today, some even from a far. Today is something I will put into my memory bank, with all the other great memories of that great School Pretoria Boys High.

Goodbye and stay safe.

– Paul Sommerville

101ST ANNUAL OLD BOYS DINNER

The Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys’ Association is delighted to announce that we will be hosting an Annual Dinner this year.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions this event will be limited to 220 Old Boys and guests on a first come, first served basis.

Our MC on the evening is Eugene Ashton (1996, SOL) and further speakers include Dr Niel van der Watt, Mr John Illsley and Mr Werner Obermeyer.

The Association has invited Mr Tony Reeler to be our guest speaker, so we as Old Boys can properly thank him for his service to the School and bid him farewell.

Strict COVID-19 protocols will be in place on the evening. No mask – no entry

DATE: Saturday, 28 November 2020
VENUE: Central Dining Hall, Pretoria Boys High School
TIME: 18:30 for 19:00
DRESS CODE: Black Tie or Lounge Suit
INCLUDES: Three course dinner, refreshments and entertainment.
ENTERTAINMENT: Guest Speaker – Tony Reeler
COST: Per person: R500.00

This event is only open to Old Boys of Pretoria Boys High School & Honorary Life Members of the PBHSOB Association.

For last minute bookings, please contact the Association office directly at info@pbhsob.com for assistance.

COLD ONE AT THE CLUB

On Saturday 31 October 2020 the Association hosted its first Annual “Cold one at the Club”. Over 80 Old Boys, ranging from matriculating in 1949 to 2019, Pretoria Boys High Staff members and Honorary Life Members attended this informal event.

Mr Hassenkamp addressed the crowd informally and a relaxed afternoon was enjoyed at the Pretoria High School Old Boys Club. We encourage all Old Boys to make every effort to attend this event in future!

Please visit our Facebook page for more photos >>

2021 HEADPREFECTS

Every year Mr Jason Webber, Chairman of the PBHSOB Association sends a letter to the newly elected Head Prefect and Deputy Head Prefect of the School, congratulating them and wishing them well with their appointment.

This year the Association was delighted to receive a reply from Kyle Marshal (Head Prefect) and Tino Chirozvi (Deputy Head Prefect) which we include below. These gentlemen are showing strong leadership and dialogue between them and the Old Boys, facilitated by the Association’ s Benefits Committee will be ongoing during their tenure.

Dear Old Boys and Old Boys Association of Pretoria Boys High School

Tino and I would like to thank you for making the effort of reaching out to us. We are honoured beyond description to have been elected to lead our beloved school in 2021.

Tino and I are fully committed to bettering the school in whatever way we can, by whatever means necessary. Our hope is that next year is a COVID-free year so as to allow us the opportunity to fully make use of our final year to truly serve the school, and serve it well. We are committed to upholding the values and traditions of the school and acting in its best interests at all times. We are very excited to begin working alongside you next year.

We would like to use this opportunity include an exert of our School Governing Body meeting report which essentially outlines our vision for 2021.

A school of our size without a plan is bound to fail. Our vision for 2021 is based on 6 core concepts that, if done correctly, will take our school to new heights. These 6 core concepts are as follows:

1. Investment – Investment goes without saying – without putting something in you won’ t get something out. We feel that is mightily important to invest our time, energy and resources into the betterment of the school at whatever cost. We need to invest in every boy to get the best out of him. We need to invest our time in the school in whatever form to get better at what we do and improve everything that needs attention. We need to put our hearts and souls into everything we do if we want to be the greatest school in the world.

2. Guidance – We are the elected leaders of the school. This means that what our peers saw in us was a source of guidance. We are responsible for ensuring that the school knows where we want to go and how we want to get there. This requires constant communication via the various channels that are in place, and this needs to be done until the very end of our term in office.

3. Authenticity – As a prefect group, we are 33 boys each equipped with our own talents, interests, and personalities. The only way that each boy will do his job the best way he can will be if he stays true to himself throughout the process. The memory of the 2021 prefect group we leave with the school will be affected by how authentic we are in our dealings with them, because we are not the 2020 or 2022 prefect group; we are the 2021 prefect group and the school needs to know that. On the other hand, we want to encourage each boy and even staff member in the school to be authentic as well. That is what will set us apart as a school.

4. Relationship – Arguably the most important concept, relationship is crucial for the year ahead. What a relationship of brotherhood can do for the school is absolutely unmatched. If every boy has a strong relationship with his brothers in the school in conjunction with a love for the school, we will be invincible.

5. Service – As mentioned earlier, servant leadership was greatly emphasised as a part of the prefects training, we need to serve the school in any and every way because we are responsible for its success in the present as well as the future. We need to serve the school and its people because that is what we were chosen to do.

6. Passion – Who is going to invest in anything that they don’ t have a passion for? Our passion for the school needs to be evident through the 5 aforementioned concepts. Our Investment, Guidance, Authenticity, Relationship and Service should exhibit how much passion we have for this beautiful school that love and that we call our home.

We look forward to working with you in the coming year and hope to continue the legacy of those who have gone before us.

Yours Sincerely,
KYLE MARSHALL
HEAD PREFECT 2021

TINO CHIROZVI
DEPUTY HEAD PREFECT 2021

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020

Punctuality is a prerequisite for any perfectly organised occasion, as was the Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony held in front of the School under a cobalt blue sky on 11 November 2020, contrasted by a few white clouds.

At ten minutes to eleven the rows of neatly aligned chairs began to fill quickly with the low-pitched buzz of boys in hushed conversation. The atmosphere of reverence was enhanced when at five minutes to eleven a stillness suddenly fell over the gathering, only to be broken by the lamenting wails of (Mr. Illsley’s pets) three Hadedas alighting on the top branches of the east Norfolk Pine.

Then silence until punctually at eleven the chimes commence the proceedings as printed on the programme, poignantly punctuated by the surrounding bird life, as if the House Sparrows, the Mynahs, the Southern Boubou and those Hadedas all wished to commemorate the Fallen.

The ceremony ended with the impressive punctual poppy drop of thousands of red paper poppies from a helicopter, a first time innovation in the traditional function, ending with scrumptious cucumber sandwiches in the Eastern Quad.

– Trebot Barry (1956)

Click here to view a video compiled by the School.

The PBHSOB Association asked Mr Paul Sommerville to lay the wreath on behalf of the Association and a number of Old Boys were present on the day.

The guest speaker was Prof Harris from the University of Pretoria. Her poigant address is included below:

Pretoria Boys High School
Remembrance Day
– 11 November 2020

Good morning Mr Hassenkamp, Teachers and Boys of this esteemed school.

Thank you for the invitation to address you all on the occasion of your annual Remembrance Day – it is indeed an honour. This is a day that is commemorated across the globe to remember those who died in the service of their country – a day that is being commemorated now as we speak, as far afield as the United Kingdom in the North, India in the East, the United States of America to the west and Australia down under. This tradition, this pause for remembrance, dates back to the end of the First World War when at 11:00 on the 11th day of 11th month in 1918 a ceasefire was called and the warring nations of the world laid down their arms after a War that was supposed to end all wars.

But it was at the end of this very War that the foundations for another global war were inadvertently laid. The punitive measures imposed on Germany through the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 destabilized Europe and two decades later, the Second World War broke out. An economically and politically unstable Germany had been rearmed by Adolf Hitler who then forged alliances with Italy and Japan to further ambitions of world domination. The war that broke out in September 1939 with the German invasion of Poland and the declaration of war by France and Britain was a War to surpass all wars. The Second World War dragged on for 6 long years, and raged across Europe, the Asian Pacific, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa involving more than 30 nation states. Not only was it the largest and most horrific war of all time, but also the deadliest. The death toll was estimated at between 50 to 55 million civilian fatalities and 20 to 25 million military fatalities, with an additional 20 to 25 million deaths from war-related disease and famine.

This year, in 2020, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of this second global war. In May 1945 V-E day (Victory in Europe) celebrated the formal acceptance of Germany’ s unconditional surrender to the Allies. This was followed in August 1945 by V-J day (Victory over Japan) when the Japanese surrendered to the Allied forces bringing to a close this single deadliest war humankind had ever experienced. In September of 1945 the final surrender document was signed indicating the complete capitulation of Japan officially ending the Second World War.

When war was declared against Germany by the Allies in 1939, there was a war of a different sort playing out in South Africa. As part of the British Commonwealth, Prime Minster Jan Smuts was again adamant that South Africa should join the war effort, but was vehemently resisted by nationalist supporters of D.F. Malan and B. J. Hertzog. This division within society at large would resonate on the school grounds here in Pretoria and as John Illsley so aptly writes in the Boys High centenary book, “literally and figuratively” battle lines were drawn by “the railway line that separated Boys High from Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool” (p. 93). However the local incidents that transpired on school grounds between the high school boys paled in comparison to the tragedies that played out in the theatres of war across continents.

As in the case of the First World War, Boys High teachers and old boys as well as learners signed up for the war effort. And, as before, they became war heroes and were recognized by being decorated. Again there was a tragic loss of life, but this time the toll was far greater. It is to these boys, who became men on the battle fields of war that this day is dedicated and to whom we now turn.

As indicated, from the outset of this treacherous War both masters and school boys heeded the government call to volunteer and many of them took the Africa Service oath which allowed them to be deployed anywhere on the African continent. Others were to venture further afield as members of units in the different armed forces be it the army, air force or navy. Within the first year of the War a half dozen masters were granted leave to take up active service, and were followed the next year by 10 senior boys from Arcadia, Rissik and School House. But by the end of 1940 over 800 boys and old boys had joined the forces, a figure which was held to have doubled by the end of the War to some 1 600. These individuals from Boys High were to be found in all the theatres of war in which South Africa participated – East Africa, North Africa, the Mediterranean and Italy, while those that joined the Rhodesian or British forces fought in places such as the Far East.

There are numerous tales of the camaraderie among the old boys across the warring landscape, as well as accounts of the role of those back at home in the classrooms played to support their fellow school members at war. The Boys High centenary history indicates that at “no other time in the history of the School [was] the relationship or connection between school boys and old boys as strong and significant as during World War Two” (p. 100). Some of these efforts included the sending of parcels and the writing of letters to Prisoners of War, gestures that were appreciated and, as an old boy in a prisoner of war camp reflected: “These letters showed us that we were not forgotten”. And today is yet another example that these old Boys are indeed not forgotten.

During the course of the War, Friday assemblies at the “school on top of the hill” were the forum for sad announcements regarding old boys who had been killed on the battlefield. Over a period of six years, the “School’ s roll of honour grew at a tragic rate” (p. 98). In total 95 old boys perished in battles such as those at Sidi Rezegh and El Alamein. Of these 95 fallen soldiers , 3% had enrolled with the navy, about 40% with the army, while the lions share of 55% of Boys High participants joined the air force. Of these 95 old boys, half were killed in action or were missing in action, and of these half were flying related. The remainder succumbed to the perils of disease, wounds and a drowning, while another was shot in a prisoner of war camp. More than half of these old boys died in the prime of their young adult life – ranging between the ages of 21 and 30 years of age. In addition, of the 1 600 Boys High participants 40 were decorated: 3 received the Order of the British Empire; 3 Members of the British Empire; another 3 the Distinguished Service Order; 1 a Distinguished Conduct Medal; 16 the Distinguished Flying Cross; 10 the Military Cross and 4 a Military Medal. Lieutenant Bob Kershaw, a Rissik House old boy, was one of the recipients of a Distinguished Service Order. He heroically rescued his flight Commander by landing his single-seater Hurricane fighter while under Italian gun fire. The Commander sat on Kershaw’ s lap in the cockpit, took over the controls and flew them to safety. To further commemorate this heroic act, Kershaw’ s portrait, painted by Neville Lewis, was used as a War postage stamp in South Africa.

At the Armistice Day service held exactly 75 years ago in November 1945 the then Headmaster Mr Daniel Duff Matheson said the following:

“This is our first peacetime celebration of Armistice Day for six years. The war in Europe and the war against Japan have ended. During the past month, hearts have been gladdened by the return of loved ones from the battle lines. Your fathers and brothers have been coming back. It has been good to welcome masters who have been away for many years and to receive so many visits from old boys on their return from the front. But there are those who will not return and we are gathered here for a few minutes to dedicate ourselves anew to the ideals for which they died” (pp. 104-105).

This remembrance that persists to today, attests to the spirit and ethos of Boys High, a strength and resilience that is echoed in the video clip of the Matrics of 2020 who claim “he is unconquerable when empowered by the good men alongside him”.

And so, finally, when I look out the window from my office in the Humanities Building at the University of Pretoria down on the superb grounds of Pretoria Boys High, the clock behind me is visible. This, as the inscription on the façade indicates, is a clock that is dedicated to the “memory of those who gave their lives in the Great War”. In a sense this inscription aligns with the core values of your school – to HONOUR those who gave their lives for a cause beyond themselves, to acknowledge their INTEGRITY in adhering to moral and ethical principles, to show LOYALTY to a specific cause and to each other and lastly, to RESPECT those who have gone before you.

In conclusion, it is important that we continue to come together to remember and honour those who have sacrificed and died for the principles we live by and the freedoms we enjoy. It is also important that we value those who have gone before us, as well as those who are with us. This aligns with the original commemoration of Armistice Day in 1919 which, by the way, was initiated by an appeal by South African philanthropists, author and politician Sir Percy Fitzpatrick who appealed to King George V. There was to be a two minute silence – one minute in remembrance of the fallen in war; and one minute in gratitude for those who survived. In the light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the new global war of the twenty-first century, it will stand us in good stead to take heed of these values.

The Remembrance Day prayer:
They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Now the years condemn them
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM

THAT.. FLUFF BEARD

When will I be able to shave in peace? The ‘Oldman’ yells: “Are you shaving again? I never shaved until I was eighteen!” Then the ‘Oldlady’ says to the ‘Oldman’ : That’ s only because the sergeant told you to get that …fluff beard off.”

How I would like to switch on my razor and enjoy a shave, without a dreadful feeling of guilt. Of courseI could set a record and grow the first …fluff beard. Then again, I might get Mr. Fair remarking: “Your hair is too long again, but your …fluff beard looks even worse. “

– N. Reilly, Form IIIC – The Pretorian 1970

PBHS PUPILS IN THE NEWS

Friend’s suicide after failing Grade 8 spurs dyslexic pupil to support those with same condition

When Liam Jooste was in primary school, he struggled with his reading and writing but didn’ t know what the problem was.

It was only when he was in Grade 5 and had to change schools that he got a professional assessment that diagnosed him with dyslexia.

“I struggled a lot until I moved schools in Grade 5 and had to do a screening to see where I was between grades – whether I was on par or not. My maths was above average but my English and comprehension skills were below. And they referred me to get checked for dyslexia and that’ s how I found out.

“It gave me an answer to why I was struggling and it made me almost feel more normal finding out that it wasn’ t me. That I had a problem. It gave me closure,” he said.

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. The Grade 10 Pretoria Boys’ High school learner has partnered with the Red Apple Dyslexic Organisation to try and offer support to children who have the same condition.

One of the reasons he started working with the organisation was because his friend, who also had dyslexia, committed suicide after failing Grade 8. “It almost put something on my shoulder. I don’ t want to say I do it for him but it definitely gives me a reason to do and try and change how dyslexic people are seen.

“With the Red Apple I want to build awareness for dyslexia. You need to be tested in order to be granted concessions at school. What the Red Apple is doing is trying to make these tests cheaper and more available to more learners,” he said.

Learners with learning disabilities can be given concessions like getting a reader, rest breaks or writing in a different venue depending on their needs.

IN MEMORIAM

CHARLES THERON (1967)

Charles Theron passed away peacefully on his small retirement farm on the northern outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand on 19 November 2020 at the age of seventy after a two-year battle with a rare lung cancer. He is survived by his wife Jenny, his children Liesle, Greg, Gillian and Lynette, seven grandchildren, and his sister Lee.

He graduated from the University of Pretoria with MBChB and MMed (Anaes) degrees, in 1973 and 1978 respectively, and was awarded FFA(SA). He later was also awarded fellowships of the New Zealand and Australian colleges. He practised as a specialist anaesthetist in pre-eminent partnerships in Pretoria and Westville before emigrating with his family in 1994 to New Zealand where he practised in Wanganui and Rotorua. Charles retired from medicine on his 65th birthday and moved to Auckland where three of his four children live.

He attended PBHS from 1963 to 1967 as a day boy and described himself as average. He enjoyed playing rugby but was concussed on several occasions. The last incident was at under 15 level when he only woke up in hospital. He was advised by a neuro-surgeon to avoid contact sport. Cricket never held the same attraction for him although he played interhouse cricket for Sunnyside.

In a humorous and unpretentious memoir written recently for his children and grandchildren Charles wrote: “There are many things in life that happen by chance that have a major influence on your life. Some good and some bad. Going to that school was one of the major good and positive things that happened to me. …It is always said that your school years are the best years of your life and it may not be entirely true but in my case it was pretty close. I loved my time at PBHS.”

2020, Newsletters

Issue 26 2020 – Newsletter