PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
Dear Old Boy
The Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys’ Association Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 20 May 2015 at the Pretoria High School Old Boys Club, Hofmeyr Park, Lynnwood at 18:00.
We would like to encourage all Old Boys and PBHSOB Association Members to attend the evening and use the AGM as a platform to have a say and voice opinions.
If you are unable to attend, please complete a proxy form allowing another PBHSOB Association Member to vote on your behalf. Kindly return the completed form to info@pbhsob.com as soon as possible. The cut-off time for returned proxy forms and apologies are 13:00 on 20 May 2015. Click here to download the proxy form.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION WILL BE HELD AT THE PRETORIA HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS CLUB, HOFMEYR PARK, LYNNWOOD, PRETORIA ON WEDNESDAY THE 20TH OF MAY 2015 AT 18:00.
AGENDA
1. Notice convening the meeting
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 21st May 2014
4. Matters Arising out of those minutes
5. Annual Report
6. Financial Reports and Balance Sheet
7. Resolutions
a. All other acts and things performed by the Directors on behalf of the Association during the past year are hereby confirmed.
b. Such others of which notice may be given
Note: Resolutions must be submitted in writing and must reach the Hon. Secretary seven days before the meeting.
8. Election of the Directors and Office Bearers for the ensuing year
9. Appointment of the Auditors and fixing of their remuneration
10. General
Date: 20 May 2015 | Time: 18:00
Address: 378 Queens Crescent, Lynnwood, Pretoria.
OLD BOYS WEEKEND 2015
Old Boys who are travelling from around the country to attend and are in need of accommodation will be pleased to know that reduced rates for Old Boys over this weekend have been arranged at a number of establishments in Tshwane and Centurion. Please email info@pbhsob.com for more information.
FRIDAY 5 JUNE 2015
Founders’ Day Assembly
Old Boys are welcome to attend the Founders’ Day Assembly at Pretoria Boys High School wearing a jacket and tie. Tea will be served in the Media Centre at 08h30 and Old Boys may walk around the school thereafter. Assembly will start at 09h35 at the front of the school and will finish at 10h30.
OLD BOYS’ GOLF DAY 2015
This year the Annual Old Boys’ Golf Day will be held at the Pretoria Country Club and will be an open event. We look forward to welcoming ladies and gentlemen who are not Old Boys of Pretoria Boys High School to enjoy the day with us.
The Pretoria Country Club has recently hosted the Tshwane Open and has a history dating back to 1910.The golf course underwent a major re-design in 2004/2005 by the Gary Player Group and is currently rated in the Top 50 courses in the country.
There are wonderful sponsorship opportunities available for those who are interested and Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys Association Life Members will receive a Limited Edition Golf Towel.
| DATE: | Friday 5 June 2015 |
| VENUE: | Pretoria Country Club |
| COST: | R 900.00 pp | R 3600.00 per fourball |
| FORMAT: | 4-Ball Alliance – 2 to count |
| PLAYERS: | Open Golf Day – All welcome |
| INCLUDES: | Greenfees | Halfway House | Prize Giving | Dinner |
| PBHSOB Association Life Members receive a free Limited Edition Golf Towel | |
| CADDY & CARTS | Caddies – R 185.00 Each | Carts – R 200.00 Each |
| SPONSORSHIP: | R1500.00 Per Hole |
SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2015
Sport at Pretoria Boys High School
On Saturday 6 June 2015 Old Boys are invited to support the Pretoria Boys High School hockey and rugby teams as they compete against St Johns at Pretoria Boys High School during the day.
OLD BOYS’ DINNER 2015
The much anticipated 96th Annual Old Boys Dinner will take place on the evening of Saturday 6 June 2015 at the Central Dining Hall at Pretoria Boys High School. This event is open only for Old Boys of Pretoria Boys High School.
| DATE: | Saturday, 6 June 2015 |
| VENUE: | Central Dining Hall, Pretoria Boys High School |
| TIME: | 18:30 for 19:00 |
| DRESS CODE: | Black Tie or Lounge Suit |
| INCLUDES: | Welcome Drink | Three Course Dinner |
| ENTERTAINMENT: | Guest Speaker | Pretoria Boys High School Musical Item |
| COST: | |
| PBHSOB Association Life Members: | |
| Age 18 – 23 & 65+ | R250.00 |
| Other: | R300.00 |
| Non PBHSOB Association Life Members: | |
| R 500.00 – INCUDING LIFE MEMBERSHIP | |
| CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOKING FORM | |
| Need help completing PDF forms? Click here for a step-by-step tutorial |
|
PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
At the end of last term, Pretoria Boys High School bid farewell to Deputy Master Mark Smith as he took up his new position as Headmaster of Southdowns College at the beginning of this term.
The PBHSOB Association would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Smith for his commitment and dedication to the school and wish him all of the best with his new venture.
Pretoria Boys High School is delighted to announce that the vacant position of Deputy Headmaster has been filled by Mr Con Purchase. Mr Purchase has taught for 24 years and is currently the senior Deputy at Jeppe Boys where he has been since 2007. His previous experience included 9 years teaching at Affies and 6 years at WHPS.
Mr Purchase is a fully qualified Geography teacher and has had extensive experience in school sport having coached at A team and First team level in both rugby and cricket. The school looks forward to welcoming Mr Purchase at the start of the third term.
PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL FIXTURES & EVENTS
- 2 May 2015
Maritzburg College Sports & Cultural Exchange (1 – 2 May, Home) | Pipe Band: South Coast Highland Gathering - 9 May 2015
Rugby & Hockey vs Jeppe Boys (Home) | Basketball: Pretoria League - 16 May 2015
Westville Sports & Cultural Exchange (15 & 16 May, Away) | Basketball: Pretoria League | Big Band: Gauteng Big Band Jazz Festival (15 & 16 May – JHB) | Pipe Band: Jeppe Gathering - 23 May 2015
Tennis: 1st team Kearsney Festival (21st – 24th) | Rugby & Hockey vs St Stithians (Away) | Basketball: Pretoria League | Climbing: Strubens Valley / Bronkies - 30 May 2015
Rugby & Hockey vs Parktown (Away) | Basketball: Pretoria League | Pipe Band: De La Salle Highland Gathering | Choir: Festival
DESMOND ABERNETHY HALL UPDATE
Building Report: Week ending 18 April 2015
The steel structures that support the roofs of both new wings are now complete, cladding will be next. The steps to the memorial wall, the platform below this wall and staircases to the music teaching room (above the stage area) have been cast.
The plastering of the music teaching room and adjacent storerooms is completed and the excavation of the storage room below the stage has been completed. The brick walls that define the stage area and the storage room are being constructed and the stage crossbeam structure is in place. The rear retaining wall and access staircase are still to be cast.
The underfloor drainage pipes that will drain water from the Memorial Quad are being buried at present and the original historic (1909) wooden doors have been refurbished and reinstalled. The plastering of alcove areas on the ground floor and first floor are now completed and roof lighting boxes are being installed.
The ceiling suspension structures in the back of the hall are now in place and the windows on the eastern and western side of the gallery have been removed pending replacement.
An arched window to match the “heritage” window in the east wing has been installed in the corresponding place in the west wing (on landing of staircase) and is a nice restoration of this feature from the original building – which was removed, for some unaccountable reason, in the 1960s.
The dismantling of the entire steel tiered seating structure in the gallery and its reconstruction on steel pedestals has been completed and work will commence shortly on the lower portion – on the new gallery slab.
The staff common room wall (where projection room was removed) has been painted and the access staircases on either side of the gallery are being constructed and floor to ceiling window frames are being removed.
EUROPE OLD BOYS INFORMAL DINNER
After a couple of months of trying to locate Old Boys in the Netherlands and Belgium region, sending emails, realising that many of the emails were not in use anymore, I had response from around 12 Old Boys. Some had moved others were away with work.
Finally we set the plan in motion to start a Europe Old Boys base which was long overdue. On April the 18, 2015 six of us gathered in Amterdam at a fancy restaurant, Brasserie Harkema, namely: Peter Prince 1964 , Brad Benade 1996 , Adriaan Vorster 2004, Niels Blommaert 2007, George Dunlop 2007, Gomolemo Segabutle 2008.
Upon meeting, there was an instant bond. Something about having been to Pretoria Boys High School makes you feel like you already know each other. The ages ranged between 25 and 70 yet you would think we all attended school at the same time period. New friendships were established and old ones re-kindled. Reminiscing about old times and discovering what each person has done since then. I must say that I was in great company! This was a definite success as everyone was willing to help with the next Old Boys gathering in Europe.
It will be in Belgium, on one of the first two Saturdays in June, yet to be confirmed. This time we plan on inviting all those in Europe. With six Old Boys all knowing of at least one or two other Old Boys in Netherlands and Belgium alone, I am certain that more can crawl out of the woodworks in larger Europe.
There is a thread of brotherhood that runs through all those who have graced that awesome school that we have come to know as “The School on the Hill” – Boys High, ‘Tis there we learned to live!
If you are currently living in Europe and have not updated your details, please click here to do so.
LETTERS
(In response to Newsletter – Issue 5 2015)
Dear Editor,
There is another pair of sporting brothers who attended PBHS, albeit further back in history, who are worthy of remembering.
In the early 1920’s there were two brothers who were boarders in Rissik House. Isaac Gold and Morris Gold (my late Father).
Isaac Gold, born 1905 in London England, was a fine athlete. In athletics he held the school record for the 100 yards right until it was replaced by the 100 metres. He also represented the school as a member of the 1st Team Rugby and the team photo hangs in the corridors of the school.
Morris Gold, born 1906 in Pretoria, was also a fine sportsman. He represented the school as a member of the 1st Team Cricket. This team photo also hangs in the corridors of the school. In addition he was a member of the school Shooting Team which won a number of trophies.
I believe a short article in the Newsletter would appropriately honor their memory.
Dr. Clive Gold
1952-1956
Israel
Rissik House Notes:
‘Our new boarders this year are… Gold I and Gold II…’ – The Pretorian 1918
School Sports:
100yds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 11 2/5 seconds (under 16)
440yds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 57 4/5 seconds (under 16)
Pretoria Inter-Primary School Sports:
‘… Gold proved a host in himself and secured first place in the hundred, two-twenty and four-forty yards.’
– The Pretorian 1920
First Fifteen Players:
‘Gold: Full-back; young for such a position of trust but most promising; fields well, kicks with both feet (not simultaneously of course), fast and safe at the tackle…’
– The Pretorian 1921
School Sports:
100yds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 10 2/5 seconds (open)
440yds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 57 4/5 seconds (open)
100yds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 11 1/5 seconds(under 16)
440yds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 60 1/5 seconds (under 16)
– The Pretorian 1921
School Sports:
The 100 yards and 440 yards were both won by I Gold, who in the latter even lowered the school record by a fifth:
100yrds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 10 3/5 seconds (open)
440yds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 54 1/5 seconds (open) (New record)
Rugby:
‘Pretoria have several players who must go far. Their full back, Gold, is splendid, uses his feet well and anticipates better than many a senior player’
First Team Colours:
Football, Athletics – I Gold
– The Pretorian 1922
Colours awarded:
1st XV, 1st XI, Athletics 1st – I Gold
2nd XI – M Gold
School Sports:
100yrds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 10 1/5 seconds (New record)
440yds: 1st. I Gold – Time: 54 1/5 seconds
‘We congratulate I Gold on establishing a new 100 yards record and on sharing the Victor Ludorum Cup with Pickering’
– The Pretorian 1923
Cricket:
First XI Members: ‘Gold: The last of the family. His batting almost as uncertain as his brother’s bowling. A good fielder and can throw with girlish grace a distance of 20 yards.’
– The Pretorian 1924
Many thanks to Keith Gibbs for the extracts above from past Pretorians | Photos – PBHS
IN MEMORIAM
Remembering Mr Rob Rademeyer, Matric 1960, Master 1966 – 2003.Mr Rob Rademeyer passed away unexpectedly last week. He taught at PBHS for 37 years and in his own way left an indelible mark on many. His was not to shout and scream, or to muscle, his way was gentle and civilised. It is for this that he will always be remembered.
Ruthless Rob Rademeyer. That was how I got to know him first. My father, Mark (Matric 1971), had named a couple of masters that I should be on the lookout for, and Ruthless Rob Rademeyer was one of the important ones. It took a couple of years, as these things sometimes do, Mr Rademeyer was not someone that you were going to encounter on a sports field, or even accidentally. Or perhaps you would, but not for reasons that would make sense to one of us. He was different in that way and so
instead of looking to coach he would tend the library on Tuesday afternoons.
This became significant because it was here that I first encountered the legend that was Mr Rademeyer. He hardly spoke, muttering only when absolutely necessary, and seemed never to intervene. I remember in about Form III he was to look after our class for a period. Once we had all settled in he called us to order, which failed, those that knew him simply ignored his calls to silence. This would send most teachers over the edge. Not Mr Rademeyer. No instead his chosen weapon to silence the class was a short story. He promptly planted himself on his desk and began reading, stopping at nothing, and seemingly reading to himself but for the fact that he was reading aloud. It was a mesmerising tale of the last two smokers in England
climbing out of a window to enjoy a last fag together before withering and dying. For forty-five minutes he had our unbroken attention. It was something of a lesson in different approaches.
In the Library on one Tuesday afternoon he was reading a Time magazine at the counter. He began to chuckle to himself and so I wandered over and asked what was so amusing? He pointed out an advert, ‘that is all wrong.’ He then took up a piece of paper and began to sketch out the proper structure and grammar and how it should be written. Confused, I said, ‘Sir, but those are hieroglyphics?’ ‘Yes,’ he said, not missing a beat, ‘and they’re all wrong.’
The following week he arrived with three volumes under his arm and spent a whole afternoon giving me a lesson in Egyptology. I was never going to be fluent, or even anything approaching it, but yet he took the time and enjoyed the interest in an arcane subject. Mr Rademeyer truly was marvellous in that way.
And as for the ‘ruthless’ bit. It turned out, confirmed after my first encounter, that it was simply ironic. The only thing that was ruthless about Mr Rademeyer was his sense of humour. The rest of him was entirely gentleman.
Text: Eugene Ashton (1996 SOL)
UPCOMING OLD BOY EVENTS
- 20 May 2015
PBHSOB ASSOCIATION AGM - 22 May 2015
60 YEAR ON 2015 - 5 June 2015
ANNUAL OLD BOYS’ GOLF DAY - 6 June 2015
96TH ANNUAL OLD BOYS’ DINNER - 21 & 22 August 2015
30 YEAR ON 2015 - 11 & 12 September 2015
50 YEAR ON 2015 - 18 September 2015
9TH ANNUAL EASTERN CAPE (PE) DINNER