PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
103RD ANNUAL OLD BOYS DINNER
The 103rd Annual Old Boys Dinner took place on Saturday, 4 June 2022 and was hosted in the main dining hall at Pretoria Boys High School.
Despite the chilly weather, 150 Old Boys descended on the Dining Hall, arriving between 18:30 and 19:00 to music performed by PBHS’s own Dixie Band.
The Master of Ceremonies, James Orr, welcomed all present and introduced those at the main table – Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp, former Headmaster and guest speaker Bill Schroder, 2nd Master John Illsley, Chairman of the PBHSOB Association Jason Webber, Life President of the PBHSOB Association Anthony Wilkes, Chairman of the Governing Body Mark Kingon, Chairman of the Pretorian Trust Eugene Ashton, retiring Art MIC Niel van der Watt and Deputy Chairman of the Parents Association Gus Rosa.
Grace was said by James Lourens (1978 Town House) while Eugene Ashton (1996 Solomon House) gave a Toast to Absent Friends and the Toast to South Africa was given by Dean Lourens (2007 Town House).
Joshua le Roux, the school’s Head Boy, was accompanied by his proud father Braam, brothers, Andre and Johan (2020 School House) and uncle, David Bouwer.
During his address, Joshua proved why he was Head Boy of Pretoria Boys High School with his creative and well researched speech. He had the old boys laughing when he recounted that there are strong rumours that Headmaster Mr Hassenkamp either has a twin brother or the keys to a door leading to tunnels beneath the school premises as he continuously pops up at different places on the school grounds within a very short space of time!
Joshua, with poetic licence, gave his own unique rendition of Rudyard Kipling’s If:
If:
If you can Arrive at the school on the hill
Unbeknown to the Journey which lies ahead.
If you can sing five-hundred faces with all your will
And ensure that in the Boys High ways you are thread.
If You can follow the Boys High Road yet remain a man of your own
If you can wrap yourself in the jersey of green to face the demons of the night
If you can join the brotherhood to never walk alone
And from there seize all opportunities in sight.
If you can draw out the boy’s high magic in moments of glory
And fleet onto fields of gold as the red, white, and green clan
If you can be guided by the four pillars of the school to write your story
And value the top achievers as much as the common man.
If you can live as a gentleman and make honesty and integrity your master
if you can treat every man with kindness, be it enemies or allies
if you can the learn to appreciate the good in times of disaster
and when the final assembly comes don’t hold back the tears in your eyes.
If you can fill every moment, you have here with meaning
And be guided out the foyer with a heart filled with Joy
Yours Is the earth and everything that’s in it
And- which is more- you’ll be a boys High Boy.
Deputy Head Boy, James Banyard, was also in attendance with his father Richard (1988 Arcadia) and grandfather Ian (1957 Arcadia).
Jason Webber (2008 Hofmeyr) gave the Chairman’s Report on behalf of the Old Boys’ Association and Greg Hassenkamp gave the Headmaster’s Report as is tradition.
Guest speaker, former Headmaster Bill Schroder spoke off-the-cuff and with passion about his fund-raising campaign “Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” which has now ended its fifth month. “Those who have responded thus far have been donors that I identified from the previous campaign a decade ago and who have received personal letters from me. I intend to continue this personal approach over the next few years”.
“Simply put, we would like to have 10% of the boys in the School (150) on bursaries which means that we would be giving them an educational opportunity denied to them through historical, geographical and financial reasons. While Boys High is still a state school, the boys would be handpicked for their academic ability in Maths, Science and Technology, would do courses in entrepreneurship and that, together with the holistic education and pastoral care for which Boys High is well-known and with continued mentorship throughout the five years, we should be able to produce outstanding young men who can make this country work”. For more information or for Mr Schroder’s contact details visit https://pretorian.co.za/fundraising-campaign-update-may-2022/
No report on a dinner would be complete without mentioning the food served. The Empact Catering Group, which runs the school’s dining hall served a delicious menu of:
Starter:
Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Served with a Twisted Cheese Stick
Main Course:
Beef Filet with Rosemary Red Wine Jus
Served with Parmesan Mash and
Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
Dessert:
Cheese Platter
Served with Fruit Kebabs
The compliments for this sumptuous meal were still flowing during the following week.
CLASS OF 1962 CELEBRATES 60 YEAR REUNION
On Friday, 13th May 2022 the Class of 1962 celebrated their 60 Year On Reunion, just a week after the groundbreaking 70 Year On Reunion of the Class of 1952.
The Reunion followed the traditional format: meeting at 9 am on the Solomon House lawn for tea and coffee; a walk around the grounds led by the Headmaster, Mr Greg Hassenkamp; a visit to the School Museum; tea and coffee at the Bill Schroder Centre on the upper levels adjoining the Library; followed by attendance of the Friday School Assembly. The Lunch was held at the Old Boys Club.
Guest speaker at the Assembly was 1962 Head Prefect, Tom Brown, who boasted a proud sporting record and became a prominent KZN educationist. His achievements at the School included playing 1st team rugby for three years (1960-1962) and captain in 1962; playing 1st team cricket over the same period; and playing Nuffield Cricket (now Coca Cola Week) in the 1961 and 1962 tournaments. He was subsequently elected ‘Sportsman of the Year’ at the Air Force Gymnasium in Pretoria. The thrust of Tom’s address was the importance of ‘passion and support systems at schools’, including the likes of family, friends, coaches and mentors, and the binding of these elements into the achievements of individual dreams and goals.
Graham Hearn conducted the Scripture Reading, PHILIPPIANS 4 VERSES 4-8.
The main speakers at the Old Boys Club were the Headmaster Mr Greg Hassenkamp and former Headmaster Mr Bill Schroder.
During his post-lunch address, Mr Hassenkamp said:
“Looking back on the Assembly today, there wasn’t a single boy who didn’t make me feel proud. You only had to witness their good manners and general behaviour. All neat and polite to a boy. These are small things that really count”.
Addressing the Class of 62, Mr Hassenkamp told it that “It’s incredibly important having you back at the School, this remarkable and elite institution of 121 years. Indeed it’s a great privilege. It’s at schools like ours that the future leaders of the country need to be involved.
I might otherwise say, ‘today was not even a special day – it was a normal day – and that’s what this School is all about. You’re seeing us for what we are. And it will be the same tomorrow”.
Former Headmaster, Mr Bill Schroder, was the guest speaker at the reunion.
Commenting on Mr Hassenkamp’s address, Mr Schroder mentioned that he (Greg), “was of my boys in my first year at the School. He came back to the School in 1999 and his first major appointment was as head of Solomon House. An Old Boy, he knew the ropes. It soon became wonderful to know that we had acquired a Housemaster of his stature”.
The convenor of the 2022 Sixty Year On Reunion, Mr Don Jones, summed up the events perfectly:
“Some had travelled long distances to Pretoria – Tom Brown from Durban, Alan Cave from the Wilderness, Micky Cooper from Cape Town who also brought his daughter and son-in-law, Peter Doyle from Hilton who again brought with him an amazing amount of delicious Wedgewood Nougat, Paul Erens from Knysna, Greg and Lyn Grobler from Paarl, Rod Stewart and Marj Corlett from Tzaneen, Peter and Di Marais from Bela Bela, and Graham Hearn, and his newly purchased jacket, from Hermanus.
Basil Ferne influenced Prof Eddie Green, an ex-teacher of the school, to attend as well as Ron and Eileen Brown. Ron Brown a teacher, past school inspector, and Founder member of Trinity House College was delighted to attend in spite of not being in good health.
The live streaming of the Assembly was a wonderful innovation and I was made aware of some that were virtually present – Wilf Brown from Hilton, Neil Donen from Canada, Jon Braude from London and Noel Durie who was in the Kruger Park and many others.
The Assembly was special and Tom’s address reflected everything that Boys’ High stood for.
The luncheon was really special and to have the people of the quality of Phyllis and Tony Wilkes and Clinton Harrop-Allin made it more so. The Hassenkamp, Schroder interaction and repartee was palpable and something I will never forget. It is clear to all that that friendship is deeply respectful and caring. It is clear too that Pretoria Boys’ High School is in the capable hands with Mr Greg Hassenkamp as Headmaster.
My thanks to Steffani Kruger and her staff at the Old Boys Club, Sally de Beer, Leon Kok, Mike Theron and last but not least my wife Jackie for their support in making this a very memorable 60th Reunion.
Let us not forget Dame Vera Lynn at this time with her song
We’ll Meet Again
Thank you to all whom attended and we’ll meet again”.
For the full article on the 60 Year On Reunion, penned by Leon Kok, visit the following page: https://pbhsob.com/special-edition-60-year-on-reunion-2022/
THE CLASS OF 2002 TO CELEBRATE 20 YEARS ON
It is clear that the 20 Year On Reunion is going to be a celebration of note and dozens of Old Boys have already booked their places via the AlumNet link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/Twenty2520Year2520Reunion2520Class2520of25202002
The reunion takes place on Saturday, 30 July 2022 at Pretoria Boys High School and a delicious three-course dinner will be served in the main dining hall. As Pretoria Boys High School is hosting Maritzburg College over that weekend, there will be plenty of sporting activities for the Old Boys to enjoy on Saturday including the first team hockey match at 10:45 and first team rugby match at 14:00.
The convenor is Devon Light – devonlight3@gmail.com.
BRANCH GET-TOGETHERS
Just a reminder that two Old Boys’ get-togethers will take place in July 2022 and there is still time to book your place!
Cape Town dinner – Tuesday, 26 July 2022 at the Rondebosch Golf Club, 18:30 for 19:00. Tickets are on sale at R280.00pp via the following link:
https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/Cape2520Town2520Old2520Boys2520Dinner
Hermanus lunch – Wednesday, 27 July 2022 at La Pentola Restaurant, 11:30 for 12:00. Tickets on sale at R250.00 pp via the following link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/Overberg2520Old2520Boys2520Event25202022
For more information email info@pbhsob.com.
UPDATE ON ADAM NUNN’S EPIC CYCLING JOURNEY
IN MEMORIAM
We have been advised by the loved ones of the following Old Boys of their passing and on behalf of all Old Boys, convey our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, school mates and colleagues:
Evan (Happy) Griffiths, Class of 1957
Neil David Parsons, Class of 1988
Michael John Beatty, Class of 1955
Douglas Edmond Repton, Class of 1967
THE OLD BOYS CLUB
Living in or visiting Pretoria (Tshwane)? Remember to pop into the Old Boys Club for great deals and warm hospitality!
Please remember to send any snippet of interesting information to info@pbhsob.com for the attention of Sally