REUNION NEWS
Three reunions were held between 17 August and 13 September 2024, keeping the PBHSOB Association and PBHS staff busy with preparations to ensure that our Old Boys were welcomed back to the school on the hill in style – the 10 Years-On, 30 Years-On and 50 Years-On.
10 YEARS ON – THE CLASS OF 2014
The Class of 2014, led by Head Prefect Marthinus Erasmus and Deputy Head Prefect Tyler Easton, celebrated their 10 Years On Reunion on Saturday, 17 August 2024 with a reunion dinner at Pretoria Boys High School. The group of 80 Old Boys returned to their alma mater on Friday, 16 August to attend the school’s Friday assembly and returned on the Saturday night for their formal reunion dinner. They were joined by members of the school executive, including Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp, Second Master Craig McBride and Deputy Headmaster Chris Oldnall. The PBHSOB Association’s Chairman, Jason Webber, and several of the groups’ Masters were also in attendance.
The Class of 2014 : Group photo on Friday 16 August 2024
Some of the Old Boys enjoying tea in the Reeler Room, including Deputy Head Prefect Tyler Easton (centre)
2014’s Head Prefect Marthinus Erasmus catching up with former teachers before the Friday assembly
30 YEARS ON – THE CLASS OF 1994
Dr Ian Koller, the Head Prefect of the Class of 1994, convened their 30 Years On Reunion which took place over Friday and Saturday, 30 and 31 August 2024 at Pretoria Boys High School. The group spent the day at PBHS on Friday 30th August and returned on Saturday night, 31st August, for their formal reunion dinner.
Dr Koller currently practices orthopaedic surgery with a special interest in hand surgery at the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital and coordinates the orthopaedic and hand surgery services at the hospital. He also currently teaches students, registrars and fellows that rotate through the Martin Singer Hand Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital where he has worked as a hands specialist for over 10 years. When not working he enjoys family time with his wife and two children outdoors whenever possible.
During his speech at the special assembly on Friday, Dr Koller said that although it had been 30 years since he had last stood on the school’s stage, it felt like yesterday as time had flown. He also said that although a lot had changed at PBHS, in many ways it was still the same.
“I’ve given many speeches and many talks around the world to groups of surgeons, but I’ll admit that when I read that I’d have to address the school today I was really a bit flummoxed, I wasn’t quite sure what to say. But my 12 year old son gave me the best advice – Dad, tell them ‘don’t leave school regretting that you didn’t give of your best’. That’s probably one of the biggest messages because one of the things I’ve heard in the 30 years since I left Boys High is ‘I wish I had – I wish I had done this, I wish I had said that’; those regrets of not having seized the opportunity. And this is one of the things that our school offers us – tremendous opportunities, unrivalled, unparalleled opportunities. It passes in the blink of an eye, so I can encourage the school – it’s not too late to give of your best and seize the opportunities”.
Mr Steven Briggs, Class of 1994, gave the scripture reading during assembly. Mr Briggs is the CEO of VulaCoin, a digital payments company, and the founding CEO of Fibertime, providing affordable WiFi to townships.
A special treat was in store for the boys, staff and the Class of 1994 when one of their own, Jason Reolon, an accomplished and acclaimed South African pianist and composer, performed one of his own compositions dedicated to his music teacher at PBHS, the late Mrs Sylvia Reid, entitled “Trip Around the Sun”.
Alumni from the Class of 1994 attended their reunion from the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada, Botswana, Australia, the United States and various parts of South Africa.
The Class of 1994
Head Prefect, Class of 1994, Dr Ian Koller
Jason Reolon performing “Trip Around the Sun” in tribute to Mrs Sylvia Reid, his PBHS music teacher
50 YEARS ON – THE CLASS OF 1974
The Head Prefect of the Class of 1974, Mr Mark Marais, convened their 50 Years On Reunion and 60 Old Boys attended with 25 partners joining them. This was a great number for a 50th Reunion, congratulations on a job well done!
Mark is a professional engineer with BSc Engineering and BComm cum laude. He has spent most of his working career constructing large multidisciplinary engineering projects on a turnkey basis. That is, design, manufacture, construct, and commission. The bulk of these projects have been power stations, and his current projects are Medupi and Kusile power stations.
Mark decided to request the Deputy Head Prefect of 1974, Advocate William (Billy) Downer to give the speech in assembly as Mark had done so at their 40 Years On in 2014.
An extract from Advocate Downer’s CV reads as follows:
BA LLB Cum laude (Stellenbosch)
BCL (Oxon [Oxford University]– Brasenose College 1980-1982 – Rhodes Scholar, South Africa-at-Large 1980)
Prosecutor, Department of Justice and National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa for 39 years (1982 to 2021)
Prosecuted many commercial cases in the lower and High Courts:
- Currently State v Zuma and Thales in the Pietermaritzburg High Court
Retired November 2021 and currently on contract with the NPA post-retirement.
During his speech during the special assembly, Billy touched on the following:
“Boys High gave us the tools to make a life and not only a living, and not to wait too long before we would know what is really important – that’s the Boys High ethos.
After I retired, the National Prosecuting Authority asked me to stay on, on contract, to finish the Zuma and Thales prosecution which had been my baby for decades. You might ask why did I not simply retire and let others take up the cudgels in this prosecution? The answer, attributable in large part to the Boys High ethos of duty, duty that binds us all, is that we simply must do our jobs – it’s a Boys High thing”.
The Old Boys enjoyed their day at the school on the hill starting with tea on the Solomon House lawn at 08:00. They then met up with Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp who took them on a tour of the school grounds, followed by visits to the Museum, the Reeler Room, boarding houses and the Bill Schroder Centre which houses the Music Centre and the library. After an hour-long special assembly the Old Boys and their guests enjoyed lunch before ending the day with a sherry whilst the Last Post was played by a school trumpeter and the school flag was lowered.
Group photo of the Class of 1974
Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp sharing a joke with the Class of 1974 over lunch
There is one more reunion this year – the Class of 1984’s 40 Years On. Ticket sales are now open for the two-day reunion taking place on Friday and Saturday, 25 and 26 October 2024.
If you have not as yet bought your ticket, here are the links:
Both Friday and Saturday:
https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/40YearsOnClassof1984FridayandSaturday
Friday only (08:00 to 18:00):
https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/40YearsOn1984FridayOnly
Saturday night formal reunion dinner only:
https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/40YearsOnClassof1984Saturdayonly
The convenor is 1984’s Head Prefect Mr Paul Theron.
BRANCH GET-TOGETHERS
KNYSNA-GEORGE-PLETTENBERG BAY
Knysna played host to what could be the biggest gathering of PBHS old boys the seaside town has ever seen.
More than 50 men attended the lunch with individuals travelling from as far as Prince Albert (200km+) to Mossel Bay, George and Plettenberg Bay. It was truly incredible to see how many of the men were more than “40 years on”, at least 80% of the group, with the oldest Old Boy from the Class of 1959.
A fascinating story was told by Henk Kaal who thereafter presented the Headmaster, Greg Hassenkamp, with the School Crest which he salvaged from the old gates of the school when the school underwent renovations and which has sat in his garage for decades!
The venue was beautiful, hosted at the Knysna Hollow Country Estate on an absolutely beautiful day.
The gathering of Old Boys was also treated to a most wonderful band pipe performance, which brought a tear to many eyes.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed listening to the feedback that the Headmaster gave. There was a lot of banter which sent the crowd into laughter more than once and Solomon House had its time in the sun, which we suppose is overdue. Lastly we would all like to thank the Headmaster and the Old Boys Association Chairman Jason Webber for making the journey to Knysna – we hope this becomes a calendar event in the diary. What a wonderful school!
Article written by Leon Strumpher, Class of 2001, School House
Branch lunch organised by Lindley (Leish) Horak, Class of 1962, Rissik House
Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp & Old Boys Chairman Jason Webber enjoying lunch in Knysna
Henk Kaal hands over the school crest which he salvaged from the old gates of the school when the school underwent renovations
What would a Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys gathering be without the bagpipes?
The last branch get-together of 2024 will be the Johannesburg lunch for the Gauteng Old Boys. The convenor is Bruce van Wyk and he looks forward to seeing you on Friday, 1 November 2024 at 12:00 at the Thundergun Steakhouse, Randburg. For bookings and more information please follow this link:
https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/JoburgBranchGetTogether2024
Whilst the formal branch gatherings are arranged well in advance, we love to hear of impromptu get-togethers both in South Africa and abroad.
GATHERING OF EX-BOYS HIGH STAFF IN THE CAPE
A group of ex-Boys High staff who are now resident in the Cape gathered with their partners on Sunday 8th September at the Vergelegen estate near Somerset West for a luncheon. Some of those who attended hadn’t seen each other for over twenty-five years, so there was much catching up to be done.
The combined service to the school, of those present, represented 216 years!
Irene Fricke, now residing in Cape Town after years sailing the oceans with her husband, coordinated the event. It is hoped to arrange further such gatherings in future.
Those who attended were:
Sandy Black: PBHS 1995-2009, Biology teacher and later HOD
Jannie Biddulph PBHS 1981-2003; Director of Sport (1995-2003)
Mike Brasler: PBHS 1994-2004, HOD Science
Steve Cilliers: PBHS 1990-2001, HOD English 1996-2001
Louis Esterhuizen: PBHS 1992-1999, Deputy Headmaster
Irene Fricke: 1988-2000. Science teacher and then HOD
Rory Heather Clark: PBHS 1992, 1994-1996, Science teacher
John Illsley: PBHS 1988-2023, HOD History 1994-2016, Second Master 2004 – 2023
Tanya Millar: PBHS 2000-2015 as an English teacher
Tony Ryan: PBHS 1991-1997, Deputy Headmaster
Paul “Chalky” Sommerville: PBHS 1966-2007, HOD Maths 1986-1994, Deputy 1999-2007
Niel van der Watt: PBHS 1987-2022, HOD Music 1997-2020.
Front row (left to right): Tony Ryan, Paul Sommerville, Louis Esterhuizen, John Illsley
Back row (left to right): Tanya Millar, Rory Heather Clark, Irene Fricke, Mike Brasler, Sandy Black, Steve Cilliers, Jannie Biddulph, Niel vd Watt
BOOK CORNER
We recently received an email from Ross Grant (Class of 1992) containing an excerpt from a book of memoirs written by Old Boy Alan Bunton (Class of 1960). This chapter is about former PBHS teacher Mrs Deidre Hickman which we will share hereunder.
Said Headmaster Mr Greg Hassenkamp when sending the email on to the Old Boys’ Association’s office: “Ms Deidre Hickman was indeed a legendary Boys High teacher through the 1980’s and early 90’s. She was a real mother figure to all the 1st team rugby and cricket boys as the article suggests. There will be many Old Boys from the 80’s and 90’s who remember Ms Hickman very fondly. She was a diehard supporter of the school and a loyal staff member”.
Extract from Alan Bunton’s memoirs:
“MRS HICKMAN
When Stuart started at Pretoria Boys High I gave him some good advice: Don’t waste too much time on the boring stuff, like Maths and Science, be kind to girls, and play a good game of rugger. No one will remember if you were in 5A or 5E, but your name will live forever if you get your colours for rugby, because your picture will be up on the wall for eternity.
Stuart took all this to heart.
One of his teachers was Mrs Hickman, who did her best to teach him geography.
She had grown up in Rhodesia and had a left hook like the kick of a zebra.
Stuart said he had never been hit harder on the rugby field, than when he was playing the fool in Mrs Hickman’s class, and she caught him on the ear with a left, that knocked him right out of his seat.
But she loved the boys, and the boys loved her.
Every cricket season she would knit each first 11 player a fair isle jersey, and each rugger season, she would knit each first 15 player, a seven-foot scarf in the school colours.
She never missed a game of cricket or rugby.
But gradually she started losing her sight.
She battled on, but eventually she had to throw in the towel and retire.
She walked with a stick, but, as time passed, this was also difficult.
One cold winter’s day, I saw something remarkable. It was a big rugby game being played at home, and the stands were packed with boys and their opponents. Mrs Hickman had got a lift to the playing fields. She walked cautiously along in front of the grandstand where the boys sat, feeling her way with her cane. Instantly, the noise died down, and 1 000 boys or more, stood up respectfully.
Then one of the burly young rugger players came down, and offered Mrs Hickman his arm, and led her to a seat among boys she loved so dearly – while every one of those 1 000 boys or more, clapped her to her seat and continued clapping, until she was comfortably seated.
This spontaneous gesture of love and goodwill touched me deeply. Forget all the academic distinctions, forget all the pictures on the wall.
Just remember the frail old lady, and what touched the boys that chilly highveld afternoon.
I don’t know where Mrs Hickman is, or whether she is still alive. I don’t know whether she was considered a great teacher.
But she was responsible for turning young boys, into young gentleman.
And that was a legacy that richly deserved having her picture on the wall – for eternity”.
We are hoping that Mr Bunton will donate a signed copy of his book to the school’s library which has a special corner for books authored by Old Boys.
PBHS NEWS SNIPPETS
In order to keep our Old Boys connected with their school, we have included some news snippets relating to sporting, cultural and society/club activities. All photos and content courtesy of the PBHS Facebook page.
PBHS BASKETBALL 🏀
And the results are in!
A massive congratulations goes to our First Team Basketball boys who won the U19 Westville Boys’ High School Stayers Tournament this weekend. The final match was played against Northwood where our boys scored a victory of 56-53.
Excellent boys! ❤️🤍💚
PBHS ATHLETICS
The Curro Podium Regional Final was held at Pilditch on Wednesday. Over 50 top athletics schools in the northern half of the country competed for a place in the national final.
Our athletes finished in 9th place — up from 15th place last year — and we now look forward to once again improve our national standing at the grand finale on 8 February 2025.
PBHS CLIMBING
This past weekend (14-15 Sept) several climbers participated in the Gauteng Provincial Competition. The results are as follows:
Speed: Philip Anspach 2nd in youth B. Victor Ellis 2nd in youth A. Andrew Dougal 3rd in youth A.
Lead: Pieter Vorster 3rd in youth B. Philip Anspach 6th in youth A. Ryan Donaldson 9th in youth A. Victor Ellis 4th in Junior Male. Andrew Dougal 5th in Junior Male.
Boulder: Pieter Vorster 4th in youth B. Ryan Donaldson 8th in youth A. Philip Anspach 8th in youth A. Victor Ellis 4th in Junior Male. Andrew Dougal 6th in Junior Male.
It was an exciting weekend with Pieter Vorster, Victor Ellis, and Andrew Dougal being selected to represent Gauteng at the Nationals in two weeks.
Well done! ❤️🤍💚
PBHS CRICKET 🏏
Our boys had an incredible time at the Charl van Rooyen U14 Festival producing an excellent set of results!
DAY 1: vs. Kearsney – rained out
DAY 2 (50 over match):
PBHS U14 A – 423/7
• Dylan Kruger – 145 runs not out (off 122 balls)
• Tshepang Baloyi – 61 runs (off 70 balls)
Selborne U14 A 60 all out
• Lehakoe Mokoena – 3 wickets for 7 runs in 3 over (includes a hattrick) • FJ Klopper – 3 wickets for 15 runs in 5 overs
PBHS U14 A won by 363 runs
DAY 3 (50 over match):
PBHS U14 A – 271 all out
• Dylan Kruger – 128
DHS U14 A – 218 all out
• FJ Klopper – 4 wickets for 40 runs in 10 overs
PBHS U14 A won by 53 runs
DAY 4 (T20):
PBHS U14 A – 183 all out
• Dylan Kruger – 69
Grey High U14 A – 117 all out
• Lehakoe Mokoena – 5 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs
PBHS U14 A won by 66 runs.
This is the first time since January 2013 that our U14 A team has been unbeaten at this Festival. 🎉🏏
PBHS SOCCER ⚽
Grey College Nedbank Cup in Bloemfontein
vs St. Stithians 1-1 draw
vs Victoria Park 3-2 win
vs Grey 1-1 draw
vs Durban High 3-1 loss
vs George Royal Academy 3-2 loss
vs Jeppe 2-1 loss
vs St. David’s 4-2 win
vs HTS Louis Botha 3-1 loss
The First Soccer Team have ended 6th out of 8 teams in the plate division and 14th overall out of 24 teams.
Good job!
STAFF CONCERT
Experience the talents of PBHS’s very own music teachers as they take to the stage for this exclusive concert on Friday, 4 October 2024 at 18:00 in the Desmond Abernethy Hall (entrance free).
FOUR SCHOOLS CONCERT🎶
Students from Pretoria Boys High School, Pretoria High School for Girls, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, and Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool wowed the audience with their incredible musical talent. From mesmerising orchestral pieces to powerful choral performances, it was truly an event to remember.
📸 Cian East
PBHS Photography 📷
Join us on the 8th of October for an exquisite exhibition of our boys’ photographic work.
Calendars, to raise funds for Wollies Animal Shelter, will be on sale, as well as various prints of selected photographs.
See you there! ❤️🤍💚
PBHS BALLROOM DANCING
Join us on October 11th at 18:30 in the Desmond Abernethy Hall for the Ballroom Club’s annual showcase, “Around the World”!
Watch talented dancers from Pretoria Boys High School, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, and Pretoria High School for Girls light up the stage with incredible performances and global rhythms as we take you on a dance journey across continents. Don’t miss this spectacular evening of elegance and excitement!
Purchase your tickets by clicking the link below:
https://bit.ly/3MstTXv
❤️🤍💚
2024 SWIMMATHON
On the 5th of October, Pretoria Boys High School will host a 12-hour Swimmathon to
support Lemon Tree Kids Foundation through Sports for Lives.
Learn more at:
https://sportforlives.org/campaigns/12-hour-pbhs-swim-for-lives-for-lemon-tree-kids/
Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFuOceGVFmsLahX8rWnUWxgZ6ExEcisjPwp62HMjPrRfTmoQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&usp=mail_form_link
Let’s change the lives of these children!
