OLD BOYS’ SUMMER SPORTS DAY 2025
Every year Pretoria Boys High School hosts an Old Boys vs the School Boys Summer Sports Day.
It is traditionally held on the first Saturday after schools have opened for the new year and the 2025 event will be on Saturday, 18 January 2025 with registration from 07:45 at the Old Boys’ gazebo, Sommerville Pavilion.
Please be reminded that no alcohol may be brought into the school or consumed on school premises.
SPORTING EVENT TIMES:
BASKETBALL
There will be four games against the Old Boys’ teams on Saturday. The games start at 08:00 and the 1st team will play the main game at 11:00 on court one.
CLIMBING
Climbing will commence at 08:30, please meet at the gym.
CRICKET
The cricket schedule for 2025 will be posted shortly; the Old Boys organiser is Wik van Stade who may be contacted via the Old Boys’ Association – info@pbhsob.com.
CROSS COUNTRY
The 4.5km cross country race will start at the tennis courts (bottom of Suicide hill) at 09:00. Old Boys are encouraged to wear their club kit if applicable.
FENCING
The time and venue will be announced during the week preceding the event.
FOOTBALL
Soccer will be played on the Dory Near Field. All games will be two halves of 20 minutes each with a five-minute halftime. The 1st team match will be 25 minute halves. Starting times: 1st game 08:00 , 2nd game 09:00 and 3rd game 10:00.
SQUASH
Squash will take place at the squash courts from 09:00 on Saturday 18 January 2025. Interested Old Boys are to please click the following link to join a WhatsApp group that will keep you updated about the fixtures:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/ITEuZQA9h4gHHiEgMzX2eI
TENNIS
Old Boys wishing to register for tennis are to kindly contact Mr Gerald Stoffberg at gerald.stoffberg.pbhs@gmail.com
TABLE TENNIS
Table tennis games will take place in the gym, time to be announced during the week prior to the event.
WATER POLO
Please meet at the water polo pool at 08:00.
CULTURAL EVENT TIMES:
CHESS
Chess will take place at the dining hall from 10:30.
DEBATING
Debating will take place at the Pollock Campus from 09:00.
FANTASY WAR GAMES
Fantasy War Games will take place at the dining hall from 08:00.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography will take place from 11:00 to 13:00 at Loch Armstrong.
SKETCHING
Sketching will take place from 11:00 to 13:00, please meet at the fish pond in front of the main school building.
REGISTRATION
Registration for Old Boys will take place at the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion at the following times: 07:45 to 09:00 and 12:00 to 13:00.
Kindly pre-register online by using the following link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/summer-sports-day-2025.
This is important to give the MIC’s an indication of the number of Old Boys to expect.
Registration forms will also be available at the Old Boys gazebo.
REFRESHMENTS
The PTA will be running two tuck shops, one near the basketball courts and one near the water polo pool.
REGALIA
Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys’ Association regalia will be on sale for Life Members of the PBHSOB Association at the Sommerville Pavilion on the day. Have a look at our new T-Shirts and caps!
Participation in Summer Sports Day activities is open to Old Boys of Pretoria Boys High School only. Families and friends of the school are welcome to support.
TRILOGY OCEAN CHALLENGE UPDATE
In the last newsletter we outlined the Trilogy Ocean Challenge being tackled by Old Boys Peet Crowther (2007, Matheson) and Deputy Headmaster Chris Oldnall (2005, Matheson).
The Trilogy Ocean Challenge, an initiative of the South African Hall of Fame, will see our two Old Boys undertaking three open-water swims, amounting to a total of 152km, with the aim of raising funds through pledges to enable talented boys with limited resources to attend Pretoria Boys High School on bursaries.
The first of the three challenges, the False Bay Crossing of 33km took place on Friday, 22 November 2024 when weather conditions were favourable.
They started the False Bay Crossing at 06:50 with the water temperature at 16 degrees and had us all on the edge of our seats during they day as they progressed.
We are proud to say that Peet and Chris successfully completed the gruelling swim in 14 hours and were all smiles at the end! Most importantly, they raised over R100,000.00 in donations which will go a long way to putting smiles on the faces of deserving young boys who will be given the opportunity to attain a world class education at a world class school – Pretoria Boys High School.
The second swim, Dassen Island to Robben Island (53km) will take place towards the end of January/beginning of February 2025, according to weather conditions at the time. We will keep you updated!
Chris Oldnall and Peet Crowther after completing the 33km False Bay crossing
PBHS OLD BOYS’ ACTIVITIES
Andries Nieuwoudt – Class of 2008, Town
We all love hearing about the remarkable careers, adventures, and achievements of PBHS alumni. After spotting some intriguing updates on our LinkedIn group, we reached out to Old Boy Andries Nieuwoudt, whose journey since leaving school caught our attention. He graciously agreed to share his story, giving us a glimpse into the path he’s carved and the lessons he’s learned along the way:
My Journey: A Story of Resilience, Exploration, and Growth
I’m Andries Nieuwoudt, and my journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the courage to reinvent oneself, and the importance of embracing unexpected opportunities. From where I began to where I am now, my path has been anything but conventional, and I hope my story can inspire others to embrace the unknown and keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles.
Early Life and Education
I graduated high school in 2008 and began my journey by studying Accounting at Tuks, believing it was a logical step toward a stable career. However, as I progressed, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me, and I ultimately decided to leave the degree behind.
During my time at university, I also started a small part-time business, which gave me my first real taste of entrepreneurship. I loved the freedom and challenges it brought, and it sparked a passion in me to explore business further. Though the business was small, the lessons I learned were invaluable and set the stage for what was to come.
A Leap Into the Unknown
My life took another turn when my then-girlfriend, now wife, moved to Abu Dhabi to work as an air hostess. Her move made it easy for me to travel, and eventually, I found myself in the UAE as well. At first, I took a job that I didn’t enjoy, but I saw it as a stepping stone. Soon, I moved into the automotive industry, where I became a technical manager. For 3.5 years, this role challenged me to handle difficult customers and manage projects, and it was an important part of my growth.
Despite this success, I felt there was more I could achieve. I began to look for ways to improve my future, knowing that life isn’t always clear at 18. I found myself drawn to the technical aspects of engineering, and with the encouragement of my wife, who had aviation experience, and my father-in-law, a pilot, I discovered the world of Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering. It was completely new to me, but it sparked something I couldn’t ignore.
Taking the Plunge: A New Path in Aviation
I took the leap and left my job to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. It was a big change, but I knew it was the right path for me. I worked hard to obtain the knowledge needed to earn my aircraft maintenance engineering license. My first job in aviation was as an intern with ExecuJet MRO in Dubai. They gave me the opportunity to continue studying and earn better categories of maintenance licenses, and eventually, I was given the chance to obtain my first Aircraft Type Rating on the Bombardier Global business jet aircraft—a pivotal moment in my career.
Current Role and Future Aspirations
Today, I work as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer with Falcon Technic, holding both B1.1 and B2 licenses, where I oversee the maintenance of a fleet of various business jet aircraft. I’m proud of the work I do, knowing that each day brings new challenges and the opportunity to keep growing in my field.
Looking back on my journey, I can honestly say that the most important lesson I’ve learned is to never give up. Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges your way, but it’s how you respond that shapes your future. I’ve learned the value of surrounding yourself with people who support and encourage you, networking, and not being afraid to ask for help. But perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned to stay humble and true to myself.
The Power of Grit and Tenacity
I’ve also learned that the lessons I picked up during my time at PBHS (Pretoria Boys High School) were crucial in shaping the person I am today. It was there that I developed the grit and tenacity that has carried me through many of life’s challenges. Those early lessons in perseverance set the foundation for everything that followed, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
As I continue on my journey, I remain focused on achieving even more. I’ve come a long way, but I know the best is yet to come. If there’s one thing I want others to take away from my story, it’s this: don’t be afraid to take risks, embrace new opportunities, and never stop learning. The path to success isn’t always straight, but with passion, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt, you can create the life you’ve always dreamed of – Andries Nieuwoudt, 2008.
Andries Nieuwoudt, Class of 2008, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Marc Germiquet – Class of 1991, Hofmeyr
It seems that PBHS Old Boys have a knack for adventure, and Marc Germiquet (Class of 1991) is no exception.
Marc is currently competing in The World’s Toughest Row in the Solo Class – an epic 4,800km unsupported rowing race across the Atlantic Ocean. The race begins in the Canary Islands and ends in Antigua, testing endurance, grit, and determination. True to the Boys High way, Marc isn’t in it for fame or glory. Instead, he’s rowing to raise funds for the construction of a pre-primary school in a rural area of Botswana. His team, Ocean Ways, is championing this incredible cause. You can learn more about it at www.oceanways.org.
According to his partner, the race launched on 11 December, and Marc got off to a phenomenal start. He’s currently leading the Solo Category and sits 11th overall despite challenging sea conditions. His resilience and progress so far have been nothing short of inspiring.
You can track Marc’s journey and cheer him on via Instagram: @oceanwaysbw.
PBHS ACTIVITIES AND NEWS SNIPPETS
Nine of Pretoria Boys High’s German boys departed during late November for Germany for their six week exchange programme. We join the School in wishing Benno Pretorius, Mateo Naudé, Eckardt Havenga, Beckham Lee, Victor Marais, Benjamin Southwood, Steyn Botha, Christian Myburgh and Wayne Nell all the best for this life-changing experience and festive season in Europe.
PBHS boys German exchange
Photo & text: PBHS Facebook
The PBHS 2025 Prefects visited Daybreak House on 28 November 2024. They spent the afternoon playing with the babies and dropped off supplies for the organisation. The boys are also incredibly excited about the visits to come next year.
Just two of the many photos of the 2025 prefects during their visit to Daybreak House
Photo and text: PBHS Facebook
During mid-November 2024 Pieter Vorster (Town House, Form II) competed in the Rock Valley Climbing Birthday Boulder Bash.
He achieved an impressive 7th place in the U18 category for bouldering.
Congratulations Pieter!
Pieter Vorster (Town Form II)
Photo: @surefooted_photography; Text: PBHS Facebook
IN MEMORIAM
Obituary: Josh Carter (Rissik, 2007)
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the recent passing of Josh Carter, who passed away on 18 September 2024 in St Francis, following an 18 month battle with Lymphoma. He passed peacefully at home with his family by his side.
Josh started at Pretoria Boys High School in 2003. While not the most academically inclined, he made up for it with his spirit and love for Rugby. He had a calm and gentle nature and will be remembered for his joyful yet simple approach to life. He had an innate ability to light up a room with his smile and laughter and wherever he was in the Rissik hallways there was always a chorus of laughter not far behind.
After school, Josh moved to St Francis with his family and later to the Cape, where he spread his joy through skating, surfing and Poi. Josh’s greatest pride in life was to be a father and he was blessed with the birth of his boy, Jack on the 4th of January 2017. Josh had a perpetual smile on his face taking Jack for adventures and was a devoted father, even throughout his battle with cancer.
The news of Josh’s passing shocked friends and family from around the world as he was taken too young. He fought bravely until the end. From The Rissik ’07 dorm and the extended Old Boys group, we continue to pray for his family. He leaves behind, Jack his greatest gift.
Much love to you Josh. RIP – submitted by Andrew Christie, 2007, Rissik
RIP Josh Carter, Class of 2007, Rissik
PRETORIA HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS CLUB
Living in or visiting Pretoria over the Festive Season? Remember to pop into the Old Boys Club in Queens Crescent, Lynnwood for a cold one and a bite to eat!
