RONDEBOSCH BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL 2018 2 22 STAFF & MANAGEMENT ACADEMIC 28 44 48 CULTURE PASTORAL SOCIETIES 56 84 114 SUMMER SPORT WINTER SPORT TOURS Editors Mr K Barnett, Ms J de Kock, Ms S Salih | Assistant Editors Mr A Ross, Ms S Verster Proof reader Ms A van Rensburg | Cover photo (aerial) Mr A Allen E1983 A huge thank you to all of the parents, pupils, staff and the Rondebosch Media Society who contributed photographs Art Ms P Newham | Advertising Ms C Giger Design Ms N Samsodien | Printer Novus Print Solutions incorporating Paarl Media and Digital Print Solutions Rondebosch Boys’ High School | Canigou Avenue, Rondebosch 7700 | Tel +27 21 686 3987 Email [email protected] | website www.rondebosch.com/high/ STAFF AND MANAGEMENT HEADMASTER’S ADDRESS Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen and boys, men of Through reflecting on her own life, Adichie shows that E18, welcome to the annual Grade 12 Speech Night. these misunderstandings and limited perspectives are Unfortunately, our Guest of Honour, Professor Mamokgethi universal. It is about what happens when complex human Phakeng, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town beings and situations are reduced to a single narrative. was unable to attend tonight’s proceedings but she has Her point is that each individual situation contains a graciously offered to speak at our valedictory. compilation of stories. If you reduce people or people’s behaviour to one story, you miss their humanity. “The This evening offers me, in addressing this audience, an single story creates stereotypes,” Adichie says, “and the opportunity to reflect on the year past and to celebrate problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but the achievements of the graduating group, the Matrics of that they are incomplete. They make one story become 2018; my compliments to those young men for whom the the only story.” In order to express your solidarity with the culmination of five years of immersion in this school will be virtuous team to which by association you belong, you recognised this evening. have to embrace the socially approved story and miss the A good portion of this year has been spent on creating a fact that the truth in every story is multi-layered. Her point vision for capacitating the alumni of this school for the is proved time and again in the comments to incidents world they will step into. We began our planning with this raised on social media, particularly in our country, where vision statement: single story responses abound with little appreciation of the complexities that underlie any conflict. Great schooling In its 125th year, the young men of Rondebosch are should enable the ability to adapt and to assume an confident and able to pursue their dreams. They intellectual position, and to do so in a disarming way that are resilient and adaptable and equipped with the is empathetic and understanding of the position of others. educational, ethical, social and emotional competencies to To do so requires courage and confidence in one’s self – as effect significant and lasting change in a changing world. William Cory, a master at Eton College in 1845, pointed out, Federico Fellini’s masterful film, And the Ship Sails On, “Above all, you go to a great school for self-knowledge.” depicts a world of sumptuous excess on board a luxury liner that sails off on a frivolous journey while war clouds are Surely herein lies one of the greatest present challenges gathering over Europe. This powerful metaphor speaks of for those of us privileged enough to be involved in the how a self-congratulatory, insular outlook and insensitivity educating and shaping of the next generation of young to and ignorance of the impulses driving society can lead people. Current conversations and trends in the world ultimately to self-destruction. Tonight’s events will celebrate beyond the school walls, particularly here at home but also much that comes from the privilege of having abundant globally, compel us to engage urgently with what it means resources. We cannot, however, enjoy these successes to educate. Our vision recognises that what is required is without being mindful of the responsibilities that they bring. more than delivering a set curriculum. It also requires us to capacitate our pupils with an understanding and tools to I mentioned in my end of term letter in Term 1 the TED engage with the forces that they will face in an increasingly Talk of Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie where she divided social context, in environments where ethics are speaks of the danger of a ‘Single Story’. She says, “The tested, in places where they need to have enough resilience consequence of the single story is this: and confidence in themselves to be change leaders. It robs people of dignity. It makes our recognition of In this speech last year, I suggested to the audience that our equal humanity difficult. It emphasises how we are the new form of the hall in which you sit this evening, with different rather than how we are similar.” | 2 HEADMASTER’S ADDRESS HEADMASTER’S the recently named 200 seater Martin Barker Gallery, is a those who chair its various parts. The work of the board is perfect metaphor for some of the fundamental changes to support the management of the school in every aspect of that will enter the school’s focus in the future – that the school life from the needs of the academic programme, to bringing together of the old and the new, the contemporary the care of the campus and, most importantly, to see that design of the addition whilst referencing the past, is an the money is properly spent. A special acknowledgement indication of the power of synthesis. The synthesis of two is therefore due to the Chairman, Mr Gary Fisher, who styles, of two ages, of past and present as a statement remains available and involved at all times and without of possibility in a world where certain sectors believe that whose enthusiasm for Rondebosch and support for the meaningful change can only be wrought by the complete management of the school, we would not be able to deletion of the past. The manner in which this historic hall continue to strive onwards and upwards. has so seamlessly accepted a fundamental change and addition is a very concrete example (if you will excuse the A school is expected to do many things but above all pun) of how the past and present can be amalgamated, to deliver a sound academic platform. In this regard our and how in doing so we create new forms and novel primary focus has been strengthened by the promotion possibilities. of Mr Shaukat Ebrahim to the role of Senior Deputy and Head of Academics. The year opened with the news of My speech tonight is intended as an opportunity to record the examination achievements of the Matric group of and review the school’s activities and achievements over 2017, a group who raised the academic bar considerably. the past year. There is no doubt that this Matric group Rondebosch was second in the list of schools of excellence has both challenged and faced various serious challenges in the Western Cape and our Dux scholar, Erin Solomon, over the past two years. This may be true but they have was named in the top 21 performers in the NSC nationally also delivered in abundance in a manner that is profound and was one of the top three students in the province and lasting. Their achievements have been due in no where he came first in Engineering, Mathematics and insignificant part to the leadership coming from many Physical Science. He came third nationally in Physical quarters in their ranks and the hard work, enthusiasm and Science. Also called to the WCED awards was Matt resilience of the matriculating group of 2018. Horrigan who had battled a brain tumour in his Matric year and was listed among the top 50 achievers in the Western Because a school in essence serves a community, no Cape. For the tenth year, our young men achieved a 100% school can move forward without the strong support of pass rate and a record 98,1% university entrance rate. The its various parts which form the whole. We are immensely 162 candidates achieved 422 A symbols with 17 students privileged to be able to draw on resources offered willingly achieving a full house of As; 89 students obtained three or by a dedicated support and administrative staff, outside more distinctions. coaches, peripatetics, professionals, trustees, board members, parents and alumni who make themselves The academic achievements have mounted up over this available, at the expense of their own time and expertise, year, with our Mathematicians claiming first spot in the to offer the labour to grow the school higher and wider in country in the Maths Olympiad and, locally, in the UCT every aspect of school life. Mathematics competition. In other academic forums we I would like to recognise an exceptionally hard-working have had outstanding successes in the English Olympiad, and committed management team and an exceptional, in the regional and National Science Expo, and in the professional teaching staff. I value the support offered to Mathematical Literacy Olympiad, the Australian Maths the High School and the excellent preparatory work done Competition and the Pan African Maths Olympiad and by our counterparts at Rondebosch Boys’ Prep. It would be the SAIPA Accounting Olympiad. Gold medals were won particularly important at this time to pick out the dedicated by Rondebosch boys in all of these competitions with years of service given by Mr Tony Ryan, who retires at the several first prizes and cash awards.