Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www..com

Message from the Headmaster

In an assembly message to the school this year, I spoke about a phrase that I use often, which the boys in my Grade 11 English class have apparently found quite amusing; maybe because it has become something of a catch phrase, maybe because it draws attention to the person at whom it is directed. I have developed a tendency to say the words: ‘Good man!’ when a young man says or does something praiseworthy.

There is a term in psychology, ‘semantic satiation’, which describes a phenomenon where repetition causes a word or phrase to temporarily lose meaning for the listener, who then begins to hear it as repeated meaningless sounds. I’m sure that most parents of adolescents have seen this phenomenon at work – where overused phrases like ‘make your bed’ seem to have become ‘meaningless sounds’. This may be true of my overuse of ‘good man’, but it is something that is always at the forefront of my mind. Surely, one of the prime reasons that we gather adolescents of the male gender together in a monastic school is to make better men of them? Surely, it is incumbent upon us to deliver into a world full of phrases like ‘toxic masculinity’, ‘homophobia’ and ‘mansplain’, a socially, emotionally and ethically ‘woke’ version of man?

The more I work with boys, the more aware I become of how fraught this journey is; particularly in this bewildering age where messages and images with the potential to change lives forever move in a millisecond across the electronic ether at the push of a ‘like’ button. It is easy to say ‘good man’ but what does this actually mean?

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

I use this term as an indication that a young man has used his initiative. I use it when a student takes a step beyond his peers and goes the extra mile to assist. I use it when a young man takes accountability or responsibility either for doing or not doing something. I use it when a boy offers a solution to an issue which he has observed as needing addressing. I use it when a young man brings something to my attention that I hadn’t thought of before. I use it when a young man stands up when others commit indefensible acts.

Of course, these are my own assessments of what makes a good man. It feels at times, as technology becomes increasingly pervasive and Moore’s Law of exponential doubling takes hold, that there is a growing set of unreasonable expectations facing educators and that there are other bigger questions at play. Looking around at the environment their boys find themselves in, heads of boys’ schools have been led to interrogate how to negotiate these uncertain times. For instance, how is technology influencing the shaping of good men? How do we teach boys to take responsibility for what they post online? How can a school possibly equip boys to interrogate and respond to media messages of what it looks like to be a man? How do we reinforce the message of respect for women in the face of the messages coming at young boys in movies and songs? In an era where young men are mishearing that all things masculine are toxic, how do we talk about and accommodate all types of masculinity?

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Adolescent boys are wired to take risks: how can we provide a context which teaches them to be responsible risk takers? And perhaps the loudest question in a boys’ school where physical activity and physicality are encouraged: how do we negotiate a shift away from a damaging, collective obsession with sporting dominance and success, with winning leagues and cups, and lead all of our community of players, parents, coaches and supporters towards a more healthy emphasis on sport (and in fact all school activities) as a classroom for character development without the perception that we are compromising tradition and pride?

Michael Mol suggested to school leaders at a 2014 IBSC conference, “Your responsibility is not to create good men, your responsibility is to create an environment to help boys discover they are good men.” Herein, I think, lies part of the answer to all of the questions above. We cannot be the finger in the dyke, plugging a small hole while the dam wall is bulging and cracking around us. We can create context and creating context forms the essence of the Bosch 125 vision. Rondebosch has a rich history of good men doing good things (most of the time), the challenge in the face of rapid change, is for us to create the ethical, social, emotional and educational contexts to watch the good men grow.

Shaun Simpson Headmaster | Rondebosch Boys’ High School

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Academics

A very pressurised term, with regard to teaching time, has come to an end. Our midyear examinations, collecting and capturing of marks and the exam script handback ran smoothly. The results of these examinations can now be analysed and used to come up with effective strategies to improve. Well done to all of the boys who have worked hard and consistently and who achieved the results that reflect their best effort.

Rondebosch Boys’ High School won the UCT Mathematics Competition for the sixth consecutive year. Bishops was placed second and Wynberg Boys’ High School third. This is the 15th time that Rondebosch has won the Trophy for the best performing school. There were over 6500 entrants and Rondebosch received 7 individual gold awards and 4 pair gold awards. Gold awards go the top 10 individuals and top three pairs per grade - from RBHS are: • Matthew Blows & Theon Smith (1st in Gr 12 pairs) • Steffan Brundyn (2nd Gr 11) • Andrew Walsh & Chilton Yip (2nd in Gr 8 pairs) • André Toerien (3rd in Gr 10) • Daniel Schlesinger (3rd in gr 9) • Angus Duncan & Sang-Yeon Park (3rd in Gr 11 pairs) • Johann Mats Engelbrecht & Alexander Stulting (3rd in gr 8 pairs) • Imran Moosa (4th in Gr 8) • Ethan Cunningham (8th in Gr 10) • Muzzammil Mohamed (9th in Gr 8) • Ethan Holgate (10th in Gr 8). Congratulations to all our participants and to our Mathematics Staff, in particular Mrs Susan Carletti, Ms Paola Ghignone & Mr Trevor Edwards.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Sport

Winter season is traditionally our busiest sports season. Apart from offering eight different sports for our winter program, the big team sports, of hockey, rugby and soccer, on their own represent 76% of our boys. Our winter derbies, against our traditional rivals in the Southern Suburbs, attract a lot of attention and all of our boys fiercely participate in them. At our last derby, against Bishops, we had 35 teams from various sporting codes competing over a period of two days!

As usual, this is also the time of year when the provincial structures in the major sporting codes select and announce their teams for the IPT’s (Inter-Provincial Tournament). Congratulations to all of the boys and their parents who have made the various winter sports’ provincial teams. Although not one of our main goals, these selections can be an indication of how healthy our sport is. So far, we have received selections for:  Western Province Hockey: 10 WP representatives (6 x U18, 4 x U14)  Western Province Rugby: 8 WP representatives (8 x U18)  Western Province Squash: 9 WP representatives (4 x U18, 2 x U16, 3 x U14)

Thank you to all of the coaches and parents for supporting and guiding our boys so far. A tough half of the winter season is still ahead of us. Enjoy the well- deserved break. Make use of the opportunity to give your bodies a bit of a recovery period, but remain active. See you all on the side-lines somewhere during next term.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Chess

Chess 2019 saw a strengthening of the Rondebosch chess teams in terms of numbers. This term the boys have entered to play in two leagues: the Western Province school’s chess league and the southern suburbs league. In the WP league the boys played five matches and won all of them, putting them at the top of the league. In the southern suburbs league both the A team and the B team competed. Each team played five matches. Our A Team won three and drew two with no losses in any matches this term. The B team won, one drew one and lost three. The B team is growing in skill and I look forward to their improvements in the third term. A special mention must be made of Nico Martin who competed in the National U18 closed event. In this event, the top 20 players of each respective age category are pitted against each other. Martin was seeded thirteenth and finished sixth, outperforming many stronger players. A special mention must also be made of the following boys: Yaseen Majiet: Most improved chess player. Furqaan Barday: Most number of matches won. Imran Moosa: Most number of matches played.

We look forward to the continued improvement of our chess players’ skills in Term 3.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Cross Country

What a fantastic season of running we have enjoyed so far! Not only have we seen another healthy growth in the number of runners at Bosch, but the boys keep getting stronger and faster too.

We kicked off with the Bosch Mile, which drew a large crowd of Old Boys and learners. Old Boy, William Robinson, just managed to outpace Matric runner, Patric McKeown, to take the win. Rondebosch was proud to host the very first southern zone league race of 2019, with over 500 athletes taking part in races ranging from 4km-8km through our beautiful school grounds and the neighbouring Keurboom Park. We achieved two first places from Robbie Davidson (U16) and Ryan du Randt (U14).

In the league races to follow we were hosted by Pinelands, Wynberg Boys, and Jan van Riebeeck. Some of the highlights included a return to Jan van Riebeeck, after many years, to face their famously tough route straight up the foothills of ; as well as the Pinelands race result where the U16 Rondebosch runners took positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 out of the top 10! Incredible performances by our young athletes!

In the last week of Term 2 we head off for a three day camp in the Grabouw mountains, for some training on the trails and team building fun. League races resume from the first week of Term 3, culminating in the Zonal Championships at High School.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Our training has continued well during the exams and the remainder of the season looks promising. The team spirit is sky high and the shared love for running keeps growing.

“Run often, run hard, run easy – but never outrun your love for running” J. Isphording – former Olympian

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Golf

The year got off to a great start for our 1st Team. We played four matches, won two against Reddam Constantia and Wynberg and drew two against SACS and Bishops. We still have a lot to play for as we are in a strong position. For the rest of the teams it is all about growth and enjoyment of the game.

The highlight of the season so far was the Westville Boys’ High School Sun City Golf Festival that was hosted at the Gary Player Country Club and Lost City golf courses from 30 April – 3 May. A total of 30 schools and provincial Invitational sides, from across , Zimbabwe and Namibia, participated in this high- quality tournament with a ‘modified medal’ styled playing format, which put teams as well as individual performances to the test.

The competition was split into an A and B Division with the top 15 teams progressing to the finals on the last day. Rondebosch Boys’ A side were placed sixth in the A division overall, while the B side were in the prizes, collecting a fourth place finish in the B Division.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Jack Buchanan achieved an outstanding top 10 finish out of the 150 golfers, coming in fifth overall with an individual gross score over three rounds of 217 (74, 67, 76). Tiago Negus excelled in the B division also with a top 10 finish, coming in overall ninth with scores of 88, 78, 75 for a total of 241 over three rounds.

Many thanks go to our sponsors Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages who contributed so generously towards the golfing kit and apparel. Also, thank you to our parents who have supported their boys so keenly in the development of their golf at this level. Finally, thank you to Westville Boys’ High School for the friendly spirit in which the golfing matches were played.

Our next challenge will be the Cape Schools festival that will be held in St Francis Bay Links. Proudly Sponsored by

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Hockey

We started off with a bang as the U19 and Colts teams headed off to the Netherlands and Spain for their pre-season tour. The boys played some of the best teams in both countries and ended their tour with amazing results.

Straight after that, all of our A teams participated in the annual Western Province Knockout Tournament, and all successfully made it to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, this year we only managed to retain the U19A cup title, by beating Bishops 1-0 in the final.

The next hurdle was the Western Province trials – we are very fortunate to have a large number of boys representing Province this year. Over 15 boys were selected across all age groups with the U18s having the greatest number of successful participants. We must make a special mention of Liam Sorenson and Brett Sparks for being selected as the U16A and U18A captains, respectively.

In summary, the first half of the season was a successful one as all of our U19 teams had an almost clean sheet, which included three undefeated teams. We look forward to next term and hopefully all of our results will reflect the hard work put in by both the boys and the coaching team.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

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Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Rugby

Rondebosch Boys’ High School is highly competitive in one of the world’s toughest schoolboy leagues, which says a lot about our rugby programme. We choose to focus more on our process goals than the result of a match or where we find ourselves in the numerous rankings. We believe that it is important to use rugby as a tool to guide and shape our boys into better people, who will be more prepared to deal with the realities of life. As such, we have embarked on a journey to drive a desired culture throughout our rugby, in the hope of achieving sustained results both on and off the field. The H.E.A.R.T. of Bosch has become more than just a clever acronym amongst our rugby family. We feel that if our boys can display these soft skills and character traits, Humility - Effort - Ambition - Respect - Teamwork, then we will be winning, on and off the field.

At the start of the season, we held a very successful camp for all of our high performance teams. Our coaches brought clarity to the many facets of our game and addressed our mission of inspiring the H.E.A.R.T of Bosch. A big chunk of the positive momentum we are currently enjoying was conceived during the camp. The season to date has been largely successful, with many positive outcomes and signs that Bosch Rugby is on the right track to ensure a culture of continued growth and success. The 3rd term promises to be a tough one, with fixtures against the two Paarl schools and the three derby matches promising to test the players every Saturday. We look forward to the continued support of the school, the parents and the Old Boys which make rugby Saturdays such great occasions.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Special mention must be made of the following players’ selections to the Western Province rugby teams. We will all be following your progress at these weeks with much interest.

2019 WP U18 CRAVEN WEEK TEAM: Brian Le Roux Lukhanyo Vokozela

2019 WP U18 CRAVEN WEEK XV TEAM: Jason Johnson Ishameel Safodien

2019 WP U18 ACADEMY WEEK TEAM: Connor Van Eden Lamla Nunu Kian Davis Dalvon Blood

There is certainly a positive buzz around Bosch Rugby with good momentum on and off the field. There is a sense that all involved in the programme are moving in the same direction to create an outcome of which we can be proud.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Photographer: Hansie Linde

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Click to watch Highlights

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Soccer

The first term of football for the U19A was a time of celebration but it also presented many learning opportunities. The players participated in the Wynberg Winter Sports Festival, which was a great experience and an opportunity to create some chemistry within the team. They were up against some strong opposition in the form of Portland High School from Mitchell’s Plain and various soccer academies.

Our Bosch boys showed great spirit throughout the festival and managed to keep four clean sheets from eight games, showing strong defence. On the downside, we were only able to score five goals, which led to the team drawing many of the games. So far this season, of six games played the team has won three and drawn three, which means the U19A team remains unbeaten this season – a status that I am sure the boys will fight to maintain.

This year also saw the introduction of an U19B team. These boys came out in full force for pre-season training, worked hard and implemented new strategies. These were tested out in their first match against St George’s Grammar School, which was a draw, 0-0, with the crossbar denying Elvin Mibey two goal-scoring opportunities.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

The B side developed well as the season progressed and won the last match of the season, 3-2, against a traditionally strong . Goals came from Jaden Stauch, Luyanda Rengo and Robbie Moss. Finishing the term on a win means the U19B boys are in good spirits and eager to take on the next half of the season.

The U17A football season to date has been very positive. With minimal pre- season training and preparation, the team played well in their four games and only lost against Wynberg. Our biggest wins were against Bishops and Ambleside.

The U17B football team had a fruitful start to their campaign, winning their first match, 4-1, against a side from Stellenbosch, then beating Livingstone High School, 2-0. The players have developed well within the squad – going from not being able to make a proper pass to scoring goals. Things can only get better from here.

In 2018, the U15A squad won the Wynberg Boys’ Super Cup tournament, and this year’s U15A squad tried their best to emulate them. Unfortunately, they lost the penalty shootout in the semi-finals. They ended the term with a derby match against Bishops. There was huge hype around this game and our boys stepped up to the occasion to beat Bishops, 3-1.

For the U15Bs, the season started with a friendly against Calling Academy. Despite losing the game 1-0, the team enjoyed the majority of the possession and managed to create many goal-scoring opportunities, which they were unlucky not to convert. This was a theme for the matches that followed.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

The boys showed a great work ethic and determination in training and matches. They finally got their first win against Bishops in the last game of the term. The team played well as a unit and converted almost all of their chances to sweep Bishops aside in a convincing 5-1 victory. We hope to build on this success next term.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Squash

Our 1st Team played Bishops in the final of the Western Province Top School Tournament and won the title for the twelfth consecutive year. The final result was 4-1.

The boys who will represent Western Province at the IPTs are:

U19A: Luke Delmulle, Jacques Duminy U19B: Cameron Brooks U19C: Keenan Roberts U16A: Thomas Borain U16B: Veren Naidoo U14A: Daniel Cloete, Raphael Lamprecht, Giyan Sulcas

Tournament Results

SA Closed Squash results:  Jacques Duminy, U19, finished second  Giyan Sulcas, U14, finished first.  Western Province Open Squash results:  Jacques Duminy, U19, finished first  Nathan Schoultz, U16, finished second  Giyan Sulcas, U16, finished first.

Western Province Closed Squash results: U19  Jacques Duminy finished first  Cameron Brooks finished eighth. U16  Thomas Borain finished second  Veren Naidoo finished fifth  Keenan Roberts finished twelfth

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Table tennis Well done to all the boys who represented us this term. It was really nice to see their enthusiasm. We have four teams as well as a social team that practice on Mondays and Thursdays and matches are played on Tuesdays. The second term went well and our 1st Team were consistent and won almost all of their games except for one. The other teams’ members fluctuated from week to week due to the availability of players. In the third term, we’ll be focusing on improving our technique.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Art

The senior boys are completing their PATs (Practical Assessment Task) for the second term. Once again, the boys have produced a diverse range of artworks in various mediums. We are proud to announce that eight of these have been selected to represent school art in the South African Art Times for May.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Music

Following a highly successful band tour to the Knysna / Plettenberg Bay area at the end of last term, several concerts took place in the first half of this term. The Grade 8 and 9 and the Senior Music Pupils’ Concerts, both of which featured selected ensembles and soloists, were followed by the Gala Concert in the Memorial Hall, which showcased the very best the department has to offer. All proceeds from that performance go towards the Music Scholarship Fund.

Mid-term saw the Senior Jazz Band accept an invitation to perform for the pupils at the Vera School for Learners with Autism. The performance was very well received and the outing was enriching for all, not least for our own learners.

The end of May saw both our Senior and Junior Jazz Bands perform at the Baxter Concert Hall at the Big Band Jazz Festival, where they distinguished themselves as usual.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

This year we have a contingent of 17 boys, accompanied by Terrence Scarr and Marc de Kock, going to the National Youth Jazz Festival in Grahamstown to participate in an intensive six day course. In addition, our Senior Jazz Band will be performing at this event. The Festival is rated as one of the best in the world and is bound to be an unforgettable and inspirational experience.

Early next term, the Combined Schools Concert – a collaboration between RBHS, RGHS and SACS – takes place at the City Hall. Rehearsals by the 80+ concert band, combined choir and orchestra have been in progress throughout the year. The main feature of the programme will be Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace”, conducted by Alexander Fokkens. Tickets for the performances on 23 and 24 July are available through Quicket: qkt.io/ArmedMan.

Drama

Rondebosch Boys' High School and Rustenburg Girls' High School and present our second combined production in the Memorial Hall at RBHS. In 1954 American Reginald Rose wrote “12 Angry Men,” originally as a television miniseries. 10 years later he adapted this original script into versions for the stage: “12 Angry Women” (all-female cast) and “12 Angry Jurors” (mixed gender cast). While there are some hints at the gender of various characters, none of them are named, adding to the mystery. The members of the jury are known only by their numbers. The teleplay “12 Angry Men” received an Emmy and later an Oscar nomination in 1957 for its adaptation into a film.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

The play has been described as a psychological thriller. The audience is not privy to the court case which has already taken place, rather learns of the crime only through the heated discussions of the jury. This adds to the intrigue and suspense. Their duty is a solemn one: a call of “Guilty” will result in the accused receiving the death penalty. The judge has called for a unanimous verdict. The jury must reach consensus before being relieved and it becomes a battle of will between the intolerant and aggressive Juror 3 versus Juror 8, whose moral strength is tempered by compassion. Perhaps some members of the jury are, in many ways, far more guilty than the young boy whose fate lies in their hands. By inference, the audience joins the jury too, weighing up opinions and attempting to uncover the truth as the struggle for justice reaches a climax.

“12 Angry Jurors” is about deceit and treachery, integrity and humanity, tolerance and empathy. It cleverly suggests that sometimes the real villains are not always those who are brought to court.

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Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Pastoral

It has been a busy and successful second quarter at Bosch. Austin Smith, our Clinical Psychologist hosted a parent workshop exploring the topic:

“What’s going on with my son?” So much is happening in your sons’ lives so let us discuss some of the main challenges they need to face and what you as parents need to do to help guide them through it.

DISCUSSIONS OVER COFFEE

Presented by Rondebosch Boys’ High School’s Counselling Department, these meetings allow parents to come together and explore topics

relevant to their sons’ development and their roles as parents in guiding this process. The discussions over a cup of coffee (or tea) will

be facilitated by Austin Smith (Clinical Psychologist).

Mr Clinton van Rensburg, hosted our rugby captains for a breakfast discussion, which centred around Bosch core values. He used the acronym, H.E.A.R.T. (Humility, Effort, Ambition, Respect and Teamwork) to get his message home. Mr van Rensburg stressed that we have to be clear on how we see success, with the end goal of creating better people. Achieving this goal will ultimately come down to how we go about our daily lives, how we do things both on and off the field. He stressed that if we focus our energy on getting the processes right, the results on the scoreboard will follow.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

The Junior prefects have been elected and are being guided by Mr Antonie Nel and Mr Grant Paarman. Currently, the group are shadowing the present prefects before compiling their manifestos and presenting their speeches. This process is scheduled for the third term.

Mrs Margie Kershaw’s Matric mentors have worked well with the Grade 8 mentees this term and many success stories have been shared.

Forthcoming attractions include the Grade 10 Leadership Day on 13 June 2019. Our boys will be exposed to a stimulating ‘Social Literacy Conversation’. Our keynote speakers include Professor Jonathan Jansen (Distinguished Professor at Stellenbosch University) and representatives of ‘Plant a Seed’. Mr Waseem Domingo, the Pastoral head to E21, will further address the boys on ‘Being men’.

A group of boys will join, Rowan Harmuth and Marion Wasdell on the Transkei outreach programme. Our boys will be part of a group of 50 pupils, selected from Rondebosch Boys’ High, Rustenburg Girls’ High, Springfield Girls’ Convent, Rhenish Girls and High Schools. The group depart on Sunday 16 June for Tyali High School – a much bigger school than our previous Isolomzi.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

The seventh Journey preparations are on track and our Grade 9 boys will be completing training at school at the end of the third term. Table Mountain hikes are scheduled for the September holidays for all of the Journey groups.

Twenty-eight of our Grade 11 boys will have the opportunity to experience the White Rhino expedition this year. Two groups depart in the June holidays and two in September. Rondebosch have a 41-year history with the Wilderness Leadership School, dating back to 1978.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Civic and Social Responsibility

The Langa Community Project This project was born out of the Black Identity discussions and is a collaboration with Thembani Primary School. Sixty-eight boys from Grade 8 and Grade 9 have signed up to tutor learners on Wednesday and Thursday, 12 and 13 June. On the second day, eight students from the University of Minnetonka will join our boys.

During the two days, the boys will teach Mathematics and English as well as play games with the Thembani students. The objective of the project is twofold. Firstly, our boys will impart their Mathematics and English skills to the young learners. Secondly, by interacting with the students of Thembani Primary our boys will improve their social and cultural literacy. This is a pilot project assisted by Mr Oliver Slingers and Ms Liz Regnart and in partnership with Ms Joyce, principal of Thembani Primary School.

Pride Society and Mental Health These two sub committees have taken on a life of their own. Their focus is to support and educate our boys. Ms Verster heads up the Pride Society of which there are about 20 members so far. They host their first event on Tuesday 11 June in the form of a Movie Night (Love Simon) and have invited local schools. The society has been well received by the school community.

The Mental Health group continues to be active in a variety of events and has taken the lead in a few of them. This group is doing well and their work is very admirable. In particular, Matthew Blows, Stuart Van Wyk and Cameron De Kock are doing sterling work.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com

Black Identity Forum We have continued with the Black Identity forum and we are going to extend these discussions into the Life Orientation lessons so that the entire grade can participate. Topics such as black identity, transgender, islamophobia and white identity were highlighted for future conversations. We will also hold an age appropriate presentation at the Prep School to encourage an acceptance of each other’s differences from an earlier age.

International Exchange Program Fifty students from the University of Texas are visiting us on Wednesday, 12 June. They will spend a few hours at RBHS, which will include a tour of the school and a Q and A session with a few of our senior students.

On the same day, eight students and two teachers from Minnetonka High School, Minnesota, USA arrive in Cape Town. They will spend four days being hosted by RBHS students and then head off to Durban Boys’ High School for a week. They return to Cape Town for an additional four days and depart on 24 June 2019.

Two rugby exchange Wrekin College UK students are due to arrive on 09 July 2019. They are scheduled to stay until 10 August 2019.

Headmaster: S Simpson BA, HDE (Wits), B Ed (Hons) (UCT) www.rondebosch.com