Easter Rugby Festival Masibambane Intern Programme the 2013 Matric Results

VOLUME 63 JULY 2014

EASTER RUGBY FESTIVAL MASIBAMBANE INTERN PROGRAMME THE 2013 MATRIC RESULTS

PRODUCED BY ST JOHN’S COLLEGE MARKETING FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE ST JOHN’S COMMUNITY. NEWS

In what has been described as one of the most vocal and visible school activist campaigns, St John’s College led a #BringBackOurGirls protest on a chilly winter’s morning in May by forming a human chain around the perimeter of the school. Over 700 St John’s College students held up banners in silence for the 230 Nigerian school girls who were kidnaped by the Boko Haram. Other schools that participated included St Stithians, St Andrew’s, Redhill, St Teresa’s, Roedean, Kingsmead, St David’s, Parktown Boys and St Mary’s. Support from the motorists driving past was overwhelming with people hooting, waving and ﬂashing lights in recognition of a cause which is very close to our pupils’ hearts. St John’s also received front page newspaper coverage for the campaign.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 CONTENTS

COVER STORIES EASTER RUGBY FESTIVAL 02 MASIBAMBANE INTERN PROGRAMME 04 2013 MATRIC RESULTS 10 STAFF NEWS WELCOME TO OUR NEW STAFF 06 CONGRATULATIONS 08 GENERAL NEWS GAME CAPTURE 12 WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE 14 MR VUYO KAHLA HONOURED 15 ACADEMIC NEWS HISTORY TOUR 16 TOUR DE MATHS 18 ENGLISH OLYMPIAD 18 SPORT NEWS ATHLETICS 18 BOULDERING 18 COLLEGE CRICKET 19 VOLUME 63 HOCKEY 20 JULY 2014 BOAT NAMING CEREMONY 21 ROWING 20 PRODUCED BY ST JOHN’S COLLEGE JUNIOR ROWING 21 MARKETING FOR ALL MEMBERS OF SAILING 22 THE ST JOHN’S COMMUNITY. SHOWJUMPING 22 SWIMMING 22 ST JOHN’S COLLEGE MARKETING DEPARTMENT TENNIS 22 ST DAVID ROAD, WATER POLO 22 HOUGHTON, 2198 E [email protected] MUSIC AND CULTURE T +27 11 648 4248 RENAISSANCE MEN OF THE COLLEGE 24 F +27 11 487 2227 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM 26 www.stjohnscollege.co.za ZACHARY BOWDITCH AWARDED MEDAL 26 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS 00 A CALL FOR GENEROSITY 27 PREFECTS REACH OUT 27

PREP NEWS 28

OLD JOHANNIANS 32 COVER STORY

St John's College hosted its The excitement was evident amongst the boys and one could feel the energy of the teams wanting to get nineteenth annual Easter rugby the show on the road. The festival was blessed with festival .The festival was once three days of fantastic weather which made for extremely enterprising rugby. The rugby played again sponsored by Standard throughout the weekend was highly competitive and Bank and was well-supported by produced a number of memorable and hard-fought encounters. Scott's College from Australia produced the the St John's Community. most enterprising rugby, and it was refreshing see to how they were willing to throw the ball around. Paarl The motto of providing a showcase for schoolboy rugby Boys, Paul Roos, Nelspruit and Jeppe added huge value certainly lived up to expectations, with twelve top rugby to the festival with a number of powerful performances. schools competing against each other and showing The hosts, St John’s, performed admirably over the their talent throughout the weekend. Ten teams came three days and managed to beat St Charles in a tough from di erent parts of South Africa, one from Australia encounter on the ﬁnal day. and another from Zimbabwe. We also had fourteen preparatory schools participating in the festival. In closing, the festival was a resounding success, with St John’s and the surrounding community getting a The school chapel was the setting for the capping taste of the wonderful talent on display from around ceremony on the Wednesday evening. Prior to all 281 our country. On the non-rugby-playing days, the boys being presented with a memorial cap in a very visiting teams took the opportunity to visit the various moving ceremony, they were welcomed to the sites in and around of Johannesburg. With new school by St John's College Headmaster, Roger memories and friends, we hope to see the boys return Cameron, and addressed by Owen Nkumane in the years to come as old boys to support their ex-Springbok rugby player and old boy of the school. respective schools.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 02 2014 EASTER RUGBY FESTIVAL

03 COVER STORY

SHINGIRAI MUDIMA WITH A ST JOHN’S PUPIL. FROM L-R: NOMTHANDAZO XULU, SIFISO ADAMS AND FAITH RALANE.

MASIBAMBANE INTERN PROGRAMME

BY PATRICK LEES

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 04 For the last few years, I have been racking my brain as John’s or teaching in their own communities ... or at to how we can find and develop teachers, not only for any other school, for that matter. The programme will St John’s but for our country as well. Then Pieter Steyn, roll over each year and so, after four years, it is the Headmaster of Masibambane, and I had a envisaged we will have assisted in the development of conversation and decided to undertake an exciting around twenty teachers in total. project with Masibambane’s first matric class last year. Our four “Masis”, as they are now aectionately known, A committee was formed, and for the whole of last year, have made a fantastic start at St John’s and it is quite we worked on developing and grooming possible amazing to see how they have embraced every single teaching interns. We identified thirteen potential task and challenge. They are involved extensively in the candidates for the programme and throughout the year, classroom, on the sports field and in musical activities. they were exposed to numerous initiatives, including a They go on grade camps, participate in sta career day, FAMSA talks, life-goal workshops, winter development, attend conferences - and the girls are and spring schools at St John’s, class experience, even learning to swim! They are very much part of our counselling, aptitude tests as well as one-on-one team and we love having them as members of our sta. mentoring. All the candidates proved to be wonderful I am certain that all four are going to make wonderful young men and women and it was extremely dicult teachers. We are all so proud of them and look forward to select the four interns we have with us now. to four more fantastic years! The four students (Faith Ralane, Nomthandazo Xulu, Special thanks must go to Mrs Pier Myburgh and the Sifiso Adams and Shingirai Mudima) live at St John’s and wonderful committee which has worked so hard to experience the practical side of teaching whilst ensure the success of the programme – they are truly studying for their BEd degrees through UNISA. The BEd amazing! Thank you also to the generous sponsors course is a four-year course and so, hopefully, after who have made it all possible. four years, we will have enabled four young people to become qualified teachers, either employed by St

05 DERIK LENÉ ANDREW NICK BOTHA BOTHA CALDWELL COOPER CLAYTON HOUSEMASTER BOARDING MANAGER ENGLISH TEACHER HOD - PHYSICAL AND AFRIKAANS TEACHER EDUCATION: PREP

Derik says it’s a huge Lené’s favourite quote is: Andrew’s favourite quote Nick chose education privilege and honour to “Keep walking” is one from Mahatma because one should never be working at St John’s Gandhi: “Live as if you stop learning. Being College. were to die tomorrow. involved with a child's Learn as if you were to development is a very live forever.” rewarding experience. WELCOME TO THE ST JOHN’S FAMILY

SICELO JEREMY KATHRYN JO-ANDRI MTSHANGASE NAIDOO NOTTINGHAM PRETORIUS ZULU TEACHER AND SCIENCE TEACHER SCIENCE TEACHER AND AFRIKAANS TEACHER ASSISTANT RUNGE RUNGE HOUSEMISTRESS HOUSEMASTER The person Sicelo is Jeremy says there’s no Kathryn says she’s best at Jo-Andri chose education closest to is his father, greater reward than cooking or baking, but because she loves whom he regards as his when a learner who has has been known to play a languages and children – personal hero due to a grappled with a di cult decent round of golf! a perfect combination. number of reasons. One concept, ﬁnally gets it. reason is that he is a man of integrity.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 06 CEASAR FRANCES GRANT ROBYN DUMA KERR-PHILLIPS KRETZMANN MILLIGAN SPORTS DEPARTMENT ENGLISH TEACHER AND EMS TEACHER AND PSYCHOLOGIST AND HISTORY INTERN LEARNING SUPPORT NASH HOUSEMASTER

His favourite quote from Frances has always Grant wants to provide a Robyn’s favourite quote, Zig Ziglar is, “It’s not where wanted to work with unique environment in from T.S. Elliot, is: “The you start – it’s where you young people and wanted which young men are essential advantage for a ﬁnish that counts.” to be a teacher from an able to achieve their goals poet is not to have a early age. beautiful world with which to deal; it is to be able to see beneath both beauty and ugliness; to see the boredom, and We would like to welcome the wonderful the horror, and the glory.” new sta who joined St John’s this year.

JAMES SARAH GERMAY CAILIN ROBEY SHIRES VAN HEERDEN WANDRAG LIFE SCIENCE TEACHER ENGLISH TEACHER MATHS TEACHER HEAD OF MARKETING

James’ favourite quote is: Sarah hopes to achieve Germay says education Cailin started working in “Fear is an illusion, happiness and success chose her, rather than the school marketing 3 years Attitude is everything”. teaching at St John’s as other way around. It was ago after 16 years in the well as settling into her not part of her long-term corporate world. She new life in the South plan. She taught in a feels privileged to be part African context. part-time job while of education at such a completing her studies wonderful school. and ended up loving it!

07 STAFF NEWS

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR STAFF’S INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to Jean-Pierre Calitz, piano We also congratulate Ann George, Life Science teacher and accompanist, who recently teacher, on being awarded her PHD in Science completed his doctorate in piano performance Education. Ann graduated from Wits University through l’Université de Montréal. The D.MUS in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science (cum laude) curriculum requires the performance of 4 solo with majors in Physiology and Genetics. She piano recitals in public, a thesis on an approved returned to Wits in the early 90s to do her topic, 4 research seminars in various ﬁelds of Honours in cytogenetics and subsequently musicology and comprehensive examinations began teaching. In 2006, she enrolled at Wits to on topics of music history and theory. begin her Masters in Science Education. The Masters was upgraded to a PhD, culminating in her thesis entitled Factors aecting teachers’ use of computer technology for promoting meaningful learning.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 08 Congratulations to Patrick Tshutshani who is Congratulations to St John's College Rowing a St John’s sta member, Biokineticist and coach Rod MacDonald who has been Hockey coach. He is also the Coach of the selected to coach the Under 23 South Africa National U/18 Girls Hockey team who won Team in the World Championships in Italy in the African qualiﬁer to the Youth Olympics in August. Wishing Rod and his team all the best. Zambia in March.

09 COVER STORY

2013 MATRIC RESULTS

Yet again we congratulate our Class of 2013 on an outstanding set of results. We achieved a 100% pass rate, with 100% University entrances at degree level. 38 pupils achieved averages of over 80%, 55 pupils attained averages of over 75% and 66% of the year group achieved an over 70% average. Of 124 candidates, 345 Level 7 (80% and over) were achieved. In our endeavour for academic excellence, we are delighted with our Matric pupils’ performance in critical subjects such as Mathematics, Science and English. 1 NISHAL DULLABH - 9 DISTINCTIONS 1 2 BRETT VAN STADEN - 9 DISTINCTIONS 108 pupils wrote Mathematics with 49 achieving 3 BENEDICT DIDCOTT-MARR - 8 DISTINCTIONS distinctions. 39 of 100 candidates achieved distinctions 4 SEAN BAYLEY - 8 DISTINCTIONS in Physical Science while 29 of 124 candidates 5 GIANLUCA AGOSTINETTO - 8 DISTINCTIONS achieved distinctions in English. 6 AKSHAY MANGA - 8 DISTINCTIONS 7 ALEX MATHEW - 8 DISTINCTIONS 8 ANGELO ESPLIN - 8 DISTINCTIONS 9 JAMES BARTON-BRIDGES - 7 DISTINCTIONS 10 JASON VERMAAK - 7 DISTINCTIONS 11 MERRICK STEVENSON - 7 DISTINCTIONS 12 NAEEM VALLEE - 7 DISTINCTIONS 13 CHRIS HUNTLEY - 7 DISTINCTIONS

2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 10 2013 CAMBRIDGE A-LEVEL RESULTS

The subject pass rate of the students who wrote the 2013 A Level examinations was 98%. Overall, 73% of students achieved A to C symbols across all subjects. 12% of our symbols were over 90% in one or more A Level subjects. An additional 20% were over 80% in one or more subjects.

A LEVELS AS LEVELS

1 2 9 10

3 4 11 12

5 6 13 14

1 AUDREY AYO 1XA*, 2XA 7 8 2 NICOLA HIESTERMANN 1XA*, 3XA, 2XB 3 CHANTAL HUDSON 1XA*, 1XA, 1XB 4 XAVIER MUHONI 1XA*, 1XA, 1XB 5 MOHAMED SACRANIE 4XA* 6 ASHLEY SEYMOUR 1XA*, 1XA, 1XB 7 CHRISTOPHER STERLEY 1XA*, 2XA 8 GABRIELLA TOLKIN-ROSEN 1XA*, 2XA 9 GABRIEL ARROYO 3XA, 3XB 10 RAAHEEL BUX 3XA 11 SARANNE HULLEY 2XA, 2XB 12 CYNTHIA MBUTHIA 4XA 13 BARAKA MINJA 5XA 14 BRANDON VAN HOUTHEN 4XA A* REPRESENTS 90% AND OVER

11 NEWS

EXOTIC GAME CAPTURE

BY DION LIBERA

In February, 12 St John's boys had the privilege of assisting injected the animals with a serum, which counteracted the with the relocation of a herd of 17 Golden Wildebeest/Gnus tranquilizer. The boys and sta watched from a fair on the van Heerden’s Exotic Game Farm in the Free State. distance as the Golden Gnu’s slowly and dazedly stood up in their new home. After a very early wake-up call, the group split into two groups, each attending the di erent locations – the This process repeated itself for quite some time: locating capture zone and the relocation zone. the darted wildebeest, moving them to the relocation zone and watching as they awoke once more. The group of boys assigned to aid the capture waited in two bakkies at the entrance to the relatively small One of the key experiences for me occurred while fenced-in zone that held the wildebeest. They waited and transporting the last of the wildebeest. We were on our last watched as the helicopter with a vet on board flew run and so, instead of having two wildebeest per car, we overhead searching for the wildebeest herd. Once found, had three on one and two on the other. This meant that the helicopter swooped down low until it hovered only a there were three boys and three wildebeest on one bakkie few metres o the ground, creating the best angle and resulting in limited space and supposedly restricted height to allow the vet to dart the animals as accurately as movement. possible. The optimum darting area is on the hindquarters of the beasts which the vet was able to hit with 100% I was one of the people on the packed bakkie, seated, accuracy throughout the game capture. holding the animal’s head upright with its horns between my legs, between the two other wildebeest. This was all After a few animals (typically 2 to 4) were darted and had well and good and it was easy to cope with the confined finally collapsed from the tranquilizer, the helicopter space -until my animal started to gain consciousness! hovered overhead and communicated the exact location to the ground team. When the animals were down, it was This specific wildebeest had been sedated twice because it all teams go! had failed to be completely immobilized the first time and now, en route to the relocation zone, the horned beast The two bakkies with farm sta and St John’s boys on the with its head between my legs, started to wake up. back rattled o through the bush in search of these animals. Once found, the teams sprinted to the sedated animals, The wild drive went as follows: the animal, uneasy in its gripped their horns and held their heads up to reduce the position, started moving, started riing around with its stress on the animal and open up their passageways to incredible mass shifting back and forth, continuously trying minimize any harm to them. to get away and there I stood with a tense and worried smile on my face, doing everything I could to muscle it The animal was then quickly lifted onto a tarp, at the same back into its seated position. The drive to the relocation time making sure that its legs were tucked comfortably became a little stressful. underneath it. We then lifted the incredibly heavy wildebeest onto the bakkie and quickly moved on to the After a long, well-fought battle, we finally reached our next sedated animal. After we’d placed two to three destination. We quickly unloaded the rowdy animals and wildebeest on the bakkie, it darted o with two boys on the watched from a distance as the last golden Wildebeest back holding the unconscious – or seemingly so – reunited with their herd on their new land. wildebeests’ heads up. The experience was unforgettable. Being in such close The bakkies were quickly on the move to the relocation proximity to these beautiful animals, was simply zone, navigating the dirt roads with great speeds in order to unbelievable. I know, that if the opportunity presented itself reach the zone without the wildebeest prematurely waking again, I and I’m sure I can speak for the rest of the boys, up and causing itself and those around it harm. would definitely be the first to jump at it. At the relocation zone, the rest of the group stood, The boys and I had a phenomenal experience and I would anxiously waiting, ready to lift the massive beasts o the like to thank Gemay van Heerden and her family for cars and bring them to their new home. The vet then a ording us such a rare experience.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 12 L-R: RYAN MACKELL, CALLEN HARTMEN (OBSCURED), LUC FELDNER-BUSZTIN, ETIENNE SMIT AND ANGUS MACKENZIE.

13 NEWS

MARETLWANE WILDERNESS SCHOOL

BY JUSTIN BESWICK - LOWER IV

My Maretlwane journey began somewhat apprehensively. As I said farewell to my family after orientation, I realised, this was it! However, I soon learnt that we were in good hands at Maretlwane and were about to embark on a great adventure. The ﬁrst few days took some adjusting and there were many safety procedures to learn, but after that, with the guidance of the professional Maretlwane sta , we quickly became a good team. Thanks to my great mentor Mr Robey, I was guided and taught to be self-sucient. I was encouraged to take on new challenges which I most probably would not have experienced outside of Maretlwane. We learnt to be self-sucient, work as a team, cook some great food, and wash and clean for ourselves. We also had some challenging hikes, interesting classes, and were taught so much about our environment. Leisure activities and weekends were great fun and, without giving too much away, I can say that I left the camp feeling proud of my achievements and new experiences, but also with great new friendships formed. With the exception of missing my family and Futurelife cereal. I have learnt to appreciate so many things in my life after Maretlwane and wish to thank Mr Junod, Mr Campbell, Mr Robey and the full team of sta who made my St John’s Maretlwane experience unforgettable. Wishing great times to those who have yet to still experience their “Maretlwane journey”.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 14 VUYO KAHLA HONOURED

FROM L-R: BISHOP STEVE MOREO, MR VUYO KAHLA, MR ROGER CAMERON.

Outgoing Chairman of Council, Mr Vuyo Kahla, was awarded the Bishops Medal by Bishop Steve Moreo for his service as Chairman of St John’s College. Vuyo was elected to Council in November 2005. He was then elected Chairman from February 2008 to January 2014. We would like to thank Mr Kahla for his valuable contribution to St John’s College.

15 ACADEMIC

On 17 April, 33 boys and three teachers sat at OR Tambo International Airport, keenly awaiting our HISTORY departure for Europe. This was the start of a two-week History tour during which we were to visit Russia, Germany and the Czech Republic. TOUR As we ﬂew into St Petersburg, it was evident that we were in a place unlike anywhere we had been before. The picturesque streets, strikingly bold architecture and harsh landscapes were gripping and at times BY EMILIO ZINIADES - LOWER V rendered the tour group silent (which takes some doing) in admiration. This trend continued throughout all the cities we visited: St Petersburg, Moscow, Munich, Prague and Berlin. The wealth of history possessed by each city was even more impressive. One of the highlights of the tour was deﬁnitely standing in front of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, where the Bolshevik Revolution reached

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 16 its climax in October 1917. Reading about the afternoon at Sachsenhausen concentration camp, storming of the Winter Palace in a textbook and one of the many camps set up by Hitler. It is hard to being there in person are two completely dierent describe the atmosphere there, except to say that the things, the latter being infinitely more valuable. In a air was heavy – a very solemn aair indeed. way, this experience symbolised the ultimate aim of We also visited the remains of the Berlin Wall. In some the tour – to bring history alive. In every city we places the actual wall still exists with the original visited, we experienced an aspect of the history we grati art still there, whilst in other places a simple had learnt in class. row of two cobblestones indicates where the Wall Another highlight was seeing Lenin’s embalmed body used to be. In both cases, it was terrific to actually see in Moscow, on the celebration of the anniversary of visible signs of the history we had spent so much time his birthday! To be within metres of the man who was learning about. so influential in modern history was almost eerie. It After our 12-day tour, we returned to Johannesburg, was also interesting to see that, on this occasion, Red our minds buzzing with both information and Square was still filled with red Soviet Union flags; to exhaustion. It was truly an unforgettable experience, this day, figures such as Lenin and Stalin are still which I meticulously recorded with ample pictures idolised by many people in Russia. I know I will look back on these in years to come with In Germany, we visited places relevant to World War fond memories. II and the Cold War. For example we spent an

17 ACADEMIC SPORT

TOUR DE MATHS ATHLETICS Well done to Jordan Lourens and Logan Geldenhuys Gareth Harvett (UV) was selected to represent Gauteng Province (LV), who along with their St Andrew’s partners, attained at the National Athletics Club Championships in Stellenbosch in a third place in the Senior Tour de Maths at Kingsmead. April this year. He ran in the U/19 1500m race, and ﬁnished in a We also congratulate Evan Rex (LIV) and his Kingsmead time of 4.01 min and ocially ﬁnished in 9th place. It’s fantastic partners on their second place in the Junior Tour de Maths. for Gareth to be competing at this level whilst still being a year younger than his competitors.

ENGLISH OLYMPIAD BOULDERING Congratulations to Tasneem Kathrada (UVI) and Congratulations to Matthew Robinson for his gold medal in the Mikhail Kolabhai (UV) who have made it to the TOP National Bouldering Leagues Finals held in Durban in April. 15 of the 2014 De Beers English Olympiad. Matthew represented Gauteng in the Youth B competition (U15). Matthew completed his climbs within the allocated time and This is an outstanding achievement considering that qualified in first place for the finals with a score of 41 points 8 000 candidates entered this national examination against the second place qualifier’s 35. this year. As part of their prize, Tasneem and Mikhail In the finals, Matthew was the only finalist to “flash” (getting to were invited to attend the 2014 National Schools the top of the climb on his first attempt) in all of the five climbs. Festival in Grahamstown in July. Matthew was also the youngest climber in his group. His next major competition is the qualifying tournament for the South African team to attend the World Lead Climbing championships in Nomuea, New Caledonia.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 18 CRICKET The St John’s College cricket season was a very busy and successful one. Teams seem to be playing more and more games in an increasingly congested season. St John’s competed locally against the likes of King Edward, Pretoria Boys, Aes, Grey College and St Alban’s from October 2013 to the beginning of March 2014. A concerted e ort was made to provide more games for the lower teams. A total of 120 games were played across the age groups throughout the Easter term. However, some games were lost to rain late in the season. The 1st xi season was relatively prosperous; the team played 20 games in the Easter term competing against many of the top cricketing schools around the country. The U14A, U15A and the 1st XI attended their respective Independent School Cricket festivals returning with very good results. The 1st XI also managed to reach the ﬁnal of the John Waite Knockout competition. Throughout the season there were some very good individual and team performances from all the age group teams. A number of the 1st XI players produced some ﬁne results (such as Conor Mc Kerr; Morgan Fairbairn and Jake Alfred). Bradley Dial represented the U19 World cup team at the recent world cup held in the UAE. Ndumiso Mvelase and Bradley represented Gauteng U19 in 2013, Martyn Strydom, Liam Peters and Lorenzo Masselli represented the Gauteng u17 team, Conor McKerr and Keegan Lumley represented Gauteng u15b at the respective 2013 cricket weeks.

19 SPORT

HOCKEY ROWING Congratulations to the following boys who have been THE 2013/14 SEASON selected to Provincial / National A very successful rowing season was concluded at the South African School Championship Teams in 2014: Regatta held at Roodeplaat Dam from 7 to 9 March. There was a 44% increase in the number South Gauteng U/18 A of entries to this regatta since 2011, making it the biggest regatta in its history. Playing in the SA National IPT There were some impressive results from all age groups. from 1-6 July at Maritzburg The open age group (U19) achieved the following results: College KZN: Nathan Elliott and • Bronze in the Junior Men's U19 Pair (Daniel Carter and Nick Papas) Walter Pfa • Silver in the Junior Men's U19 Coxed Four (James Mitchell, Joseph Savenye-Terblanche, South Gauteng U/18 B Nick Papas, Daniel Carter and cox Jason McNeil) Playing in the SA National IPT • Bronze in the Junior Men's U19 Eight (Daniel Hafner, Ayrton da Silva, Graeme Betty, from 1-6 July at Maritzburg Joseph Savenye-Terblanche, Nick Papas, Daniel Carter, James Mitchell, College KZN: Ndumiso Mvelase Riaghan Davies-Webb and cox Jason McNeil) and Alistair Fletcher The U16 age group won the Tom Price Shield which is the overall age group points trophy. South Gauteng U/16 B Notable results from this age group include: Playing in the SA National IPT from • Silver in the Junior Men's U16 Pair (Adam Wolfe and Bjorn Solot) 13-16 July at Kearsney College • Silver in the Junior Men's U16 Eight (Armin Wessels, Bram Schonfeldt, Luis Murillo, KZN: Gareth Fullerton and Ross Aidan Gregory, Jonty McIvor, Tristan Klement, Adam Wolfe, Bjorn Solot and cox Bentley (Non-travelling reserve Tim McPherson) Goal Keeper for U/16 section) • Bronze in the Junior Men's U16 coxed Quad (Saki Canca, Luis Murillo, Tristan Klement, South Gauteng U/14A Armin Wessels and cox Taine Cabral) Playing in National festival from • Bronze in the Junior Men's coxed Four (Jonty McIvor, Bjorn Solot, Adam Wolfe, 13 -17 July at Jeppe Boys JHB: Bram Schonveldt and cox Tim McPherson). Sean Jacobs and Brandon • The U16 B eight came in 6th position in the A ﬁnal of the Junior Men's U16 Eight Vermeulen (James Braham, Saki Canca, Katlehe Ramosedi, Brandon McKenzie, Ross le Matire, South Gauteng U/14 B Aidan Bellingan, Alessandro Ferro, Hugh Madeley and cox Cody Gill) Playing in National festival from 13 -17 July at Jeppe Boys JHB: The U15 Quad of Ramon Faesen, Daniel Trengrove, Krischan Mumbi, Harry Stanley and Nicholas Siedle and cox Matthew Wong achieved a bronze medal in a very exciting race with St Benedict's and Christopher Tennick St Andrew’s College. South Gauteng U/14 C The U14 age group produced some excellent results during the championship. The following Playing in National festival from were the most notable: 13 -17 July at Jeppe Boys JHB: • Gold in the Junior Men's U14 Octiple (Justin Vermark, Tom Huang, Cale Gregory, Nicholas Ching and Luke Moore Chris Williams, Jack Huang, Zak Coetzee, Matthew Betty, Matthew Chamberlin and South Gauteng U/14 D cox Daniel Louw) Playing in National festival from • Silver and bronze in the Junior Men's U14 A Quad 13 -17 July at Jeppe Boys JHB: St John’s came second out of 19 boys’ schools in the overall points trophy. Benjamin Macqueen

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 20 ROWING 3 NEW ROWING BOATS ARE BLESSED AND NAMED On 3 March 2014 two new rowing boats were blessed and named. The first was a new pair and was named after Vuyo Kahla the outgoing Chairman, in recognition of his service to the council of St John’s. The second boat was a single scull, and was named after long service sta member M Khubayi for his long service to the school. A third first 8 boat was also named at rowing camp after Roger Barrow, the first head rowing coach of St John’s. JUNIOR ROWING James Mitchell and Daniel Carter, have been selected for the SA Junior Rowing Team, and will participate in the Junior World Championships in Hamburg Germany in August. St John’s Rowing Coach, Grant Dodds, has been selected as their National Head Coach.

21 SPORT

SAILING SHOW WATERPOLO In May, Henry Daniels (LVI) sailed St John’s College waterpolo in the J22 class World JUMPING continued with its consistent Championship at the Vaal Dam, Well done to Connor Wilson (LV) performance this season, and came second overall with his who is currently number 1 in the ending with National crew. He became the youngest standings for schools in the "I" Tournaments held at King sailor internationally to achieve a category of one rider. Connor is Edwards (1st Team), Parktown podium finish in this J22 class at Level 5 in High Schools (Indigo U15) and Jeppe (Ken World Championship. Eventing and Level 3 for Dressage Short U14). Henry has subsequently been and Show jumping, Level 4 for Equitation and Level 7 for The 1st Team reached the invited to represent the Royal quarter-final of the Cape Yacht Club in the J24 Working Hunter (in which discipline he has the highest competition, losing to SACS Dennis Connor Invitational from Cape Town in a penalty Regatta in Manhattan, New York number of points of anyone in the country). shoot-out. They finished 5th in August 2014. overall and Top 4 in the He also won the Northern National Rankings. Region Open Class Provincial Regatta in March at the Vaal Dam Jason Chemaly and Ross in a 29er, and was the first youth TENNIS Rugheimer were selected for to cross the line, and second THE 2014 the Team of the Tournament, overall in the Western Province an unocial South African U18 Southern Charter Grand Slam SUMMER team. Both Jason and Ross Regatta in Hermanus in February were also selected for the this year. SEASON Gauteng U18A team that competed at the South African The tennis boys have had a Henry sailing in a Vulcan at the Senior Provincial successful season thus far. J22 World Championship. Championships, held at Kings We are pleased to welcome Park Pool in Durban in March Lauren Jackman who has joined this year. us as the new tennis coach for OPEN Hugh Ledlie and Christopher the both the College and the Strong played for the Gauteng Prep. We are sure that this will WATER U18B team. Matthew Irvine benefit the growth of tennis at St was selected for the U18B John’s. We hope to develop a SWIMMING Team, but had to withdraw depth of tennis which will ensure Congratulations to Mitchel due to injury. The U14A team our future success. Sinclair (L4), who was selected finished 2nd at the Ken Short for the Open Water National The first team tennis boys started U14 National Tournament. Swimming Champs which o the year competing in the St Ethan Roets was selected as took place in February. Held at Benedict’s Festival. The boys the best goalkeeper of the Midmar Dam, Mitchel played extremely well and were tournament. (competing for Central placed 5th overall. During the We look forward to even more Gauteng Aquatics) swam in summer season we had three impressive results next year. the 3km event and managed teams competing and they have to beat a number of more had some very good results. A senior challengers, finishing in highlight for the season was the a great sub 40min and took 1st team beating St Stithians in a 8th place overall in the 14-15 nail-biting 50-49 match. year old category. A number of boys have also taken part in Gauteng trials and have done extremely well in the ranking tournaments. Michael Copeland also travelled to Spain to participate in a training programme and participated in two Spanish tournaments. He also played in the open section of the Gauteng North Mini tournament in which he was placed second, as well as in the ITF in Potchefstroom and the Interprovincial U19 tournament representing Gauteng Central. Tennis will continue into the Winter season for the 1st Team and we look forward to another successful season.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 22 CONNOR WILSON MITCHEL SINCLAIR

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: R BATZOFIN, H MORGAN, N ZILLE AND M STEWART.

HENRY DANIELS

23 MUSIC AND CULTURE

RENAISSANCE MEN OF THE COLLEGE

BY JAKE ALFRED - UPPER V

SEATED LEFT RIGHT: MICHAEL SIEBERT (1ST TEAM RUGBY), HAMISH MOLLETT (1ST TEAM HOCKEY AND 1ST TEAM GOLF), MICHAEL DAVIES (1ST TEAM ROWING), ROWAN BATZOFIN (1ST TEAM TENNIS), DANIEL ARNOT (2ND TEAM HOCKEY AND BASKETBALL)

STANDING: STEPHEN MAYCOCK (1ST TEAM BASKETBALL), JAKE ALFRED (1ST TEAM CRICKET), AIDAN GREGORY (U15 A ROWING), MATTHEW TAYLOR (2ND TEAM ROWING), STEPHEN DE SOUZA (1ST TEAM BASKETBALL)

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 24 In many of South Africa’s premier boys’ schools, you will ﬁnd exceptional academic results, a whole host of quality sportsmen, and a competitive atmosphere – one that you truly understand only when you attended one of these schools.

St John’s is no dierent. We have Old Johannians representing professional sports teams across many disciplines: Chris Froome, Bradley Dial, Jean Symes, Dimitri Catrakilis, Devon Conway - to name a few.

It is not just this long-standing sporting tradition that makes St John’s College like no other school in the country. Consider this: what do our first rugby side’s number 6, our first hockey team’s right back, representatives from our first tennis and basketball teams, a member of our rowing first eight, and our opening batsman have in common? They are all musicians.

Nowhere else will you ﬁnd a saxophonist throwing on the Blues jersey, or a guitarist donning the maroon baggy. We have an unrivalled music department amongst the boys’ schools of South Africa. Our choir is a hundred-strong, and this year, we have 18 pupils writing IEB music - out of a national total of just under two hundred. Our ensembles play at numerous festivals in and outside the school, and our symphony orchestra is unparalleled. These musical endeavours would not be possible without the true Renaissance men of the College.

A Renaissance man is an all-rounder. A Johannian who participates - and excels - in all spheres of College academic, sport and cultural life. These past and present St John’s students have helped to break down stereotypes regarding the barriers between sport and culture in the College. These boys reﬂect the opportunities all young men arriving at St John’s have. The music department welcomes all, rugby player or not!

25 MUSIC AND CULTURE

ZACHARY AWARDED WITH MEDAL OF DISTINCTION Zachary Bowditch (LV) was recently awarded a Medal of Distinction by Trinity College of Music, London, for achieving the highest result for a Trinity Grade 8 practical examination in Johannesburg last year. Grade 8 is the highest level possible before attempting university level diploma exams, and is two grades higher than the current IEB syllabus requirements for matric practical music. His achievement is all the more remarkable in that he progressed from a Grade 4 musical standard in 2011, to a Grade 8 distinction level in just two years. Zachary has been an active member of the St John’s Music Department since he came to the school in Remove, and performs in the Wind Band and Clarinet Ensemble, as well as being a member of the College Choir and Schola Cantorum. He is also a member of the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and Wind Band.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The Drama Department have had a busy and productive term, beginning with PHYZZ FEST, a Physical Theatre showcase hosted by St Stithians Girls’ College in early February, moving onto GROBS 2014 held just before half-term, and culminating in the Major Production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A Midsummer Night’s Dream featuring boys and girls from the College and Sixth Form, was performed across the week of 31 March to 4 April. It was the inevitable choice for this year’s major production, partly because it is a great deal of fun, but also as a consequence of Russell Untiedt’s (the director) need to accommodate large numbers of interested boys and girls. A school production should serve as a space for learning and growing and so the choice of production every year is guided principally by this notion. A shortened version of the play was used and deliberately chosen to place a contemporary spin on this Shakespearean classic by adding some post-modern touches; and in doing so played around with convention without sacriﬁcing the integrity of the original text. The success of this production is attributable to the many people who worked with the director to bring it to fruition. Many thanks to the Drama Department, the sta , past pupils, parents and boys and girls from the College and Sixth form. Tribute needs to be paid to the talent, energy and creativity of the wonderful cast and crew. The production was an enormous amount of e ort and the responses from our capacity audiences each night attested to the fact that the production was an enormous success.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 26 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

ST JOHN’S 1ST TEAM BASKETBALL A CALL FOR GENEROSITY

BY JEAN BWASA - BASKETBALL MIC St John’s College is an inspirational and aspirational place, grounded in the school motto: “lux, vita, caritas”. [light – life – love]. These three words provide the students with not just a vision encouraging them to achieve good academic results, but also an awareness of the real, challenging world that surrounds us. For this reason, in February, the 1st basketball team brought a smile to the faces of the children and their mothers in the paediatric ward at the Charlotte Maxeke General Hospital. As a teacher, I seized the opportunity to help the boys follow their Christian values, the cornerstones of our shared existence. When I observe the modern, lavish society in which we live, I wonder if our morning devotions hold any meaning. It was therefore rewarding when members of the basketball team decided to perform acts of charity prior to their tournament. This symbolic gesture deﬁnes the ideal of “Ubuntu”. Ubuntu encompasses ‘caring’, ‘love’, ‘sharing’, and ‘sacriﬁce’ which we tend to forget in our daily lives. One question should always challenge us as living Christians: what have we done for our brothers? In between their school chores and busy lives, the basketball team visited the children’s ward at the General Hospital with some goodies. The toys brought smiles to those little faces, and to those parents whose hope relies on the medics who care for their precious children.

ST JOHN’S COLLEGE PREFECTS REACH OUT In March, the St John's College prefect body initiated a charity drive to collect sports equipment. The equipment was donated to the youth of the Soweto Cricket Club. They then challenged the prefects of St Mary's, Roedean and St Stithian’s to start their own charity initiatives. Donated equipment included: 109 cricket bats 65 tennis rackets 79 pairs of pads 64 pairs of trainers 75 pairs of gloves 44 soccer balls 50 helmets 30 rugby balls 50 cricket bags 27 pairs of soccer boots 73 hockey sticks 77 golf clubs and so much more!

PUPIL HELPS KEEP A DREAM ALIVE In 2009, at the age of nine, St John’s Prep pupil, Sam Harding began donating his pocket money to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust, to help raise funds to realise Tata Madiba’s dream of a hospital to the secure the lives of African children. His e ort led to the birth of the For Kids By Kids campaign, an initiative which has seen the adoption of piggy banks at schools to which all children – some as young as six years old -can contribute for the beneﬁt of children. The construction of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital began after a breaking of ground ceremony held at Wits’ Education Campus in March. Sam, who was present at the sod-turning ceremony, told guests and donors that the idea behind the campaign “is to show that fundraising is not just for grown-ups. Children of all ages can take part in building this new hospital.”

27 PREP

CRICKET The seven-week Prep cricket season was certainly the longest Easter Term cricket season in recent years, with 142 fixtures scheduled. Not all these fixtures were played or finished due to lightning and wet weather, but it’s a tremendous amount of cricket oered to our keen young cricketers! Cricket professional Justin Sammons and his coaching sta implemented the Junior Cricket Programme and every Saturday morning saw Grade 1 and 2 boys, with their fathers, eagerly turn up for coaching and games. This year, for the first time ever, U9A and U9B inter-school cricket games were introduced on a Saturday during the Easter Term. The mixed ability U9 teams can look forward to mid-week inter-school fixtures in the Michaelmas Term. These will be taking place on a Monday afternoon and this will also be a first for St John’s cricket, and we are sure that the U10 cricket age-group next year will be stronger for it. Our U9A team will be participating in the annual Trinity House U9 Cricket Festival in October. These boys can look forward to some extremely competitive cricket. A very exciting cricket tour of international status awaits our 1st and 2nd XI boys, as at the end of the August holidays they will be touring to Zimbabwe. St John’s College - Harare, have done a magnificent job in setting up four fixtures for each of our teams for the week-long tour. The participating schools include Falcon College, Peterhouse, St George’s and St John’s College - Harare. Our boys will also be participating in a T20 Cricket Festival with five other South African schools in addition to six Zimbabwean schools. These are all incredible opportunities for the boys. We also look forward to an exciting cricket tour to KwaZulu-Natal in October. Thirty-six boys making up the U10A, U11A and 1st XI teams, will travel down over half-term and will take on Cordwallles Preparatory School in Pietermaritzburg and Clifton Preparatory in Durban. Options are being explored to expand this tour to include more teams across the age-groups. The U11B will also be participating in the annual Beaulieu Preparatory 20/20 Cricket Festival.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 28 SPORT Maiden Century! Soccer NEWS Athletics Riyaadh Ha ejee (1st XI), below Matthew de la Rey has been is seen raising his bat in selected for the Gauteng U13 Pre-Prep The Prep Athletics season was celebration of his maiden Football team. Sod-Turning very short, albeit it an extremely century against WHPS in March. successful one. Ceremony Riyaadh carried his bat St John’s competed in four throughout the St John's inter-school athletics meetings innings, finishing with 136 not St John’s Pre-Prep during the season with St David’s, out o 161 balls. had a special St Benedict’s, The Ridge, CBC He batted for three hours and “Sod-Turning Boksburg and Masibambane. twenty-two minutes. Ceremony” in St John’s managed to win all February to mark the four of these meetings, which included full track and field start of the building of events. We are very proud of all the new Pre-Prep our athletes! buildings. Cricket The original buildings Jacob Joseph (U11A), above, of the Pre Prep were after his bowling figures 8 - 0 - built in 1969, with the 27 - 6 against WHPS in March. first boys starting in This included a hat trick! 1970 under the first headmistress, Marge KEPS Waterpolo Green. At the time, there were eight sta Tournament members. Current Our First team took part in the headmistress, Jane KEPS Waterpolo Tournament , Lane, says: “The new held in March. buildings will Sixteen schools participated in the tournament. St John’s accommodate the played six matches, winning growing needs of the three, losing three, and placing Pre-Prep and house seventh overall. the 230 boys from Hockey Grade 0 to 2, as well Congratulations to Keagan as 25 sta members”. Lion-Cachet for being selected Mr Jon Tilley, an old Cornwall County to represent the U13A Boys‘ Southern Gauteng Provincial boy of St John’s and Cricket Match Schools’ Hockey Team. young Ben Nagel (the From left: Riyaadh Ha ejee (vc) This is a fantastic achievement youngest and smallest Sam Wyatt, captain of the seeing that Keagan is still U12. boy at the Pre-Prep) Cornwall County side from Keagan will be representing did the digging to England and Jack Lees (c) have Southern Gauteng in a few the toss in the traditional and mark this special provincial tournaments this annual 1st XI fixture. occasion. Jon has a year, with the main tournament This took place in February on being held in Bloemfontein grandson, Luke Mitchell Field. from the 2nd – 5th July. Pretorius, in Grade 2; This exciting fixture went down We wish Keagan all the best and Ben has a brother, to the very last over where with his training and Sam, in Grade 2. Cornwall managed to pull o a up-coming tournaments! 5-wicket win.

29 PREP

20TH ANNUAL PREP SCHOOLS’ CRICKET FESTIVAL

St John’s Preparatory hosted the 20th Annual Prep Schools’ Cricket Festival over the Easter half term. Twelve schools from around the country took part. Our 1st XI had a good three-wicket win over Western Province Preparatory School on the second day’s play, and had a magnificent 80 run win over Kingswood Junior School on the third and final day’s play. Unfortunately, due to lightning and wet weather, the first day’s play against Merchiston Preparatory School from Pietermaritzburg was not completed. Jean Symes, an Old Johannian and current Lions cricketer, was the guest speaker at the Festival Dinner.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 30 A budding Garry Kasparov at St Johns Papplewick Tour to SA Yashil Modi (UI) took part in the 2014 South African Junior Closed Chess In April, St John’s Preparatory 1st XV hosted the rugby boys from Championship held in Stellenbosch in April. The top 32 boys in the Papplewick, Ascot in England. This was the first outing of the season for country participated in the U10 open section, and Yashil finished in first the 1st XV, in preparation for their upcoming rugby festivals. St John’s place. He was awarded with South African colours and, together with the won the game, 31 – 24. Tries were scored by Ziyanda Manaway, Taine second place winner, will represent South Africa in the World Youth Maynard (2), Dino Iozzo, and Matthew Levendig. Jack Lees kicked 3 out Chess Championship to be held in Durban in September this year. of 5 conversions. A dinner was hosted in the Fred England afterwards, where all the boys mingled - an most important part of any tour.

Thank you for the music Kid’s lit quiz success for Prep Music at St John's Bridge Nursery School forms an important part in the In February, the St John’s Prep School’s, “Kids’ Lit Quiz Team” competed life of the school. We start each day by singing songs during our morning against nine other top Kids Lit Quiz teams from around the country in the ring and on a Tuesday we enjoy a movement to music lesson. National Finals of the Competition held in Cape Town – and won! The highlight of our week is our music lesson conducted by Ms Shannon Dubbed the “Olympics of Reading”, the Quiz tests the teams’ literary Frigyik from the Preparatory School. The children are introduced to knowledge of anything ever written for children. music terminology in a very child-centered way and the highlight of New Zealander, Wayne Mills, is the quizmaster and originator of the Quiz, each lesson is in the participation. and travels around the world testing children’s literary knowledge. A passion for books and reading from a very young age are the secret of success for these young readers. The St John’s boys will compete against winning teams from Canada, USA, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand in the World Finals to be held in Cornwall, UK in July. A fantastic achievement. Well done, boys. Left to right: Wayne Mills - Quiz Master, Sean Morrison, Justin West, Max Milella, Andi Qu, Mrs Nicky Sulter - Librarian, St John’s Prep.

31 OLD JOHANNIANS

SIYA XUZA (OJ 2007) Siyabulela Xuza has announced a breakthrough in energy, which could allow Africans to charge mobile devices without using batteries or tapping into national grids. Rather than take up opportunities at Silicon Valley, this Harvard engineering graduate has opted to count himself among those brilliant young Africans who are seeking to use their quality education from overseas to develop Africa, and has started a global energy company. He also gives motivational talks. Siya has just finished a year-long project on microfuel cells, which are fuel cells that can be used to power small devices such as cellphones, as well as laptops. Known for designing rocket fuel in his mother's kitchen, he has a planet known as Siyaxuza, near the Jupiter asteroid belt, named after him. He is a fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker and lived in the US for five years. Siya says. "I do have a passion for African innovation and the way I am going to be driving that passion is through my field, as an engineer, by developing energy technologies - particularly energy storage, to harness the power of the sun and to store it so that when there is no sun people can still have power." While at MIT, Xuza missed death by about two minutes last year in the Boston shootings which followed the Boston Marathon bombing. He says that moment has driven him to give back more to society.

BRADLEY DIAL (OJ 2013) Extremely talented cricketer, Bradley Dial, represented St John’s College 1st XI from his Grade 8 year, and captained the side in his matric year, playing over 120 games for the school. He represented the respective provincial teams throughout the age groups and was fortunate enough to be selected for the South African u19 team in his grade 11 year and was selected to represent South Africa in the 2014 u19 World cup. South Africa celebrated its first-ever victory in the ICC Junior World Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai, with Bradley doing us proud by leaving the field 14 not out from 24 balls. Bradley will go down as one of the best cricketers who has graced the fields of St John’s College and we wish him every success in the future. We are also proud of the following Old Johannians who are showing their skills on the cricket field • Wesley Coulentianos Currently playing 1st class cricket for Easterns • Omphile Ramela Currently playing for the Cobras in the Sunfoil series • Devon Conway Currently playing for the Lions in the Sunfoil series.

Our old boys continue to make us proud. Here are some snippets on what some of them have been up to.

VITA VOLUME 63 JULY 2014 32 AWADI RATHUGAMAGE (OJ 2009) In May this year, Awadi graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He was also selected as a recipient of the University Trustees Award for the highest grade-point average by a graduating senior, and was chosen to represent USC's Viterbi School of Engineering Class of 2014 as Valedictorian. He will soon start work at a tech start-up in Santa Barbara. “I never could have achieved any of this without the great education that I received at St John's, and I'll forever cherish my experience there,” says Rathugamage.

DAVID HUNT (OJ 2009) David is still making great strides in his rowing career. He says the ﬁrst time he dreamt of rowing for his country was while listening to Ramon di Clemente talk about his Olympic bronze medal at his club. David’s dreams have come true. Not only has he represented his country, but he has picked up one gold and two silver medals at the World Rowing U23 Championships in the men’s pair, as well as a seventh place ﬁnish at the 2013 World Rowing Cup in Lucerne (SUI). Currently balancing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a full-time training schedule, his goal stretches into the future; a gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games. His talent, success and determination have made him World Rowing’s Rising Star.

LUKE KUTTSCHREUTER (OJ 2008) Luke is in his 6th and ﬁnal year at SA's top medical school, UCT, and has been successful in a number of areas: • In his 4th year, he won the Adcock Ingram Pharmaceutical Award for the Best Student in Medicine in 4th year, as well as the Dr Francois Majoos class medal for the Overall Top Student in Medicine in 4th year; • In his 5th year, Luke joined the committee of the UCT Surgical Society (UCT's largest medical society, and 2nd largest society at UCT) as the head of the research portfolio; • He was placed 3rd in the UCT Undergraduate Research Day in 2012, and 2nd in the UCT Undergraduate Research Day in 2013; • He was placed 2nd in the Research Competition at the Inaugural Southern African Student Surgical Societies (SASSS) Symposium held at WITS in 2013, which he also attended to represent UCT on a national level; • He was recently appointed as Vice-President of the UCT Surgical Society for 2014, as well as President of a new society - the UCT Cardiac Society - for 2014; • He was appointed as the head of the Symposium & Events portfolio on the International Association of Student Surgical Societies (IASSS) committee for 2014 and is chairman of a 14-person sub-committee tasked with planning the Inaugural IASSS Symposium 2014, combined with the 2nd Annual SASSS Symposium 2014; Luke has just returned from doing a 5-week elective programme in cardiology at Oxford University in the UK. He has also done much research work and is awaiting acceptance for publication in some big national and international medical journals; Luke’s project ahead of him this year, apart from graduating, is the Inaugural IASSS Symposium 2014 to be held at UCT from 7-10 July 2014. He is heading the committee of this world-class event. Luke says, ”I believe that no accomplishments such as these can be made possible without ﬁrm foundations and I can attribute a large proportion of this foundation to St John's College.”