NEWSLETTER - October 2018
State of the School
Having returned from a month of successful Old Boy reunions and fundraising in various parts of the world during the June holidays, it was wonderful to experience the spirit, joy and positivity surrounding the annual Old Boys Reunion Weekend and KES fixture at the end of July. The KES fixture was a wonderful occasion for all involved at Jeppe and a credit to two fantastic public boys’ schools, both on and off the field. The feedback from the Old Boys community was extremely complimentary and positive.
The winter sporting season was the most successful in many years in terms of results, participation levels and enjoyment. From a hockey perspective our 1st team were unbeaten (the first time since 1991) over 31 games and were widely regarded as the strongest team in the country. When layered with their provincial representation and retaining of the Aitken trophy for an unprecedented fourth year in a row, this is a truly remarkable feat. From a rugby perspective, our Craven Week provincial representation was the highest in our history. Completion of the “double”, for the first time in history, over our great rivals and friends from KES, capped a memorable season for our 1st XV. It is no coincidence that Jeppe had the highest number of provincial representatives of any school in Gauteng in both hockey AND rugby – an outstanding achievement – and I believe credit must go to our wonderful educators who not only spend Monday to Friday passionately educating in the classroom but then also give of themselves in afternoons, weekends and school holidays to coach, develop and mentor our boys. Education is more than just a classroom experience and the involvement of educators in coaching has many advantages. Thank you for your continued support of our boys, and our School!
Dale Jackson HEADMASTER
WORLDWIDE OLD BOYS REUNIONS
While in Australia, attending the IBSC conference, Mr Jackson attended three Australian and New Zealand based Old Boys Reunions.
These Old Boys societies are extremely supportive of the school and it was a wonderful opportunity for Mr Jackson to thank them for their contributions as well as update them on the improvements and advancements taking place at the school.
On 20 July, on his way to support the Pipe Band at the Basel Tattoo, Mr Jackson stopped over in London and met up with old boys at a reunion there. It was a well- attended function with the guest of honour being, Sir Alan Dashwood who was born at Oribi and is the grandson of former Headmaster, Mr Grant and son of legendary Dickie Dashwood.
While in Basel, Mr Jackson managed to set aside some time to meet up with some of the Jeppe Old Boys (young and old), and their families now living in that part of the world. It was a wonderful time of reminiscing and regaling each other with their favourite Jeppe stories. 2018 REUNIONS WEEKEND
The annual JBA Old Boys reunions were held on Friday 27 July, the day before the Jeppe-KES derby game. A special Old Boys and school assembly was held in the Memorial Hall at the end of the school day, which many old boys attended prior to breaking away to the venues on the school campus allocated to the specific years celebrating reunions. The old boys were completely overwhelmed by the incredible welcome and reception they received from the school boys. They received a standing ovation from the boys when they joined them in the hall.
The year reunions celebrated were 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, 2008 and any other old boys who wanted to join in were also welcomed. There was a wonderful turnout of men who had a great time catching up with old friends, taking tours of the campus and being brought up to date with the projects and upgrades being undertaken at the school.
“Reunions are much anticipated events in the life of a Jeppe Old Boy. For the class of 2008 this is no different and we were fortunate enough to have a tremendous response with 75 of our classmates joining us on the Friday night festivities held at the Watson Pavilion. I am sure every Old Boy feels a sense of pride when reminiscing about their time at Jeppe and for the class of 2008 this was no different. Fast forward 10 years and we found ourselves transported back to the days when carefree teenagers roamed the fields of Jeppe.
With all the colourful characters and events of our Jeppe story resurfacing at our reunion, it was a night enjoyed by all. We may be older and wiser but when you get an opportunity to sit next to the gentlemen that you shared the best years of your life with you remember what it is to be a Jeppe Boy.
I left that night and retreated back home with a massive smile on my face knowing that there is something intangible that connects us and unites us as Jeppe Old Boys. Here’s to the class of 2008, until we meet again.” -- Eurico Marques - 2008
“I was lucky enough to attend the Friday assembly. I was already in tears before the old boys and the boy’s war cry. Then the guard of honour to the old hall had me sobbing. The emotional joy of this special occasion was staggering! Friday evening I joined my 1988 classmates for the reunion dinner in the sports office. At the same time my father’s class of ‘58 joined his classmates in the old hall for their dinner.
For me this was the most special day I have ever had. Saturday we watched Jeppe beat Kes at Jeppe. Thank you to all who made this possible. Thank you to all who keep the black and white. The best organisation on earth. -- Christopher Moll – 1998
“The Class of 1988, 30 year reunion was a wonderful weekend of reminiscing, catching-up and sharing our own personal memories of our “Jeppe Days”.
The walk after assembly from the Memorial Hall to the Payne Hall, through a Guard of Honour made up of clapping and cheering boys proudly wearing their Black & White, was something really special and a memory that will stay with those that experienced it for many, many years to come.
The tour of the school was an eye opener for many, and it was wonderful to see the growth and improvements that have taken place over the years. Notable again was the discipline and courtesy of the boys we encountered as we walked around. They were always respectful and well turned out, standing up and greeting us as we walked past.
The dinner was well attended and a good few laughs were shared while the Class of 88 took some time-out to renew those bonds of brotherhood that makes Jeppe Boys such a special place.
The weekend was rounded off by a great 1st XV victory at home against KES, and we left the school with our chests puffed-out with pride and gratitude that we are a small part of the history of such a landmark institution.” – James Tavendale – 1998
“The event was a major success in every aspect. The bringing together of friends from 50 years ago into one location, people from all over the world Australia, USA and everywhere in South Africa in attendance. The hosting by the school as ‘’homecoming’’ weekend was magnificent. The planning and execution from School perspective met the needs and expectations of all concerned who attended. In the Payne hall where we were as a group, the memories expressed, experienced and refreshed, embellished and enjoyed by all were all synonymous with the event and although we had aged, we, on that evening were new recruits starting our illustrious careers at this fine institution Jeppe High School for Boys. To all involved, words cannot express the gratitude you deserve, for facilitating such a huge occasion that gave such magnitude of pleasure to the Class of 68/69. We look forward to the 60th, and no doubt the occasion will be equally as big!!!!,” – Ron Penhall - 1968 REUNION WEEKEND 2019 : 3RD – 4TH MAY
Class No of Years Head Boy/Organizer for that year:
Class of 1959 60 Years Edward Stephens Head Boy
Class of 1969 50 Years Tex van Beuge Head Boy
Organisers: Puppy Penhall & Rocky Munro
Class of 1979 40 Years Grant Sleep Head Boy
Organisers: David Pike & Ashleigh Pearce
Class of 1989 30 Years Trevor Thom Head Boy
Class of 1999 20 Years Jason Tee Head Boy
Class of 2009 10 Years Junior Mnisi Head Boy
We will publish the names and contact details for the organisers as soon as possible. If you are interested in assisting, please contact Kevin Robins at [email protected]
All other old boys will be invited to the general function in the Memorial Hall.
JEPPE-KES ON THE GOLF COURSE
The 9th annual JEPPE/KES Old Boys golf tournament took place on Saturday 1st September at Royal Durban Golf Club, with Jeppe slightly ahead after 8 years, on 4½ to KES 3½ and KES hosting this year.
As Spring Day dawned on Saturday morning the “Jeppe Crew” were excited and upbeat about catching up with old mates and contesting this exciting golf tournament with our traditional rivals.
This KZN Annual Golf Day has become so popular with the Jeppe Old Boy fraternity that we had 48 players register to play. KES only had 24 and so 24 players competed against KES in our usual match play tournament, while the other 24 additional Jeppe players competed in an all Jeppe Alliance.
A fantastic day of fun, camaraderie and golf was had by all with Jeppe winning by a very one sided margin of 10-2. In the other competitions, Matt Lawson and Tyrone Abrosie were the match play winners and Brundle, Sean Wilson, Jon Molyneaux and Linton Hutton won the Jeppe Alliance.
The golf was followed by lunch, prize giving and catch up with mates till well into the evening!
OTHER OLD BOY ACHIEVEMENTS
Three Great Weeks at Jeppe: 21 May 2018 – 11 June 2018
• S’busiso Nkosi (Tsessebe) selected to play for the Springboks. Scores two tries in his first game. The four Rugby Springboks prior to S’busiso were: Des Sinclair and Wilf Rosenberg (1955), James Dalton (1992) and Brent Moyle (1998).
• Daryl Impey (Koodoo) – Riding in the Criterium Du Dauphine -- Won Stage 1 and the wearer of the Yellow Jersey and won the Green Jersey for the point’s classification.
• Springbok U20 Team for the World Cup included:
o Tyrone Green (Oribi) o Wandisele Simelane (Oribi) (Top try scorer for the tournament) SCHOOL NEWS
AN OUTSTANDING WINTER SEASON
The winter sporting season was the most successful in many years in terms of results, participation levels and enjoyment both from a current and past Jeppe Boys perspective.
Sbu Nkosi became the fifth Jeppe Boy to represent the Springboks, scoring two tries on debut against England and going on to play the full series, while Wandisele Simelane and Tyrone Green represented the Springbok U20 team at the World Cup, both performing exceptionally well with Simelane becoming top try scorer in the tournament. Both have since gone on to make their debuts for the Lions in the Currie Cup.
Bafana Nhleko was name Assistant Coach for the South African U20 team and Reg Hammond and Karl Spilhaus were selected as managers of the Lion’s U18A Craven week Team
From a hockey perspective our 1st team were unbeaten (the first time since 1991) over 31 games and were widely regarded as the strongest team in the country. Together with their provincial representation and retaining of the Aitken trophy for an unprecedented fourth year in a row, this is a truly remarkable feat. Allied to this were the 3rd team and U16 A team who went unbeaten in fixtures and festivals as well as a high level of participation across the grades and some outstanding coaching and dedicated staff.
In rugby, our Craven Week provincial representation was the highest in our history whilst it was also pleasing to see an increase in participation in the “lower” teams who all benefitted from some passionate and experienced coaches who took a real interest in their development and growth. Completion of the “double”, for the first time in history, over our great rivals and friends from KES, capped a memorable season for our 1st XV.
It is no coincidence that Jeppe had the highest number of provincial representatives of any school in Gauteng in both hockey AND rugby – an outstanding achievement.
There were a total of 34 Jeppe boys in the various Southern Gauteng Schools hockey teams that played in interprovincial tournaments in July. A record 24 players from the school were selected, including 10 in the under-18A team that went to the Craven Week in Paarl in July, and five in the under-16A team that played at the Grant Khomo Week in Kimberley.
PIPE BAND’S GRAND TOUR
The Jeppe Pipe Band took part in the Basel Tattoo, the 2nd largest tattoo in the world, in Switzerland. They were so popular when they performed in 2016 that the organisers were delighted to have them back – and in true Jeppe fashion, they did not disappoint.
It was once again an incredible experience for the band and after all the practising, performing, parades and other commitments, they came home quite worn out. They rehearsed for 12 hours the day before the dress rehearsal, but that’s what it takes to produce the quality production that is the Basel Tattoo. They were on national TV every day for two weeks, many times at a prime viewing time and were also part of a parade through the city of Basel where over 100 000 people lined the streets to watch, cheer and be part of the spectacle.
When asked what it was like, most of the learners were actually unable to put the experience into words – it was just too fantastic, too big, too awesome.
DRAMA BOYS DO US PROUD
The Jeppe Dramatic Art Society has had an incredible season. Just one week after our Major Production, a cast and crew of 15 gents competed in the second of three legs at GRADS One Act Play Festival. The play “Ergo Propter Hoc” is about the world of the theatre and it emphasises the importance of all the role players involved in putting on a production. It was specially written for this year’s festivals by Jeppe Old Boy, Ryan Naamdhew. The play has been performed three times over both GRADS and EADS festivals and came 4th overall in the 3rd leg of GRADS.
What is most exciting is that we achieved recognition for every aspect of the play from lighting and backstage to the director and actors. This goes to show that Jeppe Boys is not only producing star actors, but that we are competitive in all aspects of theatre-making.
Overall we received 10 merit awards for excellence (awards for performance on the night).
Jeppe Boys have represented the school exceptionally well this season and continue to grow from strength to strength in a pool dominated by schools who practice drama academically.
CHESS TEAMS WIN SILVER AND GOLD
The Jeppe A and B Chess teams were medallists at the Johannesburg Central League finals. The A team came second in the A league and the B team won the B league – a great achievement, considering that neither team made the finals last year.The A team had a shaky start to the league season, but made it through to the playoffs in fourth position. That meant they had to play the team that finished first in the semi-finals – unbeaten Saheti School – who they managed to beat. They came up against a very strong Queens High School in the final and lost by one point in a very closely contested match and won the silver medal. The B team, playing in the B section, came second in their league, which put them up against KES in the semis. They won that game comfortably and went on the beat St John’s B in the final to take the gold.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
On the academic front, Jeppe came first in the 2018 NATIONAL MATHS LITERACY OLYMPIAD, with Robert Doubell scoring 92% and finishing 3rd in the country. The marks of the top 10 candidates from each school were averaged and Jeppe got 86, 2%, 5 % more than second- placed Midstream College.
Head Boy Muzi Manyike was a standout performer for the school and the various provincial and national teams he represented in rugby.
Not only did he lead the 1st XV to its best season in many years, he represented SA Schools (and captained them against Wales) and the SA U18 Sevens team which booked its place in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Argentina in October by winning the Africa Youth Games title in July.
Kgaudise Molefe was selected for the South African under-19 cricket team and recently returned from England where we he played a gallant role in an ultimately losing effort in their four day “test” against the English. He bowled 28 overs and took 3/33, and was part of a 100-run partnership in the match. He played in both 50 over games, and opened the bowling as a left arm spinner. He took 3/23 in 10 overs in the first and 0/34 in the second. South Africa won both games and with the third one rained out, they won the series 2-0.
Sebastian Prince was selected to row in the Junior World Championships, in Racice, Czech Republic where he rowed in the junior men’s coxed four. “We came third in the B final, which is ninth overall,” he said, “but our time was the fastest any SA under-19 crew has ever done, so we were happy with our performance.”
Liam Stott made the national under-17A team that won the European Union tournament in Prague. They came through the group stages unbeaten, which put them into the top four playoff round-robin round, along with Belgium, England and Germany, and they beat all of them to take the title.
Keenan Hicklin represented the SA in basketball at the Tricolor Games in the town of Reggio Emilia near Florence. He was selected out of a squad chosen after the Cohesion Games tournament last year and was part of the SA team that played against 13 other countries in a variety of sporting codes. The basketball team took the silver medals after losing by a single point to the hosts, Italy, in the final.
MR LEATHEM – A TRULY INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
The staff and learners at Jeppe are extremely fortunate to have an educator the likes of Mr Kevin Leathem in their fold.
Mr Leathem is a forward-thinking educationist with a mind-set of not just teaching our boys, but rather educating them. Helping to prepare them for a life and world outside of school and not only achieving the ability to be “book-smart”.
Mr Leathem presented his Action Research Project, “Adaptability in a Changing World” at the IBSC (International Boys School Coalition) conference in Queensland, Australia in July, where he was very well received and respected.
Mr Leathem’s research was so highly regarded, it was selected as one of the top ten reports. We congratulate Mr Leathem on this outstanding achievement and well-deserved recognition. OBITUARIES
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of the following Old Boys.
Ralph Ririe 27 July 1953 – 25 Feb 2018 (1966 - 1970) Duiker Warren Williams 5 Sept 1980 – 12 April 2018 (1994 - 1998) Eland Allan Duggan 8 April 1948 – 15 May 2018 (1961 - 1964) Impala Alex Figgins 3 Dec 1951 – May 2018 (1965 – 1970) Impala Malcolm Cameron 18 June 1948 – May 2018 (1961 - 1966) (Head Boy of Oribi) Paul Lundie 24 July 1940 – June 2018 (1955 – 1959) Tsessebe Desmond Plint 30 April 1946 - July 2018 (1960 – 1964) Oribi (Pipe Mayor) Brian Pistorius 20 Feb 1931 - 8 July 2018 (1944 – 1948) Sable (Head Boy of School) Gregor Schauer 21 October 1969 – 15 July 2018 (1983 – 1986) Oribi Julian Burns-Thomson July 2018 (1983 - 1987) Impala Frederico Dongue July 2018 (2009 – 2013) Brian King 22 April 1940 - July 2018 (1953 – 1957) Roan Neil “Curly” Burke 13 July 1956 – 19 Aug 2018 (1970 – 1974) Oribi (Captain of Swimming) Roy Brown 8 Oct 1936 - 28 Aug 2018 (1950 - 1954) Koodoo Errol Ballen 12 January 1954 - Aug 2018 (1968 – 1972) Impala Robin Hodgson 17 September 1950 - Aug 2018 (1964 – 1968) Duiker
BLAST FROM THE PAST:
100 Years - 1918
• Headmaster – Jeppe officially did not have a Head Master in 1918. Mr J H Payne died in 1917 and Mr M Manduell was officially appointed Head Master in 1919.
• Head boy – Terence Whitelaw (Oribi). This would be the first year, as Terence was Head boy in 1919 as well. (During this period he was known as the Captain of the School)
• No record of a band!
• Some selected sports results:
o Soccer – Played 13, won 7, drew 2, lost 4 – goals for 35, goals against 18
o Cricket – played 16, won 7, drew 4, lost 5
o Girls Hockey – played 7, won 4, drew 1, lost 2, goals for 13, goal against 11. This was the last year that the girls would be at these premises. The girls would move to their new home in 1919
• Robert Catterall 1918 (Oribi) (Springbok cricketer) sets new batting record of 206 not out against St Johns and scores 147 as well.
• 10 Head Prefects among hundreds of Jeppe Old Boys and staff serving in the Great War.
50 Years - 1968 • Headmaster – Haldane Hofmeyr (1967 – 1978) From the 1968 Yearbook: • Head Boy - Ken Curr (Sable)
• Pipe Band – Pipe Major Ian Koller (Eland)
• Rugby & Hockey vs KES: Lost 9 – 15, 1 – 3 Lost
• Rugby & Hockey vs St John’s: 9 – 9 Draw, 4 – 0 Won
• Rugby & Hockey vs Parktown: 11 – 12 Lost, 1 – 1 Draw
• Rugby vs Pretoria Boys: 3 – 8 Lost, 0 – 0 Draw
• Cricket vs KES Lost by 74 runs
• At the Maccabi Games in 1957 – Jeppe had six old boys who represented South Africa in seven sporting disciplines. Winning three gold medals and two silver medals.
• Harold Bromberg 1955 (Sable) represents South Africa at the Maccabi Games and wins the 100m in a new Maccabi Games record of 10.4 secs.
• Asian flu epidemic disrupts the school with high levels of absenteeism.
25 Years - 1993
• Headmaster – David Quail (1978 – 1997) Previous Head Boy in 1954 (Tsessebe)
• Head Boy - Stephen Wardle (Roan)
• Pipe Band – Pipe Major Craig Whitley (Impala) (This was Craig’s second year of three years as Pipe Major)
• Rugby & Hockey vs KES: 21 – 22 Lost, 2 – 2 Draw • Rugby & Hockey vs Parktown: 22 – 9 Won, 0 – 1 Lost
• Rugby & Hockey vs St Johns: 18 – 17 Won, 0 – 1 Lost
• Rugby & Hockey vs Pretoria Boys: 12 -12 Draw, 0 – 3 Lost
• Boden Trophy – Jeppe shared the Boden Trophy with St John’s
• This year was the first time that South Africa were allowed back into the Olympic Games, after being banned from 1960. Jeppe had one representative at the games, Kurt Landsberg 1980 (Koodoo) – Rowing. David Shapcott 1986 (Oribi) was also selected but unfortunately, was injured.
• Cricket – Jeppe lost in the John Waite final to St Stithians. No recorded fixture against KES.
• Jeppe Old Boys first hockey team won the South African Champion of Champions Tournament, beating Natal Technikon 2–1 in the final.
ABOUT THE JBA
Membership to the Jeppe High School for Boys Association (JBA) is free. Contributions to the JBA are warmly welcomed and all donations go towards supporting the School.
The JBA’s aims include:
• To communicate with Old Boys and members of the Jeppe family.
• To facilitate continued interaction amongst the Old Boy network by assisting with reunions and various fundraising events.
• To contribute to the continued high standards of academic, sporting and cultural performances at the School by raising funds to support the various capital projects at the School.
• To become the “business advisory” arm of the School, acting as a conduit to interact with the many areas of business acumen and expertise which exist within the Jeppe family.
• To give underprivileged and financially disadvantaged scholars, of all races, the opportunity to attend Jeppe through the establishment and maintenance of the various Scholarship Funds.
We are proud to support Johannesburg’s oldest government boy’s school and to play our small part in continuing to turn “black and white into gold”.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Jeppe Golden Legacy Club (previously “the 100 Club”) The Club has been existence since 2004 and its primary objective is to provide a means for old boys and interested patrons to contribute monthly towards the development and improvement of academic, sporting and general facility standards at the School. This annuity stream is our most important fund raising initiative and we welcome any donation, large or small. Please get hold of Dawn Bragin at [email protected] or on 011 614 1933 ext 228 if you would like to contribute.
For easy payment please load the Zapper App onto your phone and scan in this code.
Please remember to click on "monthly" payment.
Regards the team