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.