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PRETORIA BOYS HIGH
NEWSLETTER NO: 91
SEPTEMBER 2012
Dear Parents
I would like to use this chance to thank all Form Vs and their parents for their contribution to the
school over the past five years. Twelve years of formal schooling is soon to be over and I hope the
boys are ready to take on the world outside of the fairly protected world of the school. A particular
word of thanks goes to the parents who supported the school so well these past years. It is normal
for parents to experience a sense of loss when their child leaves school and to wonder what they
are going to do on a weekend when they normally support their son and the school! I wish our
boys well over their coming final examinations and hope that they obtain the results they truly
deserve.
Matric Dance
The evening of the Matric Dance was, once
again, a huge success. The school hall was
magically transformed into an African-themed
place and looked superb. My thanks go to Ms
van Zyl and her team of parents who helped
so ably with the dance, the Form IV waiters
who helped and the Matric class of 2012 who
made the evening such a special one.
Boarding Conference
A very successful conference was hosted by
Boys High for delegates from 38 schools
around the country that offer boys’ boarding.
The theme of the conference was to look at
the relevance of boarding structures in the
modern world. The keynote speakers were
excellent, stimulating thinking and discussion
around key topics such as harmful practices,
architecture of boarding houses, leadership
systems and many others. My grateful thanks
go to Mr Mark Smith who organised the entire
conference so efficiently. Many of the ideas
discussed at the conference will be
implemented in our boarding structures in the
future.
Master Harold and the Boys
Some time ago, Ms van Zyl discussed with
me the possibility of staging a “fringe
production” in addition to the combined
production we did with Girls High earlier in
the year. She felt that Fugard’s “Master
Harold” would be an appropriate choice for
our boys, given their relative lack of
understanding of our country’s history. The
show ran for three nights, to full audiences
who showed their appreciation with standing
ovations each night. Not only is this an
important piece in terms of educating our
boys but the technical aspect of the show is
extremely challenging with three boys on
stage for an hour and a half. The boys were
superb and I cannot compliment them highly
enough on the production.
Estate News
Work on the estate continues as usual and I
am happy to report on the completion of two
of the main tasks for the year - the widening
of Main Drive and the first phase of the
sandstone restoration of the main campus.
Both projects have gone well and I am
extremely pleased with the outcomes. The
sandstone project will take place again next
year and the year after, as we complete the
full restoration over a three-year period.

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We will be undertaking a full renovation of the
toilet block at the Pollock campus, starting in
the fourth term this year. The existing block
will be demolished, save for the roof
structure, and rebuilt along the design of the
main school toilets. This project is long
overdue and has been made possible
through the efforts of the Parents’ Association
who will be funding it over a period of two
years. My grateful thanks go to the PA who
has funded a school bus, the renovations of
the main school toilets and now the Pollock
toilets. This kind of support is greatly
appreciated.
Zimbabwe Rugby Tour
The First XV enjoyed a very successful tour
of Zimbabwe in the July holidays, winning all
four fixtures and making very good friends in
that country through their excellent behaviour.
My thanks go to Mr Greg Hassenkamp for
organising the tour and the parents for their
support.
the opportunities for them. To get the full
value of the Boys High experience, each boy
must make sure that he does something for
the school.
Bush School
The third bush school for the year has just
been completed and, once again, the boys
have raved about the influence the
experience has had on them. This is a truly
special programme and, after our pilot
programme this year, we will be sending all
Form II boys to the bush school next year in
line with our philosophy of providing a
balanced education for all. Current Form I
parents are thus notified that the bush school
will be a compulsory event next year. You will
be invited to an information evening soon
where the programme for the school will be
shared with you and the dates for 2013
publicised.
Sports news
We have completed the first set of
discussions around improving three of our
sports at the school – cricket, hockey and
rugby. Part of the plan for the improvement of
cricket was the appointment of a Director of
Coaching to support the staff in the
programme. This process is almost complete
and we hope to announce the name of the
successful applicant early next term. Further
news will follow once the plans for rugby and
hockey are finalised.
Admissions 2013
The process to admit boys to Form I in 2013
is now over and I am delighted with the intake
for next year. Every year we are faced with
the challenge of being able to provide spaces
for hundreds of good applicants and we have
to turn so many away. I sincerely hope that all
boys who are accepted realise just how
fortunate they are to be able to attend Boys
High. Education at a school like this is
impossible to value and I worry sometimes
that the boys take what they have here for
granted. They don’t get involved to the extent
they should and they don’t make the most of

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Mountain Bike Challenge
I was delighted with the RCL’s initiative in
organising the inaugural MTB challenge on
the grounds of Boys High. Almost 400 cyclists
rode the various events with some riding the
full 24km route and others only managing the
6km leisurely cycle! This was such a
successful event that we intend doing it every
year as part of the fixed calendar. My thanks
go to the RCL, Mrs Petrou, the Fair family
and Mr Rundle for all their work.
Staff
Our congratulations go to Mr and Mrs Dion Wright whose second daughter Carys Wright was born
on 21/8/2012. Mr John Webber got married over the long weekend. Our congratulations go to him
and his wife and best wishes for a long and happy marriage. Mrs Aggie Choeke also got married
this term and we wish her well for her married future.
As mentioned last newsletter, Mrs Adri Theron, our Media Centre manager, will be leaving Boys
High after 19 years. She has made such an impact on the boys, particularly those who worked as
media prefects and she will be sorely missed. Our best wishes go with her in her retirement.
Dr Johan Lombard has left the school to pursue other interests. Dr Lombard made a significant
contribution as a teacher and Housemaster in his time here and we wish him well for the future.
Mrs Heidi Zimmerman leaves at the end of this term to return to her pharmaceutical career and we
wish her well and thank her for her contribution for the past four years. Her place will be filled by
Mr Dave van Suilichem who returns to the Boys High staff.
Holiday Sporting Activities
The first XI cricket team will be travelling to Maritzburg College to take part in the annual
Michaelmas Festival from the 29 th September until the 2 nd October. The U14A cricket XI will be
taking part in the Charl van Rooyen Festival being held at Selborne College in East London over
the same period of time. The first Water Polo team will be travelling to Cape Town to take part in
the SACS Water Polo Tournament which they won last year.
We wish all teams and their staff all the very best for a safe and happy trip.
Start of Term IV
Please note that the 4 th term starts on Monday 8 October - day 1 week 1. Please ensure that your
son’s appearance is what is expected of him at Boys High. This applies particularly to Form V
boys who may, mistakenly, feel as if school is over and rules do not apply to them anymore. We
insist that boys finish their careers at school as well as they start and will make sure that
acceptable standards of dress and personal appearance are maintained until the last day they
write exams.
The first week of the fourth term is an extremely busy one for the school with Valediction, Matric
Final Assembly, Prefects’ Camp and the 40 year on celebrations all in the space of five days.

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Personal thoughts
This term’s final thought comes from the brief message I gave to the school at the Pipe Band
awards assembly. The reading was taken from the Bible, 2 Timothy 4, verse 7 which reads:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
My message to the boys was simply for them to finish the year strongly, with dignity, honour and
pride and to finish with as much enthusiasm as they started the year.
Many times we begin a new job, a new task or activity and we start keenly, doing all the correct
things and tackling challenges with enthusiasm and vigour only for that to wane as time
progresses. The most difficult part of ending is, in fact, “keeping the faith” – holding steadfast to
those values that are important and keeping energy levels as high as they were when we started.
I ask all parents to encourage their sons to finish well – whether they are in Form V or any other
Form. The December holidays are a reward for hard work, a delayed gratification that exists at the
end of a tough fourth term. I wish them luck for the final term of the year, particularly the Matrics,
as they end well. My final words are attributed to Sir Francis Drake and were repeated to me as a
teenager by my long-suffering mother!
"It is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same unto the end, until it be thoroughly
finished, which yieldeth the true glory”
Enjoy the brief holidays, rest well, travel safely and best wishes for the rest of the year.
Yours sincerely
A REELER
HEADMASTER

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BOYS ACHIEVEMENTS
Our warm congratulations go to the following boys:
Academic
Half Colours
Full Colours
Honours
Jaryd Baker, Danny Berkow, Ross Coetzee, Lourens de Beer, Denis Engelbrecht,
Mathew Harris, Sandile Hlatshwayo, Anthony Ioannou, Rudolph Jansen, Matthew
Lawther, Moshe Letoaba, Khumo Mampuru, Kevin Pietersen, Craig Plaatjes, Berto
Schoeman, Damian Sinovich, Zinhle Twala, Ernest Uys (re-awards); Brentan Gouws,
Evan Havenga, Ronk Hwang, Andrew McCabe, Josh Stier, Christopher Szczesniak,
Michael Truebody, Corné Van Pletzen (new)
Brendan Bronkhorst, Dylan Fourie, Shane Horsley, Andrew Jones, Bradley Joynt,
Sithu Myint, Ari Nicolaides, Michael Nicolaides, Charl Reyneke, Dale Smith, Keegan
van Veenhuyzen, Benjamin Williams (re-awards); Charl Fourie, Marc Greyling,
Michael Ingham, Dean Mills, Ben Racionzer, Arno van Wyk (new)
Danai Banga, Jared Beukes, Floris Bonafede, Stephan Dreyer, Jamie Gous, Philip
Grant, Dante Griessel, Matthew Hawken, Gerhard Kirsten, Greg Laycock, Matthew
Leppan, Avikar Maharaj, Chris Swanepoel, Daniël Swiegers, Grant Zietsman (reaward);
Arun Sivakumaran, Pedré Viljoen
Music
Honours
Choir
Half Colours
Full Colours
Cultural
Gum Boots
Half Colours
Full Colours
Drama
Full Colours
Photographic Society
Merit:
Half Colours
Chess
Merit:
Half Colours
Full Colours
Armandt Horton, Dale Smith
Thapelo Aphane, Floris Bonafede, Angelo Bernardi, Armandt Horton, Ale Malan,
Thlogi Mosuwe, Michael Oyedipe, Rixuan Qi, Duane van Wyk
Michael Bond, Gerhard Kirsten, Ari Nicolaides, Thato Ntlatleng, Raine Pienaar,
Damian Sinovich
Dithoriso Diholo, Maleka Malapile, Alex Menu, Ofentse Mfete, Ofentse Motsepe,
David Mphephu, Sidney Skhosana
Mxolisi Maselela, Simphiwe Mthembu
Gerhard Kirsten, Thlogi Mosuwe, Thato Ttlatleng
Stephan Dreyer
Chris Swanepoel, Dieter Wrogemann
Yi Yu Liu (re-award), Winford Collings, Kuselo Ntsaluba
Service
Society for National
and International
Affairs (SNIA)
Half Colours
Jonathan Oguttu, Geoffrey Sabeta

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Outreach Society
Full Colours
Media Centre
Full Colours
Business Club
Full Colours
Debating Society
Half Colours
Full Colours
Sporting Awards
Athletics
U14 Victor Ludorum
U15 Victor Ludorum
U16 Victor Ludorum
U17 Victor Ludorum
U19 Victor Ludorum
Basketball: Service
Half Colours
Climbing
Full Colours
Hockey
Half Colours
Full Colours
Honours
SA Schools U18
SA Schools U18B
Rugby
Half Colours
Full Colours
Floris Bonafede (re-award)
Mohamed Ebrahim, Mbulelo Jimlongoe
Danai Banga (re-award); Khumo Mampuru, Charl Reyneke
Kimon Nicolaides
Avikar Maharaj, Mike Mpanya (re-awards); Mitchell Black, Jamie de Gois, Ari
Nicolaides
Tshwetso Mokgathle
Charles Beyers
Rijn Hartman
Jon Seeliger
Sandile Hlatshwayo
Pheto Matlala (re-award); Kitso Kgokong (new)
Steven Du Toit
Daelon Campbell, Philip Hendry, Kevin Pieterson, Ryan Todd
Fabio Dearling, Mathew Harris, Michael Klomp, Ashley Kemp,Matthew
Pickering, Keegan van Veenhuyzen
Corbin Bosch (re-award), Khumo Mokale (new)
Corbin Bosch
Khumo Mokale
Cameron Anthony, Steven Barber, Dale Harris, Sandile Hlatshwayo, Cedrick
Kabeya, Kelvin Pieterse, Ricco van Straaten
Ngoako Ralepelle (re-award); Michael De Waal, Warwick Dunkley, Willie
Lloyd, Matthew Schiff, William Scott, Nathan Smith, Luke Stevenson,
Cameron van Heerden
Inter-House Athletics
Junior Inter-House Basketball
Senior Inter-House Basketball
Junior Inter-House Chess
Senior Inter-House Chess
Senior Inter-House Climbing
Junior Inter-House Climbing
Senior Inter-House Debating
Junior Inter-House Debating
Junior Inter-House Hockey
School
Hofmeyr
Matheson
Town
Town
Rissik
Arcadia
Town
(next term)
Arcadia

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Senior Inter-House Hockey
Junior Inter-House Rugby
Senior Inter-House Rugby
Junior Inter-House Soccer
Senior Inter-House Soccer
Arcadia
Rissik
Rissik
Matheson
Matheson
Choir – Dale Smith (trombone) and Armandt Horton (percussion) were selected for the National Youth
Orchestra.
Senior Afrikaans Olympiad – Two of our boys received excellent marks in the recent Olympiad - Paul
Burger received 80% and Levi Homann obtained 87%.
Computer Olympiad – Grant Zietsman (Form IV) advanced to the final (national) round of the olympiad.
Only 13 finalists were selected this year.
Mathematics Olympiad – Johannes Coetzee and Gerrit Dreyer (Form II) will represent Gauteng North in
the 2012 Interprovincial Mathematics Olympiad.
The winner of the “highest achievement” award in the Dale Carnegie course was Gareth Waldeck (Form
III).
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Gavin Marsh was selected to represent North Gauteng in the Touch-4-U Interprovincial Tournament that
will be held at the end of September.
Cameron Williams (Form II) won his age category in the Phillip H Moore National Music Competition
(saxophone).
Neil Fair (Form II) competed in the Central Gauteng Aquatics Senior Short Course Championships. He
has qualified to swim in the SA Youth Championships at the end of the season.
Shane McLachlan (Form III) has been selected to represent Gauteng North High Schools Golf
Interprovincial Team at the tournament taking place at the beginning of October.
Cross Country Gauteng North League – the senior team (D Baytopp, E Olusegun, T Phele, S
Dzhabirov, S Mokuena, M Truebody) were awarded bronze medals for finishing third in this league. Four
boys, S Mokuena, T Phele, S Dzhabirov and M Truebody, were selected to represent Gauteng North at the
SA Championships.
Debating – the senior team won both debates at the SACEE League and the Juniors won one of their
debates. This makes the seniors the first side to qualify for the SACEE Nationals in history.
Kyle Gibson has been selected for the SA U19 water polo team to play in Perth in December.
Mitchell Black, Jamie de Gois and Kimon Nicolaides participated in the Model UN Debate at Wits where
they obtained gold as the best delegation in the debate on Piracy in the Gulf of Aden.