100 years and one day after the founding of Kearsney College, the foundation stone on the South Wing of the Centenary Centre was unveiled. Donors, dignitaries and special guests were treated to the beautiful sounds of the choir and orchestra, a much-needed aidemémoire of the magic these boys create. In another first for the College, the address by guest of honour Dr Rev. Purity Malinga, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, was presented virtually. She delivered a moving dedication and gave a brief history of the century-long link between the Methodist Church and Kearsney and the Methodist ethos, which is the cornerstone of the College. Sincere and grateful thanks must be extended the past and present staff, parents and board members who were part of the Centenary Committee and Centenary Publication Committee, some from as far back as the committee’s inception in May 2013. Their dedication and commitment to the College, regardless of the circumstances, is appreciated and applauded. Although the year presented many disappointments, they all made every effort to keep the Centenary alive. Opening of the Centenary Centre South Wing Headmaster, Mr Elwyn van den Aardweg with Mr David Polkinghorne (Trustee of Kearsney College Trust) and Mr Andrew Parsons (Chairman of the Board of Governors) unveiling the Founders Room in the Centenary Centre. Above right: Benjamin Burton playing the violin at the opening Right: Kearsney Chaplain, Rev. Kym Bishop Special guests, staff members and all Kearsney boys were present for the official opening and unveiling of the Centenary classroom block classrooms. 9 Centenary Edition The Headmaster, the board, the staff, parents, Kearsney boys past and present, and all the supporters of Kearsney College. I am delighted to be invited to speak at Kearsney’s 100-year celebrations and particularly at the official opening of the South Wing of the Centenary Centre. All plans were in place for me to be present physically and unveil the foundation plaque at the centre, but like many events during this pandemic we are going through, we have been forced to meet virtually. I have seen pictures and I am looking forward to one day coming to Kearsney and being physically present. It was in 1921 when the doors of Kearsney College were opened in Stanger in the home of Sir Liege Hulett- a faithful Methodist and a business man. Sir Hulett had a vision for establishing a boy’s school for Methodist Ministers, their sons and those families of the free churches. At the time, there was hardly any thought about girl’s education. What set apart Methodist schools then and now was a focus on forming a learner holistically, i.e., physically, mentally, and spiritually. When Sir Hulett moved to Durban, he seized the moment and used his mansion that was left in Stanger to fulfil his vision. He secured a contract with the Wesleyan Church, now the Methodist Church, which meant that the school would have a Methodist ethos and values as its anchor. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, said: “Scriptural holiness demands education!” and he put emphasis on the importance of educating people holistically so that at the centre of their education they are being formed mentally and spiritually. At the centre of Methodist ethos is the law of love, the law that we share with all other creatures. Loving God and neighbour which leads one to seek to live a life of doing good, doing no harm and staying in love with God. It is this Methodist ethos that founded Kearsney so many years ago. As you know the history, the school moved to its present site in 1939 having begun in 1921 with 14 boys and 4 staff. 100 years on, it has over 640 boys and 130 staff members. What started as a school for a chosen few families has become open to boys of all families, races, and cultures. Kearsney has remained a school of excellence in this century and in this country. Every year we marvel with pride at the excellent matric results, thanks to the hard work of the educators and learners. Indeed, over the years Kearsney has produced men who have contributed to the building of this nation and many other nations the world over! And so, as we celebrate this first century of the school, 100 years, we can only thank God for the achievements of the past century. Address by Bishop Purity Malinga at the opening of the Centenary Centre I came to have a relationship with Kearsney when I was the Bishop of the Natal Coastal District between the years 2000 and 2008. The chaplain of the school at the time was Rev Rodney Ramsay who is the one who invited me to Kearsney and showed me around with pride. One place that was central to him and us as a church was the Chapel and year after year I would come for the confirmation of the boys at the Chapel. This Chapel remains a point of spiritual formation for the boys at Kearsney I am excited and congratulate Kearsney, that before the end of the school’s first century, Kearsney has appointed a woman to be the chaplain at this school. I am glad that things are beginning to change and to see that the formation of boys include both men and women in this, the start of the second century, I congratulate you, dear Kearsney family, on behalf of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. As I congratulate you for all that has been achieved, I want to encourage you with these words from Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” The second century you are entering into as an institution of learning begins at a time of uncertainty, challenges, and change. There is so much anxiety, fear and hopelessness. For some it seems like the future is bleak. Our young children, boys and girls, are facing the challenges that sometimes make them go into depression. For now we are going through a tough period but there remains a need to hope in the Lord. Schools need to form and develop young people who will provide scientific answers to the new diseases we face. Young people who will help to create social cohesion in the hostile and divided nation and world we live in. My pray and my hope and my challenge to Kearsney is that the young men who will come out of Kearsney will provide answers and will create the social cohesion that we need. Having been schooled in a diverse school like Kearsney, out of this school should come young people who should know and teach how to lead across cultures, races and class. In a nation where men disrespect and abuse women, may Kearsney be the school that produces men with self-respect who will respect women. May Kearsney produce boys who will become the transformative men the world needs. To the present learners, seize the moment and the resources God has blessed you with at the school. The future is now. You will be the best that you want to become if you hope in God. The God who is faithful and has been faithful throughout the first century of this school remains the same. From its beginning to now, this school has been held by God’s hand; it has been strengthened by God’s love and there is no doubt that as you go into the second century, the same God will be faithful to you only if you put your hope in Him. The same God who faithfully built this school from its beginning to what it is now does not change. He will strengthen it throughout the second century; be the ones who hope in Him and all will be well. There is a great future ahead because we believe in a great God. A God who loves wholeheartedly and sustains those who have hope in Him. May God bless you as you go into the second century and may you be encouraged and know that you have the support of the Methodist church all the time. We continue to pray for the educators and learners so that God through you can bring about healing and transformation in this nation and other nations represented at Kearsney. May God bless you and be with you. I thank you. Kearsney’s Centenary classroom block
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