11 10 The Chronicle 2021 Centenary Edition The Chairman, Guest of Honour Mr Ramodibedi, members of the Trust and Board, guests watching online, staff, parents, boys, and the departing class of Grade 12s. We have learned in the past two years that any activity, meeting or function that in prior years was perhaps seen as ordinary, is these days viewed as extraordinary - an opportunity, a not-to-be-missed moment, something to cherish, a time to savour and understand how privileged we are to meet. What a joy it is to see in the Henderson Hall this morning, our leaving group of Matrics and their parents, guardians and loved ones, sharing together as we have not done this year, in an act of reflection, thanksgiving and an opportunity to honour the Class of 2021 as a whole, as well as individuals who have excelled in one or other field. The Class of 2021 in the Chapel Headmaster’s Speech Speech Day September 2021 2021 Has been our Centenary year. With most functions and celebrations cancelled, it has nevertheless been an opportunity to look back in history to the 4th of August 1921, when the doors of Sir Liege Hulett’s Kearsney House, just inland of the current town of KwaDukuza, were opened to thirteen foundation scholars. Kearsney College had been established and the journey of 100 years and more had begun. Today is an opportunity to thank all those who, over the course of a Century, have contributed to what we enjoy as Kearsney College. Today we stand on the shoulders of giants who have toiled and, in many cases, laboured against all odds so that we can reap the benefits of their endeavours. Whatever you see when you look around this campus is a result of benefaction, sacrifice, resilience, and love. We honour our forebears. Headboy Rahul Paul, deputy Mhleli (MK) Khuzwayo and their prefects have been resolute in keeping their year group together under these extraordinary circumstances, leading the school in the most challenging environment. The cooperation with staff and positive attitude of this Class has been evident throughout the year and appreciated by all at Kearsney. I speak on behalf of the entire Kearsney community in thanking you boys, the prefects, members of the Imbizo and KCC and all captains of sports and cultural activities and wishing you all well in your futures. The support and loyalty of four other groups deserve special mention: Kearsney parents, many of whom have faced challenges, are thanked for their understanding, quiet acceptance of decisions that have not gone their way and being generous in their support of the College and of their sons. Kearsney employees, admin and teaching staff who have adapted remarkably well to a fluid environment which has been so foreign to the way Kearsney has operated in times past. I thank the Management team and my deputies for their wisdom and guidance and sometimes robust debate that we were able to have to ensure the best decisions were made for the boys and for the good of the College. The Kearsney Old Boys and their executive for their unstinting support in a year that was expected to be the biggest in their history. And yet they have seized the day with meaningful celebrations and events of their making, both in South Africa and around the world. Old Boys have also played a significantly positive role, assisting us in our Transformation and Diversity journey which is enriching the College and making it a place where every boy and every family can genuinely call, know and experience as, “MY KEARSNEY”. The Kearsney Trustees and Board: I cannot speak highly enough of the level of support and the wealth of experience and expertise provided by members of these two governance structures. Chairman Andrew Parsons, who has led the Board with distinction, retires at the end of this year after ten years as member of the Board, six of which were as Chairman. Andrew is a specialist commercial attorney and Partner at Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys. He regularly advises clients on matters relating to corporate and Companies Act issues, as well as advising a variety of banks on finance-related structures and equity acquisitions. His calm and intelligent approach to the business of the Board was balanced with a clever sense of humour and self-effacing demeanour, resulting in him becoming a well-respected and well-liked Chair. As Chair of the Board Transformation and Diversity committee, he was able to engage with diverse stakeholders with the utmost respect and show genuine interest in sometimes disparate viewpoints. A clear thinker with an uncanny ability to distil the essence of an argument in no time, we shall miss his leadership and presence on the Board. We thank Andrew Parsons, on behalf of the entire Kearsney community of parents and boys, staff, Trustees, Board and Old Boys. We wish to thank him for many years of outstanding leadership as Kearsney Board Chair and we wish him, his wife Birgit and family well in their future endeavours. On a personal note, I wish to thank my wife Tracey for her support in this our 21st year at Kearsney as a couple. Her support of individual employees who may experience difficulties in life is appreciated, as is her support of families generally, whether it be those expecting the birth of a child by hosting stork parties in our home, ke Lapeng, or the annual staff children’s Christmas party, also held in our home. It is opportune on an occasion such as this to pay tribute to and thank departing members of staff, the first two who will be leaving at the end of this year. Mr Etienne Grundling has been promoted to HOD Mathematics at Curro Hillcrest after 11 years of valuable service to the College. He started teaching at Kearsney in 2011 and quickly threw himself into the Mathematics Department, where he added value in introducing tech gadgets and relevant software into teaching and assessments. As the Grade 10 Grade Head, his meticulous attention to detail was appreciated by staff and probably disliked by miscreant boys. Extramurally he was a great help on the squash scene, both at Kearsney and administratively in the province. His irrepressible enthusiasm and passion for the game enabled him to discover new talent regularly. He also assisted when needed with cricket and soccer coaching of the more social lower teams. Mr Greg Thomson was appointed as a teacher of English in April 2017. He has packed into his almost five years, more than many do in ten. As a well-liked and skilled coach of U14A hockey and cricket, he must possess the patience of Job. As MIC of Hockey he had an enthusiasm, energy and understanding of the game with all its nuances that few have. His skills in hockey and cricket have given him the opportunity to coach and manage up to provincial level. A popular member of the staff common room, Greg and his wife Jacci have seized the opportunity that mostly only those without babies and bonds have. That is to tour the world and just see what comes up. Greg has always had the travel bug and it seems like he has chosen his wife carefully. Bon voyage to the two of you.
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