KEARSNEY COLLEGE A Learning Today,Leading Tomorrow y w k -M-in . dk ^Aki-k I - ' ■ • :; . • . :V' i rr 4pot (cell . Widr--' v i:St ■ ■■■ » t Jr wm
h; L>i N> 'jt- ^•\ Nsf;- Vision 'To be a great South African School and recognised as such" Mission Statement Keorsney College aims to provide boys from different backgrounds with a chaiienging education set within the parameters of Christian-based ethics and sound humanitarian principles. We aim to combine iaterai-thlnking innovation and the best of our experience gleaned from a distinguished past, to meet the individual's needs and talents as well as the demands of a rapidly changing world. Our objective is to provide pupils with the opportunity to serve, to lead and to fulfil their potential in all spheres, and to equip them with the capability to proceed to higher education as well as to take their place and succeed in the modern world.
Kearsney College Trustees Mr L F Buys(Chairman) Mr DW Barker Mr J W Gafney Mr E S C Garner Mr N Gerber Mr B Hagemann Mr CWoolacott MrAW HYork Honorary Life Trustees MrA B Theunissen MrT A Polkinghorne Dr GW Shuker Rev CWilkins Board ofGovernors Mr L F Buys(Chairman) MrJ M Wallace (Vice Chairman) Mr R R Becker Mr RJ Benney MrA K Francis Mrs FH Gammie Mr P Morgan MrV Naldoo MrT Rosenberg MrJ F Sablne MrAW HYork Ex Officio Members The Presiding Bishop of Conference:Rev M Dandala Chairman Natal Coastal District: Bishop G,Irvine Lay President of the Methodist Church; MrCWootaccyi, Honorary Life Governor ProfV J Bredenkamp Kearsney College Headmaster Mr O J Roberts Kearsney College Old Boys' Club Mr B Mllstead Mr]Bester Parents' Society Mr D Eraser(Chairman) Page I
From the Headmaster's Desk 1 n early January our Executive formulated three goals for 1999 which was endorsed by our staff: 99 1 To make the College's position in academics among boys'schools In KwaZulu-Natal a fiercely defended tradition matching the pride we have in our extra mural achievements, 2 To establish a happy constructive positive rela tionship between all sectors ofthe College community. 3 To enjoy our successes. School's a journey enjoy the ride. We certainly achieved the first goal of being the best boys' school in the province, if not in the country. Our matric results exceeded even our own expectations with pupils and teachers thrilled as we once again achieved our best results with a 96% exemption rate, an amazing 25% getting 'A' aggregates with I 18 distinctions, and 83% getting 60% or higher aggregates. Our Dux, Robert Aitken, achieved the best results In the country with his 9 A's, There were positive relationships forged between all sectors ofour fraternity. The mentor system and the maturity ofour seniors was a real joy to us all. We did enjoy the ride. The staff and boys partic ularly enjoyed the unexpected day off school which was announced after chapel one morning. As a staff we throughly enjoyed the under 40's vs over 40's competition which covered such noble skills as darts, bowls, billiards, hockey, tennis, etc,,,I do hope the youngsters recover from the thrashings they took In good spirit. Probably the highlight for all was the victory over Michaelhouse IstXV who were otherwise un beaten In the province. The opening ofthe new Hopkins' field behind Haley was a very special occasion as Old Boys gathered around their Housemaster and Head who had served the College so well, twil l never forget the smiles and twinkles In their eyes as they reminisced with those present. We embarked on a self-assessment ofthe College using a tool developed so successfully by the SO Scottish Education Department entitled;"How Good Is Our school?" In addition we did a fasci nating study ofthe businessman's expectations of skills and values needed by a school leaver. We then compared these findings with perceptions of our own leavers. This information is proving invaluable In plotting the road ahead. As you page through this Chronicle you will hopefully experience another successful year for Kearsney with the highlights briefly: • our wonderful matric results which Is the result of good academic ethos throughout coupled with fine teaching and motivated students. Information technology playing an ever increasing role , We now have some 150 p.c's and a laptop class to be joined by another next year, another sporting season in which we showed remark able depth, both in terms of participation and perfor mance. Over40 boys gained provincial or national representation. Our I st XV beat both Hilton and Michaelhouse yet again but lost 6-3 to College, • our choir won a gold and silver In Budapest earning us an invite to the choir Olympics In Austria next year ** Robert Aitken, achieved the best results in the country with his 9 A's." Our tennis team returned triumphant from their tour to Europe, • our Leadership Program blossomed with the Councils finding their feet and the mentorship program firmly entrenched and accepted, • the Commerce department made a great Impact, with entrepreneurs flourishing and the Challenge of Industry giving I 20 boys an amaz ing glimpse Into the world of business. We are blessed with wonderful facilities and a dynamic staff. Under God's continued guidance and with the wonderful support of parents. Old Boys,the Board and Trustees we are well equipped to deal with the challenges lying, OWEN ROBERTS Page 2
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Kearsney College Staff Mr O J Roberts Mr M J Bissell Mr K Decker Mr J L Half Mr W Amos Mrs J R Broadbent Mr R Candotti Ms S A Cartwright Mr D Cato Mr F P D Cocks Mr R de Villiers Mr J A Drew Mrs A Fripp Mr K J Garrett Mr D Goldhawk Mr D Graves Mr M Griffiths Mrs S Griffiths Mr A A D Henderson Mrs P M Isaac Mr P G King Mr D L Knowles Mr R W Lamplough Mrs C L Mare Mr J B McMichael Mrs K L Mollentze Mrs A Malherbe Mr A Moore Mr A J Murray Mr B Ndaba Mr J A Oosthuizen Mrs L C Payne Mr O D Phipps Rev R Ramsay Mrs R J Randall-Taylor Mrs J L Ratcllffe Mr P A T Ratcllffe Mr P-J A RIchter Mr B RIley Mr GEM Shone Mr K M Smith Mrs A M Stevens Mr B S Steyn Mrs C V Tullldge Mr S L van Wyk Mr A F van Zyl Mrs V A Wallace Mr M A Werth Mr A H Willows Mrs D S Woodroffe Mr R S Zukulu Mrs M W Alborough Mr J G Bester Mr G S Borresen Mrs L M Croudace Mrs J du Casse Mrs S A Gelder Mrs P Needham Mrs B Kassler Mrs D LIttlejohn Mrs J McKernan Mrs C Ross Mrs R Waldburger Sister A Ashburner Sister M Morgan Ms A M Fuller Mr R J Smith Mr J Govender Mr R Plllay BA Hons TTD FDE(Management) BA BEd BEd T Cert MA BEd BA(Hons)HDE MSc HED BA(Hons)HED BSc(Hons)HDE BSc HDE BA BEd BSc(Hons)HDE BA HDE BCom HDE FDE HDE FDE BA Sp(Hons)Grad CE BA BEd BSc UED BA(Hons)PCE BA(Hons)HDE BSoc SC HDE BEd BA UED BA(Hons)HDE FDE (Ed Management) BA(Hons)UED BA MA HED BAFA HDE B. Prim. Ed MA HDE BA HED PPaed (Arts) BA HDE BA HDE BSc STD FDE MEd B.TH(Unlsa) BA BEd HDE BA TC BEd T Dip BSc BEd Nat Dip - ind Teach BA UED BA HDE LTCL BCom HDE NTDA NHD HDE SEC ED BA HDE BA HDE BSc HDE BEd BSc HDE BCom HDE BA Bed Headmaster Deputy Headmaster / History Deputy Headmaster / Maths Deputy Headmaster / History Geography l/c Science English Science Lower School Tutor I Maths Director Post Matric / Maths Housemaster Haley / Biology Geography Accounting Housemaster Sheffield / Science Housemaster Glllingham / English Afrikaans Head 4th Form / Biology l/c French l/c Drama l/c Resource Centre l/c Geography Housemaster Pembroke /History l/c History Resource Centre Assistant(part-time) English Art(part-time) Afrikaans(part-time) Computers / History Afrikaans l/c Zulu Afrikaans Zulu (part-time) l/c Computer Studies Chaplain l/c Afrikaans l/c Leadership I Maths l/c Maths l/c Biology Design & Technology(part-time) English l/c Phys Ed l/c Music Accounting / Business Economics l/c Art Science Afrikaans l/c English Maths Housemaster FInnlngley / Maths l/c Accounting / Business Economics Geography Receptionist Development Trust Officer Dip M(GSM) Resource Manager BCom Bursar Financial Secretary Marketing Secretary Headmaster's Secretary Stud Shop(part-time) School Secretary DIpl Basic Bookkeeping / Accounting Bookkeeper Cert / Dip Journalism Director of Marketing Music Department Secretary(partlme) Reg Nurse / Midwifery I Com Health Registered Nurse Sanatorium Reg General Nurse Registered Nurse Sanatorium Matron / Housekeeper Estate Manager Sportsfield Supervisor Maintenance Supervisor Page 4
Kearsney College Staff jST' m I o f 1 ACADEMIC STAFF Back Row; G Shone, B Steyn, M Werth, S van Wyk,0Phlpps, M Griffiths, Fourth Row: A van Zyl, R Randall-Taylor,J Oosthuizen, B Riley, A N\urray. R Candotti, A Moore, P King, A Henderson, D Graves, Third Row: F Cocks, D Woodroffe, P Isaac, R de Villiers, R Lamplough,jDrew, P Ratcliffe, K Smith,J. Rhodes-Harrison, J McMichael, W Amos Second Row: A Stevens,J Ratcliffe,J Broadbent, A Fnpp, S Griffiths, G.G Zukulu, S Cartwright, C Tullidge,J Ndaba, R Wallace Front Row: David Goldhawk, D Knowies, R Ramsay. K Decker.0 Roberts,J Hall, K Garrett, A Wiiiows, D Goto. 'irfrf n Tmlilrtr iSieSLsU—; J K.JTSW"'*-'" " *....--.-C..-'. - 1*1 .) i" ^-mr- J 'i sJ •"f ■■ . ^ > f m, ADMIN STAFF Back Row: J /Vioonsamy, P Moyena, N Perumal, R Waldburger M Morgan Middle Rpw: P Needham,j Govender, D Littlejohn, S Geider H DIamini, T Kistendamy Front Row: J Smith,J Mnyandu, M Dawson, M Alborough,J Ceie, A Ashburner, G Bester Page 5
Staff Notes Hatches,Matches &Dispatches Asalways, there has been much move ment on the staff front. Hatches, matches and, fortunately, no dispatches are the order of the day. HATCHES:We say hello to little MIcha Murray, born August 19 and the spitting Image of her father Alvy. MATCHES:Congratulations to Wayne Amos, married to Tamsin on September 25, and to S'negugu Zlkulu married to Nothablle on September 24. Welcome to the Kearsney family ladles, and we wish you health and hap piness In your new l ife. ARRIVALS: Bea Croudace has been appointed Bursar and she will be responsible for the total fi nancial management ofthe school while Graham Borresen has been appointed to the newly created post of Resource Manager We wish Bea a happy and fruitful stay. We welcome Renea van den Hoven who has joined the Afrikaans Department In place of Andre van Zyl who Is enjoying a much needed term's rest. We welcome back Peter Szilagyi, the Waterpolo coach,this time accompanied by his wife, Kristina and their two young daughters. Neville Coglll is Ralph Tiaden's replacement In the kitchen. He arrived In May this year from Hermannsburg School where he worked for Supervision Services for three years. MOVEMENTS:Justin Hall has been appointed as Senior Deputy Headmaster and as a result there has been a shuffling of portfolios to accommodate the new arrangement. Fred Cocks has resigned as Director of Post Matric, a post Barend Steyn has taken over His official appointment will date from January I next year IMMINENT DEPARTURES:Sadly for us, a number of staff will be leaving at the end ofthis year Mona Morgan is soon to be married and we wish her everything ofthe best. Her post will be fi lled by Sister Janet Lee, no„stranger to the school. Andrew Moore Is relocating to Johannesburg to Join the staff of St Stithlan's where he wil l teach History and continue with Staff Development in Information Technology. His wife Deryn is already there, ensconsed in a new Job. After only one short year we will be without the services and gracious presence ofJudith RhodesHarrison. Her husband has been transferred to Cape Town where she is soon to follow. We congratulate Tony RIchter on his appointment to the head of Biology post at Hilton College. You can't keep a good man down! A Kentish IN SEARCH OF THE ORIGINAL KEARSNEY On Easter Monday I 999, I had the oppor tunity of visiting a place of which I had known for many years, although I had never seen It. It was the village of Kearsney, near Dover, in the English county of Kent. Our southward pilgrimage began, like Geoffrey Chaucer's, in London but at Victoria Station rather than at the Tabard Inn south ofthe Thames. In a ticket queue I overheard a reference to Cillingham and took it as a good omen. At the ticket-seller's window I diffidently explained that I wished to travel to a place of which he had probably never head. "Kearsney?" he replied, "I used to live there". Another omen. "But," he added,"the window you want is over there". And he pointed to a line of perhaps twenty people stretching across the concourse. So much for omens! The train carried Jean and me from London through a succession of grimy industrial towns, or (to be fair) towns which from the railway l ine looked grimy. One ofthese grimy towns was Cil lingham, which seemed to have changed a great deal since James Hulett D.D. opened there his school for young gentlemen In a house on Christmas Street once Owned by an Admiral of the Fleet. The train passed Chatham, where the naval shipyards used to be and continued south until it reached Faversham, where those passen gers wishing to travel to Kearsney had to change to a country line. By this time the scenery had become decidedly rural, with orderly fields on Page 6
Staff Notes either side ofthe track and neat rows of welltended trees, as well as what appeared to be vines which might have borne hops. We drew up at a small station where a cheerfully painted sign bade us "Welcome to Kearsney". Ironically, it was a typical Botha's Hill day, damp and misty. Having established the time ofthe return journey, we emerged from the station yard Into what might once have been a country lane lined by mossy and lichen-covered walls. By the time of our visit, however, it had developed into an adolescent motorway carrying a string of gleaming cars to or from a place called (if the signs were to be trusted) Atkam. Before long this congested lane debouched on to an even busier thoroughfare labelled the London Road. Of Kearsney Abbey, our destination, there was no sign but across the busy road stood a hostelry called The Pickwick and there we hurried in eager pursuit of information and creature comforts. Our literary heritage suggested we might find there a rubicund publican dispensing beer to a row of smock-clad yokels on the bench. Instead, a sallow barmaid exclaimed "Blimey, luv, I'm from Lunnon and I've only been here a week!" Then she pointed to an old man in the corner saying "Why don't you ask joe? He's from these parts". Joe wore not a smock but a pair of denim jeans as well as (I could hardly believe my eyes) a pair of ware velskoenel Not long aftewards I was to see an identical pair in a shop in Putney High Street for fifty quid. They were called by some exotic white-hunter sounding name but they were velskoene nonetheless. In any event,joe knew how to get to the Abbey and gave terse directions. In case of mishaps on the journey we quaffed a pint ofthe local bitter Kearsney?"he replied, **/ used to live there." Following another dodg'em track signposted Temple Ewe// we came at length to the Kearsney Manor House, a Tudor mansion now converted into a retirement home. On the other side ofthe road ran a formidable stone wall bearing a sober notice Kearsney Abbey, just the thing, we thought,to keep the abbott's (or abbess's) charges away from the fleshpots of Kent. But behind the wall was no monastic edifice. Instead, a public park administered by the Dover City Council and frequented by all manner of ordinary folk walking dogs, chasing balls or just taking the air. In the park's centre is a picturesque l ittle lake inhabit ed by a variety of waterbirds. On its banks geese strut aggressively, intimidating toddlers and hissing angrily at the less nervous. On the oppo site side, the ground rises gently under a tangled mantle of trees and undergrowth, beyond which can be seen the tiled roofs of another suburban street. Casting about from the place of our entry we discovered a small tearoom with an interior of incongruously wood-panelled walls. The waitresses were uitlanders also, however and had no idea where the Abbey was, or indeed that there was any such thing nearby. ** Joe wore....(I could hardly believe my eyes) a pair of ware velskoene. Then we caught sight of a sturdily constructed and official-looking noticeboard which could only have been conceived by a RW.D. On It, cour tesy ofthe Dover Council, we discovered the information we sought. In tasteful and titi l lating cal l igraphy just for the travel-worn tourist, it revealed that Kearsney is an ancient and historic vi l lage dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. In the past it has been home to several water-mills powered by the river Dour in whose valley it stands. Interestingly, the name "Kearsney" is thought to derive from Cressoniare, a stretch of water where watercress grows. In the Middle Ages it had been a substantial manor which late in the I 8th century was acquired by a Dover banker named Peter Rector. A generation later the banker's son, John Rector, built on the estate a large country house which he filled with al l manner of mediaeval bric-a-brac unearthed over the years in Dover. He called his house Kearsney Abbey,to impart, one imagines, some notion of antiquity. The building was still standing during Hitler's war, when it was commandeered for military purposes but soon afterwards was demolished because of dry rot. Al l that remains, the notice went on, is the wood-panelled billiard room, now converted into the tearoom where in vain we had sought enlightenment. ^ i That this was something of a let-down must be confessed. No real abbey! No imagined scenes' ' oftonsured monks or wimpled nuns! No \ church: no cloisters; no odour at all of any kind Page 7
Staff Notes of sanctity. Just a crumbling monument to the achievements of a self-made man whose surname suggests that his forebears might have emigrated from central Europe. Then reason, recovering its equilibrium, began once more to assert itself What better name to borrow for the undeveloped estate on the Natal frontier of No church; no cloisters; no odour at ail of any kind of sanctity, just a crumblins monument.." a young English immigrant, determined to make his own way in the world and to leave his mark upon it? What better way to identify, if only to himself, his vision; the course he saw his own career following? Whether Liege Hulett knew the history of Kearsney Abbey we cannot tell. But in retrospect he had much in common with the Rectors, who (had they known of his colonial exploits) would surely have applauded them. So it was that our pilgrimage to the Kentish countryside uncovered a serendipitous connec tion between the two Kearsneys which was somehow far more satisfying than the conven tional and quite erroneous picture of a mediae val monastery which we have so long enter tained. The Kentish Kearsney is no longer just an item in the school's complex mythology but a real place of resort for real people and a real history dating back to earliest times. And from the watercress beds ofthe Norman French through the period ofthe watermills to the construction of a Victorian monstrosity by a moneyed expatriate, the spirit ofthe Horatian remonstrance "Carpe Diem" seems to have informed every significant development in that history. Is it fanciful to believe that, as the world enters the last year ofthe 20th century, Kearsney College wil l continue to seize oppor tunities in a way which reveals its people as the spiritual descendants ofthe inhabitants ofthe valley ofthe river Dour? R LAMPLOUGH m TT: ■ = '■ V. i ' ' 1 r V Maintenance Staff Top Row: Corrence Nqondo, FarRow: Dladla Middle Row: Zitha Nqubane, Zephania Mthiyane, Robert Ndladla, Joseph Madondo, Simon Madondo, Albert Sibisi, Steven Majola Bottom Row: Nicholas Ce/e, Chin Reddy, John Smith. Joseph Mnyandu, Moses Nzama Page 8
Prefects \ TJ r'JHHHMHHvKfiKW'» ? » mmmxKMWB 't ii^^VSSBSfcaiS'i -s W IT JIIMI iiIil ▼ F«—■ -s'■ ' ' Tma '1 jg;,^rjgf •-' y /■''^ -.; - .'- -\i '- ^#Piii^ " " IIIIIIHIS ■* ■ """■*^""•''1 iiiiiii ill r i i iiii' '™^'-'----tTiiiir--n-miii7ii i|iiiii'^iiii i ..i:i -^ - -..- «.-- Prefects Top Row: D Isaac, C Lietch, W Tsolo, K Bester, D de Goede Second Row: R Elliott, P Sheppard, A Jones, 0 Swanson, TJohnson, R Clarke, D Mackenzie, R Hagemann Third Row: N Gamnne, D Njapha, C Laurence, T Harris, J Atkins, C Derby, J Nel, S Smith, N Ramodlbedi Bottom Row: D Schreuder, R Macdonald, F van tonder 0J Roberts, V Standee K Decker, C Buchanan, S Rowan, TJensen Head of School Vincent Stander Deputy Head of School Christopher Buchanan Head of Chapel Sean Rowan Head Finningley/School Prefect Sean Rowan Head Gillingham/School Prefect Donovan Schreuder Head Pembroke/School Prefect Tyrone Jansen Head Sheffield/School Prefect Rowan McDonald Head Haley/School Prefect Frans van Tonder Deputy Finningley/ School Prefect Matthew Gammie Deputy Gillingham/School Prefect Craig Laurence Deputy Pembroke/School Prefect Owen Swanson Deputy Sheffield/School Prefect Christopher Darby Deputy Haley/School Prefect Arthur Jones Finningley Prefects Ross Elliott Robert Hagemann Desmond Njapha Paul Sheppard Gillingham Prefects Timothy Johnson Daryl McKenzie Jeremy Nel Haley Prefects Derek de Goede Timothy Harris Cedric Leitch Napo Ramodibedi /' Stephen Smith Pembroke Prefects Keith Bester Rory Clark William Tsolo Sheffield Prefects Jethro Atkins David Isaac Michael-John Westerhof
I E B SENIOR CERTIFICATE 1999 OBTAINED Matriculation Exemption(96%) Senior Certificate Failures A Aggregate: Aitken R D; Coe G R; Dyer R T B; El l iott R C; Grave R A; Halberstadt G M; Harris T R; Jansen T B; Jensen R A; Kusel D M; Laurence C; Montgomery M A: Nel J 5; Power S j; Prior W I; Schreuder D N P; Stander V; Taylor H K; TImberlake P S; Tsolo W H A; van Tonder F C; Wallis D L; White A G; WIegand K C; Wols j. B Aggregate: Bachu N; Blore C; Buchanan C j; Clark R j; de Goede D T; Forbes P A; Eraser R D P; Galnes G R; Hagemann R M; Hawkey D K; HIckman G R; Isaac D W;Johnson T J; Jones A B; Lobban S M; Manson R M; McDonald R B; Rowan S A; Simpson B; Stocklll A D; Vardy J W E; Veale B H; Wilkinson M D; Wright M A; C Aggregate: Anderson T; Atkins J J; Baron von Engelhardt I R G; Bester K; Botsis J P; Bowler M L; Chiang K; Claassen I; Darby C K; du Pont E A; Eleftheriou P P; Eraser W C; Fuller J R; Gammie M J; HIahane L P; Land M; Leitch C; Maple A N; Martin S; McKenzle D J; NJapha M D; Novelll G S G; Paola M J J; Penwarden M S L; Phllippou A L; Ramodlbedi N E; Rivalland C J; Roebuck R; Sheppard P S; Smith S L; Swanson O; van Niekerk S M; Vorster J L. Combined A,B C-83% SUBJECT DISTINCTIONS(A) 9 Aitken R D - English, Afrikaans, Maths, Physical Science, Geography, Business Economics, Accounting, Computers, Advanced Maths. 7 van Tonder EC- English, Afrikaans, Maths, J Physical Science, Biology Accounting, ' Advanced Maths. 6 Jensen R A - English, Maths, Physical Science, Biology, Accounting, Advanced Maths. 5 Coe G R - English, Afrikaans, Maths, Physical Science, Biology. Grave R A - English, Afrikaans, Maths, Physical Science, Accounting. Jansen T B - English, Afrikaans, Physical Science, Biology, Geography," Laurence C - English, Afrikaans, Physical Science, Biology, History. Schreuder D N P - English, Afrikaans, Physical Science, History Accounting, 4 Dyer R T B - English, Physical Science, Biology, Geography, Montgomery M A - English, Maths, Physical Science, Advanced Maths. Nel J S - English, Afrikaans, Physical Science, Music. Tsolo W W A - Maths, Physical Science, Accounting, History. White AG- English, Physical Science, Biology, Geography. 3 TImberlake PS- English, Afrikaans, Accounting. 2 Buchanan C J - English, Afrikaans. de Goede D T - Physical Science, Accounting. Elliott R C - Physical Science, Biology Forbes P A - Physical Science, Accounting. Galnes G R - Maths(SG), Art Hagemann R M - Afrikaans, Accounting. Halberstadt G M - English, Accounting. Harris T - Maths(SG), Art. Johnson T J - English, Afrikaans. Kusel D M - Physical Science, Art. McDonald R B - Physical Science, Accounting. Power S J - Physical Science, Accounting. Prior W I - Accounting, Computers. Stander V - Afrikaans, Biology. Taylor H K - Physical Science, Accounting. Vardy J W E - Physical Science, Accounting. Wallls D L - English, Physical Science. Wols J - German, History. I Atkins J J - Afrikaans. Baron von Engelhardt I R G - Maths (SG). Claassen I - Afrikaans. Eraser W C - English. HIckman G R - Accounting. Isaac D W - Accounting. Jones A B - English Koma D T - Zulu. Leitch C - Zulu. Lobban S M - Accounting. NJapha D M - Zulu. Ramodlbedi - Zulu. Rumble W A - Afrikaans. Simpson B - Afrikaans. WIegand K C - Accounting. TOTAL: HIGHER GRADE STANDARD GRADE Page /0
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6th Form Prize Giving 1999 Headmaster's Address Jwould also like to extend a warm welcome to our honoured guests and to all present. I real ly appreciate the presence of my colleagues, and so many of our friends. I thought this year I would break with routine in that I do not intend to give you a ful l report on the year, or even talk about our future dreams and plans. Instead, I thought I would share with you a l ittle of what I learnt as I went on three distinct journeys abroad in the July holidays: • into the fascinating realm of educating boys; • briefly backwards to my teenage days; ** We are drowning In our sport and and need to give students the opportunity to find their creative selves." • into the realities oftoday as we enter the new millennium. I had received newsletters from the International Boys' Schools Coalition for some time. When I received the Conference Programme, I felt I had to attend as it dealt so specifically with the changes I had implemented a year ago at Kearsney - peer leadership, mentorship, new disciplinary procedures, community service. So I journeyed to Nashvil le in the U.S.A. The Conference opened with a musical evening when the stage was set for the real issues to follow. Mike Reid used his music and l ife as a bril l iant object lesson on how 'miseducation' could take place. He is a multi-talented man. At school he developed into an exceptional footballer worshipped by his peers but with his scholastic and musical talents undeveloped. The former because of lack of motivation, and the latter because music was not offered in any serious way. He became a pro-footballer as the highest levels but gave the game up because he realised he was becoming violent and was not in control of his own emotions and actions. He turned to music, became a song writer a concert pianist, and a serious country singer His talents were very evident for all to appreciate and enjoy. He had chosen songs he and others had written whose words subtly made us all feel good for what we were doing as Heads whilst empha sising the need for a balanced education where the talents of every pupil are developed. His few words before each song also conveyed the mes sage ... • "You must understand that you gave those young instrumentalists something very special through your applause. Build up youngsters, never destroy their self-esteem." •"We are drowning in our sport and need to give students the opportunity to find their creative selves." •"The challenge is to open up boys so that they don't just have to be cool, but rather to really just be themselves." • "You don't teach creativity but simply remove the obstacles and create the opportunities." The two most significant talks were by Dr Michael Thompson and Dr Wil liam Pollack (Psychologists active in researching boys' education). I have already discussed Dr Thompson's talk in a newsletter so will only summarise it briefly. In essence he used statistics to illustrate the danger of educating boys into angry young men. He traced the mental and physical development of boys before coming up with seven suggestions, al l of which encouraged their emotional development. Similarly, Dr Pollack believes we are in a crisis with regard to the education of boys, due partly to the way we educate them and also to their relationships with parents and adults. ** Boys have higher depression and suicide rates". The comparison between boys and girls in America is startling: • girls are ahead in reading and writing by 20 points; • 50% more boys will fai l grade 8; • 70% of suspensions or expulsions are boys; • 25% of boys will be physically abused; • 22% wil l leave home early following abuse; • boys have higher depression and suicide rates. Page 12
6th Form Prize Giving 1999 The most important factors in overcoming these problems are: • the quality ofthe relationships teachers and par ents have with boys. Boys who feel their par ents really love and care for them do well. If there is just one adult a boy feels he can com fortably talk to he is twice as likely to do welll • parents must offer a nurturing caring home and not obey societal demands to make their sons grow Into "tough young men". • schools should not be tough, and harsh encouraging violent behaviour 'because boys are naturally more aggressive'" ... research shows they are not! • boys must be able to connect with adults and friends and be seen for what they are. They need mentors and role models. ** The challenge for us is to develop their emotional side whilst still preserving their masculine pride". This journey left much room for thought. What emerged very clearly was the fact that trying to bring up strong young men schools have largely Ignored the emotional development of boys. The violence and abuse all around us feeds this fire. Are we really educating boys Into 'angry young men'? If societal behaviour In this country and world wide is any indication, the answer is obvious. Boys do need their own space, their inherent pecking order They love to operate in teams, they develop l ife long friendships with their pals, and they have an Intense pride In their masculinity. They also have remarkable courage and empathy but too often this is hidden as it is not done to show one's feelings. The challenge for us Is to offer opportunities for them to express and develop their emotional side whilst sti ll preserving their masculine pride. Another fascinating talk looked at the success of Independent and single sex schools In Britain. The league table system operated by two British newspaper chains has been widely denounced In educational terms - but it must be said that they have achieved a lot of marketing good for boys' schools. Ofthe top 20 schools In the 1998 league tables: • All were independent schools • 10 were boys-only schools • 9 were girls-only schools • The I remaining was a co-educational school. ** I wondered iftoday's youth are learning from our mistakes". Such results might be expected as Independent and single sex schools do enjoy a measure of selection ability. This is precisely why schools like Kearsney do not enter the Sunday Times Top Schools' competition. Ofgreater Interest was an analysis of 'A' level results In 10 triplets of independent schools (boys, girls and co-ed) matched In terms of selectivity, socio-economic environment, area, and boarding versus day. Boys In single sex schools did best 26,09 points Girls In single sex schools were next 25,99 points Then girls In co-ed schools 25,17 points And last but not least boys In co-ed schools 24,5 I points (A 0,8 difference can mean university acceptance or rejection in many cases). The suggested reasons included: • No distractions in single-sex schools; • Differing maturity rates for boys and girls. Boys become unwill ing to compete in the same insti tution with more mature, better organised and seemingly more capable girls; • Different teaching approaches. Boys,(and girls) learn better if the teaching styles used are geared to their needs; • girls do better where greater accuracy is need ed on relatively easier questions; • boys do better where questions are harder, but there is less penalty for carelessness; ' ; • girls do better In course work; rr cs • boys do better In examinations; h TT;#*' / • girls show greater capability in mufti-fasking, ^ |^ while boys are less capable of copcentratlon on / two things at once; • there are more boys at'A' levels with both the "'rT'T. \ best and worst results; Page I 3
6th Form Prize Giving 1999 • there is some evidence to suggest that the sta tistics used in this analysis will extrapolate to art and music Involvement and accomplishment. So my first journey ended .. I then returned to my youth by spoiling myself and reliving those wonderful teenage years by travelling to Memphis to follow In the footsteps of Elvis Presley. Life can only prosper so long as our individualism is balanced by a healthy concern for others.^* Elvis - symbol ofthe American dream - Is the story of hope as he moved from extreme poverty, to Sun Records,to stardom,then Graceland. An entrepreneur If ever there was one, Elvis used his remarkable talent and belief in himselfto reach his dream. He sold 400 mil l ion records, and 800 000 people visit Graceland annually 20 years after his death. A good clean American boy who gave generously only to be caught up in a valueless society offree dom,self-interest, irresponsibility and peer pres sure leading to the inevitable decline his life took. As I completed this little escape, I wondered if today's youth were learning from our mistakes. 1 flew to Helsinki for the International Conference of Principals with its theme "Knowledge - Humanity - Hope". This brought me back to the realities oftoday with the Incredible challenges facing young men as we educate them for life in the next millennium. 800 Principals gathered In this First World Country of wealthy and healthy people to learn from each other Four trends emerged: • Information technology is playing an increasing role in education with new learning approaches using Internet and e-mail, requiring new skills iS from teachers and tealrners - critical thinking, - problem solving, the abilityto sift relevant infbrmatipn - a new literacy with new products. ,, '• Globalization: and with it inter-cultural learning , I\ becoming an indispensable process., The , increasingly good and bad influence ofthe /'W'T /media,. For example, we learn more science / jf r from TV than from our lessons! • Leadership of educational institutions demands far more than managing a well-oiled machine. Leadership Colleges have sprung up in most countries to teach leadership in terms of Vision, Influence, Outcomes, Partnerships and Change. Today's Head Is not the conductor ofa symphony orchestra who controls with predefined roles. Rather he leads a jazz Band with clear but subtle leadership encouraging innovation. • The Increasing realisation that the very foundation of society is at risk unless core values are protected. Technology cannot teach values. It is our duty to ensure that rights and wrongs locally, nationally, and Internationally are known. Beware the globalization of evil. Imagine my joy when,on returning home - after seeing In the Tribune that the Sharks were stil l In the running. I read a superb essay by Prof Martin Progesky entitled the "Moral Millennium" which encapsulated my hopes for the future. I l ike to think that the great calendar change that wi l l happen at midnight on December 3 I this year wil l herald the coming of a great new age - the "Moral Millennium". But for this to happen we must first learn how to re-invent conscience, the inner voice of ethics, of right and wrong, of good and evil. It Is our onboard guidance system; that uncomfortable feeling we get, or should get, when we tell a He, speak cruelly, cheat on somebody, use our fists, double park, break a promise, or do any ofthe many things we know are wrong. It Is also the warm and noble feeling that comes when we do the right thing - stand up for a friend, be true to a partner at home or In business; give time, effort and money to those in need; or insist on the truth, especially when It costs us something. Today's Head is not the conductor ofa symphony orchestra. Rather, he leads a Jazz Band with clear but subtle leadership encouraging innovation." Life can only prosper so long as our individualism Is balanced by a healthy concern for others. As soon as the latter weakens and selfishness emerges,things will go wrong. This Is precisely what has happened. The social forces that teach us to curb our self-interest and control our own
6th Form Prize Giving 1999 impulses must be re-awakened. These forces are the family, the school and religion. What I am proposing, in short, is that we embrace morality as the privilege and duty of every single citizen. That is what a democratic world needs. The greater the freedom we have, the greater the need for self-control. And so my journey had come full circle. Time does not permit me to tell ofthis remark able year for Kearsney. I would urge you to read the synopsis placed on your seats. Suffice to say, we had wonderful successes In almost every field. • matrlc results were close to being the best In the country with three boys with over 90% aggregates, 80% getting'C aggregates or higher; no failures and six of our boys getting into medicine; • amazing success and participation in sport - victories over many ofthe top schools In almost all the sports and earning provincial honours; • cultural success - our choir earning acclaim nationally and internationally - with an Invitation to the Choir Olympics next year; • thrilling progress in our endeavours to educate for the future through initiatives like; • laptop class and other IT initiatives; • entrepreneurship. Challenge of Industry; • leadership, mentorship, community service. • the forging of a partnership with Syfrets Private Bank. I thank you all for the Incredible contributions made - the Trustees, Board, parents, old boys, and above all our very talented and passionate staff and all the pupils who have benefited from being part of our efforts. ** Let It indeed be the *Moral Millennium/" As you pause to celebrate the end ofthis millen nium,think of what you and all the world wil l be celebrating - the birth of Christ. We thank Him for His love of us all, for His presence in this College, and ask for His guidance as we journey battered, but wiser; and full of hope into the next thousand years. Let it indeed be the 'Moral Millennium'. OWEN ROBERTS Guest Spea\er Jreceived this letter from a student who attend ed this course of mine many years ago and I am very proud of It. It says : "Anton I am writ ing this letter to thank you for everything you have done for me. All that I am and everything that I have achieved is thanks to you and your training over the years." This is the type of letter that makes your l ife worthwhile - teaching people. It also says; "Please excuse the crayon. Where I am now, they don't allow sharp objects." It's lovely being back at Kearsney, and I am very glad Mr Jannle Storm didn't introduce me this morning because when I first arrived here he gave me a nickname. He thought my name was Van Der Plank, and so from then on I was known as Plankie. But it is lovely to see Mr Storm here as he was a great master and a wonderful swimming coach. School days. I don't know how many of you chaps have been told that the happiest days of your life are school days. I was told that, and when I heard that I decided that on leaving school I would com mit suicide If It got worse than this. I didn't like school. I enjoyed the sport and some ofthe ** I believe that you chaps are going out to the most exciting part of your life. " team building we did down in the bush when we smoked together but the school side didn't appeal to me and when they said, "These are going to be the happiest days ofyour life," I said, "Man, I am getting out oflife." Fortunately I found a lot ofthese people were wrong. I believe that you chaps are going out to the most exciting part of your life. I believe that l ife really becomes a journey offun and excite ment as you leave school. And I would like tci share a couple of messages with you about where i you are going. One ofthem is that you leave school and move Into what I call the life ofchoice. Everything that takes place from now on Is a \ choice. And everything is up to you. You have the right to choose everything you are going to do and everywhere you are going to go. And there's a lot offun out there.
6th Form Prize Giving 1999 Now some of your parents have been pretty stupid. They don't mean to be but parents say stupid things without realising it. And I want to dispel some ofthe things that your parents put into your heads so that you can go out and be successful when you leave here instead of l istening to what they say. ** Nothing of value in this world has been created by a realistic human being. Nothing." One ofthe things parents always say to children is: I want you, son, to go out and get a good education. Preferably a degree or a diploma so that you have something to fall back on. What they are in fact expressing is their doubt in your abi l ity by saying that you need something to fall back on. I have never understood that. I would l ike to say to you don't get educated to have something to fall back on, but get educated to go forward with it. Only failures need education to fal l back on. The second thing they used to tell us is be careful. You go on the rugby field they say be careful. You go in a motor car they say be careful. Take a girl out they say be careful. There's a reason for that so listen to that one. Then they say you can't have your cake and eat it. Why do you have cake if you can't eat it? Then they say be realistic. I want to say something to you boys. When you leave school today or at the end ofthis year, don't be realistic. I am sick and tired of people telling us to be realistic. That is what school teachers and university lecturers have got to tel l you. But please don't listen to them. Don't be realistic. Nothing of value in this world has been created by a realis tic human being. Nothing. Before electricity was created it was unrealistic until somebody came along and created it. Before somebody flew an aeroplane it was unrealistic until somebody created it. Before somebody went to the moon it was unrealistic unti l some body came up with that idea. The first thing we need is vision. And we get our vision by being unrealistic. We get our vision by looking for ideas that have not come to fruition in this world today. It's young people like you who are going to Come up with those ideas, It is a researched fact that you and 1 as human beings are at our most creative between the ages of 18 and 32. In the old days companies didn't realise that. They used to have it as a requirement that you live in an old age home before you qualify as a director ofthe com pany. Today companies look for young entrepre neurial spirited types to come into management because they understand that people between the ages of 18 and 32 are the ones that are going to come up with the ideas. We have all been born to be successful. Unfortunately too many of us have been programmed to lose. There is too much in society going on out there that tells us all the reasons why we can't do something. Fred Smith went to Harvard. He was a bright boy. Fred Smith wrote his dissertation for a doctorate. It was a brilliant idea. But unfortunately the Harvard professors failed him because what he came up with was totally "unrealistic" so they failed his doctorate. He took his dissertation and put it to action. Fred Smith was the founder of a company called Federal Express and what he wrote in his dissertation is exactly what Federal Express is today. He was failed for a doctorate that the professors thought was unrealistic. My friends, as you go out there you have to be creative. You've got to look for ideas. You've got to have a vision. Most of al l you have to keep it simple. I think being creative is something that sometimes is knocked out of us. Don't ever let anybody knock out your creativity. Come up with stupid ideas. Sometimes we stop coming up with ideas because we are scared of criticism and ridicule. People are basically negative. ** You've got to look for ideas. You've got to have a vision. " It was interesting when Natal beat Free State. I don't remember getting too many phone calls after the win. I had over 50 phone calls when we lost to Tra'nsvaal. How does it feel being a loser ? And I say to people what I said to the team in the change room afteo^ards. I said, "Guys at the start ofthis year 92% ofthe experts in the stand out there predicted we wouldn't make it to the semi-finai. I think you are a very successful team because you made it to the final. Next year, when we start out we are going to remember what we learnt from this last game, because when you fall - and you are going to fall -just remember it doesn't matter how many times you fall. What matters is how many times you get up again. And that is the difference between the success and failure." Page I 6
6th Form Prize Giving 1999 We talk about creativity. There is a lovely story of a scientist, a nuclear scientist who went around the country addressing the country's very bright scientists on nuclear Scientology. He had this chauffeur who took him around from appointment to appointment. And on this particular day he was not feeling at al l well. He mentioned this to the chauffeur and the chauf feur said, "Sir, for two years I have driven you around and for two years I have sat in the back of the hall listening to your speech. Sir, I will tell you a secret -1 can give your speech for you. I want you to put on my chauffeur coat, I want you to sit at the back and I will give your speech so that you don't have to be put under pressure." So the chauffeur dressed in his suit and gave that most brilliant speech. Unfortunately for him, sitting in the crowd was a particularly bright young scientist who stopped him by putting his hand up and asked him an incredibly complex question. Being creative the chauffeur said, "You know, sir, that question is so simple that I am going to get my chauffeur at the back to answer for you." ** One ofthe problems In this country is that there are too many white people who are negative about our future." I have a great beliefthat It is a lot easier to be successful If you are a little bit "stupid." I think if you are highly intelligent you are going to have to work a lot harder than the rest of us. Observe the "stupid" people who have become highly successful like Sol Kerzner. He didn't even know who to bribe down in the Transkei. The late, great Tony Factor couldn't read forward let alone backwards. Louis Luyt - who doesn't even know when he's not wanted. When you are a little bit "stupid" you decide what you want in life, you set a goal for yourself, you go out and achieve it and find out afterwards why it shouldn't have happened. Very intelligent people set goals for themselves and analyse all the reasons why they will never get there. Sometimes just being "stupid" is the answer. You have another choice in life my friends. And I am sure you have heard it many times and it's called attitude. You have got to love yourself and you have get to know yourself and you have to get excited about yourself. And when you can do that you can start getting excited about other people. But you have to look at yourself first, and you have got to ask yourself: What do I choose to do with my life ? ** The only place you get security today is in prison. And in this country that is also not guaranteed." One ofthe problems In this country is that there are too many white people who are negative about our future. Our problem is not Black, Indian or Coloured. Our problem Is the white people in this country who keep on looking on the negative side. Unti l we as whites start looking for the opportunities we are never going to be able to get It going. We live in a country with immense opportunities. Now I've got nothing against people who don't believe there's any future in this country. That's their decision, but please if that's how you feel, emigrate fast. Go to New Zealand; Australia if you like sheep; go to America if you like cigars. We have problems, I am not denying that. We've got great problems, but we don't get hurricanes every yean We don't have earth quakes ki lling people all the time. Every country has its problems. But my friends, please start looking for the opportunities because there are thousands of opportunities here. I hear people saying there is no future for the pale male. That's rubbish. If you set your goals and decide what you want and if you've got the passion and determination you will succeed. I bump Into some ofthe oldest people I have ever met aged 40 and some ofthe youngest I have ever met aged 70. Life is about attitude. I had a wonderful experience last year which really showed up attitude to me. I was checking into the Los Angeles airport. There was a man in front of me and he was having an attitude attack. He was very upset about something that had happened to him. He started giving this poor l ittle check-In clerk an incredibly rough time. He started on the airline. Then he : y started on the country. And then he Started / personally abusing this check-in clerk. For fifteen minutes this check-in clerk never changed his attitude once. He stayed positive the whole Page I 7
6th Form Prize Giving 1999 way through giving incredible customer service. He said , "Yes sir, 1 must apologise, sir. You are quite right, sir." This went on for fifteen minutes. I would have given the other man an AAK - an attitude adjusting klap, but eventually the man walked off and I went up to this clerk and I said, "Excuse me, sir. I really respect you. I want to ask you a question. How did you hold such a wonderful attitude under such extreme circum stances 1" "Oh," he said, "that's choice. That man is going to London but his bags are going to Tokyo. Tomorrow morning when I wake up I will be the only person in the world who knows where his bags are. Why should I allow somebody else to give me a bad day?" Life is about going out there and saying, 'I really live my life to enjoy it. I watch people during this last election. "Oh, you know the ANC could get 66 and 213 %." I don't care what they get. I really don't mind whether we have 100% ANC,or PAC or NP or whatever these C's are. What difference does It make to me. I have never met a politician who was hon est. It doesn't matter what government we've got. We live In a fantastic country, with fantastic opportunities. The problem Is there are not enough people In this country who see the potential. My young friends, there are plenty of opportuni ties out there for young people. More so today than there were before. You boys have got this lovely open way of starting out in l ife. We were programmed differently. We had to get a job with a big company and we had to get security so that after forty years we could have a gold watch with our name behind It. And we had to have a nice l ittle house In our retirement plan. And we should never leave our first job or we would become rolling stones. f I wentthrough thirteen jobs in eighteen months \ and they told me I was becoming a rolling stone. •Well, I enjoyed being a rolling stone. Some of my friends stayed for years in their boring jobs before they realised they could move on. There Is no .fi securlty In a big company today. When my mother ■' was around they never mentioned the word retrenchment. The only place you get security today is in prison. And in this country that is also not guaranteed. When the president turns eighty he lets you out. I say to companies don't listen to the managing director when he stands up and says, "We really care for our people". And you will get that as you go out and look for jobs. Don't listen, he's lying. Try not working for the next six months and see if he still cares about you. He only cares about you as long as you still produce. And that's what life is about today. Going out there and producing and getting the results and having fun. I am going to end by saying this to you, my friends. It's your choice If you want to have a funfilled l ife. Someone wrote an article many years ago and they said when you no longer act l ike a child that's a sorry day, because then you've for gotten that adults are just large children anyway. Why do you think they buy these big Mercs you see around here ? "That's my car mate - check me -1am successful." And people say act your age. Don't. I say, have some fun. I say don't ever grow old - old people are boring. They sit In wheelchairs, or they sit in armchairs and they smoke pipes and they tel l you: "I am nearly 56." The only thing they haven't done is died - but they - are dead. You get a life going for yourself by looking for the fun, looking for the laughter I visited a big bank a while ago and walked into room full of managers. I said, "Is this the undertakers' room?" I asked them if it was bank policy to look miserable. Laughter releases the endorphin chemical that make us healthy. Yet, we are told not to laugh. The average child under the age of seven laughs over thirty five times a day. What do we do. We don't laugh, we look serious. We wear a pIn-strIpe suit and don't acknowledge anybody that is below us unless we are condescending. I don't know where that nonsense comes from. Life Is about having some fun. Life is about putting some laughter Into It. Life Is about going out there and saying, "I really live my life to enjoy it" I don't go to work to make money. I go to work to enjoy it. Think about that when you get your first job. Any finally, when things go wrong, don't blame the world. Go and look In the mirror and ask what choices you are going to make because everything In l ife Is your responsibi l ity. To Owen, to the parents, and more Importantly to the boys, it was a privilege to come back here. Page I8
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