27 Finningley House Housemaster’s report The harmonious bonds among Finningley’s residents – juniors, seniors and duty staff alike – define Finningley House, a bustling boarding house that a hundred diverse teenage boys proudly call home, in 2023. This year’s success, woven into both individual achievements and triumphs in the inter-house competition, has cultivated a lively house culture that sets Finningley apart at Kearsney. The notable representation of Finningley in the prefect body added a layer of distinction, solidifying 2023 as a memorable year. Despite the disruptions of electricity outages, heat pump malfunctions, and an entire roof replacement, the resilience of the boys prevailed, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth rather than occasions of frustration—a testament to the unwavering commitment and unyielding spirit that defines Finningley. While Finningley fell just shy of clinching the Veldman inter-house competition, the fervently contested battles showcased the boys at their best, brimming with pride and passion for their House. Securing victories in the most prestigious of the inter-house events – athletics, swimming, music and plays – underscored Finningley’s prowess, though the elusive trophy slipped through our grasp due to a tie-breaker based purely on academic performance (which will be an area of renewed focus in 2024). Despite this setback, the inter-house competition thrust Finningley back into the limelight, igniting an insatiable hunger among the boys. The taste of victory on the big stage only fuelled an appetite for greater conquests in the future. But the thrill of competition was only made possible by the positive energy and camaraderie thriving within Finningley. Much of this atmosphere owes its existence to the sheer number of biological brothers who shared a home away from home this year—no fewer than 14 senior boys had younger brothers or cousins in the house. Blood relations undoubtedly augmented the spiritual brotherhood existing amongst all the boys of the House. This culture of friendship and respect also owes much to the matrics’ laid-back leadership style and, notably, to the House Prefects – Sange Mdunyelwa, Hayden Davel, Dhiyarv Govender, Otsile Ntsele and Guy Roberts. Despite COVID disruptions in their junior years in 2020 and 2021, they emerged as exemplary leaders, drawing out the best in the House. The departure of Assistant Housemaster Pierre le Roux in March cast a shadow over Finningley, yet the arrival of Mr Nick Rodda and duty master Mr Kwanele Ngema, alongside Mr Jordan du Preez, injected fresh vitality. These mentors immersed themselves in the boys’ lives, serving as inspiring role models, particularly on the sports field and in the pool. 2023 won’t be remembered as the ‘what-if’ year, in which we narrowly missed out on one of our main goals. Instead, it marks the year Finningley asserted its authority, beginning to fulfil the potential glimpsed in 2022. With unwavering passion and a commitment to greater consistency, we eagerly anticipate another year of success in 2024. Mr Jonathan Waldburger Housemaster FINNINGLEY HOUSE Back row (L-R): Luke Emanuel (11), Luhle Ndlovu (9), Clyde Westoby (11), Heinrich Fourie (11), Simo Mnqokoyi (10), Ryan Browning (11), Ayanda Jackson (11), Mandu Ntinga (11), Adam Hatty (12), Salusiwe Mqobongo (12), Oliver Gray (10), Jude Greig (11), Bjorn Kruger (9) 7th row: Lefa Kgomo (10), Madanga Xulu (11), Daniel van Jaarsveld (11), Dylan Howard (11), Liam Oets (10), Oliver Ludwig (9), Kaelin Chinnappen-Pillay (9), Sinqobile Buthelezi (11), Markus Wise (9), Jack Howard (9), Paul Samouilhan (9), Blake Kruger (11), Max Buchan (11), Seth Abrahams (12), Austin Clewlow (10), Nhlakanipho Hlongwane (10) 6th row: Woojae Lee (11), Jack Reid (11), Kieran Pearton (12), James Radford (12), Ethan McCormick (12), Levi Thom (9), Troye Schulz (12), Andrew Aspinall (12), Cullan Abrahams (10), Anele Cele (11), Samuel Schmitz (12), Ethan Reay (12), Callam Currin (12), Eric Anderson (12), Nicholas Butler (12), Alex van Eeden (11) 5th row: Awande Kheswa (10), Mfundo Mthethwa (11), Lwandle Dlwati (9), Matt Olivier (11), Jason de Gryse (10), Bryce Seidler (9), Conor McKeown (9), Thomas Blomfield (9), Jac Hodge (10), Lwandile Njapha (9), Matthew Asbury (9), Rocco Klomfass (12), Tyrique Fynn (11), Ben de Bruyne (10), Bukho Hlwatika (10), Spaso Curach (10) 4th row: Owami Hlongwa (11), Luke Patterson (10), Bonga Mbhele (12), Junior Dlamini (12), Matthew Huson (9), Matthew Terblanche (10), Ethan Badish (9), Samelo Shweni (11), Ben Cornell (11), Thomas Reay (9), James Beningfield (9), Matthew Mendes de Oliveira (11), Ndabenhle Mkhize (10), Ryan Osborn (10), Aaron Osborn (12), Asavela Mfazwe (12), PJ Snyman (10) 3rd row: Luca Giai-Minietti (9), Thomas Buchan (9), Callum Rencken (9), Angus Fyvie (9), Kai McCormick (9), Nathan van Jaarsveld (9), Zach Emanuel (9), Cameron Bell (10), Ayabonga Mbuyeleni (11), Kai Cele, Rowan Davel (9), Keanu Williamson (9), Davor Curach (9), Christian Mendes de Oliveira (9), Jason Denekamp (9), Murray McHugh (9) 2nd row: Jack Coventry (9), Kuhlekonke Mtolo (9), Matthew Gouws (10), Aaron Huson (9), Rhys Pearton (9), Motheo Nkadimeng (12), James Peirson (11), Matthew Tucker (10), Rourke Stacey (9), Bupe Chiluba (11), Tshepiso Mokoena (11), Azile Zembe (11), Mayihlome Soga (11), Rhys Hughes (9), Tendekayi Moto (10), Sinothile Nkuku (9), Kenton Saunders (10) Front row: Zipho Cele (12), Caleb Saks (12), Zweli Sibanyoni (12), Hayden Davel (12), Mr Kwanele Ngema, Otsile Ntsele (12), Mr Jonathan Waldburger, Sange Mdunyelwa (12), Simthembile Mkhize (12), Mr Pierre Le Roux, Guy Roberts (12), Mr Jordan du Preez, Dhiyarv Govender (12), Ryan Denekamp (12), Matt Langeland-Hansen (12), Sheyn Le Roux (12) (Grade shown in brackets)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTc3MDU5Nw==