5 4 is to provide his or her students with means, not ends. We provide opportunities for them, offer them a dash of enthusiasm and a pinch of good humour, with the hope that their imaginations can feast upon the banquet. Ann Landers, a child nurse who wrote for the Chicago Sun in 1941 said, “It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” Curricula may have changed throughout the decades, but great teachers are still great teachers because of how they teach. A good school must strive to offer it all or perish trying. We can never hope to offer enough to satisfy the voracious intellectual appetites of our student body. Instead, we are destined to seek out and implement the best practices in education and roll that particular boulder up the hill forever. At Kearsney, we take on this eternal task eagerly – and have done so for over a century. We will continue to strive to serve up the best in academic, arts, music, culture and sporting programmes, and blend it in with our ongoing commitment to building good young men of character and love. Young men who will seize the day – Carpe Diem! Thanks to Staff, Board and Parents’ Society At this point I would like to thank the wonderful staff that we have here. Your professionalism, dedication and support you give daily is astounding and so appreciated. You do so much to develop the beauty in the character of our students. Thank you, too, to my deputies and the Management Team. Thank you for your support, for challenging me, for your tireless work, but most of all for your friendship. To the Admin Staff, what an asset you are to Kearsney - thank you for everything you do in such a calm and efficient way. To Pearl McCluskey, my PA, I cannot thank you enough for your unprecedented support and guidance. Your grace and professionalism are unparalleled. I would also like to thank Catherine Mowat our Commercial Director for her support and guidance. Your unprecedented commitment to Kearsney and your calm and measured demeanour is unrivalled and so appreciated. To Mr Ian Bamber and the Board of Kearsney College, Mr Dave Polkinghorne and the Trust, thank you for your astute leadership, wise counsel and tireless commitment to the College. To Lauren Calenborne and the Parents’ Society, what a hardworking team - the thankless work you do to support the school is world class and just amazing. Thank you for playing a significant role in providing harmony and beauty to our whole community and bridging our parent and school communities seamlessly. I would also like to thank our chaplain, Reverend Kym Bishop. Your support and spiritual guidance is so comforting and valued. No matter what the time or occasion is, you are always there to offer prayers and support - thank you. Kearsney is a well-oiled machine, but it is only so because of an incredible support team. Thank you to Cliff Hunter and his Estates Staff, Sigrid Ceronio and Justin de Beer and the Kitchen Staff, Fiona Prinsloo, and the Functions and Cleaning Staff. Thanks to the Boys of the College Finally, to Sim Mkhize and Devahn van der Walt, our wonderful 2023 Head and Deputy Head of School. I have so enjoyed working with you both this year. Your mature leadership, passion for the College and care for your fellow man is humbling. Thank you for a fantastic year – thank you for being brave at times and for letting us look at how we can continue to improve our school. I look forward to seeing you both succeed in the years to come as you continue your life’s journey. Farewells Doors open and doors shut and that’s life… but sadly, two teachers left us during the year, both to emigration. Pierre Le Roux took up a post at Hamilton Boys in New Zealand, and Ndumiso Makhathini has gone to the UAE. Steven Edwards leaves us to go to Australia at the end of the year. We thank them all for their service to Kearsney and wish them and their families all the best. Tonight, I stand before you with an exhilarating sense of anticipation for the journey that lies ahead for Kearsney College. The road ahead is brimming with excitement, promise, and a profound commitment to our mission of nurturing outstanding young individuals. It is a road full of possibilities. Strategic Planning Our recent strategic planning is complete and will become our constant GPS, a guide leading us towards an even brighter future. It represents our vision, a vision that places the boy experience and the holistic growth of everyone at its very core. Some of the key objectives to come out of the planning were: The optimal size of our Boarding Houses - a critical discussion aimed at enhancing the student experience and pastoral care. This is a step towards creating a more intimate, nurturing environment where boys can flourish and forge lasting bonds. A focus on specialisation - enhancing academic teaching and sports coaching. We can no longer only have Jacks of all Trades. Through this focus, we will strive to provide specialised guidance that caters to individual talents and abilities, enabling our boys to achieve academic, cultural, and sporting excellence. Academic focus - We need to identify academic focus areas that align seamlessly with our commitment to delivering excellence. By zoning in on these areas, we aim to bolster our academic prowess, ensure our boys receive the best possible education, and prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow. Sustainability — an imperative for our time. Instilling environmental consciousness among our community is a responsibility we wholeheartedly embrace. We aim to inspire every boy, staff member, and stakeholder to adopt sustainable practices, nurturing a better world for all. Old Boys - The growth of our Old Boy network is crucial. It’s about cherishing our past, connecting with our alumni, and harnessing their experiences and expertise to enrich the Kearsney experience for present and future boys. It’s about building a legacy that stands the test of time. Staff Well-being - Finally, we cannot overlook the importance of ensuring staff well-being. Our staff plays a pivotal role in the success of our school, and their well-being is paramount. Holistic support measures need to be put in place, recognising their dedication and hard work and valuing their role in shaping our institution. Our school has been a nurturing ground for countless success stories, a place where possibilities have been recognised, nurtured, and celebrated. It’s where dreams take flight, passions are ignited, and character is forged. As we honour our boys’ achievements today, we celebrate their courage to embrace the endless spectrum of possibilities before them. In conclusion, the road ahead is one of immense potential. It’s about nurturing an environment where every individual can thrive, embracing change, progress, and sustainability, cherishing our history while shaping a future that is bright, progressive, promising, and enriching for all. And so, my challenge to you all tonight is to be righteous in the heart, so that there will be beauty in our characters, harmony in the home, order in the nation and peace in the world.” And all that is left to be said of my first year is, “it’s been real.” Mr Patrick Lees Headmaster Left: Guest of honour, Dr Cardo, Dux Scholar Anesu Chimusoro, runner-up to Dux Nthato Sifumba and Headmaster, Mr Lees.
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