reflections from the rector’s desk - grey high school · 2019-05-07 · farmers’ market –...

Grey High School College Drive, Mill Park, Port Elizabeth Tel: +27(0)41-374-3300 e-mail: [email protected] Private Bag X0002, GREENACRES, 6057 Fax: +27(0)41-373-1096 web site: http://www.greyhighschool.com

Reflections from the Rector’s Desk

25 August 2014

Dear Parents, Old Greys and Friends

As we enter the 6th week of this busy term, allow me to reflect on some

of the many and varied activities that have taken place – and also on some of the heart-sore and successes experienced by The Grey Family. At this time we also wish our Matrics of 2014 everything of the best as they prepare for their Trial Examinations which commence on Thursday 28 August.

MR VAUGHAN JONES

The Grey Family was devastated when hearing of the sudden passing of colleague, school master and friend, Mr Vaughan Jones – this on Tuesday 29 July while out surfing off Pollock Beach. Our sincere condolences are extended to Jill, Brynn, Rory, Murray and the extended family. The support and outpouring of affection from Parents, Old Greys and our Grey Men has been incredible – thank you, ALL. We are indeed a united, caring and very special Grey Family!

ACADEMIC MATTERS Our important mid-year examinations progressed without any hitches – many thanks to Parents who made time to engage with staff at our Teacher-Parent Meetings held on Tuesday and Wednesday 22/23 July – this to discuss the academic and general progress of your sons. This is always a useful exercise for those parents who do attend.

mailto:[email protected]

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TOP 10 IN EACH GRADE: Congratulations to our following Grey Men who have secured positions in The Top 10 in their respective Grades. A new ‘Top 10’ Honours Board has been placed in the corridor outside the staff room acknowledging the success of these candidates.

GRADE 8 GRADE 9

1 Gerhard WOITHE 1 Robert SHELLARD

2 Douw STEENKAMP 2 Matthew ASH

3 Haris BHATTI 3 Anré ANVARI

4 Michael MARAIS 4 Omer SULTAN

5 Dylan DE LANGE 5 Keegan HULL

6 Adriaan BOUWER 6 Jarryd CUTHBERTSON

6 Matthew WOODS 7 Murray SCHEPERS

8 Matthew PHILLIPS 8 Russell HORN

8 Martin ELLIS 9 Jordan VAN DER BERG

10 Caleb LOYSON 10 Jaryd VAN DER WESTHUYSEN

GRADE 10 GRADE 11

1 James KRIEL 1 Jason EVEZARD

2 Joshua VAN ZYL 2 Ruan BELLINGAN

3 Michael SMITH 3 Anthony ABRAHAMSON

4 Jonathan SOUTHWOOD 3 Gary KIBBLE

5 Murray BIGGS 5 Henthi HUISAMEN

6 Jan LE ROUX 6 Arno DU TOIT

7 Nicolas ADAM 7 Travis CLARKE

8 David MASTERSON 8 Stanley DAVENPORT

9 Rudolf OELOFSE 9 Stefan UNGERER

10 James ABREY 10 David BAKER EFFENDI

GRADE 12

1 Nicholas AUDLEY

2 Johann VAN NIEKERK

3 Antin PHILLIPS

4 Joshua RUDMAN

5 Rohan KNOETZE

6 Prejlin NAIDU

7 Janan DE WELZIM

8 Juan SWART

9 Nathan HARRISON

10 Hampton VAN ROOYEN

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ACADEMIC AWARDS The following awards were presented to deserving candidates during the course of this term – we congratulate them on their achievement: Half Colours - Grade 12: Kent Osborne, Tyron Mulder, Brad James, Chris Tripodis, Justin Smith, Daniel Merrington, André Stemmett, Athi Mayinje, Peter Carrington, Nic Carlisle. Colours - Grade 12: Alwyn Griebenow, Josh Gertenbach, Christian Fraser, Ben Yu, Devon Allers, Hampton van Rooyen, Ayabonga Chaga, Francois Ungerer, Matthew Shellard. Half Colours – Grade 11: Josh Parker, Jason Howarth, Josh Loyson, Tristan Comley, Kyle Hibbert, Ryan Burmeister, Ben Keeton, Nathan Starbuck, Joshua Newton, Ryan Holdstock, Dylan Phelps, Matthew Nom Chong, Stanley Davenport, Michael de Marco, Joshua Naidoo, Lee Stevens, David Rowley, Joshua Wiggill, Ross Anderson, Kofi Nyarko, Hein-Pierre Duvenhage, Hans Minnaar, Mvume Mdidimba, Kendal Wright, Pierre Stemmett , Caldwyn Lewis, Bryce Howarth, Reece van Oudtshoorn, David Baker-Effendi, Stephan Minnaar, Rory Clarke, Liam Roodt, Dean Rishworth, Theo Swart. Colours – Grade 11: Jason Evezard, Gary Kibble, Zalin Strydom, Stefan Ungerer, Ruan Bellingan, Henthi Huisamen, Hans Putziger, Anthony Abrahamson, Travis Clarke, Dylan Warwick, Arno du Toit, Michal du Plessis, Tiaan Coetzee. STAFFING Mr Ryan Laurie (Deputy Housemaster: Lang) is looking after the interests of the Lang Men in an acting capacity – for which we are very grateful. Mr Simon Sonderup (BA Hons with majors in English and History) has moved over to the English Department in a full-time capacity, while Mr Paul Blake (MA: History and Developmental Studies) has moved into the History Department. Mr Jason Bigara will be looking after the interests of our Squash Club, while Mrs Anneliese van Niekerk has taken charge of Surfing. Our condolences are extended to Mr Siya Denga on the recent passing of his mother. Mrs Ina Meaker and Mrs Mariette Schreuder are spending a few days in

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hospital while undergoing tests and we wish them everything of the best. Mrs Tilette Roelofse will be assisting us in the Afrikaans Department during their absence. CADET DAY AND RETREAT PARADE – TUESDAY 12 AUGUST A successful Cadet Day and Retreat Parade took place recently on the Pollock – many thanks to National President of our Old Greys, Mr Bryan Knox, for taking the ‘Salute’. Congratulations to our Cadets who certainly ‘raised the bar’ and performed an excellent Retreat Parade – this under the beady eye of Officer Commanding, Maj Steve van Niekerk, who is commended for all his arrangements. Full praise to Lt Anton Scholtz for commanding the parade and to SSO, Johann van Niekerk, and his Troops. Our Military Band was in ‘top-form’ – well done to Mr Shawn Lyon and his men. Congratulations to our newly-appointed rank bearers who were announced on the day. ‘LEGALLY BLONDE’ – COLLEGIATE MUSICAL: 12-16 AUGUST Congratulations to our Sister School and to all involved on their outstanding production of ‘Legally Blonde’ – take a well-deserved bow! We were particularly proud of a number of our Grey men who also appeared in the cast and who certainly delivered excellent performances! Well done! OLD GREY FELLOWSHIP – LONDON – WEDNESDAY 9 JULY It was an absolute pleasure and privilege, during the mid-year break, to meet with Old Greys in Wimbledon and to provide them with Grey News, while experiencing some good fellowship and camaraderie. I also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of meeting with the East London Old Greys on Friday 15 August – this in the Grens High School Pavilion. We will be meeting with our Johannesburg Branch on Thursday 4 September.

MUSIC – COMBINED CONCERT WITH SELBORNE COLLEGE – THURSDAY 14 AUGUST This was an evening to be remembered – our annual combined Music Concert with our counterparts from Selborne College – and what a magnificent evening it turned out to be. Our Musicians – the Grey Voices, The Strings, the Wind Band and Orchestra – were all outstanding and one could not help but ‘swell’ with pride!

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Congratulations to our Director of Music, Mr Shawn Lyon, our Music Staff and all Musicians – you continue to do us proud! Our men were also invited to take part in the annual Bands Festival hosted by Herbert Hurd – this on Saturday 23 August. Here, again, our Musicians completed the evening in great style, displaying to the young participating musicians, together with their parents, what can be achieved - a great PR exercise for The Grey! COKE AND QUAD RACES AND ‘BODA-DAYPOT’ FESTIVITIES – FRIDAY 22 AUGUST Great fun was experienced during the annual ‘Coke and Quad’ Races – thanks to all parents and friends for your support. The ‘Boda-Daypot’ clashes in Hockey and Rugby are always fiercely contested encounters and, this year, both ended in draws – certainly ensuring continued fine ‘harmony’ between our ‘Bodas’ and ‘Daypots’! Boarder Parents then assembled for their annual braai and fellowship outside Meriway House which was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance. EP REPRESENTATION – PROVINCIAL TOURNAMENTS A good number of our Grey men were selected to Provincial Teams to participate in Tournaments during the school holidays. Congratulations to them for being fine ambassadors for their School and for their Province. Our U14A EP Hockey side (7 Grey representatives), coached by Mr Greg Thomson, made it into the final at their Interprovincial final, where they went down to Western Province. We were particularly proud of our EP Craven Week Team in which Grey also had no fewer than 7 representatives. In the finals they emerged as worthy winners – this for the first time since 1977! Congratulations to Johann van Niekerk (Skipper) and his Team! 3 of our men were selected to the ‘Squad of 50’ and were invited to attended further trials in Gauteng – Keanu Vers, Curwin Bosch and Junior Pokomela were, subsequently, deservedly selected to the SA U18 squad.

GREY HIGH vs GREY COLLEGE DERBY ENCOUNTER – 1 & 2 AUGUST Who will forget our recent Home Derby against Grey College? After a week which was an emotional ‘roller-coaster ride’ for The Grey, the weekend finished in great style with a 27-20 victory over our rivals from

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Bloemfontein. Added to this, were fine victories by our 2nds over their ‘Cherries’, together with good wins by our 15A’s and B’s. Our 1

st

Hockey X1 also secured a 3-2 victory with only 2 recorded losses in this sport for Grey High! Many thanks to Director of Sport, Mr Neil Bielby, and to so many who were involved in the organisation of this occasion. We enjoyed massive support with a huge crowd in attendance! We witnessed great displays of sheer commitment, character and determination. Our Cheerleaders certainly deserve praise – our Supporters’ Stand was spectacular! A great ‘touch’ was also Dr Russell Mitchell ‘piping’ our 1

st XV onto the battlefield!

FARMERS’ MARKET – FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 1-2 AUGUST Our ‘Boda’ Parents worked extremely hard in staging an even bigger and better Farmers’ Market than before – Mr Niekerk Ferreira, Mrs Ingrid Ferreira, all convenors and Parents are thanked and praised for embarking on this massive undertaking. Front-end loaders, tractors, bails of straw, scare-crows, wildlife, massive amounts of produce, etc were the ‘order of the day’! The generosity of spirit was, once again, something to behold! Great camaraderie was enjoyed in the fantastic surrounds and atmosphere that was created. North of 300k was collected through sales and auctions. To ALL involved – take a well-deserved bow!!

NEW SUPPORTERS STAND This project is now in its final stages of completion and the official Opening of the facility has been set for Tuesday 9 September. It is on this occasion that all donors, contractors and others will be acknowledged for their wonderful contribution and generosity.

OLD GREY COMMITTEE MEMBERS - MEETING WITH MATRICS – MONDAY 11 AUGUST Many thanks to Mr Ian Pringle, Executive Chairman: Old Grey Union and Gary Sim, Chairman: Old Grey Club, who recently met with our Matric Body to stress the importance of Old Grey Membership and also to explain the protocols of the Old Grey Club – our Matrics enjoyed a Boerewors Roll after this meeting, courtesy of our Old Greys!

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DERBY ENCOUNTER vs SELBORNE COLLEGE – 15 & 16 AUGUST What a way to finish a great season of Winter Sport! Our 1

st Hockey X1

ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw on the Friday evening with many of our other Hockey Teams experiencing closely fought encounters and results. On Saturday all was ‘stacked’ against us – Mr Sam Gunn, Head of Selborne, commented on the fact that it was probably the biggest crowd that he had seen in his 21 years at Selborne; our supporters’ stand was ‘tucked’ away on the side of the field; a dramatic helicopter entry by the Selborne cheerleader – supported by some very attractive ladies; a hugely partisan crowd; a huge din; the last game of the season! All of this – and, yet, our 1

st XV, after a build-up of good victories from

our other senior sides, dug deep, responded to excellent leadership from their Skipper, and produced a thrilling and nail-biting victory! Thanks to all Parents, Old Greys and Friends of The Grey for your loyal and passionate support! SPORTS AWARDS The following sports awards were presented to deserving candidates during the course of this term – we congratulate them on their achievement:

Air Rifle Shooting – Team Award: David Douglas-Henry, Anthony Abrahamson. Half Colours: Tristan Comley. Colours: (re-award): Janan de Welzim.

Cross Country – Colours: Keegan Cooke.

Hockey – Team Award: Laython Coombs, Jason Evezard, Jason Howarth, Matt Wilson, Nathaneal Rensburg. Half Colours: Bryce Howarth, Justin Long, Ameer Abrahams. Colours (re-award): Kurt Wicht. Colours: Michael Anderson, Ross Anderson, Brad James, Dillan Langeveld, Richard Nesbit.

Rugby – Team Award: Kavan Trzebiatowsky. Half Colours: Dylan Barendse, Brody van Goeverden. Colours (re-award): Junior Pokomela, Johann van Niekerk. Colours: Keanu Vers, Curwin Bosch, Jeremy Ward, Robin Stevens, Athi Mayinje, Joshua Mudrovcic, Matthew Howes, Michael de Marco, Mohamed Connelly, Garrick Mattheus.

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Tennis – Half Colours (re-award): Michael Carse, Grant Acton, Kurt Wicht. Colours: Dane Mechali.

First Aid – Team Award: James Shepherd, Miles Hardman, Thomas Counihan, Kendal Wright, Thomas Ferreira, David Rowley. Colours: Zalin Strydom, Keagan West, Brandon Watts.

Sight & Sound – Half Colours: Jason Forsdick. Colours (re-award): Prejlin Naidu. Colours: Chris Tripodis, Justin Smith, Michael Dawson, Michael Cunningham, Steven Jones.

Service Half Colours: Ryan Burmeister, James Burmeister, Fred Sematimba, Dino Koutsoudis, Zalin Strydom, MC Burri, Casey Vorster. Colours: Ruan Bellingan, Hein-Pierre Duvenhage, Nathan Starbuck, Joshua Benjamin.

Cultural Colours: Juan Swart, Hanno Botha. GREY MAN OF THE WEEK:

25 July:

o Nicholas Audley for his 1st place in the National Science and

Mathematics ‘Minquiz’ Final, making him the unofficial top Maths and Science scholar in the Country.

o Christopher Reid for being selected to the swimming team to

represent South Africa at The Junior Olympics to be hosted in

China.

28 July:

o Laython Coombs and Chris Wynford – for being selected to the SA U16 Hockey Team.

o Robin Stevens, Junior Pokomela, Athi Mayinje, Jeremy Ward, Keanu Vers, Curwin Bosch and Johann van Niekerk (captain) for being members of the EP Craven Week Rugby Team which won the finals for the first time since 1977.

1 August:

o Junior Pokomela, Keanu Vers and Curwin Bosch for being selected to the SA U18 Rugby Squad.

22 August:

o Herman Stoltsz, Antin Phillips and Prejlin Naidu who came 1st

out of 14 school teams in the NMMU Information Technology Programming Competition.

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o Dylan Burton who came 2nd

in SA, out of 1750 entries, in the Afrikaans Redenaars Competiion for Grade 10-12 Additional Language speakers.

ADDITIONAL NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESSES Joshua Benjamin and Mvume Mdidimba toured with the National Youth Wind Orchestra during the mid-year break. AIR RIFLE SHOOTING

At the National Postal League Competition, Grey came 8th out of 12

teams that participated. Captain, Janan de Welzim, came 10th overall

in South Africa. At the EP trials, Janan de Welzim came 1st while

Tristan Comley and Anthony Abrahamson came 5th and 6

th

respectively.

GOLF The Grey 1

st Golf Team took part in the annual Cape Schools’ Week in

Mossel Bay where they played extremely well against Wynberg Boys’, winning 9 matches to 0. They then played Rondebosch Boys’, beating them 8-1; in the final against SACS, they went down 4-5 in a very closely contested match.

HOCKEY

Congratulations to Old Greys, Michael Abrahams, Jason Bigara,

Chad Cairncross, Keith Daniel and Matthew Moser who have been

selected to the EP Senior Men’s Team.

ROWING The Rowing Club held two successful rowing camps in Port Alfred and attended a regatta in Durban which proved most successful SQUASH

At the Squash Inter-Provincial Tournament, our following players were awarded medals: Martin Ellis – U14 Silver in the A-section; Juandré Venter – U16 Bronze in the A-section; Murray Schepers – U16 Bronze in the A-section; Stephen Southway – U16 Gold in the B-section; Russell Horn – U16 Gold in the B-section and Gerard

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Mitchell – U14 silver in the A-section – he was also selected as one of the SA Schools’ Top 10.

SWIMMING

Greg Kotze and Adriaan Bouwer participated in the Irish Age Group Championships and Summer Open in Ireland recently. Both made the finals and returned home with bronze medals. Although there were over 900 competitors from all over the world, the Irish Officials were impressed with our boys’ manners!

OTHER SPORT

MOTOCROSS: Keegan Hickson-Mahony participated in Belgium

MOUNTAIN BIKING: Liam Blake-Taylor came 1st in his age group at

the Wildsfees 45km race.

CYCLING: Grant Daly took part in the Sea Mountain Bike Race (58km) – he was placed 10

th out of 453 participants.

EP POLOCROSSE: Shane Mansfield was selected to ride for the EP U19 Mixed Division Team.

MATHS & SCIENCE QUIZ The National Minquiz, a science and mathematics competition, took place in Johannesburg. Nicholas Audley was chosen to represent Eastern Province, where they managed to take 2

nd place. Nicholas was

also announced as Top Student at the quiz which earned him a laptop and recognition as the unofficial top maths and science student in the country! A great achievement! “KNOCK ON WOOD” ARTS FESTIVAL Athi Musoke participated in this festival which comprised works from schools from all over the Eastern Cape for music, speech, drama, visual arts and creative writing. He received a bronze award for his entry in the Grade 10-12 Experimental Watercolour, Pen and Charcoal drawing.

ATKV-AFRIKAANS REDENAARS & DEBATKOMPETISIE After being named winners in the PE/Uitenhage district, five Grey men made it through to the semi-finals: Jan le Roux, Tertius Groenewald, Arno du Toit and Hein-Pierre Duvenhage competed against the Top 16 debaters from EP, Southern Cape & Border for a spot in the Nationals. The Afrikaans Debating Team did extremely well under

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pressure but were beaten by Hoërskool Outeniqua and Hoërskool Punt. Congratulations to Dylan Burton on winning the senior division of the Afrikaans First Additional Language competition. ENGLISH OLYMPIAD The following Grey men received awards in the prestigious National English Olympiad which was written earlier this year: Bronze: David Kyd, Bonga Mosola, James Kriel, Aidan Jones, Murray Biggs, Jonathan Southwood, Liam Crear, Michael Smith, Arno du Toit, David Baker-Effendi, Liam Roodt, Bryason de Reuck, Jarryn Barnard, Francois Ungerer and Dylan Burton. Silver: Jan le Roux, Kendal Wright, Dylan Phelps and Joshua du Plessis.

IT OLYMPIAD 20 IT boys took part in the 1

st round of the Computer Programming

Olympiad, using programming languages such as Delphi or Scratch. Antin Phillips came 1

st overall and was ‘Top Grade 12’ achiever; Alex

Lüders achieved 2nd

place; James Shepherd achieved 3rd

place and was ‘Top Grade 10’ achiever; Josh Parker was selected as Top Grade 11 achiever. BALLROOM DANCING At the Social Dance Tests, conducted by the SA Dance Teachers’ Association, the following Grey men achieved above 85% for their respective dance style: Devon Allers 91% for Latin; Erich Kruger 87% for Ballroom, Gelo Mhlantla 93% for Ballroom and Prejlin Naidu 88% for Ballroom. DANCE COMMITTEE (2014/2015) Chairman: Hein-Pierre Duvenhage; Deputy: Joshua Smith; Committee Members: Ethan Brown, James Shepherd, James Kriel and Ernst Bonnet. The NMMU Department of Computer Science had 96 students and pupils participating in a programming competition. Our team comprising of Herman Stoltsz, Antin Phillips and Prejlin Naidu came 1

st in the

school team competition – competing against 14 other schools, while

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achieving a 2nd

position overall, also competing against 18 NMMU students!!

MUSIC Trinity College, London: The following Musicians were awarded with Music Certification: Kyle van der Walt (Saxophone, Grade 7, with Merit) and Nicholas Audley (Voice, Grade 7, with Distinction)

INTERHOUSE COMPETITIONS

BEST SPEAKERS: Juniors was won by Omer Sultan (Vipan) and Seniors by Liam Roodt (Lang). o 1

st Vipan, 2

nd Lang, 3

rd Thurlow, 4

th Noaks, 5

th Meriway, 6

th

Johnson.

CHESS: 1st Vipan, 2

nd Lang, 3

rd Thurlow, 4

th Noaks, 5

th Johnson,

6th Meriway.

ONE ACT PLAYS: 1st Lang, 2

nd Thurlow, 3

rd Johnson, 4

th Vipan;

5th Noaks, 6

th Meriway.

CROSS COUNTRY: o Juniors and Seniors was won by Meriway. o Overall: 1

st Meriway; 2

nd Lang; 3

rd Noaks; 4

th Johnson; 5

th

Vipan; 6th Thurlow.

HOCKEY: Juniors was won by Noaks and Seniors by Meriway. o The overall results were: 1

st Meriway, 2

nd Johnson, 3

rd Lang, 4

th

Noaks, 5th Thurlow, 6

th Vipan.

RUGBY: o Juniors and Seniors was won by Meriway. o The overall results were: 1

st Meriway; 2

nd Thurlow; 3

rd Vipan;

4th Lang; 5

th Johnson; 6

th Noaks.

Thank you ALL for your wonderful support and for all that you continue to do for and mean to The Grey.

NEIL R CRAWFORD

2014.08.25

reflections from the rector’s desk - grey high school · 2019-05-07 · farmers’ market –...

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