Volume 46 June 2008 Nr 2

Founded ● 1962 ● Gestig

10Balls!

7Llama?

3Zeitgeist

PRG: King of the Jungle

Paul Roos Koor Streef na Harmonie

MARCEL CAMPBELL.It all started as the dream of two avid adventure-traveller teachers: to visit all countries with ancient pyramids. As it was an opportunity they would have killed to have had at school, they decided to offer a few privileged Paul Roosers an opportunity of a lifetime. Eventually nine students were selected, and the tour was duly christened the “Cock of the Rock” tour after Peru’s national bird.

We set off at 04:00 on a frigid Saturday morning with Mr Jantjie Muller waving us goodbye in his PE shorts at Cape Town International Airport. After 17 hours in the air and 9 hours of stopovers at airports, our group of 12 finally arrived in Cusco, Peru. What struck us first were the jagged mountain ranges of the Andes, covered in snow. We didn’t have much time to acclimatise to the 4000-metre altitude before setting out on our jungle quest. After a whirlwind day of shopping and resting, we set out on our eight-hour bus drive into the Amazonian jungle.

Our first taste of the realities of an adventure tour occurred when our bus encountered its first landslide. Of course, the tractor that was usually on hand to clear the frequent landslides had broken the morning we were due to pass through the very narrow access roads. After three hours of pushing vehicles, carrying rocks and watching

the locals laugh at us; we eventually managed to clear the deep mud covering the road. Singing and cheering, we returned to the bus, only to discover a second, more serious landslide only a few kilometres away. Even the skills of our intrepid bus driver, Booboo, were no match for that rock slide. While we waited for the locals to laboriously dig their way though the piles of rock

DANIËL SCHOONWINKELPaul Roos se koor ondergaan tans ’n indrukwekkende herlewing.

Hulle het onlangs tydens die saalperiode opgetree en almal verras met hul afgeronde uitvoering van Billy Joel se Piano Man. Die koor het sy grootste toets – ’n optrede voor die genadelose Maroen Masjien – met lof geslaag. Sebastian October het met sy treffende solo die manne so beïndruk dat die koor van die hele skool ’n welverdiende applous ontvang het.

Die koor wil graag hul die standaarde verder verhoog en beplan om kultuur in PRG te bevorder.

SEMPER het die nuwe harmonie gaan ondersoek ...

Verlede jaar – toe die koor in ’n stadium bestaan het uit slegs sewe lede (van wie 5 matrieks was!) – het Xander Kritzinger, ’n nagraadse musiekstudent aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, die spannetjie onder hande geneem. Met verloop van die jaar het die silwer stemme meer geword en uiteindelik was daar darem agtien entoesiastiese lede.

Dit was tyd vir drastiese stappe, en ope oudisies is gehou, wat goed bygewoon is, sekerlik grotendeels te danke aan die feit dat die leerders klas kon mis. Nuwe

talent is gewerf en die koor se getalle het aangegroei tot ’n respektabele 50 lede.

Die doel van die koor is eenvoudig. Dit is belangrik vir ’n top skool om altyd in sport, akademie en kultuur te presteer, nie noodwendig in daardie volgorde nie. Koorsing is soveel meer as net ’n bietjie musiekplesier – in teenstelling met wat die meeste machomanne wil glo, lewer dit ’n groot bydrae tot ’n skool se prestigewaarde. Topskole soos SACS, Bishops, Affies en Grey Bloemfontein het al jare lank kore wat aan internasionale kompetisies deelneem én hulle wen. Affies het verlede jaar hul koor vir die interskolenaweek afgevlieg – en watter indruk het dit nie op ons gemaak nie! Die dae toe Paul Roos slegs op die rugbyveld met bogenoemde skole gekompeteer het, is sekerlik vir goed verby. Indien die koor suksesvol is met hul poging, sal hulle vir die Maroen Masjien net nóg meer aansien verwerf.

’n Koorkamp is gehou om gees te bou en mekaar te leer ken. Liedjies soos Billy Joel se Piano Man en die klassieke Stand by me is geoefen en bemeester. Die koor was nou reg vir hul eerste publieke optrede by Rhenish se “Concert in the Garden”. Kore van

die Hoërskool Stellenbosch, Rhenish en orkeste van Rhenish en Bloemhof het ook deelgeneem. Die manne het die skare aan hul voete gehad: ’n uiterse suksesvolle optrede!

Die koor het reeds baie in ’n redelike kort tyd vermag en is goed op pad om nuwe musikale hoogtes te bereik. Mnr. Kritzinger beoog om die koor volgende jaar vir die Stellenbosch Eisteddfod in te skryf. Daar is planne vir ’n toer na die Oos-Kaap, wat hopelik sal realiseer. ’n Oorsese toer oor ’n paar jaar is ook nie onmoontlik nie. Die koor sal, indien

enigsins moontlik, ook nie ’n serenade by een van ons susterskole misloop nie.

Dit vat moed vir die groep manne in om ’n tradisionele sportskool op te staan en te sê: “Ons wíl en kán sing!” Die koor bestaan uit ’n groep uiteenlopende manne wat oor ’n wye spektrum presteer, insluitend op sport-, kultuur- en akademiese vlak.

Dis tyd dat die koor sy regmatige plek inneem. Ons nooi dus almal wat wil deel vorm van die nuwe era in Paul Roos se geskiedenis om te kom saamsing.

Síng’it!

with spades, we took the time to take some pictures, explore or just chat. It was only after nightfall and a few Paul Roos ‘squeezes’ to get the vehicle over the pass that we managed to reach our camp for the evening.

Our remaining four days in the jungle passed in a blur of mosquitoes and sweat. Each day involved travelling by motorised canoe to a campsite along

the river and embarking on various activities, such as night hikes, animal spotting and soccer with the local Indians.

One of the highlights of our time in the jungle was the canopy tour. The canopy tour involved our first sweaty hike of the tour followed by four foofy slides between platforms high in the jungle canopy. To stand up in the trees

listening to macaws calling to one another was something really special.

It was with mixed emotions that we finally departed the jungle. On the one hand, the lack of modern conveniences such as hot showers, comfortable beds, flushing toilets and the hordes of insect-repellant-immune mosquitoes were difficult to bear, but leaving

The group venturing into the jungle... Photo: Marcell Campbell

Foto: William HorneDie bekoorlike manne

(continued on page 2)

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JUNe 2008AKTUEEL ● ACTUAL

Paul Roos Gymnasium is one of the 4 schools in South Africa (the other 3 being in Kwazulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Free State respectively) that has already started reaping the benefits of this international programme.

Creating mutual understanding, facilitating access to the German language and arousing greater interest in modern Germany are the goals of the “Schools: Partners for the Future” initiative that Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier launched in February at the German School in Jakarta, Indonesia: “We need, more than ever, places where children can meet, learn and be creative together.” The initiative wants to strengthen and expand the network of 117 existing German Schools abroad, where some 70,000 children and young people are taught, and schools that offer the German Language Diploma (DSD).

This is intended to create a network of at least 1,000 partner schools spanning the entire globe.

The initiative, which has been allocated funds of 45 million Euros for 2008, aims to develop dynamic long-term links with Germany and encourage teachers and students to participate in an open exchange of views and engage in cooperation. A series of new educational programmes will be made available for teachers and students.

Additionally, the number of full scholarships to study in Germany will be doubled from 60 to 120 for graduates of German schools abroad and partner schools. Even more foreign students will also have the opportunity to visit Germany for several weeks. The initiative will enable many schools to offer German-language tuition for the first time.

Multilinguism:Opens new Horizons

such a unique and awe-inspiring place knowing that we might never return was just as difficult. It was in a state of great fatigue and sadness that we embarked on our long, cold journey back over the Andes to Cusco.

On our return to Cusco, we took the opportunity to rest for a few days, do some more shopping and visit some popular sites, such as Sacsuyhuaman (pronounced “Sexy woman”), the ruins of an Inca fortress, and, of course, the legendary Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu cannot be described in words. It is one of those places which has an ancient and mystical air about it, no matter the number of tourists walking in and out of your photos. After taking the commemorative group photos, we went our separate ways to explore the ruins. The group was energetic and fortunate enough to be nine of only 400 people allowed to climb Wanya Picchu, the iconic peak which towers over Machu Picchu.

Our departure from Cusco was a sad one as it had become our home away from home. However, there were still two weeks of exploration remaining. We had to negotiate the perilous one ways and street sign-less roads of Cusco while Mr Liebenberg grew accustomed to driving on the opposite side of the road. After a few hair-raising hours,

we were out on the open road, winding our way through the mountains towards Puno, the home of Lake Titicaca – one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.

Our visit to the Uros people was bizarre as this tribe lives on floating islands which they construct out of reeds. They spend their entire lives floating around Lake Titicaca, rebuilding their islands very year. After an informative visit to the floating Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca, we set off for Chivay, a village with famous hot springs near Colca

Canyon. Once in Chivay, we stopped off for some much-needed down-time at the local hot springs. For some, it was the first decent wash with hot water on the tour. Unfortunately, due problems with our vehicle’s brakes, we had to change our itinerary and return to the nearest large town, Arequipa, the next morning, missing our hike down the Colca Canyon.

After a breakdown and more failed attempts to communicate in Spanish, we decided to cancel the rental car and catch public buses instead. To make

up for missing out on Colca Canyon, we decided to go white-water rafting to relieve some tension. We had three fun-filled hours on the chilly Rio Chili where we navigated class III and IV rapids, which more than made up for the loss of the car.

Travelling by public bus proved to be a most comfortable experience and we arrived in the desert town of Nazca early in the morning. We chartered small planes to fly us over the famous Nazca Lines. These ancient pictograms are carved into the desert and form

startlingly detailed pictures when viewed from the sky. Having survived the stuntmen pilots who took some of us for quite a ride, we travelled to Chauchilla Cemetery where we viewed mummies that are thousands of years old. As they are situated in the driest desert in the world, the mummies are almost perfectly preserved with hair, skin and clothing still intact thanks to the parched desert air.

Staying in the desert, we checked in to more upmarket accommodation at the oasis of Huacachina. There we splashed around in the pool, climbed the giant sand dunes and sand-boarded. We also experienced the adrenalin rush of a dune buggy ride with maniac drivers who had no regard for the laws of speed or gravity. After three sand-filled days, we departed for our final destination, Lima. In Lima, we spent our days shopping and trying to understand why, in a country filled with desert sand, the beaches are covered in pebbles. Leaving Peru was an emotional experience. On the one hand, we were looking forward to the comfort of South African food, family and languages, but on the other, we were sad to leave the adventure, the familiarity of our new relationships and the excitement of new places and people. Many memories were made, friendships formed and horizons expanded – a unforgettable experience.

The nine Photo: Marcell Campbell

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JUNe 2008 AKTUEEL ● ACTUAL

Van Toorberg tot Paul RoosLE ROUX VILJOEN

Juffrou Truter het reeds in haar kort tydjie by die skool diep in die harte van die Paul Roosers gekruip. Met eerste oogopslag lyk sy miskien effens kwaai, maar sy het gewys sy het ook ’n sagte kant. Sy leef haar passie vir Paul Roos uit en is ’n kranige ondersteuner van die Maroen Masjien se verskillende sportspanne. SEMPER het bietjie met die Juffrou gaan praat om meer uit te vind...

Waar is Juffrou gebore en waar het Juffrou skoolgegaan?

Ek is in Malmesbury gebore, wat bekend is vir sy mooi koringlande. Ek het aan die Hoërskool Swartland gematrikuleer en is seker een van die min mense uit daardie wêreld wat nié brei nie.Wat het Juffrou ná skool gestudeer?

Ek het aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch gestudeer en was vir drie jaar inwoner van Sonop Dameskoshuis. Die koshuis was ’n baie aangename en interessante ervaring. Ek het eers ’n BA-graad in Tale verwerf. Ek het verder gestudeer en in die opvolgende twee jare onderskeidelik ’n Nasionale Onderwys Sertifikaat en ’n Honneursgraad in Afrikaans ontvang.Mis juffrou ooit die studentelewe?

Ek verlang af en toe terug na al die lekker tye. Die lewe van ’n student bly altyd ’n ongelooflike ervaring. Gelukkig

is ek nou besig met nog ’n opwindende hoofstuk van my lewe.Vertel ’n bietjie waar Juffrou se onderwys loopbaan begin het?

Ek het, nadat ek klaar gestudeer het, by die Hoërskool Strand klas gegee. Ek

was vir drie jaar by die skool betrokke voordat ek daarna by Paul Roos aangesluit het.Is daar iets besonders van PRG wat vir juffrou uitstaan?Die werk-etiek van die leerders was

nogal ’n interessante waarneming. Die benadering tot Afrikaans as vak deur die leerders is definitief uniek en eie aan Paul Roos. Hulle geniet dit definitief baie meer om mondeling te praat as om die voorgeskrewe boeke te

moet behandel.SEMPER het gerugte gehoor dat Juffrou ’n kranige hokkiespeler was en deesdae ’n getroue ondersteuner is?

(Lag) Ek het op skool vir die eerste span gespeel en het ook op Universiteit vir my koshuis gespeel.

Ek is tans die trotse organiseerder van die o/16F hokkie span. Die span is tans onoorwonne en ek moedig almal aan om gerus na die span se kookwaterhokkie te gaan kyk.Het Juffrou ’n held?

Op die oomblik is daar niemand spesifiek nie, maar Vernon Koekemoer lyk nogal na ’n interessante karakter

’n Paar gunstelinge?Fliek:

Run, Lola, Run.Musiek:

Enige tipe musiek eintlik, behalwe boeremusiek.Ek kan dit glad nie verdra nie.Sportspanne:

Die Pirates en die Chutneys.Enige wyse woorde wat ’n rol speel in Juffrou se lewe?

’n Baie belangrike sêding in my lewe is , “As jy nie iets goed kan sê oor iemand nie, moet jy liewer stilbly.”Wat is Juffrou se toekomsplanne?

Ek beplan om op die huidige oomblik vir die komende jare by Paul Roos te bly. Ek volg die pad wat vir my uitgelê is en vat dinge soos wat dit kom.

The man wandering through me seems to be carrying something of high value in his front pocket. I remove the knife from the man’s back and watch him fall down on the pavement, face first. Pity it was only an outdated Ipod. He looks like someone who has fallen asleep rather awkwardly. The image has me heading for the nearest bar.

I realise that the influence of my arrival has become evident in the way the town’s citizens are behaving. Insignificant gestures on walls, over-exaggerated celebrations leading to misconduct, and too many individuals stuck with misconceptions of this country and life in general. All these are examples for which my lingering is, or should be, credited. How do I do it?

To manipulate the masses one needs to create consensus. A meeting of the minds. A single impulse that drives intellect. Fear. That is my tour de force. It is the electric shock that has my pulse beating. The most bloodthirsty of men in the world own the world. They have seen me, noted me, and thrived on me. People, today, are afraid. This fear cannot be destroyed unless the anatomy of my being is altered.

Why shouldn’t the world be afraid? How can people be blamed for a shadow of which only the sun can dispose? Once again the answer is simple: don’t let hostile trees grow. Man controls plantation, development, and existence. Therefore it also controls the counterfeits to these concepts – abortion, back-sliding and execution. All of these are there for the human race to make of its kind whatever it decides.

I am only here because of a seed that has been allowed to grow, and now I may choose to conquer through my capabilities because of my permitted existence.

Water a bad bush, and sure as hell it will grow. Give it thorns, and sure as hell it’ll sting you. The solution? Kill the bad bush before it develops into poison ivy!

But we don’t ever opt for the latter because ... TIA, right? Never mind murderous monopolies, people are dying of Aids! Let the fatal plants grow, it just might cure a nation. Mark my flaws, as they may provide a lack of ignorance as never seen before.

After a few beers at the pub I retire into the streets where the lights suddenly look more appealing. I look at the large lamps. They make me think of long daggers growing from the sidewalk. This could be the anticipated night of the long knives ... unfortunate, as I have tried to prolong this engagement in order for me to have a well-deserved holiday. Just as well, I spot the nearest white kombi, and use the same knife to get everyone to tumble hastily out of the vehicle. I drive off.

As I drive past these colossal daggers a few police cars drive by, lights flashing. I wave at them before I embark on what should be an eventful odyssey …

Zeitgeist - The Spirit of our Age

Foto: William HorneJuffrou Truter gooi ‘n ogie oor die toekoms

Om te adverteer in SEMPER

kontak:Pieter Olivier

Sel: 083 293 6782e-pos: cho11p@yahoo.com

ofLe Roux Viljoensel: 082 772 0297

e-pos: njankie@yahoo.com

HOOFREDAKSIEHOOFREDAKTEUR

Dorfling TerblancheADJUNKREDAKTEUR

William HorneSPORTREDAKTEUR

Charl de VilliersNUUSREDAKTEUR

Le Roux ViljoenKULTUURREDAKTEUR

Nicolaas Oosthuizen

REDAKSIE

NUUS:Gustave du Bois, Du Toit Kemp,

Malan Kriel, Jason Fairhurst,Struan Mathieson, Garth Arenz,Barry de Villiers, Mathys Uys,

Andre Liebenberg, Albert Marais

UITLEG:Stephan Kistner

BEMARKING:Pieter Olivier

SKAKELONDERWYSERS:A Conradie

H van der Mescht

DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in SEMPER do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial staff

or the staff of Paul Roos.

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JUNe 2008

IN PERSPEKTIEF

Editorial

REDAKSIONEEL ● EDITORIAL

Newton’s third law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Paul Roos law states that every action has a bigger and more publicised reaction. This past term was no different with many publicised reactions.

I won’t harp on about the Grey PE or the (apparent?) Boys’ High incidents, seeing as I feel that enough has been said about them during assembly, on newsletters and just to prove we are in the twenty-first century, in various discussions on Facebook. I would rather write about the effects of the Paul Roos laws.

You might suddenly start thinking about hair inspections, buttons and detention when I mention PRG law. These aren’t laws; these are the trademarks of Gentlemanship.

The fact that you polish your shoes, tuck in your shirt, wear your belt and keep your hair neat is one of the things that sets PRG apart from most other schools. Paul Roosers are known for their very courteous behaviour from standing up for adults, always greeting and offering assistance to guests, to the way in which we treat ladies. Paul Roosers show respect to others because they have a very good self-respect. The Maroon Machine has become synonymous with good manners wherever Paul Roosers have gone.

The problem is that by having over a thousand members, probability stars to come into play. A single member wearing the Maroon Blazer can damage the schools’ name beyond repair. A single Paul Rooser can give someone an unfavourable impression of the whole school through a single deed. The individual whose manners aren’t up to standard or who acts in a way not befitting that of a Paul Rooser can

profoundly alter the public perception of the Maroon Machine.

This can be likened to the Butterfly Effect, which theorises that a change in something seemingly innocuous, such as a flap of a butterfly’s wings, may cause unexpected larger changes in the future, such as a tornado.

You have probably seen the film starring Demi Moore’s boyfriend, Ashton Kutcher, by the name of “The Butterfly Effect.”

The lead character realises that he has the ability to travel back in time and change what has happened. What he doesn’t realise is that his actions have unintended consequences which he can’t foresee.

The second part of PRG law refers to the publicity surrounding the actions and reactions of Paul Roos. When we convincingly beat Boys’ High in the rugby there was a double-sided reaction to the events. Action photos and a very flattering match report were published in various newspapers.

The controversy flared about a week later when an anonymous individual wrote to an Afrikaans daily complaining about various aspects, including, but not limited to, the: the behaviour of spectators, the songs sung on the stands and, finally, the appearance of certain boys

This triggered a flurry of letters both admonishing and praising Paul Roos Gymnasium.

In conclusion, I hope that you realise the power that you have in your hands with regards to the public perception of our beloved school. I leave you to enjoy your holidays with the following quote by Mother Teresa: “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

Ed

CHARL DE VILLIERSGroot suksesse, teleurstellings, pret en gees wat borrelend kook is net ’n paar woorde wat die tweede kwartaal van 2008 opsom.

Die winterseisoen het met groot afwagting vir ons rugby- en hokkiespelers begin. Groot verwagtinge is geskep nadat die hele skool momentum begin kry het, danksy al Paul Roos se suksesse van die eerste kwartaal. PRG se spanne het egter nie teleurgestel nie. Die diepte van die skool se sport het weer eens naweek na naweek gewys hulle is van staal gemaak.

Ek wil vir elkeen persoonlik dankie sê wat so getrou kom ondersteun en wat

aan die term ‘gees’ ’n nuwe betekenis gee. Wie sal ooit die Jolla Bolla vergeet ná die loesing wat die eerste span vir Boishaai gegee het? Wat egter die belangrikste is, is dat die skool agter die eerste spanne blý staan het, selfs deur moeilike tye toe hulle verloor het: die skoollied by Gim en die hele skool wat tot langs die veld loop en hulle longe uitskree teen Grey PE is maar net twee voorbeelde van broederskap deur dik en dun. Weer eens, dankie aan elkeen wat week in en naweek uit die gees legendaries maak.

Ons eerste spanne is goed op dreef en het elke Paul Rooser se ondersteuning nodig. Onthou altyd dat die eerste hokkie- en rugbyspanne se spelers met elke wedstryd hul lewens vir Paul Roos op die spel sit – én vir jou, want jy is deel van Paul Roos.

Unfortunately, we lost respect from spectators, as well as letting ourselves down, when some Paul Roosers lost their heads in the inter-school game against Grey PE and threw tins at Grey’s banner. I told you earlier this year that we must always remember that people look at us to see how things should be done. To lose your head to rude things said about Paul Roos by defacing a banner is just not worth it. Such things should be ignored, laughed off. Always remember that you represent Paul

Roos wherever you go and that your behaviour outside the school facilities reflects our school’s image and values, and not just yours.

Dit is met ’n knop in die keel dat ek besef dat my tyd – en dié van 210 van my broers – begin min raak. Dit is hartseer, want ek is so lief vir dié skool. Maar, of ons dit wil hê of nie, die tweede deel van die legkaart is voltooi. Die verlede kan nie verander word nie. Wat dus in die tweede kwartaal gebeur het is geskiedenis en ons kan niks daaraan doen nie. Ons het wel beheer oor wat in die toekoms gaan gebeur.

Die maroen masjien is op dreef na ’n ongelooflike halfjaar in elke opsig. Kom ons hou die masjien op koers en maak 2008 ’n jaar waaroor mense nog baie jare lank sal praat. Nie net met hoe ons speel op die veld nie, maar ook met wat ons af van die veld af doen.

Always remember that you are Paul Roos – a prestige group of gentleman, striving for excellence. Gentlemen who will not settle for anything less than their goal: that is to be the best school in the whole of South Africa.

Enjoy your well-deserved holiday and thanks for this term. Let’s make the third term huge!

Semper splendidior

CRAIG BARRYEk het persoonlik ‘n baie positiewe gevoel oor Paul Roos. Ek is trots om deel te kan wees van die Maroen Masjien. Die skool het vir my soos ‘n huis geword waar ek saam elke dag saam met my broers deurbring. Ek sal nooit my trots en respek vir Paul Roos Gimnasium verloor nie, maak nie saak wat gebeur nie.

Ek voel dat die huidige ondersteuning by die sport byeenkomste ‘n groot verbetering ondergaan het. Die gees loop week na week op die pawiljoen, in teenstelling met wat verlede jaar gebeur het. Die feit dat die eerste spanne met soveel trots, dissipline en nederigheid speel word verskriklik deur die ondersteuners waardeer. Daar is elke week meer as 400 trotse en lojale ondersteuners by die rugby en hokkie wedstryde wat die manne in maroen aanmoedig.

Ek is bevoorreg om lid te kan wees van die o/16 rugby span. Die A- en B-spanne het hierdie jaar groot suksesse behaal. Die o/16 A’s is onoorwonne in die liga en het oorwinnings behaal oor spanne soos Boishaai, Affies, Paarl Gim en Monument Park van Johannesburg.

Die span bly altyd nederig en weet dat al die glorie aan die Hemelse Vader

Brief Eggo’s uit die argief“Manne, ek het al baie dom kinders

in my klas gehad, ek het al swape gehad wat nul gekry het, maar ek het nog nóóít so dom klas gehad nie”

-Rek onderwyser

“Ek is nie ‘n f*%@#n TV wat in die hoek staan nie!”

-Afrikaans onderwyser

behoort. Die manne weet ook dat geloof ‘n baie groot rol speel in die suksesse wat hul behaal. Hulle glo eerstens in die Here, tweedens glo hul in mekaar as ‘n span en laastens glo hul in hul eie vermoëns.

Soos wat die spreekwoord lui, is daar agter elke suksesvolle span ‘n goeie afrigter. Meneer Werner Truter (Coach Carter) en sy span van afrigters, wat Meneer Stanley Esterhuizen en Johan Stoffberg (Old Boy) insluit, het ‘n groot bydrae gemaak tot die sukses van die span.

Die span het bymekaar gekom en vir hulself die eenvoudige doelwit gestel om met dissipline te speel èn te leef. Elke speler het ‘n kontrak ontvang met ‘n paar voorvereistes om deel te kan wees van die o/16 groep. Die vereistes sluit in om ‘n bo 55% gemiddeld te handhaaf, om geen alkohol te gebruik nie, altyd betyds te wees vir oefening en om onder geen omstandighede meer as 80 demerietes te hê nie. Dis soos wat Meneer Truter altyd sê: “Jou dissipline by die skool gaan bepaal hoe jou dissipline op die veld gaan wees”. Ek stem volkome met hierdie stelling saam. Ek wil net eindig met ‘n boodskap aan alle Paul Roosers. “Life is a journey- not a destination”

Original version adapted by Messrs Jacques Hanekom and Frans van Niekerk

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JUNe 2008

v e r j a a r s d a g geskenk gegee. AndreB het net 15 minute se langstories nodig gehad om Phia se paaltjies te laat kantel. Hulle het by AnskeVN en SteanW aangesluit om die veldjie langsaan die huis te gaan inspekteer. ConstantS en Zahn het besluit die bank is die plek om te wees en nêrens anders gegaan nie.

NicolaasO en ChristopherF het nog lekker Fifa08 gespeel toe hulle onderbreek is deur ChristofG se poging om die badkamer te bereik.

Dit was seker ‘n goeie ding aangesien MerweR reeds agtergekom het hoe sag

plaaslorrie. vir die rit na Tubby se kuier. Olivia het vir Tubby ‘n ongelooflike

RUBRIEKE ● COLUMNS

desks and on the floor, their eyes shut and all of them snoring.

On the other half of the class it looks as if the Town Crier has announced an execution – the crowd is going wild at the “wondrous” thought, barbarically throwing food and manically jeering

In our modern world there are only a few things left that still require extensive, cognitive brain function – and Life Orientation is not one of them. One half of the LOR class usually resembles a room hit by nerve gas: most learners are lying motionlessly on their

in some strange hostel dialect. The “Walls of Jericho” are merely there to keep us from running over to the surrounding classes and/or to encapsule the rather monotonous tone of voice that so graciously provides many a Paul Rooser with sweet dreams (except for the occasional squeal that so often interrupts the endless monologue).

It is here that I am torn in two: should I join the class in either sleeping or jeering, or should I actually listen to the apparent gibberish projected onto the screen of the overhead projector? I choose the latter, as I have usually taken a rather lengthy nap in English the period before, and hadn’t brought my pitch fork and torch to join the others either.

This decision proves to be even less enriching than listening to the lady from the archives relating how Jan Smuts had “walked on this” and “touched that” at some stage in his life. I am literally bombarded with so much useless information that I make a mental note to never ever forget my iPod at home

again. It’s about the same as explaining to a mother of triplets where babies come from. As if she wouldn’t know!

The worst comes when we have to write tests on STDs and have to describe the details in … well, detail. Firstly, the teachers act as if we don’t know anything about this sort of thing, and secondly it seems as if government is desperately attempting an unconventional method of population control. Which is ludicrous! I mean, who’s going to be stopped by this boring waste of time – they would at least have to add full colour photos or something.

I will almost certainly die if I ever have to do another project on my career options. It is actually starting to become discriminatory. Have we no thoughts of our own about our future? And is this subject is the only reason why we aren’t all going to end up living on the streets? It’s as if the syllabus and its requirements are set up to resemble a Dalene Matthee novel, in which the “Kringe” refer to always coming back to the same projects and “Die Bos” to

the vastest amount of dust ever present in the LOR classroom, similar to that of a forest floor. Some of the boys even resemble Saul Barnard in the way their beards grow, but mostly with respect to the way they smell.

The Life Orientation classroom is the place where excuses for late projects that start with “…so there was this native lama…” are actually taken seriously thanks to the ludicrousness of the subject. Even the teacher’s mind becomes befuddled with the nonsensity of it all. And I’m not even mentioning the physical side of the subject.

We live in a world where we have to do this subject that teaches us what we know and is kind enough to provide us with pointless, time-consuming projects that keep us from entertaining stuff like Facebook and Mxit. But I suppose we also live in a world where a guy dressed in a green G-String swimsuit and saying things like,” My name is Borat!” can become a millionaire …

The thing is, I bet he didn’t have to take LOR at school. - The Councillor

Geagte Lesers, bewonderaars en kritici, welkom terug!

’n Woord is ’n oomblik in tyd, ’n klankgreep gevries in die oneindigheid van die heelal. Dikwels word baie waarde geheg aan hierdie uitruil van intellektuele materie. Hoekom?

Mondelinge kommunikasie is seker die oudste wyse waarop ons as mense met mekaar omgaan. Ons taal- en spraakvermoë het al die punt bereik waar ons dit vir kuns aanwend. Ons gebruik spraak om ons op ’n groot aantal maniere uit te druk: uit woede, met vreugde, in smart ... Die gesproke woord is die intiemste vorm van

kommunikasie: mense heg meer waarde aan wat jy wil oordra as jy dit van aangesig tot aangesig vir hulle vertel. Ander vorme van kommunikasie geniet nie noodwendig altyd bogenoemde voordeel nie.

Praat is een van die eerste dinge wat jy as baba leer: dit kan sekerlik beskryf word as die heel eerste oomblikke van wérklike kontak tussen moeder en kind, die kernoomblik van enige mens se ontwikkeling.

Die ander kant van die muntstuk is wát jy met jou Godgegewe geskenk van kommunikasie doen. Gaan jy dit ten goede of ten kwade aanwend?

Talente is snaakse dinge. Dikwels weet jy nie van hulle nie, maar as jy ’n oomblik terugstaan sal jy sien – ja, jy sal sien: jy is uniek. Jy het talente wat wag om ontgin te word.

Soms wonder ek, sou dit of kon dit anders gewees het as ek op sekere oomblik, by ’n sekere geleentheid ‘nee’ gesê het? Geweier het om te val vir die ou-ou fliosofie van ’n oog vir ’n oog? Soms wonder ek. Is die lewe die moeite werd as jy dit gaan mors om klein geskilletjies te probeer oplos?

O, so is die smart van die moderne mens, met al sy tegnologie en bybehore. Wat op dees aarde het geword van die

tradisionele manier van doen? Lewe ons almal in die moderne – nee – die gevoellose era? Voordele versus nadele?

Wat is die betekenis van ’n gebaar? Daar is tog meer as een manier om dit te interpreteer? ’n Belediging? Hang natuurlik af van hoe jy die situasie beskou. Dis waarom ek besluit het om maar die kat uit die boom te kyk. Op die oomblik weet ek soveel as daardie kat van saffraan. Minder as niks. Nothing. Zilch.

Maar elke dag bied vir jou nuwe geleenthede, en jy moet hulle kan raaksien. Ja, dit is soms makliker gesê

as gedoen, vrinne. Die laaste stukkie van enige uitdaging is altyd die bitterste – of is dit?

Dit is altyd moeilik om jou in iemand anders se skoene voor te stel, en meestal eintlik ’n vrugtelose tydverdryf. Waarom wil ons dit dan doen?

Want soms kan jy daaruit baat.Geagte Lesers, soos julle seker teen

dié tyd kan agterkom, het ek absoluut niks gehad om oor te skryf nie.

Geniet die vakansie en sien julle almal in die nuwe kwartaal…

Liefde, groete en barmhartigheid aan almal.

Tjoppie

Dit was weer een van dáárdie kwartale. ‘n Mens kyk terug en vra mekaar wat het regtig gebeur? Gelukkig sê Kaptein Gomtor nooit nee vir ‘n kuier nie. Selfs nie al is dit die Woensdag aand vir voor jou eerste wiskunde vraestel nie…

Matrieks:HentyS ‘n rekord opgestel vir die

kortste verhouding ooit toe hy na net vier dae vir ClaireF gesê het dat hy genoeg gehad het.

NielG en NicoleW het ook opgebreek maar gelukkig het CelesteB vir NielG getroos. EduanN het gewys hy is oor GinaDuP en het bietjie by ElzanneA gaan kuier. HennoC gaan kuier deesdae vir ander redes by KobusL.

The English folk showed at AndyS’s 18th that they had a few cards up their sleeve. RenielH compensated for his questionable English by taking the Garden route tour with NicoleP. KyleC finally let the cat out of the bag, but instead of a cat it was IngeG.

Meanwhile DanielB had an awesome baby shower. The Brotherhood is

waiting with open arms to welcome the newcomer into its life.

YottieB het gedink hy is by ‘n fightclub, maar dit was eintlik net InkeR se 18de. HentyS het ook aangesluit en met sy teenstander van Grey PE geoefen.

JetruVdW het besluit skoolmeisies is kinderagtig en het liewers by ‘n sekere Lauren gaan kuier.

RenierB het inteendeel geen probleem met skoolmeisies. Hy kuier deesdae baie saam met LizaanV.

Kaptein Gomtor voel dis sy plig om RenierB te waarsku dat sy broer nie vir LizaanV afvry nie, hulle is immers ewe oud.

Vir diegene wat wil leer bestuur is daar nuwe hoop. BernardF en BradC het die B&B Advanced Driving School gestig. TythanA, NicoVdW, RenielH en WernerR kan almal getuig van BernardF se vaardighede.

Tjoppie is eerste op die kliënte lys aangesien hy reeds drie keer sy lisensie gedop het.

Graad 11:Die manne het vroeg in die tou gestaan vir ‘n plek om die betroubare

die badkamer se matjie is. JacoB het vir JitzeE gevra wat het geword van “Bro’s before Ho’s” toe JitzeE by LieslP gaan kuier het.

Oor die algemeen:GuilaomeN hou regtig baie van vaste

verhoudings. SeanS en Tania, asook JurgenDJ en AllesandreN kan daarvan getuig.

MerweR het blykbaar bietjie deurmekaar geraak toe hy by die Fightclub aangesluit het en het by die meisie-afdeling aangesluit. AlbertM het erg gehuil toe hy CokeFest gemis het, maar MarliseL het vir hom ’n spesiale vertoning gegee. JacoB hou blykbaar baie meer van sy skoonsuster as sy meisie, maar wie kan hom blameer? GustavDB het bietjie te vinnig beweeg vir ClaraVA se smaak ek sy kom kuier nie meer vir hom nie. Gelukkig kuier DewaldB gereeld by GustavDB se huis. AndreB het sy trou vrou ontmoet in die dorp, hy moet nou net haar naam kry en dan kan hulle dinge verder vat. Baie geluk aan JitzeE, HannoM en VeraldoT wat hul Boland kleure in Whale Watching verwerf het. Bunny glo

On the couch with

BOB

nogsteeds in die tandmuis en het hom gesoek by die KKNK. Hy en Frikkadel is deesdae meer in die dorp as Bob en Francis.

Bloemhof Graad 10 Dinee:Die ironie van die graad 10 dinee was

dat daar bitter min graad 10’s was en die senior manne moes vir hulle wys hoe word die dinge gedoen.

WernerR en Nina-SueH het hul beste probeer om ‘n lewe in die dinee te blaas. Jeanne-MariG se rok het baie koppe gedraai. Dit het haar metgesel vir die aand, DivanVdW, se kop so gedraai dat hy haar na ‘n halfuur op die dansvloer moes los.

Die arme AllesandraN kon maar net toekyk hoe JurgenDJ probeer het om IsabelP se aandag te trek. IsabelP het gewys sy is ‘n ware eerstespan ondersteuner en JurgenDJ kon glad nie met NicoVdW se dansery kompeteer nie.

AndreB het op die laaste minuut besluit om saam met AnskeVN te gaan. Hy moes ongelukkig as gevolg van ‘n gebrek van suurstof die dinee vroeg verlaat.

6 Semper

JUNe 2008

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1. Gekonfiskeer in LO-klas2. Brokeback Peru3. Alien vs Predator vs Beertjie4. Boys’ High Water5. Jack gee Tjop bestuursadvies6. Werner kuier saam met Jack7. A walking detention machine8. Dis wild in Peru9. Joe Dirt10. Sersant Pienaar11. What has changed since 1866?12. Woordeloos...13. Mnr Morkel se beursie

Indien jy ‘n foto vir SEMPER het, gee dit gerus aan enige lid van die redaksie.If you have a photo, feel free to give it to any member of the SEMPER editorial staff.

FOTOBLAD ● PHOTO PAGE

7Semper

JUNe 2008ALGEMEEN ● GENERAL

8 Semper

JUNe 2008

BARRY DE VILLIERSPaul Roos is successful on many levels. We have of the best sport and academic results in the country. What is seldom mentioned is that we have and have had great musicians and bands in our midst. Bands like Zinkplaat, Slagyster and Die Helde have all walked our passageways and Koos Kombuis once wore a maroon blazer. We all know that these bands do not directly represent Paul Roos, but it is fit to mention their achievements.

The Pretty Blue Guns have fired and delivered a killing blow with their first album. Dirt was recorded and mixed at Rooftop Records in Cape Town and includes six of their most versatile songs.

“We did not want the usual radio-friendly songs,” says singer and songwriter Andre Leo, “we wanted

six songs that would stand the test of time!”

Two members of the fast up and coming band are currently in matric at Paul Roos, namely Greg Thompson (bass guitar) and Brandon Visser (lead guitar). Lucas Swart (drums) and Andre Leo (vocals / guitar) are ex-pupils. Their manager and close friend, Mark ‘Beef’ Houston is an Old Boy.

The band, Sway, was formed about three years ago and took part in the Paul Roos Battle of the Bands. From then on they have developed rapidly and a new band name was found one night when the band was looking through lyrics of their favourite musicians. The line “...sweet little bullet from a pretty blue gun...” was discovered in a Tom Waits song and from that line sprang the band name that seemed to fit perfectly with their sound and style. At the same time it paid tribute to their greatest influence,

Tom Waits. Andre loves “anything Tom Waits sucked out of a bottle and put on paper.” The Pretty Blue Guns have been playing numerous gigs in and around Stellenbosch and Cape Town for the past year and have been as far as Durban at the Splashy Fen Rock Festival. As their fan group grew, so did the need for an album.

Dirt was launched on the 17th of May at the Hidden Cellar in Stellenbosch. There they rocked to a large group of excited fans all eagerly buying the long anticipated album. Track one ‘Dirt’ opens the album on a high note in true rock ‘n’ roll style. ‘Dirt’ is followed by their oldest and arguably most popular song, entitled ‘Mary (Bottles, Buckets and Razorblades)’. This catchy song is described by Andre Leo as being “a straight-forward rock ‘n’ roll, pretty radio song”. Track three on the album, ‘Dead Man’s Waltz’ is the single of

Shot by a Bullet From a Pretty Blue Gunthe album. It is a deep song, inspired by the storytelling type writing style of Tom Waits and Nick Cabe. “I had many things running through my head when I wrote this song,” says Andre. “It will mean different things to different people.” On the 24th and 25th of May the music video for ‘Dead Man’s Waltz’ was shot in Cape Town by CityVarsity film students.

With smokes, panados and a lot of creme sodas the shooting was completed and the music video launch is expected in July or August.

Track four ‘Don’t Take Me Home’ is a beautiful ballad with a strong Rolling Stones influence, whereas track five ‘Got It Made’ has a Radiohead quality to it. The last track ‘Bad Liver Blues’ proves that the album is very versatile as it is drenched in blues influence.

The Pretty Blue Guns are aiming to attract new young audiences to go

back in time and listen to blues music. To achieve this they have mixed more modern rock styles with the older rock ‘n’ roll and blues. Andre describes themselves as being an Indie Rock Blues Band, with influences from Tom Waits, Nick Cabe, The Rolling Stones, The Black Keys, Kings Of Leon, The Bad Seeds, The White Stripes and all blues...from delta blues to chicago blues!

If you are into this type of music, or want to hear what The Pretty Blue Guns are all about, the album can be bought for R60 at the Rock Room in Stellenbosch or from any member of the band.

Also look out for their gigs and their music video launch that should be coming up in July or August.

You can also visit their website at www.prettyblueguns.co.za or find them on FaceBook.

NICOLAAS OOSTHUIZEN“In this world you’re either one of two things: a nobody or a somebody.”

These are the words of Frank Lucas, an ex-druglord who decided to make something of himself. Whether that something was honourable or righteous is debatable when you think about the limited possibilities of a black man in white America of 1968. This debate is presented very well in Ridley Scott’s motion picture, American Gangster.

Denzel Washington portrays (brilliantly as always) the role of the infamous gangster who, during the Vietnamese war, represented the same ideals as political figures such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King: black hope, progression, and – for the common Republican – a rising threat. This hope is presented in the film through one of the major themes, namely of ownership.

Washington’s co-star is Russel Crowe, who plays the noble police officer, Richie Roberts, a man battling with several mid-life crises such as divorce, a possible career change, and a nosy investigator from social affairs. Through honestly reporting the discovery of nearly one million dollars he becomes feared as the most hated and dishonest policeman in the department. This enforces the confusion in his already complicating life.

Roberts is presented with a job offer to lead a special investigation unit focussing on narcotics, a position he willingly accepts.

The success of this unit becomes the bullet to take a shot at the success of Frank Lucas. Lucas’s attitude – “I don’t run from nobody,” – is what ultimately brings his business down, along with his dope, and this after having been advised very wisely that “quitting

while you’re ahead is not the same as quitting.”

Initially the indirect stand-off between the two main characters comes across, as Ali puts it, “a good amateur fighting a professional”. This early comparison soon changes because of stupid mistakes, mostly made by Frank’s workers, all of which are family. “More important than any one man’s life, is order,” becomes the third theme in this thrilling true story.

The script, written by Mark Zillian, is of an exceptional standard and deserves a lot of praise for producing a moving episode that sheds light on several issues that were relevant in those years.

“When you own something,” Frank says to his beautiful Puerto Rican wife “you can call it what you want”.

So, since I own a copy of American Gangster, I’ll call i/t a masterpiece.

SEMPER rating: 9/10

Film Review: American GangsterRESENSIES ● REVIEWS

9Semper

JUNe 2008

GUSTAVE DU BOISPaul Roosers is bekend vir hul prestasies op verskeie gebiede. Watersport se lys prestasies het die afgelope tyd aansienlik gegroei en dis duidelik dat daar tesame met maroen bloed ook ’n goeie hoeveelheid H2O deur Paul Roosers se are vloei. SEMPER het kop eerste ingeduik en die wêreld van watersport gaan ontdek.

Paul Roos Waterpolo het die afgelope veral twee jaar haas ongelooflik gegroei, in so ’n mate dat Paul Roos tans as een van die top waterpoloskole in die land beskou word. Waterpolo het in vanjaar se eerste kwartaal sy beste termyn ooit beleef. Hulle het geskiedenis gemaak deur die Grey-Bloemfontein toernooi te wen, en tweede te eindig by onderskeidelik die Mazinter en VIDES toernooie.

Die skool se swemmers is besonder bevoorreg, aangesien Stellenbosch Universiteit se twee swembaddens baie naby aan die skool geleё is. Verskeie van Paul Roos se top swemmers oefen onder die wakende oog van Pierre de Roubaix by Maties Swemklub. In Februarie het hulle skoonskip onder die Kaapse skole gemaak deur almal by die Boy-Girl Gala weg te swem. Heerden Herman, ’n matriekleerling, is tans die Suid-Afrikaanse Kampioen in die 1500m vryslag en het tydens die Maartvakansie aan die Wêreld Kortbad-kampioenskappe in Manchester, Engeland deelgeneem.

Daar is ook geleentheid vir enige gewillige langasem om deel te neem aan die taai watersport

Paul Roos op die Kruin van die Golf

Oor Berge en Dale

genaamd onderwaterhokkie. Met ons Olimpiesestandaard-swembad wat tans onder konstruksie is, kan verwag word dat die skool se watersport nóg verder van krag tot krag sal gaan.

Vir diegene wat oor uithouvermoë beskik, is daar biathlé en tweekamp. Hierdie dissiplines behels hardloop-swem-hardloop en hardloop-rus-swem onderskeidelik. Verskeie skoliere het reeds provinsiale kleure in hierdie sportsoort verwerf. Die swemgedeeltes van biathlé en tweekamp vind onderskeidelik plaas in ’n swembad

of in ’n dam, wat aan elke dissipline unieke uitdagings bied.

Tydens skooltyd kan leerders deelneem aan verskeie watergebaseerde modules, onder meer waterkunde-, skubaduik- en see-en-sandmodules. Die skool bied ook ’n seesportmodule, waartydens daar na branderplank- en lyfplank-DVD’s gekyk word. Soms word daar op ’n uitstappie na die see gegaan om hul talente ten toon te stel.

Paul Roosers is ook aktiewe lewensredders. Die bekende See-en-Sand-lewensredding is in 1971 in die

lewe geroep deur Sparks Esterhuysen, ’n oud-onderwyser by Paul Roos, en ’n groep PRG-matrieks. Die kursus is na 35 jaar nog steeds aan die gang en verlede jaar het ’n klomp Paul Roosers weer eens die kursus geslaag en as lewensredders gewerk.

Daar is ook ’n paar persone wat betrokke is by die Vodacom-lewensreddingklub in die Strand, met verskeie Paul Roosers wat lede is van hul plaaslike lewensreddingklubs.

Diegene met ’n liefde vir die groot blou kan hulself vermaak deur by die

branderplankspan aan te sluit. Paul Roos se eerste span het onlangs die Kaapse Interskole gewen, en is tot dusver onoorwonne.

Andrew Smith, lid van die eerste branderplankspan, het in April by die Durban Billabong Junior kompetisie die kwarteindrondte gehaal. Hy het ook ’n spesiale prys vir dapperheid ontvang, omdat hy ná die haaiaanval op hom in November verlede jaar teruggekeer het tot die sportsoort.

Van die ander watersportsoorte waarin Paul Roosers uitblink, is onder meer waterski, waar deelnemers snelhede van tot 58km/h behaal.

Wayne Oosthuizen is ’n ywerige deelnemer en word tans onder die top drie in Suid-Afrika en Namibië rangeer.

Die opwindende sport wakeboarding word slegs by drie plekke in Suid-Afrika aangebied, waarvan een net om die draai van ons skool by Blue Rock in Somerset Wes is. Jason Colbourne het onlangs 2de in die Nasionale Wakeboarding Kampioenskappe gekom, en het tydens Junie aan die Wêreldkampioenskappe deelgeneem.

’n Verdere aktiwiteit, wat eerder net as “sports” gesien kan word, is om met trekker-binnebande in ’n vol Eersterivier af te snel. Hierdie aktiwiteit word egter nie deur die skool onderskryf nie en is eintlik lewensgevaarlik.

As H2O deur jou are vloei, sal jy kwalik ’n beter heenkome kan vind as Paul Roos. Die skool se akwatiese sportstrukture is kerngesond en het reeds verskeie jong mans se avontuurlus aangewakker.

Debat al die PadMatthys Uys

PRG-debat het weer ’n besige en suksesvolle kwartaal agter die rug, en het die skoleliga gedomineer, met altesaam agt spanne wat die Maroen Masjien verteenwoordig het.

Maandagaande moes alle deelnemers hulle kosbare studietyd opoffer om PRG te gaan verteenwoordig by die World Schools Boland-liga in die Lettere-en-Wysbegeerte-gebou op die universiteitskampus op Stellenbosch. Dié liga sluit vele ander topskole uit die Bolandstreek in, onder meer Somerset College, Bloemhof Hoër Meisieskool en La Rochelle.

Die druk op Paul Roos begin volgende kwartaal aansienlik toeneem, aangesien die liga oorskakel na uitkloprondtes in die wedloop om die titel Boland Skolekampioen.

Die eerste span, bestaande uit Dorfling Terblanche (kaptein), Nicolaas Oosthuizen en John Collington, is tans goed geplaas: hulle is tweede in die senior afdeling.

PRG het ook op 15 Mei vanjaar aan die jaarlikse “Dink of Sink”-debat deelgeneem. Dié kompetisie is soos gewoonlik deur die Hoërskool DF Malan aangebied.

Die formaat van die kompetisie verskil heelwat van dié World Schools: dit word in Afrikaans gevoer en die voorbereidingstyd is slegs twee minute. Hierdie debatte is gewoonlik blitsig van aard en hoogs vermaaklik.

Alhoewel geen Paul Roos-span die eindrondes van dié kompetisie gehaal het nie, was dit nog steeds ’n unieke ervaring en ’n kosbare les in hoe om op jou voete te dink.

Geen debat geskied sonder ’n bietjie spanning en heelwat stres nie, maar pret en opwinding is elke keer die oorheersende faktor. Elke onderwerp wat gedebatteer word is interessant en leersaam en min debatte verloop sonder dat daar ’n hele paar keer gelag – of gehuil! – word.

Dis grotendeels te danke aan Me. Ina Herbst dat Paul Roos so ’n faktor in die debatwêreld geword het. Danksy haar toewyding en geduld bereik PRG-debat nuwe hoogtes. Ons wil haar van harte bedank vir haar waardevolle bydraes.

Ons wens alle debatspanne baie sterkte toe vir die komende kwartaal, en veral vir die uitdunne wat wag.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

– MARTIN LUTHER KING

Andrew Smith (foto) het onlangs ten spyte van ‘n haai aanval (inlas) goed presteer by die Billabong Junior kompetisie

Paul Roos het onlangs tydens die April vakansie ‘n fietstoer in die Overberge onderneem. Nege seuns, vier ouers en Juffrou Heleen Rossouw het deel gemaak van die groep. Die groep het gery van Salmonsdam tot op Uilkraalsmond, deur Elim tot op Napier. Van Bredasdorp af tot in die De Hoop natuurreservaat en laastens oor die Pont tot op Witsand. Die PRG fietsryers het ook aan kompetisies op onder andere De Doorns en Montagu deelgeneem. Soos wat hulle sê: “Watch this space”.

Foto: Heleen Rossouw

SPORTBLAD ● SPORTS PAGE

Semper

JUNe 20081010 SPORTBLAD ● SPORTS PAGE

Sport Profile: Emile Kriek (173 not out)DU TOIT KEMP

Emile Kriek, known to many as Hersch, has become a cricketing sensation – not only at Paul Roos, but also throughout the country. SEMPER spoke to the man and found out what makes him tick …

Tell us a bit more of where you come from and where you grew up.

I was born in Pretoria, but have lived in Somerset West all my life. I went to Somerset House primary school.When did you first start playing cricket?

I first picked up the bat and the ball when I was about three years old.What sports, other than cricket, did you do when you were younger?

I played rugby, hockey and tennis.What made you decide that cricket is the sport for you?

Cricket has always been my first choice, probably because I excelled at it.Are there any people/coaches who had a significant influence on you?

Adrian Holdstock has probably been the most influential person. He has helped me enormously. Mr Steyn and Warren Kirsten have also helped me a lot. Apart from that my family has also played a huge role in keeping me level-headed and teaching me not to take things for granted.Who is your role model and why?

Herschelle Gibbs and Matthew Hayden. I have always been a fan of

Gibbs, but not so much on the role-model side of things. I admire Hayden because he is an awesome opening batsman and he works extremely hard at his game.Which International cricketer do you despise and why?

Harbajan Singh. His attitude stinks. I also can’t stand Sreesanth. He is too cocky.What do you do during the off-season?

MALAN KRIELPaul Roos Golf has gone from strength to strength in the past semester. Its depth was clearly illustrated by both the first and second team, who delivered excellent performances.

Six Paul Roos Golfers took part in the Affies National Schools Tournament, the golfing equivalent to the Wayne Ferreira Tennis tournament. The Tournament was held during the April Holidays and the golfers played on various courses in Pretoria.

Eight of the top golf schools in South Africa participated. Paul Roos team, slightly weakened due to the ongoing SA Boys u/18 championships, nevertheless performed at their absolute best and won the tournament overall.

All three the Paul Roos golf teams were still unbeaten in the Central Boland league at the time of going to press. Being the league champions, Paul Roos’ first team played against Worcester Gymnasium in the Boland league final to earn a spot in the SA Schools tournament. In this high-stake match Paul Roos played great golf under pressure to beat Worcester by 33 shots.

On the 16th of June Delin Erasmus, Henty Smal, Jan Vermeulen and Malan Kriel will represent Paul Roos at Glendower Golf Club in Johannesburg.

We wish them all the luck and hopefully they can bring back the SA

I try and keep the fitness level up and work on things in my own game that I feel need some improvement.Any specific performances that are most memorable to you?

Being included in the South African Colts team; scoring my first hundred for Paul Roos (154); beating Wynberg in 2005 (for the first time); winning the Boland Pro20 cup this year and, of course, my first cap for the first team in Grade eight.

Gholf Right on Par iBhola yasePaul Roosschools trophy currently held by none other than our rivals from the Free State, Grey College.

The most important tournament of the year is the St Johns International School Golf tournament. This will be played on the Gary Player Country Club and Lost City Golf Course at Sun City during August. Forty schools from all over the world will participate in this exclusive event.

There are a few other points worth mentioning regarding Paul Roos golf. The golf team has a new team manager, Warren Kirsten. As a four-handicap golfer he knows a lot about the game. Already in his first few weeks as manager, a change in the performances can be seen.

Delin Erasmus shot a new school record 7-under-par 65 during the interschool against Grey PE. Malan Kriel’s contribution was an excellent 68. Louis Le Grange matched this achievement in a trial match on Strand Gholf Course.

Louis Le Grange and Malan Kriel represented Western Province and Boland respectively at the Riversdale Triangular event.

Looking at the results of the past six months and the players’ current form, Paul Roos has a great chance to do well in the upcoming South African Schools and St Johns International Schools tournaments.

Who knows, we might bring back a trophy or two.

Good luck, guys!

STRUAN MATHIESONSoccer is just one of the developing sports provided by our great institution. Once a fledgling sport under Mr De Jager, it has finally come into its own under the current regime.

Last year we recorded a brilliant season, but, as the school’s motto prescribes, we always strive to become greater than before. The guidance of the ever-ambitious coach Elroy Smith has taken this sport from being the unwanted son of Paul Roos into an heir that inspires fear and awe into whoever dares to challenge him.

Unfortunately, this year’s first side was suffering from a bout of over-confidence and poor luck in the early season, resulting in a disappointing cup exit and league losses to the likes

of Lukov and Bridge House. Further disappointments came when the team was held to a 2-2 draw by the touring side from Harrowgate, England. Mounting criticism and pressure upon the team and coach seemed to unhinge the chances of success this season, but the return of captain Cleo Pokpas and other star players has managed to pull the season back on course.

On 28 May the first soccer team travelled to De Beers stadium in Kimberley focused and determined to restore not only their, but also the school’s pride. The opposition was Helderberg High, a team that had already beaten two of the schools sides in a friendly match. That day would be remembered, as both the u/15 As and the u/19 As managed to gain emphatic victories each. The young

ones slaughtered Helderberg with a courageous 7-0 victory, while the first team managed an equally good score line with a 6-0 thrashing of their foes. Goals from Daniel Blake, Kyle Hvidsten, Chris Beukes, Chris Barnard and a brace from captain Cleo Pokpas managed to seal the win for the Maroon Machine.

We would also like to thank Mr Liebenberg, the coaches and Mr van der Westhuizen for the investments that they have made to the sport, and for the encouragement we received from them in our darkest hour.

To the supporters, who have willed us on through thick and thin and made our come back possible – a heartfelt thank you! This sport and these young players undoubtedly have a promising future at Paul Roos Gymnasium.

Foto: Forma Photography

You hold the school record for the highest total by a batsman (173). How do you feel about this and what made you accomplish it?

I am very proud of this achievement. I wasn’t scoring many runs before that specific innings and was putting in a lot of time in the nets. Luckily the hard work paid off.What did the victory over New Orleans in the Boland Pro20 Cup final mean to you as a captain?

It gave me a lot of confidence as a captain and it was a very nice way to end off a successful season. We were missing key players and I am very proud of the young guys that came in and did an awesome job.What do you think of the future of Paul Roos cricket?

The future is very bright for Paul Roos cricket. I was involved in the u/14 trials and even from that young age group you can see the enormous amount of talent in Paul Roos.What are your goals for the rest of this year?

I want to make the Coke team (Boland u/18) and to push for a place in the South African Schools team.What are your plans for next year?

My plan is to pursue my cricket career and if everything goes well, to go overseas and play county cricket.What is your ultimate dream/goal?

To play international cricket someday.Lastly, do you have any advice for young cricketers who would like to follow in your footsteps?

Work hard at your game; don’t think you are bigger than the game; keep believing in yourself and don’t get big-headed or you will fall hard.

Emile Kriek certainly has a bright future in store for him. I am convinced that he will play for the Proteas one day, and become a cricketing legend across the world.

Foto: Forma PhotographyEmile Kriek showing his class

Daniel Blake playing the beautiful game

11Semper

JUNe 2008

ALBERT MARAISDie eerste helfte van die seisoen is alreeds verby. Paul Roos se eerste span kan spog met goeie vertonings gedurende die seisoen, maar daar is steeds ruimte vir verbetering.Die eerste span het ’n onoorwonne toernooi by Paarl Gimnasium gehad, gevolg deur twee oorwinnings uit die vier ligawedstryde wat tot dusver gespeel is. Die hoogtepunt van die seisoen was sekerlik die kragmeting teen Boishaai, wat oortuigend deur PRG gewen is.

Nadat Paul Roos ’n teleurstellende 2007-seisoen beleef het, was daar op hierdie jaar se eerste span baie druk om dinge reg te stel. Die eerste voor-seisoenwedstryd was teen Affies in Pretoria. Dié wedstryd het met 17-17 gelykop geëindig. By die St. John’s-rugbyfees tydens die Aprilvakansie is daar met verskillende kombinasies geёksperimenteer, sodat die spelers hul posisies behoorlik kon identifiseer voordat die amptelike seisoen begin. Dit was ’n relatief suksesvolle fees vir PRG: ons het twee uit die drie wedstryde gewen.

Die eerste week na die vakansie het Paul Roos in ’n reënerige Worcester teen HTS Drosdy meegeding – die aanvang van die eersteligawedstryde. Die eerste span het nie op hulle laat wag nie, en het ten spyte van swak weersomstandighede goeie agterlyndrieë gedruk. Die telling was uiteindelik 17-0, in Paul Roos se guns.

Intussen het Paarl Gimnasium hul 150 jaar-herdenkingsrugbytoernooi aangebied, waartydens PRG ’n welverdiende oorwinning teen

Framesby Hoërskool behaal het, maar met ’n gelykopuitslag teen Outeniqua Hoёr tevrede moes wees.

After the tournament the 1st XV prepared for the challenging match against Paarl Gymnasium. With the tragedy of last year’s game still fresh in everyone’s memory, the 1st XV had to focus on the task ahead of them. The team played a disciplined match which helped them to a 6-0 lead, but we could not sustain the pressure and were beaten by 17-14. The Maroon Machine did not disappoint us, though, as the pride of PRG had been somewhat restored.

During the following weekend PRG played their first home matches on Markötter Rugby Field. Paul Roos was scheduled to play against its other archrivals from Paarl, namely Boys’ High. Boys’ High had a promising

record thus far, beating Glenwood from Durban, which PRG had not managed to do. This particular BHS team was therefore known as their dream team, and could not be intimidated by anyone. The hype of this clash was almost tangible: the stands were packed as the crowed waited in excited anticipation for the match to begin. PRG had a poor start to the game and ten minutes into

the first half found themselves 0-14 down. But some truly inspired support from the Maroon Machine and even more determination from the players helped PRG to lead by 20-19 at the end of the first half. The second half belonged to PRG, with the 1st XV scoring more than double their points in the first half, going on to beat Boys’ High by a whopping 42-29!

First Team Gaining Momentum

J.P. du Plessis making a trademark run Foto: FormaPhotography

SPORTBLAD ● SPORTS PAGE

JASON FAIRHURST“Hang on, and never ever give up.” This is the motto of a very brave and determined young man, Hanno Burger, an inspiration to us all.

Hanno had lived a normal life until the age of ten years, when he was diagnosed with Dystonia, a movement disorder. When he was eleven years old he had to start using a wheelchair or crutches to get around, due to paralysis in his lower limbs.

“In the beginning,” Hanno says, “I was very depressed about having to get around on crutches, but after a while I decided that there was absolutely no point in being depressed” He started thinking positively and his strength, bravery and maturity began to show.

Hanno has always loved sport and has kept this passion alive by adapting to his circumstances.

He won two gold medals at the National Championships for hand cycling and will soon be representing South Africa in Holland for wheelchair tennis.He has two dreams: to be the number one wheelchair tennis player in South Africa, and to participate in the hand cycling event at the Paralympics.

Paul Roos would like to salute Hanno’s outstanding achievements, his bravery and the fact that he encourages, inspires and motivates us all by setting the ultimate example.

We all hope and pray that all his hopes and dreams may come true, as we are extremely proud of him.

Everyday Hero

There were spectacular scenes at the field as the entire Paul Roos did the famous Jolla Bolla to celebrate this memorable victory.

Grey PE was next to face a confident Paul Roos 1st XV, but this match turned out to be a totally different story for PRG. The unbeaten Grey side showcased their skills on the pitch, cruising to a well-earned victory of 16-41 – the first time ever that Grey PE had beaten Paul Roos. Nevertheless, the 1st XV can take pride in the fact that they played until the end and never gave up.

We are also very happy to say that most of the other teams did PRG proud, beating most of the Grey High teams in nail-biting contests.

Then it was time for another grudge match, this time against the Diocesan College, also known as Bishops. A solid display by the loose forwards, coupled with a few scintillating runs by the back three, ensured that Paul Roos beat Bishops comfortably, with a final score of 19-7.

In conclusion: the 1st XV has had a fairly decent season thus far, but there is still a lot of rugby to be played this year. PRG certainly has what it takes to round off the season in fine fashion.

Foto: Forma Photography

PRG beats Grey in the Passion StakesDORFLING TERBLANCHE

The rivalry between Paul Roos Gymnasium and Grey High was renewed during the weekend of 23rd May. The majority of the boys from the coast arrived late on Friday afternoon, in high sprits as they departed from the busses. However, it remained to be seen how long this good mood would last …

The golf team had an early tee-off at the Devonvale Golf Club on Friday morning. The first as well as the second team had been undefeated up to this point in the season and now faced the number one ranked school side in the country. Dylan Erasmus carded an outstanding 65, with Malan Kriel finishing at 68 strokes. The first team unfortunately lost 5-3, but the second team kept their unbeaten record by beating Grey 5-3.

The tennis teams then proceeded to play their opponents right off the court. The first team taught Grey a tennis lesson and showed them why Paul Roos is regarded as the premier tennis school in the country by beating Grey PE in straight sets, with a final score of 9-0. The second team and u/15A team also triumphed, with scores of 9-0 and 8-1 respectively.

The evening activities started of with the fledgling chess team taking on a far more experienced Grey side. The cheers reverberated through out the

Media Centre as the team was cheered on by its passionate supporters before they were politely asked to vacate the premise. The side showed great resolve and determination, and narrowly lost 2.5-3.5. The debating competition took place in the Japie Krige Hall. The junior team were unfortunate to lose their debate. The senior team had to defend an unbeaten record stretching back to their junior team days. The teams argued like

the lawyers at the Zuma trail and either side raised excellent points. When the debate was awarded to Grey, Paul Roos was gracious in defeat, knowing how very close it had been.

A large crowd had assembled at the University Astro to watch the hockey teams play under the spotlights. The u/14A side was the only PRG team that managed to record a victory, beating their opponents 1-0. The two first

First Hockey Side Sets Fine ExampleGARTH ARENZ

PRG hockey has had an exhilarating season up to date. With thrilling victories over Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Gymnasium under its belt, the first team is looking forward to yet another excellent term on the hockey field.

The current hockey season was kicked of with a tour to Malaysia in early December 2007. This fun-filled tour set the tone for a very exciting and much anticipated season. We had bid farewell to our previous coach, Simon Organ, who had taken up a coaching position on the Netherlands. We were saddened by the loss, but we were fortunate to obtain the services of two new coaches, Pierre De Voux and Stephen Taylor, both of whom are well known to PRG Hockey. The touring party of 24 players contained a balance of experienced first-team players from 2007, as well as players with enough potential to play first team hockey in 2008. The tour was a great success, both on and off the hockey field.

PRG played 9 matches, winning 6 and drawing 1, with 2 losses.

After a well-deserved holiday break the pre-season training started in earnest in January 2008. The squad

was bolstered with the arrival of Gerald van Blerk and Dane O’Connor. The new boys quickly slotted in and the team was starting to take shape. As part of the pre-season preparation the team played in the “Koshuis” League and finished in 4th position.

The first team participated in the annual Founders Festival held during the April Holidays. The team had an excellent tournament, beating opposition such

as Glenwood, Northwood and Durban High School. The highlight of the tournament was the resounding victory over Westerford, with PRG scoring seven unanswered goals.

Back in the Cape the first team continued its fine run of form. Local teams such as Paarl Vallei, Pinelands, DF Malan and Boksburg were no match for the boys in maroon. There were also excellent victories over Paarl Boys’

High and Paarl Gymnasium, by 1-0 and 3-1 respectively.

Palmerston North Boys’ High School decided to fly all the way from New Zealand to challenge PRG in its own backyard. This was set to be a very exciting game, as Palmerston is one of the top-ranked schoolboy sides in New Zealand. They were sent back to the land of the White Cloud, thoroughly beaten, with a final score of 4-0.

The goals of 1st hockey team for 2008 have been about more than playing fantastic hockey. The team has been working hard to set an example that each and every Paul Rooser can follow, through its behaviour on and off the field.

Through the guidance from Mister Werner Cloete, the team has grown, as individuals and as a unit. During the past couple of months, our side has got to know each other, our strengths and our weaknesses, and together we have been striving to meet our goals for the season.

At the start of our season we managed to beat all our opponents convincingly, but we agreed as a team that our consistency is not what it should be. Admitting to this is a sign of the high standards that we set ourselves, and a confirmation of the fact that we do not settle for less.

With Mr. Neville Rothman having joined the PRG hockey family during April, the team is now surrounded with dedicated and hard-working individuals committed to the team.

A word of thanks to everyone who supported the first team during the term, and especially to everyone involved with the first team.

teams were evenly matched. Egged on by the fanatical crowd, both teams kept pushing forward. The match finished without a score, but it certainly was a very exciting match with excellent goalkeeping and the post frustrating the strikers. The boys then retired to bed, undoubtedly filled with anticipation of what the following day held in store.

They first matches started bright and early on Saturday morning. The

u/16A side continued their fine run of form and triumphed 31-3 in a match characterised by passion and heart. The Pirates continued their unbeaten run and triumphed 29-12 in a truly swashbuckling match.

The Bituas were in the mood for revenge after their loss against Boys’ High the previous week. Led by their tough-as-nails captain, Andrew Stidworthy, they beat Grey 23-7.

The Drumline gave wonderful performance once again and the cheerleaders had the spirits flying high.

The first team, fresh from an awesome display of total rugby in its 42-29 victory over Boys’ High, was cheered on to the field by stands filled to the brim with members of the Maroon Machine.

Grey PE, with a team boasting 10 provincial players, quickly raced to a 21 point lead. There were never any signs of panic in the ranks and the match finished much tighter than expected. Reniel Hugo and JP du Plessis both scored a try each, with Brad Coetzer adding two penalties.

The weekend may have been a bit of a disappointment because the hockey and rugby first teams had not produced the results of which they are capable. But take heart from the way how the Brotherhood stood shoulder to shoulder in large numbers throughout the weekend, showing that our blood truly is Maroon.

Charl de Villiers leading the First Team onto the battlefield Photo: Forma Photography

Justin Groep in action against Grey PE Foto: Forma Photography