st andrew’s college€¦ · #academicexcellence project. the occasion was also an opportunity to...

COLLEGE30 November 2018

Nec Aspera Terrent

Newsletter Term 3 #34

St Andrew’s

To the Andrean Community

Greetings from Journey! After a wonderful day of hiking from the Kroonkop solo site to the beautiful farm Charlton with Group 1, this afternoon, I find myself relaxing in the back of my Landy at the brittle-dry and dusty Kriegerskraal where we are sleeping ahead of the cycle-leg to Waterkloof tomorrow. And while my old Landy may not be, for some, the perfect vehicle for every eventuality (not me, of course - my admiration is unconditional - but I do know that for some something softer, a ‘cruiser, perhaps, may be preferable), as I lie here on my soft mattress watching the campsite preparing for supper, I could not be in a more perfect spot, anywhere in the world.

There is the hint of rain about, and the nearby windmill is spinning in the brisk cool wind, alternating between giving off gentle clunks and restive sighs - a bit like the cycling group making camp after a long day in the saddle.

St Andrew’s College

“The bush itself attracted our attention; it is totally unlike the thickest copse or brake, being closer, thicker, more utterly impenetrable, as if the earth in these parts had thick, matted hair, quite uncombed and uncombable, and as if all the various plants and shrubs had become

perfectly clotted together.” ― Bishop John Armstrong, describing the Eastern Cape bush


30 November 2018Nec Aspera Terrent

2

Winston Churchill, and the events of the past few weeks, teach us that ‘when you’re going through hell, just keep going’. My visit to Journey could not have been better timed. Out here, surrounded by cheerful boys and girls pushing themselves to confront their perceived limits in the most beautiful Eastern Cape bush, I am reminded that ‘when you find yourself in such a heavenly place, stop for a moment, and enjoy the view’.

God bless

Alan Thompson [email protected]

mailto:a.thompson%40sacschool.com?subject=



3

College hosted a very busy weekend of reunion dinners and lunches, openings of the newly refurbished buildings and the dedication of The St Andrew’s College Chapel Book. College was alive with Old Andreans, parents, guests and friends who joined us from all over the world.

The 1961/1962 Old Preppie leavers arrived first and their dinner took place on Thursday evening at the Highlander. They enjoyed an informative tour of Grahamstown with Graeme Holmes (Graham 1987) on Friday morning, which finished in time for them to attend the reopening of the newly renovated Prep classrooms and dormitories.

The 1958 and 1968 College leavers arrived on Friday and registered for the weekend at the Highlander after which they joined members of the St Andrew’s College Council and staff at the official opening of Phase Three of the #AcademicExcellence project. The occasion was also an

opportunity to honour Second Master of College, Aidan Smith, for his extraordinary contribution to the success of all three phases of the #AcademicExcellence project. After the formalities were concluded, all enjoyed a cocktail party in the renovated Norton Common Room and admired the #AcademicExcellence donor plaques which have been installed in the beautiful new amphitheatre outside the Norton Block.

The reunion groups departed to their various dinners and events - the Old Preppies attended a spitbraai at the Jimmy and Arthur Mullins Pavilion, the 1958 group enjoyed their dinner in the Highlander while the 1968 leavers were hosted in the Clapham Jubilee Dinning Hall. Much merriment was had by all!

Many OA’s attended the OA Tide Chapel Service and Remembrance Parade on Saturday morning. This is always a very moving occasion and a memorable part of the weekend for Old Andreans. A large crowd gathered for tea on the lawns

Old Andrean Tide has come and gone like a whirlwind

of the Clock Tower after the Clock Tower ceremony. The OA Club AGM was chaired by the 2018 OA President, Chris Terry ( Mullins 1965) with the assistance of Vice President Mark Cotton (Graham 1991).

The Old Andrean Luncheon was served in the Highlander and we hosted the largest number of guests in years. Over 150 people listened attentively to the OA President’s speech and shared toasts to our schools and country.

The David Wylde Leadership Indaba took place in the Antony Clark Andrean Resource Centre on Saturday evening and again the venue was packed to capacity. The interchange between David Wylde and Marguerite Poland was engaging and a memorable evening was enjoyed by all.

An informal spitbraai was held for all reunion attendees on Saturday evening.

The dedication of the St Andrew’s College Chapel Book took place on Sunday morning with another moving ceremony performed by the Dean of Grahamstown, Andrew Hunter.



4

St Andrew’s College celebrated the re-opening of the Norton Block on 23 November 2018. This sees the completion of Phase 3 of the #AcademicExcellence Project, the reconstruction of the twelve classrooms into state-of-the-art academic teaching spaces. Our grateful thanks goes to our many donors and to everyone who worked tirelessly to make this project a success. Special thanks to Mr Aidan Smith, Second Master, in recognition of his contribution made to the re-design of these buildings. The newly completed Norton Block is a beautiful teaching space and the Norton Common Room will be a space enjoyed by sport spectators, parents, staff and pupils for many years to come.

Norton Block Re-Opening



5

The St Andrew’s College Tide Memorial Service took place during the OA Tide weekend. The service is a significant one College as we remember Old Andreans who have passed and we remember our founder Bishop John Armstrong. The Chapel Service and Remembrance Parade are a highlight of the reunion weekend and took place on a bright sunny day.

OA Tide Service



6

The Dedication of The St Andrew’s College Chapel A history: 1855 - 2018 co-incided with the Holy Eucharist on Sunday. Dr Marguerite Poland introduced The Chapel History to the congregation in the College Chapel. The Very Revd Andrew Hunter, Dean of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George dedicated the book to boys of College and the entire Andrean Community.

Dedication of the Chapel Book



7

John Jones Fish River JourneyThings have really settled into a great rhythm at Journey The groups are all doing really well, getting to their campsites in good time, getting fitter and stronger every day and generally making the most of their opportunities. The fireside banter is both universal and lively.

Group 1

Group 2



8

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5



9

Dear All

The Cricket Club rounded off the year with the OA match which was followed by the end of year cricket dinner. The evening included the annual cricket awards and a Question & Answer session with past and present players. Thanks to all involved for creating a special day of cricket.

The rowing club is looking forward to hosting the annual Standard Bank South African Schools’ Boat Race on the 7th and 8th December. The St Andrew’s crew has had the mixed emotions of a second place finish for the last two years and they take to the water once again with a view to hunting the prize. We would welcome all support from boys, staff and OAs, it is quite the spectacle of rowing with 1st VIIIs from all over the country travelling to compete, an excellent way to

COLLEGE

SPORTkick off the festive break.

On Saturday the College batsman had an indifferent day versus a fired up OA XI. It was disappointing Callum Francis could not find a partner in their innings. Callum was in fine form with his 83 coming off just 79 balls. Murray Leith halted the College innings with his spell of 3/12. College posted 175 which was not enough on the day versus the determined OA XI captain, Andrew Rushmere. Andrew saw his team home with a gutsy 97 not out and secured a much needed 6 wicket win for the OA’s who had been aggravated by their losses in recent times. Callum Francis was awarded the traditional OA bat for the player of the day. Later that night during the annual cricket dinner Andrew Rushmere was announced as the OA player of the day.

Carl BradfieldDirector of Cricket

2018 Award winners

• Most promising Junior Cricketer (Harry Birrell Cup) - Sam Francis • Best technique and courage against fast bowling (Philip Amm Cricket Award) - James Mullins • Best fielder of the year (Headmaster’s Cup) - Murray Wilson• Bowler of the year (The Graham Morgan Cup) - Nicholas Frances • Team man of the year (Paul Marsh Award) - Daniel Erasmus • Batsman of the year (The Douglas Smith Cricket Cup) - Peter Jarvis • Cricketer of the year (Robert Armitage Memorial Trophy) - Peter Jarvis



10

BASKETBALL TOURSEASTER TERM - 2019

The St Andrew’s College Basketball U14A/B, U15A/B, U16B & 1st Teams will participate in various fixtures in Johannesburg from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 January 2019. The U16A Team will compete at the prestigious St Stithian’s College U16 Tournament from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 February 2019

These early season tours will give the boys great exposure and opportunities to compete against some of the best teams in Southern Africa.

Selection of the touring teams will be finalized on Saturday 19 January. I hope the boys will keep fit during the holidays. If you require more information, please contact Patrick Gumunyu [email protected] or call +27 76 756 5497



11

ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE RUGBY CLUB FIXTURES 2019 5 March Rugby Season Starts 9 March Nico Malan Home 16 March Graeme College Rugby Day: SACS Away 21/23 March Grey Festival 1st XV, U16, U15, U14 Away 6 April Grey High School Home 8/10 April Kingswood Festival Away

10 April – 7 May : Holidays 18/20/22 April St Stithians Easter Rugby Festival: 1st XV 18/20/22 April Jeppe Easter Rugby Festival: U16A 12 April – 15 April St Benedicts ISRF: U15A 11 May Graeme College Away 18 May Cambridge High School Home 25 May Selborne College Away 1 June Pearson High School (Reunion weekend) Home 8 June Queens Away 15 June Kingswood College Away

20 June – 2 July: Half Term

26 – 1 July IRSF U18 Thistles Clifton College Away 1– 6 July Craven Week: U18 13 July Marlow Agricultural High School Away 20 July Dale College Home 3 August Bishops Home

7 August - Holidays



12

st andrew’s college€¦ · #academicexcellence project. the occasion was also an opportunity to...

Documents