PARKTOWN BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
7/5/2015
MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER
I would like to start by stating that I am
sincerely humbled by the warm welcome I
have received from the great Parktown
community, from the boys, the staff, the Old
Boys and the parents I have been fortunate to
meet so far.
Parktown is a great school with a rich history
and tradition. I am certainly honoured to have
been afforded the opportunity to lead such a
prestigious institution. It is my intention, with
the support of boys, staff, governing body
members and old boys to continue with the
good work initiated by my predecessors. I am
acutely aware of the importance of Parktown,
not only maintaining its position as one of the
leading boys’ schools in the country, but
striving to be as good as it possibly can be.
For schools to maintain their status as leading
institutions requires continual attention to
detail, regular reflection and constantly
seeking methods of ‘raising the bar’.
Parktown must aim to be the best it can be in
all that it does. At the same time there is no
place for intolerance, arrogance or mediocrity.
We aim to produce boys who are inquisitive,
passionate, tolerant, focused and tough, who
know the difference between right and wrong,
and who have the courage to stand up for
what they believe when they move out into
the world, holding on and cherishing these
virtues. In order to achieve this requires all of
us - boys, staff, parents and old boys - to
recognise this common goal and all to pull in
the same direction to achieve it.
Parktown has had so many achievements
over the years, and many fine young men
have been educated in this excellent
institution.
I have been struck by the passion so many old
boys have for their school. I was amazed at the
number of people I have worked with and spoken
to since my appointment who are proud to claim
their status as old boys of Parktown. Schools that
have a strong support from their old boys are
extremely fortunate, as traditions and ethos are
passed down through generations. Old Boys also
provide reality checks for the current crop of
young men and staff.
Our Old Boys Foundation, under the watchful eye
of Rob Collins and his committee, provide both
the guidance and direction for our great school. I
thank both Rob and his committee for the time
and effort they give to making sure that our
school remains at the forefront of boys’ schools
in the country.
SGB Chair Pieter Van Der Merwe and his
Governing Body Committee deal with day –to day issues, and we as a school really appreciate
the immense commitment and hard work carried
out by this group. I am always humbled by the
time spent in dealing with often complicated
school issues by these people, who, it should be
remembered, themselves have full time
occupations.
Members of School Governing bodies have
enormous responsibility to make sure financial
goals are achieved. I would like to thank David
Everatt and his committee of the last SGB,
particularly Treasurer Imran Vanker, who over
the last three years have done an amazing job of
consolidating and making the tough decisions
which have resulted in Parktown finding itself in a
healthy position.
2
I would personally like to thank Mr Rajen
Pillay for the excellent job he has done in his
tenure as the acting headmaster.
This is always a tough job, and I know he was
ably supported by both his management team
and the staff.
For years I have wanted to congratulate the
grounds and maintenance staff, and all the
non-teaching staff, who make the unique look
and feel that can only be Parktown.
Arriving with teams from my last school, St
John’s, over the last few seasons, the view of
the grounds descending from the gate has
always taken my breath away. I urge boys
and parents particularly when you see our
grounds staff to greet them and thank them
for their efforts.
Even before my tenure began I witnessed the
passion our current group of young men have
for their school. It is good to see our boys
competing against schools such as DHS,
Westville, Maritzburg College, Queens
College, Kingswood and of course, our local
schools. All of the schools I have mentioned
are themselves great institutions, and
historically most of them are more than 100
years old.
I would like to personally assure the Old Boys
that Parktown is still the great institution it has
always been, and I certainly look forward to
serving both the current community and you,
the Old Boys.
It has been a busy start to the second quarter.
Over the last three weeks Parktown has
participated in a number of sporting festivals,
which included the King Edward VII Easter
Tournament, the Jeppe 125th Celebration and
a short tour to KZN. Both the rugby and
hockey teams have played in exciting
encounters, which included games against
Westville Boys’ High, Maritzburg College,
Queens College, Kingswood College, Hudson
Park, St Charles College and Northwood
Boys’ High School. The squash team had an
impressive tour, convincingly beating both St
Charles and Northwood. The chess team
also had a good win over St Charles’ College.
Parktown is fortunate in that it has the triple
threat: I have touched on academics and sport,
but Parktown also shines in culture. Under my
watch I want to help build culture to the point
where all three disciplines balance and shine
equally brightly, all growing to make Parktown
the boys’ school of choice in Johannesburg.
Talking of culture, the recent Senior Public
Speaking competition proved to be a closely
contested affair, and once again the speeches
delivered were of a high standard. Well done to
Shaun Pearce who won the overall event, and to
Mr de Wilzem who organised the occasion.
Thanks also to Mr de Jong, his staff, the directors
of the House Plays, and the all those boys who
participated. Most of the plays were excellent and
of a great creative standard, and well done to
Vulcans for their victory.
The winter season is upon us, and I wish all the
boys best of luck in their games over the next few
months. Play hard, play fair and we look forward
to both a successful and enjoyable winter
sporting programme.
It is essential that we remember that our most
important task is to perform in the classroom.
We must set ourselves realistic academic goals,
and do all in our power to achieve them. Prepare
well for the exams, - the staff look forward to
good results from all the boys.
This newsletter is longer than I would normally
write, because I wanted to greet you all. Whoever
you are in the school community, I have an open
door policy and you are most welcome to discuss
anything on your mind. Particularly parents and
Old Boys, if you see me, please do come up and
introduce yourself - I want to meet you. I make
this promise, for me my blood already runs black
and red. At last I have found home: work with
me to be proudly Parktonian. Arise!
Derek Bradley
Headmaster