29

November 2012

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

SPECIAL EDITION: IN HONOUR OF PETER RANEY Head of House 2011

Dear Nash Parents Greetings from the Nash Clan! I have waited the whole year before sending out a Nash Flash in order to pay tribute to our previous Head of House Peter Raney. It is now nearly a year since we received the tragic news of Peters fatal accident and I wanted this Flash to be a special one. It is also a bumper issue and I hope you all enjoy it. The Remove Camp Gary Player once said: The more I practice - the luckier I get. and this is how I feel about the Remove Camp. The more I do it, the more experience I gain and the better I become in looking after the boys. Fortunately I had help from my Head of House - Tinaye Tengende who took the boys under his wing and made them feel welcome and very special. This years Removes are a wonderful bunch of boys and from the minute go, they grabbed the bull by the horns and each and every one of them participated fully. Very soon they became Nash brothers who thoroughly enjoyed the camp and that is the reason why they are still a very tightly knit unit.

Interhouse Swimming Unfortunately we couldnt make it three in a row, but the boys made up for it by winning the spirit cup in the end! A special thanks to all the matrics who ensured that the boys stayed focussed and well behaved throughout the event and in particular to Jody Swartz, Jacques Oosthuizen, Matthew Holliday, Tinaye Tengende, Nkululeko Phakathi, Jamie Pretorius and Andrew Tuma-Waku, who kept the spirits and the singing up until the very end. I would also like to thank every boy who gave of his best, filling up the lanes in every race and earning valuable points for the house even when they knew they are not a Cameron van den Burgh. Interhouse Music

After winning this event in 2011, with a record breaking score, the boys knew what it will take in order to walk away with the spoils again. They worked hard and practiced many times during: breaks, after school, after prep hours and even early mornings! They gave absolutely everything on the night and they thought it was good enough, but had to settle for third spot. It felt like a victory to me, for the Olympic Creed says: It is not about whether you win or not, but about the way you play the game. and I can honestly say that the boys played it well. I was so proud of them and I would like to congratulate David Arnot for doing a superb job in coordinating/directing the small group, instrumental and individual performances and also Tinaye for looking after the mass item. The highlight of the evening was the song which was dedicated to Peter and I would like you all to read the words: "Leave Out All The Rest" I dreamed I was Missing You were so scared But no one would listen Cause no one else cared After my dreaming I woke with this fear What am I leaving When I'm done here? So if you're asking me I want you to know When my time comes Forget the wrong that I've done Help me leave behind some Reasons to be missed And don't resent me And when you're feeling empty Keep me in your memory Leave out all the rest Leave out all the rest Don't be afraid I've taken my beating I've shared what I've made I'm strong on the surface Not all the way through I've never been perfect But neither have you So if you're asking me I want you to know Forgetting all the hurt inside You've learned to hide so well Pretending someone else can come And save me from myself I can't be who you are

Gaudy Day I was very impressed with my boys attendance on Gaudy Day. Only a few boys did not attend but the rest of the boys were here. Most of them just wandered around but quite a few boys participated in the mornings activities. We had two brothers (John and Greg Alexander) competing against one another in tennis and we had two brothers (Bradley and Tyrone Dial) playing squash against the old boys.

Brad

Tyrone Greg John

Nabeel

Nabeel again debated for the College, others played hockey, soccer and basketball against the old boys and parents. Listening to what the boys had to say about the day, I know that they thoroughly enjoyed the day and all agreed that the game between the stayers and the leavers was the highlight of the day. I want to thank the boys and all the parents for enjoying the day with us.

Interhouse Sevens Our week did not start off well as our junior team was beaten in the first round of the competition. This sent them into the losers bracket or the bottom four bracket. Fortunately the team won the next two games which placed us fifth in the junior section. This meant that our seniors had to win on Gaudy Day in order for us to have a chance in winning the overall competition. I asked the boys to deliver and they sure did. One of my highlights this year was watching the senior rugby finals. It wasnt because we won the final but because of the way the boys played. It was pure poetry in motion. The moves were planned, the handling was slick and the tries were well executed. It was a real joy to see how these boys have progressed since the days I had them as U14A players. Congratulations to all the boys who played so well and for winning the overall interhouse sevens competition. Interhouse Plays In the last nine years at St Johns, I have never heard of Nash winning the interhouse plays competition, but there is always a first time for everything. Sbo Nene wrote a brilliant play, co-produced it with Andrew Tuma-Waku and walked away with top honours. Auditions took place nearly two months before Play Night. The cast rehearsed over and over until it was perfect and the three trophies we won, is proof of it. Congratulations to Sbo for receiving the Best Play Award, Andrew and Sbo for the Best Directors Award and to Phil Baloyi for the Best Junior Actors Award. Well done boys, you made us proud!

McDonald Day After the wonderful achievements on Play Night, Mariolette and I decided that it is time for McDonalds again. The boys really loved their treats and were the envy of all the other college boys. I want to thank my tutors for helping me in distributing the burgers, chips and milkshakes in a very orderly fashion. Tabloids Another first! Yes, in the last nine years we always played second fiddle to Hodgson but not in 2012. In order to win tabloids one needs numbers. The more boys participating the bigger your chances are of winning. Of course you still need the boys to try their best at every station. Earning 5 points per station are far better than getting 1and this boils down to attitude. The better your attitude is the harder you will try and needless to say, our Nash boys had the best attitudes by far. High fives boys, I am very proud of you! Interhouse Athletics Okay, close but still no cigar. It is now the third year running that we get second spot at the Interhouse Athletics but we will not give up trying. Nash does not have a Usain Bolt, Yohann Blake, Justin Gatlin or a Tyson Gay but we do have a Gareth Harvett, Devon Henson, Tyron Dial and Bongani Molale (all winners) and with the rest of the house pulling together we managed to secure 2nd spot again. Gareth Well done boys, I am still very proud of you! But one day, maybe sooner than we all think, well get there Cross Country If we keep on doing what we have been doing the past two years, Nash should be winning the interhouse cross country for the next 5 years. The secret here is that all the boys have to pitch first. With no absentees the house will not receive any penalties and without penalties, the house will win. The second secret is that all the boys should be jogging and no one should be walking. This ensures that all the boys will end up in the top 200 and there is no way that any other house will beat you. Needless to say, the Nash boys did both and we again earned valuable points towards the Le Sueur Cup competition. Academics This is our Achilles heel. We will be way ahead on points in the interhouse competition but as soon as the academic marks are added, the gap between us and the rest of the houses are narrowed substantially. Our boys will have to do something about this. We do not have stupid boys in the house but I know they are not giving of their best when it comes to academics. We keep on motivating the boys and I am positive that we will see a turn of things in the near future. Matric Dance A highlight for every boy in his matric year! The boys pulled out every stop to ensure that they were the talk of the town. Flashy cars and suits, beautiful girls or models at their sides, hair cut in the latest styles, lots of bling and sharp point shoes and of course an invincible attitude! The hall was stunningly decorated and so were the tables. The food was of a high standard and the music tops! Mr Cameron even showed the boys how to fist pump. The boys must have enjoyed them thoroughly for it was the first time in many years that they only started to leave the grounds after half past eleven and not a minute earlier.

Speech Day This is the academic highlight of the year and a special occasion for every College boy. This year we came back to SJC and we did not go into town again. A huge marquis was erected on Burger field, decorated tastefully and everybody was comfortably seated. The weather played its part and the evening was a huge success. Dr Mampele Rampele was the guest speaker, Brad Dial was announced as Head of House for 2013 and Nash was awarded the Le Sueur Cup for the third year running. I would also like to thank the boys for behaving very well during the evening. Boarders Christmas Dinner This is the one function where the whole house is not involved in, as it is a function for our boarders only. Ask any boarder what the highlight of his boarding life at St Johns is, and he will tell you without blinking an eye. The Christmas Dinner, Sir. Once again Matron did not fail, the theme was the Olympics, the hall was decorated accordingly and the food magnificent! Darren Wackhead Simpson was very good as entertainer and he captured the audiences attention for an entire 45 minutes. What impressed me most was that he did that, like Trevor Noah, without using any swear words at all. If you havent been to a Morgan the Beat Boxer show, you dont know what you are missing. This young man is phenomenal and when he starts performing, you will get goose bumps. The only human being in the world who can produce 8 sounds simultaneously and therefor it is no surprise that he is currently the world champion beat boxer. All the boys and girls, as well as the boarding and kitchen staff had a wonderful time and I would just like to thank my wife, Mariolette, on behalf of us all for the special evening. Valedictory The emotional function. Never have I been to a function with so much mixed feelings. On the one side you are so proud of your matric boys, your buttons on your shirt just want to pop but on the other side you have the biggest lump in your throat and you shy away so nobody can see your tears. Now, if that is how I, as housemaster feel, can you imagine how the matric parents must have felt and imagine how you as parents are going to feel in 1, 2, 3 or 4 years from now! One remembers what these boys looked like five years ago small, shy, uncertain and frightened boys who have changed into big, tough, confident and matured boys. They have all achieved certain milestones in their lives and you know they have touched your life, they have influenced you, shaped you and even taught you some life lessons. That is the reason why your chest wants to burst through your clothes. When you sit down and you realise that they are not going to walk through your door anymore, you are not going to see them perform on the sport fields or on stages anymore and you wonder whether you have helped to shape them, have you been an influence in their lives, have you taught them any valuable life skills and you wonder whether they will remember you? That is when you cant face any parents or pupils, for you know you will not be able to talk to them. Thank you Class of 2012, you were a great bunch of boys. Study hard for the exams, reap a lot of distinctions for us. Enjoy your holiday and where ever you may be next year may the Nash Spirit be with you!! Head of House 2013 Congratulations to Bradley Dial for being voted as Head of Nash for the year 2013. Brad is a big, strong boy with loads of confidence and is currently the First Cricket Teams captain. He also captains the first team squash and all the boys in the house look up to him. I have had the pleasure in working with him for the last five weeks and I was very impressed in the way he handled himself. If he stays on track, he will certainly be a Head of House which we all will be proud of. Good luck Brad and I know all the boys will support you.

Nash Father and Son Golf Day As a golfer, this is my sporting highlight of the year. To see the fathers and mothers playing a game of golf with their sons, is a sensation one cannot put into words. The bonding which took place between father and son, the cheers after a monster drive, the laughter for a bad shot, the advice (which the boys gave their parents) and the stories at the 19th hole of the loooooong putts which dropped, were absolutely priceless. The golf day took place on Monday the 22nd of October at Observatory Golf Club. We started teeing off at 11:00 and the last of the seventeen four balls teed off at 12:04. The teams were greeted with beautiful weather, helpful staff from Observatory and a very friendly Nash supporting team - Matron, Tahne and ? who handed out the gifts to all. At prize giving, every player walked away with a prize and it was quite remarkable that all the special prizes were won by Nash boys. They were: Longest Drive Ollie Vincent, Closest to the pin on the 8th Nicholas de Clercq and Closest to the pin on the 11th Dean Medcalf. The de Clercqs and The Cambanis

The Hollidays and The Vincents

The Dials and Friend

The top honours went to Brian and Bradley Dial and they are the 2012 Father and son Golf Champions. Congratulation guys and well played but dont go to sleep for I know there are many teams who would love to take those trophies away from you!! I would like to thank all the parents who donated money towards prizes, those who donated prizes, gifts and brand new trophies but most of all, I would like to thank those parents and boys who played. Without your support and your help, this day will not be such a huge success. I would also like to thank my wife and daughter for all they have done. I am so lucky to have you on my team. As this is a family day and the main reason we are having it, is for the whole family to enjoy the day with us, we really hope to see far more people there next year. It will take place on Monday 28 October 2013 and we will tee off between 11:00 and 12:00, so please plan your half term in such a way for you to be there too! The 3 Fatties and Freek

Freek Fatty Fatty Fatty

Petes Corner y Nash Achievers The following boys really excelled in their respectful disciplines: Thomas Kirk Gauteng U15A Waterpolo Team Tyrone Dial Gauteng U16A Squash Team Gareth Harvett D9 Athletic Team Devon Henson Gauteng U19A Waterpolo Team, Gauteng Lions U16A Craven Week Rugby Team SA U16 Rugby Squad (Top 30 countrywide) Martyn Strydom Gauteng Lions U17A Cricket Team Dean Maxton Gauteng U19A Squash Team Brad Dial Gauteng U19A Squash Team Gauteng U19A Cricket Team Andrew Williamson Academic Colours Blazer Well done boys, you kept our Nash flag flying high!! My wife and I decided at the b eginning of the year that a special place should be created somewhere in the house for our special boy, the late and great Head of House, Peter Raney. It took us a while to find all the photos, covers of books, songs and clothing items but in the end we found everything we needed. We bought frames and placed all these items into them. We also had a mural made to complete the series. On the 14th November we unveiled these murals and Father Jaques blessed and opened Petes Corner. It was a very special b ut tasteful evening. Peter has his special place now and every boy who walks through Petes Corner will honour and remember him for what he stood for. Rest in Peace, Peter Thomas Raney.

Devon

Housekeeping Matters Day Boys When your son is absent or late, please phone or e-mail Mrs Modise as your first port of call. She will send an e-mail immediately to the staff to inform them. More detailed information should still be send to me. Thank you. Boarders At the beginning of the year I replaced all the lost keys in the house and what a shock I had when the invoice arrived. I wanted to know why it was such a huge amount and I was informed that the master key system was responsible for it. The keys cannot be cut locally, but only in Cape Town and the price per key is R120,00! It is quite clear that the boys may not lose a key anymore. From now on, if a boy loses or break a key, he will have to pay the money up front before the key will be replaced. Unfortunately he will have to wait 6-8 weeks for it, as this is the turn over period. Important Dates 5 December 2012 All the boarding house keys have to be handed in. 5 December 2012 Mentor and Mentee Braai at 17:30 6 December 2012 School closes for holidays 15 January 2013- All boarders have to be back in boarding before 16:30 16 January 2013 School starts Quote of the year Parents, the end of another year is in sight. If you are going away, please drive carefully, enjoy yourselves whatever you do, have a wonderful Christmas and a festive New Year and I look forward in greeting you all in 2013! I would like to thank everyone for their loyal support towards the House and myself. Thank you to Mr Milligan, the deputy housemaster, for taking a big load off my back. Thank you to all four stooges, Mr Le Roux, Mr Fouche, Mr Dlamini and Mr Kuiper, for ensuring the smooth running of the house in the evenings. I would like to thank my family for not just standing by me, but for also understanding when family time took a back seat to my work. Lastly I would like to thank my wife with only four words: Babes, you complete me! I am going to end this Nash Flash the way I started it, in memory of Peter Raney and I would like to use the quote, which he wrote in the matric year book of 2011, as the quote of the year. End life with no regrets for the world steps aside for a man who knows where he is going Peter Raney (4 March 1993 27 December 2011) Nash Greetings Chris Bossert

Clayton Quad - Matric Lawn