bylae tot volksblad oor st. andrews-skool in bloemfontein

Celebrating 150 years ofexcellent service in education

tradition inspired learning

15 March 2013Editorial: Lientjie Mentz - [email protected]

Advertisements: Leana Coetzee - 051 404 7803

Talitha Renaud - 051 404 7834

Celebrating 150 years ofexcellent service in education

15 March 2013Editorial: Lientjie Mentz - [email protected]

Advertisements: Leana Coetzee - 051 404 7803

Talitha Renaud - 051 404 7834

2 BYLAE TOT VOLKSBLAD, Vrydag 15 Maart 2013

*Programme) 15 to 17 March: 150thHockey Festival (1st teams)) 10 May: 150th RugbyDinner) 4 to 7 July: 150th RugbyFestival (1st teams)) 21 to 26 July: SchoolChaplains’ Conference) 24 August: 150th HockeyFestival (junior teams)) 10 to 13 September:School Musical – West SideStory) 12 September: 150th WineAuction) 13 September: SeniorSchool PrizeGiving(Archbishop of Cape Townas guest of honour)) 13 to 15 September: OldAndrean reunion) 14 September: ReunionDinner) 15 September: ReunionChapel Service) 17 to 20 October: 150thPro20 Cricket festival) 8 November:Remembrance Day Service) 15 November: School’sBirthday – ThanksgivingService) 25 and 26 November:Festival of Nine Lessons andCarols

SAINT ANDREW’S, one ofBloemfontein’s top schools, joinsthe ranks of those that havereached the prestigious 150thyear in South African education.

The school launched their150th anniversary celebrations inJanuary in the presence of digni-taries, community members,members of the board, media,principals from neighbouringschools, old Andreans, staff andlearners. The service, held in theschool’s chapel, was led by theheadmaster, Chris Thomas, andincluded a procession of houseflags, the school flag, diocesanflag, national flag and Old An-drean flag.

Thomas went on to commissionthe new Tempe Bell, a replica ofthe bell used in the 1920’s whenthe school used buildings at theTempe Army Base. The new bellwill ring at the annual Remem-brance Day service and when thegr. 12 learners leave school eachyear. Tribute was paid to theschool’s close relations with itsneighbouring schools, with spe-cial mention of Saint Michael’swho gifted the specially designed150th anniversary flag to theschool. The flag was unfurled byCherise Surtees, head girl ofSaint Michael’s, and RichardJohnson and Phano Khalema,head and deputy head boy ofSaint Andrews.

The school boasts an illustriouspast. It was founded in 1863 by theAnglican Church, was closed dur-ing the South African War and re-opened in 1917. It was housed inthe First Raadzaal, in buildingsnow belonging to Oranje Girls’School, Tempe and has been atthe current site since 1919.

Saint Andrews has been a val-ued part of the Bloemfontein com-munity for 150 years and itslearners continue to serve it.

Thomas emphasised the ethosof the school: “We strive to pro-duce young men who can assumea leadership role in a variety of

fields in South Africa and the restof the world and believe that ouralumni have contributed over anumber of years”.

The celebrations continuethroughout 2013 with events forthe school community, the learn-ers and Old Boys.

Saints turns 150 yearsFestivities celebrating landmark event go throughout ’13

Above and right: The Saint Andrew’s boys do their war cry whilestanding in the form of theschool emblem.

‘‘Saint Andrew’s hasbeen a valued part ofthe Bloemfonteincommunity for 150years.

BYLAE TOT VOLKSBLAD, Vrydag 15 Maart 2013 3


At the celebrations function in January there was support from theBloemfontein community. From the left are Braam van Wyk (headmaster of Saint Michael’s), Chris Thomas (headmaster of Saint Andrew’s)and Paul Cassar (headmaster of Eunice). Photos: LIENTJIE MENTZ

Honorary guests at the function were from the left, front: Roy Gordon (CEO of the Old Andrean Association), Chris Thomas and Colin Hickling (board of governors); back: Eric MacKenzie (financial manager), JohnAnderson (board of governors), John Bridger (deputy headmaster) and Julian Spano (chairman of the boardof governors).

From the left are Julian Spano(chairman of the board of governors), Thabo Manyoni (Mangaungexecutive mayor), Stanley Malope(HOD: Education) and John Bridger (deputy headmaster).

Right: Julian Spano (chairman ofthe board of governors) and Hentie van Zyl (senior school mathematics teacher who has beenteaching for 50 years).

150th celebrations


SAINT ANDREW’S annual Inter-cultural Evening was held on 1 Feb-ruary at the school and included abig walk and 10 km fun run.

There were food stalls represent-

ing famous dishes from differentcountries and cultures includingGerman, Greek and Italian. The bigplayground where children couldhave fun was a popular attraction.

CulturescelebratedDay a great success

Chris Thomas, the headmaster, fires the starting pistol at the beginning ofthe Saint Andrew’s fun run/walk. Photo: SUPPLIED

Fun in the amusement park at the Intercultural Evening. Photo: LIENTJIEMENTZ

There is something for everyone at the Intercultural Evening at Saint Andrew’s. Photo: SUPPLIED


ROY GORDON, theprevious headmasterof Saint Andrew’s, iscurrently working on anew book on the histo-ry of Saint Andrew’ssince the beginningyears in 1863.

Interesting stories,historyand special peo-ple involved with theschool throughout 150years are all broughttogether in the book Ahistory of St Andrew’s:As we see ourselves.

The book will consistof about 200 pages filledwith historic events,photographs and con-tributions by formerteachers and head pre-fects of the school.

It is expected thatthis very special bookwill be availablearound August, in timefor the big reunion inSeptember.

Gordon says to himone of the strengths ofthe school and proba-bly one of the successstories is the fact that atSaint Andrew’s theEnglish and Afri-kaans communities ofBloemfontein come to-gether. Throughout theyears Afrikaans-speak-ing teachers took theirplace alongside theirEnglish colleagues andAfrikaans learnersjoined their Englishfriends in the class-room and on the sportsfield.

Book amust

IN response to the need for organ-ised schooling for the boys ofBloemfontein, the Diocesan Gram-mar School, which was to developinto Saint Andrew’s, was foundedbyBishopEdwardTwells on 16No-vember 1863.

George Clegg was the first head-master. The original schoolroomstill stands in St George’s Streetand is known as the Old Raadzaal.Just before the start of the Anglo-Boer War the school was moved toa building on the site of the currentOranje Girls’ School.

The foundation stone of the newbuilding was laid by Pres. M.T.Steyn in March 1899. During a cer-emony the president laid the stonewith the words: “In the faith ofChrist Jesus, we lay this stone inthe name of the Father, and of theSon and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.Here let true faith, the fear of Godand brotherly love ever abide andlet this place be set aside for thenurture of the young in the knowl-edge and obedience of the Lord.”Under the foundation stone, acache was made consisting of cop-ies of the Daily Express and TheFriend, the Constitution of the Dio-cese and a summary of the historyof the school, signed by the staff.

These buildings were occupiedby the boys for only a few monthsbefore the outbreak of the war. Thebuilding was requisitioned as amilitary hospital and after the warthe buildings were taken into useby Oranje Girls’ School. The words

spoken by the president did indeedbecome true although not at thatstage for Saint Andrew’s. Thebuildings were from then on used“for thenurture of theyoung in theknowledge and obedience of theLord”.

SaintAndrew’swasre-opened in1916 and moved to its current sitein 1917. The oldest building still inuse on the campus appears to bethe lowest storey of the seniorschool (Ferrandi Block) which wasin use in 1919. During these early

years the school used buildings intown, on the current site and at theTempe Military Base. As funds be-came available more buildingswere erected on the current siteand eventually all the boys andclasses were moved here.

Until January 1976 Saint An-drew’s was a diocesan school oper-ating under the control of a boardof governors with the bishop ofBloemfontein as chairman. In 1975the school was sold to the Provin-cial Administration of the OrangeFreeState.Theagreementwith theprovince protects the right of theschool to retain its ethos and tocontinue as an Anglican churchschool with the bishop of Bloem-fontein as the Visitor. Over theyears the school has striven tomaintain its link with the churchand to inculcate good values in theboys. Each day starts with a ser-vice in the school chapel.

The school has been providingeducational opportunities for boysfrom different faiths and culturaltraditions who reside in Bloemfon-tein and the Free State for 150years. The school caters for boysfrom the age of 5 (enrolled in theschool’s own pre-school) to the ageof 18.

‘To nurture the young’Diocesan Grammar School becomes Saint Andrew’s

A museum and the Old Andreans’ Association is now situated in OubaasStorey’s House. Photos: SUPPLIED

Oubaas Storey was the headmaster when Saint Andrew’s opened on its current campus. In those days helived in this house.


DURING the eventfulyears since 1863, whenthe Saint Andrew’sSchool first opened asthe Diocesan Gram-mar School, they havestriven to provide thekind of educationwhich will develop in-tellectual, physicaland cultural interests,as well as leadershipand personality.

The staff expecthigh standards of be-haviour, dress andpersonal appearance.

They aim to achievehigh academic stand-ards, and all learnersare expected to in-volve themselves inall aspects of schoollife. Saint Andrew’shas a great deal to of-fer young men whoare prepared to workhard.

They encouragetheir learners to takeadvantageof themanyopportunities offered,in order that they mayexcel according totheir own potential.

The teachers at theschool are deeply con-scious of the responsi-bilities and privilegeswhich history has be-queathed to them.

Potentialreached

THE founding of Saint Andrew’s isattributed to Bishop EdwardTwells on 1 October 1863.

There have been many headmas-ters since then.

Since the school moved to its cur-rent location in Dan Pienaar Ave-nue in 1917, the headmasters were:1917 – 1946: Oubaas Storey1947 – 1957: Maj. Edward Harrison1957 – 1967: Jumbo Ferrandi1968 – 1974: Brian Carl Thiel1974 – 1984: Iain Paterson1985 – 2006: Roy Gordon2007 – now: Chris Thomas

LeadingSt Andrew’ssince 1917

Oubaas Storey

Maj. Edward Harrison Jumbo Ferrandi Brian Carl Thiel

Iain Paterson Roy Gordon Chris Thomas

“I’LL ALWAYS see Saint Andrew’sas a school catering for the needs offamilies – rich and poor, English, Af-rikaans and Sotho speakers, andvarious religious persuasions; con-sequently it was neither snobbishnor elitist. Instead the commitment,pride and loyalty of bothparents andlearners made it a prestigious entitywithout pretension.” – Roy Gordon,former headmaster and CEO ofthe Old Andrean Association

“Saint Andrew’s is a school whichhas always focused on developingthe whole man in a caring and sup-portive environment. We aim to de-

velop the leaders of the future byteaching them the necessary skills,the appropriate knowledge and thecorrect values. We strive to involveall members of the Saints communi-ty in the process of developingyoung gentlemen.

“Saint Andrew’s is a close-knitcommunity dedicated to furtheringthe interests of the learners. Thiscommunityworks together to organ-ise successful activities and supportothers. This support is evident whenOld Andreans, parents and learnersneed help in a variety of ways.”

– Chris Thomas, current head-master and Old Andrean

This makes Saints special


OLDANDREANShavemadeaval-uable contribution to national andinternational life as business lead-ers, journalists, scientists and asparticipants in a wide variety ofcultural pursuits.

A well-known Old Andrean,FredBrownell,was responsible forthe design of the new South Afri-can flag when he was serving asstate herald.

Old Andrean Bruce Warner hasrepresented South Africa at fourParalympics. He has competed inNagano, Japan (1998), Salt LakeCity, America (2002), Turin, Italy(2006), and Vancouver, Canada(2010).

In the2010Olympicshequalifiedfor and competed in all five of thealpine skiing disciplines. Alpineskiing is about skiing downhillaround “gates” on courses that areabout one and two minutes long.The other major form of skiing,cross-country, is an endurance

event over longer, flatter terrain.Kelly Fairweather (who matric-

ulated from Saint Andrew’s in1978) has spent a lifetime involvedin sport; first as a player (he repre-sented South African Schools’Hockey and also played provincialhockey for KwaZulu-Natal and theWestern Province), then as a coach(after coaching Western Provinceteams, he spent some time as thecoach for the South African wom-en’s team) and finally as an admin-istrator. After spending some timeworking for the IOC in Lausanne,he was appointed the European di-rector for the World Anti-DopingAgency and is now serving as theCEO of the FIH (world governingbody for hockey).

Uhuru Malebo served as theschool’s deputy head boy in 2006.After studying at the University ofCape Town (UCT), he graduatedwith a B.Com. degree in Philoso-phy and Economics and then went

on to read for an honours degree inEconomics. He was selected for aprogramme which affords univer-sity graduates from South Africaand Ireland the unique opportuni-ty to find common ground througha course of mutual understandingin the multi-cultural environment

of the United States of America.Following a rigorous selectionprocess, five young South Africanswere invited to join their peersfrom Ireland to pursue an estab-lished internship and leadershipcurriculum in Washington D.C.

Graeme MacKenzie matricula-ted in 1995 and went to the Univer-sity of Johannesburg to study Op-tometry.

Once he had completed his bach-elor’s degree he registered for amaster’s degree in Optics. Aftertwo years, he had publishedenough to get his master’s degreeupgraded to a doctorate. This wasawarded in 2004.

In December 2005 he was offereda job at the University of Oxford.He was to join a team of engineersand physicists developing a prod-uct which could quite literally im-pact the lives of billions of peoplein theworld’smost inaccessible re-gions: adjustable eye glasses. Ad-

justable eye glasses can quite liter-ally provide clear vision at theturn of a dial and what is more,they can be distributed by teach-ers, community health workersand nurses, obviating the need forthe expensive infrastructure re-quired to support optometrists.

Christiaan Scott (matric 1992)studied Paediatric Rheumatologyin Leuven, Belgium. After a yearin Belgium, he did a short, three-month fellowship in Genoa, Italy,and moved back to South Africa in2009. He is now permanently em-ployedas a senior specialist inPae-diatric Rheumatology at the RedCross Children’s Hospital in CapeTown.

Prof. Ed Rosenberg (matric 1955)recently received the Master Clini-cian Award of the American Acad-emy of Periodontology – the high-est award bestowed by the acade-my on a clinician or clinicianresearcher.

Old Andreans prosper

The Saint Andrew’s Memorial Wall where Old Andreans can be remembered by generations tocome. Photo: SUPPLIED

FEES at Saint An-drew’s are reasonableowing to the contribu-tions of so many mem-bers of the Saint An-drew’s family. Thesegroups are led by theboard of governorscomprising Old An-dreans and parents.

Essential aspects ofschool life are compe-tently run by volunteerparents. Fund-raisingcampaigns are entrust-ed to the Ladies Asso-ciation and PTA andmanagement of fundsto a group of trustees.

Saint Andrew’s issupported by the OldAndrean Associationand regional and na-tional reunions areheld annually. Old An-dreans frequently visitthe campus. The pres-entation of the OldBoys’ blazers after amatric valedictoryservice is an emotionalmoment which bindsthe young adult and hisalma mater.

OldAndreanscontribute

A new wall was erected aroundSaint Andrew’s last year.


WITH an enrolment of approxi-mately 680 learners, Saint An-drew’s is small enough to offereach boy an education of quality.The core syllabus is supplement-ed by enrichment activities.

The school prides itself on goodmatric results, as well as an aca-demic support system which ena-bles weaker candidates to obtaina matriculation pass.

Well-equipped libraries, audio-visual centres, remedial resourc-es and an excellent computer baseprovide the facilities for the nur-turing of a sound work ethic andthe striving for academic excel-lence.

The emphasis is on a solidgrounding in basic academicprinciples balanced by pro-

grammes stimulating creativity.The student counsellor advises

learners on packages designed fortheir particular requirements.

EachlearnerspecialQuality important

A proud moment for Saint Andrew’s was the announcement of Christiaan Bronkhorst as the top matriclearner in the 2012 matric exams in the Free State. Photo: CHARL DEVENISH

‘‘I pray that StAndrew’s willcontinue toproduce menwho are amongthe finest anynation can offer.— LOUIS BOTHA (FORMEROFS ADMINISTRATOR)


CULTURAL activitiesat Saint Andrew’s arewell entrenched. Thejunior choir has estab-lished a solid traditionwhile the chapel choiris regularly heard onradio and appear ontelevision from time totime. The school’s dra-ma and debatinggroups have set a highstandard of achieve-ment. Music lessons inmost instruments of-fer the learner the op-portunity to find hisforte.

Activities that aresupported by smallergroups include chess,bridge, reading en-richment, photogra-phy and vexillology.

Learners are com-munity-minded andsupport service to thecommunity throughthe Interact Club. Anexclusive life skills so-ciety for matriculants,the Fiat Lux Club,broadens horizons.

Saintsculture

OVER the last 150 years Saint An-drew’s has maintained a highstandard of academic excellence.

The school’s pass rate in thegr. 12 examinations has been 100%for the past 21 years and thenumber of candidates who qualifyfor university entrance regularlyexceeds 90%.

In 2012, Christiaan Bronkhorstwas ranked as the top gr. 12 candi-date in the Free State. He, alongwith a number of other boys, pro-

duced very good results in hisgr. 12 subjects and in a number ofdifferent olympiads.

SaintAndrew’sboysenterMath-ematics, Physical Science, Ac-counting, English and generalknowledge olympiads and achieveoutstanding results. A number ofboys have been selected to partici-pate in international Mathematicscampsandhavealsoachievedverygood results. Although the schoolis proud of the achievements of the

boys, they believe in the impor-tance of a holistic education andthe acquisition of life skills. As anexample they believe that highstandards of discipline are neces-sary in order for boys to developself-discipline. The success of theboys when they study at tertiaryinstitutions and enter the work-place shows that the programme atthe school is fulfilling its purposein preparing young men to facelife’s challenges.

Academicstandard highHolistic approach important

Jenny de Gouveia gives learners in the junior phase a nature lesson. Photo: SUPPLIED

OVER the years Saint Andrew’shas competed successfully in anumberofdifferent sports andcul-tural activities. The learners haveoften gone on to represent provin-cial and national teams. Theschool prides itself on the fact thatit continues to offer opportunitiesfor learners of differing abilitiesand backgrounds. In addition, awell-qualified counselling team isavailable to assist learners withany academic or personal needs.

Every boy at Saint Andrew’s isgiven the opportunity to take partin sport. Conscientious and con-sistent participation is valued ashighly as are superior achieve-ments on the sports field.

Saint Andrew’s has a proudsporting tradition dating from thefirst cricket match in 1880 and thefirst rugby match in 1916.

A number of Saint Andrew’slearners have represented SouthAfrica at both school and seniorlevel in a wide variety of sportssuch as cricket, rugby, squash,swimming, hockey, tennis and po-lo. Last year 25% of the learners at

the school were rewarded for theirefforts with selection for provin-cial or national schools’ teams.

The school encourages involve-ment, commitment and goodsportsmanship.

Cricket is the main summersport and the school annually em-ploys professional cricketers tocoach the boys. Swimming is alsoa favourite summer sport.

Winter sport includes hockeyand rugby in the senior school,while soccer, mini-hockey andrugby enjoy strong support in thejunior school. Athletics, tennis,karate and squash continuethroughout the year. Individuallearners may take part in cyclingand golf. Boys also enrol at localgymnasiums.

Over the decades a network ofloyal parents, innovative parent-teacher associations, stable andloyal academic and support staffhave nurtured the school’s devel-opment. The board of governorshas been a creative blend of loyalOld Andreans, committed parentsand friends.

Sport at Saints crucialpart of education

The first cricket team. Photo: SUPPLIED


‘‘The dividing line at Saint Andrew’s is howimportant the people are.— GILL CRAWFORD (A SAINTS MOTHER)

‘‘A boy is not justa boy in a Saintshostel. He’s yourfriend for life.— CLIVE MOTT(HOUSEMASTER)

APPROXIMATELY a quarter ofthe boys at Saint Andrew’s areboarders and a lot of attention isgiven to the well-being of the res-ident learners.

The two senior houses areChandler House and TwellsHouse.

Storey House accommodatesgr. 8 and gr. 9 boys and consider-able effort is made to assimilatenewcomers.

Junior boys are housed inDunn House where the house-mother and her team create afamily atmosphere.

All houses have their owncommon rooms with TV and oth-er recreational facilities.

In the senior houses two boysshare a room, while in the juniorhouse there are four boys to aroom.

All boys meet in the centraldining room which is serviced bya modern and efficient kitchen.

The matric prefects help to fa-cilitate the smooth running of

the school and act as informaltutors to younger learners.

The rapport between thehousemasters and boarderssets a relaxed atmosphere.

Housemasters are on 24-hourcall, as is a professional nurs-ing sister who lives on campus.

A home awayfrom homeWellbeing of boarders a priority

Boys relax in one of the hostelrooms. Photo: SUPPLIED

BLOEMFONTEIN is ideally situat-ed for weekend trips to theDrakensberg Mountains and otheroutdoor trainingcentres.Abseilingand cross-country hiking providethe boys with a healthy outdoor lifeand the opportunity for informalrelations with their teachers.

Regular field-trips are undertak-en by junior school boys and theirmasters. All boys are given thechance to develop leadership quali-ties at outdoor camps in the FreeState countryside and at theschool’s outdoor leadership campnear the Gariep Dam.

Out in the country

Boys of the preprimary school visited Cheetah Experience outsideBloemfontein. Photo: SUPPLIED


THE history of Saint Andrew’sclose ties with the church beganwith the school’s founding in1863.

In those days the boys used tosing in the cathedral choir andassist in the services. The firstchairman of the school commit-tee (now known as the board ofgovernors) was the priest incharge of the cathedral and foryears the church was responsi-ble for the financial manage-ment of the school.

The church and a number ofbishops also assisted by raisingfunds for capital developmentsat the school.

In the 19th century most ofthe headmasters were priestswho were to lead the school forshort periods of time. Since the20th century none of the head-masters have been priests, butthe church and the school havenevertheless maintained a veryclose link.

From the early days, religiousinstruction made up a promi-nent part of the school curricu-lum and this continues to thisday as each day starts in theschool chapel. The school’s firstchapel was built in 1881 andover the years a number of dif-ferent buildings have been usedas a chapel.

The current chapel was con-secrated in 1956. The position ofthe chapel near the entrance tothe school and the importance

placed upon chapel services em-phasise the prominence givento Christian teaching.

In keeping with the ethos ofSaint Andrew’s, the schoolchapel plays an important rolein developing the spiritual lifeof every boy.

The school has a full-time An-glican chaplain and all learnersare required to attend dailyservices. Boarders worship atcommunion and evensong ser-

vices on Sundays. Arrange-ments are made for boys of oth-er denominations to attendtheir own churches for week-end services. The chaplain isactively involved in preparingboys for confirmation.

Pastoral care of learners at StAndrew’s has the highest prior-ity and youth groups, both for-mal and informal, support theneeds of the young men in theircharge.

Pastoral carea priorityChapel closely linked to school

Daily assembly in the chapel. Photos: SUPPLIED

‘‘I firmly believe that if thechapel remains the heartof Saint Andrew’s, we canonly go from strength tostrength.— STEFAN HALLER (AN OLD ANDREAN)

The Saint Andrew’s chapel.

The choir procession during the 150th celebration ceremony.

A beautiful statue outside the chapel of the olderSaints pupil encouraging a younger boy. Photo: SUPPLIED

bylae tot volksblad oor st. andrews-skool in bloemfontein

Documents

school flag

school community

school emblem

school used buildings

saint andrews fun runwalk

youngdiocesan grammar

oranje girls school

school chaplains conference