Rector’s eNews 16: 20 May 2026

This past weekend’s derby against St John’s College was, in the main, a resounding success. Standing in assembly on Monday morning, looking out at the boys, I felt an immense sense of pride in how our community showed up, competed, and represented the red and white.

It was wonderful to see the touchlines and courts vibrant with the presence of parents, grandparents, Old Boys, and Board members. To see our community turn out in such numbers, and virtually all sporting our school colours, speaks volumes about the spirit that defines Michaelhouse. Thank you for your unwavering support; it lifts the boys and creates an atmosphere that stays with them long after the final whistle.

A fixture of this magnitude does not happen by accident. An immense amount of work goes on behind the scenes, and I would like to publicly acknowledge the team that made it possible. Thank you to our organising and administrative staff for the seamless logistics, the endless hours of planning, and for ensuring that a massive touring party moved and operated like clockwork. Thank you also to our housemasters, coaches and managers for your time, your leadership, and your unwavering support of the boys throughout the weekend. Your dedication to their holistic development on and off the field is much appreciated.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Gauteng-based parents for their immense generosity in hosting the boys. This fixture could not happen without your help.

I extended a massive thank you to the boys on Monday. They gave a fantastic account of themselves. A particular highlight was the special Chapel service on Friday afternoon, where the St John’s and Michaelhouse boys and staff came together and where our boys showed the St John’s community the sheer joy and passion with which we sing ‘Stars of the Morning’.

By and large, the boys’ behaviour both on and off the fields and courts was excellent. They played with grit, supported one another and embodied the true spirit of what it means to wear our badge. They should be incredibly proud of their efforts.

However, as we often remind the boys, excellence is a continuous journey. A successful weekend does not mean we look past the areas where we need to tighten up. I used Monday’s assembly to address one specific “work-on” from the trip, a standard that we must collectively reinforce.

The Michaelhouse greeting is a non-negotiable standard of our school where a Michaelhouse boy stands up to greet an adult. Whether it is a visiting parent, a teacher from another school, or a member of the public, our boys are expected to stand, remove their caps, make direct eye contact, and offer a polite greeting. This is not an archaic formality; it is a fundamental mark of respect that defines a gentleman. While many of our boys do this naturally, we noticed a few lapses over the weekend where boys remained seated while adults were standing nearby or walking past. We have challenged the boys to ensure this small but vital detail is ironed out, and I appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this expectation at home.

Overall, it was a superb weekend of sport and camaraderie. Let’s take these massive positives, build on them, and continue to strive for excellence in every sphere of school life.

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