Rector’s eNews 32: 14 October 2026

It has been an especially busy past week with several significant occasions. I hope that next week will be calmer and more routine as the boys begin to turn their attention to the end of year exams, but, having said that, the excitement of the past few days has also been very enjoyable and significant.

On Friday we celebrated our annual Speech Day at which we recognise in particular the achievement of the A Block boys – there are some other special prizes, but most of the prizes for younger years are made at the Prize Giving which happens earlier in the year. Our Guest of Honour was Professor Bonang Mohale, who was most gracious and generous in the time he spent with us.

Please click here for the full list of prize winners.

Speech Day marks the official closing of normal routines for the A Block and they have now started their final IEB exams. They finished well and on Thursday and Friday they took the opportunity to savour their last hours together with a special breakfast at which they were given an excellent address by Andrew Davis, 2022 Senior Prefect, who shared some reflections of the lessons he had learned during his time at Michaelhouse – and how he had applied those lessons following school. It was great for the boys to hear from someone they much admired when they were new boys starting out in E Block. Friday concluded with House dinners at locations along the Midlands Meander where parents, boys and staff could gather in House groups to reminisce and celebrate the journey thus far.

On Sunday, we enjoyed welcoming grandparents to our special Grandparents’ Day at which they were hosted by their grandsons, received communion at a service in the Chapel and enjoyed entertainment provided by our Choirs, Orchestra and Jazz Band, as well as some thespians, before having lunch. It was a great opportunity for the young to bond with the not-so-young. A number of grandparents commented warmly on the opportunity to engage over the morning and early afternoon with their grandsons.

I am full of admiration for the calm and dignified manner in which our A Block finished their time with us. We have spoken a lot about finishing well, and I give a great deal of credit for the strong finish to the excellent leadership team led by Max Oliva and Rendani Nonge. They have been an excellent group and I wish them every success over these coming weeks as they write their exams.

On Monday saw the formal changing of the pupil leadership guard and Jaydon Jubber (McCormick) was announced to a raucous ovation from the school. Jaydon has long impressed us with his maturity, compassion and integrity. He is someone who has suffered significant setbacks with injuries at different times over recent years, yet each time he has overcome these disappointments with good grace, optimism and courage. The warmth of the reception at his announcement was a wonderful affirmation for Jaydon – the first McCormick boy to hold this office.

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