Rector’s eNews – 29 November 2023
/ Newsletters / Rector's eNewsWhen I look back on 2023 and the development of Michaelhouse over that time, there are many
things for which I am profoundly grateful and lead me to feel proud of our boys. Within the course
of any school year, there are many times when the success and wellbeing of the boys is evident and
there are also troughs such as when our families are bereaved or when we just didn’t quite reach our
objectives or goals in some areas of endeavour.
We certainly experienced one of the high points on Thursday when our matric boys completed their
examinations and took leave of Michaelhouse. It was heart-warming to see the pride on the faces of
the parents as their boys put on their Old Boys’ ties having sung Stars of the Morning for one last
time and walked out the Chapel, down the terraces and along Warriors Walk and out of the gates.
These boys had run the course and finished; they were ready to move on into the embrace of the Old
Boys’ Club which is one of the most closely-bonded groups of people in the world. For each and
every one of those boys, there had been struggles and moments of doubt, but also many triumphs.
That is typical of the passage of five years at Michaelhouse: in virtually all cases a steady
development with many achievements and also challenging experiences from which boys learn.
The end of a year often brings with it a time for reflection, a time for relaxation and family
togetherness. Because parents will be spending quality time with their sons, perhaps fishing or
braaiing or playing family board games, there is an opportunity for you to engage with your children
about their development as people. I wonder what has made your son most proud of himself this
year? The answer he gives allows for him to feel your pride in him. I wonder what he might think is
the thing that he would definitely have done differently? I wonder what qualities he has valued most
in his friends? I wonder what he might be thinking in terms of his approach to 2024 in the last few
days before he comes back to school?
My suggestion to parents is to use the opportunities which lengthy holidays provide to probe your
son on the direction he is taking in life and to try to engage in meaningful discussions in situations
where you and he are relaxed and able to share ideas.
Some boys below are pictured on their last day at Michaelhouse. Perhaps some of them had tears in
their eyes – they will try to pretend otherwise. Other boys are arriving at Michaelhouse in 2024 and
are full of eager anticipation for the important day that lies ahead of them.