Rector’s eNews 32: 16 October 2024
/ UncategorizedMany of the parents of matriculants were in Balgowan over the weekend to attend leavers’ dinners organised by each House and most of them were at our Speech Day held on Friday (click here for the list of prize winners). There were a number of favourable comments about the Speech Day and, in particular, about the Guest of Honour, Puno Solesho, who sang, recited her poetry and inspired the boys to seek to solve the problems before them and to be agents for positive change in Africa. Her delivery and enthusiasm were exceptional and her message uplifting.
You may have seen on the various media platforms that Michaelhouse has been selected by a leading UK Global Educational Consultancy Group, CarFax Education, and ranked amongst the top 150 independent schools in the world in 2024. They list Bishops in Cape Town as the only other South African school and several others in Africa and other world-renowned schools such as Eton, Harrow, Rugby and some in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. Earlier this year, Michaelhouse was included in the publication of another British-based journal, SPEARS, as one of the top 10 international schools and one of the top two schools in Africa, the other being a prep school, Pembroke, in Kenya. As I mentioned at Speech Day, I need to explain we are uncertain as to what, if any, data have been applied in making this choice, but it appears that the publications are impressed by the fact that over a long period of time our boys have gained acceptance for the top universities in the world and, indeed, have excelled at those universities with many achieving outstanding results, such as first class passes. It appears that our ethos and holistic education, along with the service activities in which the boys participate as a stepping stone to making a difference in the world have also impressed the editors of these publications. In any event, it is heartening that Michaelhouse has been recognised internationally in this way.
Starting with the C Block Journey, there is a leadership programme in place through the end of the C Block year and during the boys’ B Block year in which they have opportunities to experience some aspects of leadership preparatory to the selection of prefects and other leaders in their matriculation year. Boys and staff vote as a guideline for the selection of the Senior Prefect which begins the process.
Congratulations to Lerotholi Seeiso (Mackenzie) who has been elected Senior Prefect for 2025 and to Dominic Sesink Clee who has been elected as the Second Prefect as well as to the following who have been elected Heads of their Houses for 2025: William Ridl (Founders), Dominic Sesink Clee (East), James Bigalke (West), Koketso Bopape (Farfield), Oliver Davis (Tatham), Keagan Elliott (Pascoe), Lwandle Nzama (Baines), Rhys Barry (Mackenzie), Oliver Bruyns (Ralfe) and Takudzwa Ngorima (McCormick).
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