Founders Weekend! And what a weekend it was!
It all started on Friday 3 June 2016 when we welcomed over 250 DHS Old Boys to a Special Old Boys Assembly. The Assembly for Old Boys , introduced by Head Master Mr Leon Erasmus when he arrived in 2013, has become an integral part of the Founders Day Celebrations. This year, on our 150th Anniversary, it was bigger and better than ever.
The ceremony, attended by Trustees of the Foundation, special guests, DHS staff and our boys, began with readings and prayers by the Head Prefects and included musical interludes by the Deo Fretus Singers and the Mambazo Singers. Certificates and leather bound copies of the DHS 150th Heritage Book were awarded by Mr Erasmus to Trustees of the DHS Foundation who are Old Boys that have made significant contributions to School over the years and have played an active role in the upgrading and development of the School’s infrastructure – Mr Chris Seabrooke, Mr Howard Buttery and Mr Stephen Saad (who was applauded in his absence). Mr Erasmus also recognised the contribution of Mr Mike Fennell and Mr Rob Mutch of the Foundation.
A new Mathematics prize, the Wadley Memorial Prize was introduced by Mr Keith Barnett and Party and Mr Winston Owen, Chairman of the Governing Body addressed the school. Mr Owen, an Old Boy (Class of ’89), highlighted the importance of the brotherhood at DHS that has been the pulse of School for 150 years. He voiced his pride in the boys that currently form the DHS body and thanked the Old Boys who continuously support DHS. He said, “the current young men at DHS look up to you, the Old Boys, and have enormous pride as they have seen and heard stories about your success and hope to emulate you.”
One of the highlights of the ceremony was a special 150th gift which was unveiled and presented to Mr Erasmus by Mr Hank Pike, the Durban Preparatory High School Headmaster. The gift of an exquisite mosaic of the DHS School badge was in recognition of the close relationship between the two schools which is so important to honour and remember. It was Mr A S Langley, the 4th Head Master of DHS, who founded DPHS in 1910. Four boys from Prep were in the audience and it was wonderful to have them join us.
The 1st XI Hockey and the 1st XV Rugby teams for the games against Maritzburg College on Saturday were then announced.
It was a solemn and dignified occasion. However, Mr Erasmus did warn everyone in attendance that once the formalities were completed, things would get a bit wild … and they did …
Scott Mathie, Old Boy (Class of 2000) and current DHS Head of Rugby, addressed the players, the DHS boys and Old Boys a in stirring, rousing and heartfelt talk about the small things, building blocks, wolves and DHS boys being men of character. Every person in that Hall stood and applauded him when he finished … wow, Scott, we all wanted to play for School on Founders Day!
Then the fun really started … our boys, led by the 1st XV and 1st XI and the war cry leaders, lifted the roof off the Hall with the School Song, the College Song and the War Cry. The spirit amongst the boys was tangible and fantastic to witness. The Brass Band came marching in and led the Old Boys down the red carpet and out the Hall while the whole School clapped and whistled and honoured them … an incredibly moving ceremony which everyone, particularly the Old Boys, will long remember.
Horsefly ‘til I die …