Rustenburg Schools’ Birthday Party

Rustenburg’s 120-year celebrations kicked off with a very special combined birthday party with Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School on 29 January.

Over 1300 girls dressed in their light blue school uniforms gathered on the High School hockey fields in an arch formation to celebrate this significant milestone. Rustenburg Junior classes were paired with their “big sister” High School classes who looked after them for the day.

Each Rustenburg girl donated a book that would be presented to Rustenburg High’s Afri-Twin, Mfuleni High School whose library was desperately in need of books. The donated books were all symbolically placed in a 120 formation on the field and each Rustenburg Junior class came forward to add their books to the formation. Each Rustybug received a 120 badge that could be worn with their uniforms throughout the year.

Headgirl, Samantha Culligan, welcomed everyone and the party only really kicked off when the cheerleaders took to the field and conjured some Rustenburg Spirit with a few war cries and a Mexican wave.

We were also lucky to have KFM Ground Patrol sharing in the festivities. Terence Mentor, Candice Botha and Kelly Pearce presented the muchanticipated balloon pop game to the girls. Each girl received a balloon to blow up and then pop together to loud fanfare as well as a few cries and shrieks from some little, some not-so-little girls and a few adults!

Girls who had their birthdays during the 120 celebration week were called forward to the giant cupcake presentation for the singing of Happy Birthday (in three languages: English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa). Cakes were distributed and the rest of the morning was spent celebrating together and having fun.

Principals Ms Di Berry and Ms Laura Bekker presented each other with framed gifts, celebrating Rustenburg’s history, which would be permanently displayed at the respective schools. Ms Bekker received an old photograph of Rustenburg House titled “Girls’ High School, Rondebosch” and a picture of the staff of 1903 with the very first principal, Ms Bleby. Ms Berry received a copy of a painting of Rustenburg House from 1832 painted by Sir Charles D’Oyly during a visit to the Cape of Good Hope. D’Oyly was a British public official and painter who spent his working life in India and died in 1838. Both principals said that the occasion was very special to them, because bringing together the two schools reminded them of Rustenburg’s shared history. “We also share more than just a uniform; we share a vision for the future.”

Founders’ Day Tea “Only four years after he had landed at the Cape, in the October of 1656, Jan van Riebeeck visited Rondeboschyn, an area below Devil’s Peak deriving its name from a contraction of ‘Ronde Doorn Bossien’ which referred to the round grove of thorn trees which distinguished it.

By 1663 a house was being built there and in 1664 reference was made in the journals and resolutions of the Dutch East India Company to the ‘Company’s House lying on the High road at Rondeboschyn.’ It was used as a guest house for high officials and visiting persons of importance and hence its name: Castle of Rest, or ‘Rustenburgh,” first appearing thus in the records of 1671.’ (Chapter 1 of “White stoep on the highway”, Ms Josephine McIntyre, 1994)

Who would have guessed that Rustenburg, a hive of activity and with its reputation for thorough hard work for 120 years, originally denoted Castle of Rest? Enjoying some moments of respite from the frenzy of Founders’ Day 120th celebrations were some very special Old Girls of the school who gathered to reminiscence and reconnect.

Ms Karin Evans (E 1974), now Senior House Mistress at Erinville Boarding House, said that it was wonderful to attend the Founders’ Day Tea, assembly and luncheon in the Thomson Hall afterwards. She explained the great feeling of pride that is associated with being a Rustybug, no matter how many years had passed.

The E class of 1954 celebrated their 60th reunion in 2014. Many E classmates of 1974 also gathered for the occasion of their 40th reunion. Both groups included Rustybugs who had travelled from almost every corner of the globe to return to their alma mater, some from as far afield as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Ninety-two honoured guests attended the afternoon function in the Thomson Hall. Joining them were three former principals: Ms Josephine McIntyre (1980 - 1991), Ms Mary van Blerk (1991 - 1999) and Dr Elizabeth Fullard (1999 - 2006). Stalwarts of the Rustenburg teaching staff were represented too: Ms Gillian Cockram (Needlework, English) and Ms Judith Gordon (née Stuart-Watson, English). Ms Averil Keller, President of the Rustenburg Old Girls’ Union, warmly welcomed those who had returned to celebrate the successes of the school in its 120th year.

Catering for the event was, once again, capably co-ordinated by Ms Anita Marshall (Consumer Studies) and the team from Bon Appetit.

This year there were many new features to see at the school. The new Mathematics and Physical Sciences Centre gave rise to comments of admiration and the splendour of the grounds stirred pride in how well kept and beautiful the school looked.

Ms June Suter (E 1946), from Pinelands, revealed that she had not missed a single Founders’ Day celebration since matriculating. Past principal, Ms Josephine McIntyre said that it was wonderful to celebrate 120 years of first-class education. “What has not changed about Rustenburg is the girls. The mix of pupils is different, but the confidence and enthusiasm which they exude is the same,” she added.

Cocktail Party for Past and Present Staff

Past and present staff from both Rustenburg High and Junior Schools attended a cocktail party on 30 January. This memorable gathering was hosted by the Junior School. Both principals, Ms Bekker and Ms Berry, welcomed past and present staff, who all made significant contributions to Rustenburg through their dedication and passion for education. Ms Bekker emphasised that it is not the buildings that matter in the lives of children, but the dedicated teachers who make a real difference.

Past High School staff who attended included former principals Dr Elizabeth Fullard and Mrs Mary van Blerk. Also present were stalwarts Ms Diane Awerbuck (English), Ms Sally Michell (Geography), Ms Arlene Brown (Visual Art), Ms Ann Roux (Visual Art), and Ms Moraig McLeod (Natural Science and Head of Sport).

Past Principal Dr Fullard said that the many 120 celebrations were “wonderful occasions” and commented on the importance of marking milestones as a school so that each generation feels like they are part of it. “The years go by very quickly and when I think that my own daughter matriculated in 1993, the year before the centenary, I realise how very quickly the time goes,” she added.

Rustenburg Schools’ Cross Country event

On 26 June Rustenburg High and Junior pupils gathered to celebrate 120 years together, this time in a combined cross country race.

The high school hosted a 3km cross country race and a 1km fun run. Bright and early the five selected athletes per age group from the junior school arrived to join the high school girls. Each high school class had 10 representatives participating, with between 50 and 60 participants per age group. The runners felt a sense of achievement. All finishers gained points for their respective houses. Some even dressed up and ran the whole way in costume.

While the 3km cross country race was on the go, the rest of the junior school pupils walked two by two through the suburbs and under the subway to the high school. All pupils were resplendent in their assigned colours for the 1 km event, which was to prove the most entertaining event of the day. All the junior school children were paired with a high school buddy. The girls lined up, in their grades on the paving outside the hostel. The older and younger girls stood hand in hand, eagerly awaiting the start of the event. This run followed a different route, staying on campus. A staggered start was necessary, with groups leaving a minute apart. The high school girls had definitely underestimated their junior counterparts’ athletic abilities, as was seen when many of the seniors were left trailing in the distance or dragged across the finish line by their little sisters.