Meliores July 2013 by SacredHeartCollege

SACRED HEART COLLEGE EDUCATION WITH HEART THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS

FIRST EDITION | JULY 2013

MELIORES *Facti Sumus Meliores (see the back page for more information on the name of this publication)

Family Spirit | A Passion for Work | Simplicity | In the way of Mary | Presence

Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Who

COVER IMAGES Cover images by Bernard Weissenbacher EDITOR Bea Roberts CREATIVE Naomi Meyer PAPER Paper Cafe

THANKS TO the staff, parents and the alumni who contributed to the first edition of our Alumni Publication. MELIORES is owned and published by Sacred Heart College. The authors and contributors reserve their rights in regards to copyright of their work. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written consent of Sacred Heart College.

Family Spirit | A Passion for Work | Simplicity | In the way of Mary | Presence

Message from the Head of College

When I am asked about being the Head of Sacred Heart College, I often reply by explaining that I “stand on the shoulders of giants”. The heritage, traditions and history of this College can be felt at an almost instinctive level when you walk onto the property. If you close your eyes, you can hear the laughter and serious conversations of past students piled on top of the laughter and serious conversation of students before them and before them until the very stones seem to be imbued with the spirit that makes Sacred Heart College: Marist Observatory so special. I am very proud that we have been able to produce this first magazine targeted specifically at you upon whose shoulders we stand. As our country struggles with the adolescence of its democracy, I believe that Sacred Heart College stands as a beacon of what can be achieved – and that beacon shines brightest in the actions and lives of students who have graduated from here. We hear stories every day of the amazing things our past students are doing and this magazine is our attempt to capture some of those stories and share them with the rest of the world. You all belong to a unique and very special club, one that extends from the “Obs” days, when this school followed the traditions and practices of a boys’ only ‘rugby and riot’, to the hectic hiding in the classrooms and sleeping in the gym hall of the struggle years, through the days of euphoria, with the unshakeable belief that we were changing the world, and finally into the more sober realisation that our children are going into a world of ever incomprehensible complexity for which we have to find ways to prepare them. Whether you have gone on to transform the world of medicine or have made sure that you have provided a good home for your family, you have made us proud. We believe that each person is special and unique and as much as we celebrate the amazing achievements of our high flying remarkable ex-students, we celebrate just as strongly the daily effort of those of you who do not seek to play a role on the international stage but simply change the world for those around you. It does not matter where your story at Sacred Heart fits into that continuum, one overarching truth is that here you will have experienced an education unlike that of any other school in South Africa or the world. You are all part of that unending tale, stretching back to 1889. You have worn the blazer and done the hard work that allows you to proudly say that you are a member of an exceptional Alumni. We hope, in the future, to improve the way in which we communicate with you, remind you of your heritage and celebrate your success. We hope you enjoy this first edition and the editions that will follow and that you will share your story with us so that we can share it with the rest of the world. As you will see, the magazine starts by bringing you up to date on some of the exciting things that are happening and proceeds to look at some of the wonderful things that have been done by members of the Alumni. Finally, we ask you to consider to be part of a reunion programme at the school, finding the time to renew acquaintances and restore old friendships. If you have any suggestions or questions about this publication we invite you to email us and share your opinions with us. Without wasting any further time, I invite you to turn over the page – and enjoy. Colin Northmore Head of College

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inside 01 | Note from the Head of College

07 | Connect Connecting with Alumni | 07 Sacred Heart Alumni in the News | 15 Familiar Faces | 17

19 | Reunions 2013 Reunions | 19 2014 Reunions | 20

21 | Congratulations!

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SOME OF OUR CURRENT STARS We are proud of our young Springboks, academic and cultural stars. The stories below are of exceptional and talented young individuals.

“Kayle Wykes is an exceptional talent who can one day represent South Africa at the highest levels of professional golf.” Kayle Wykes, one of Sacred Heart College’s Grade 4 pupils, was selected to represent the S.A. Kids G o l f Te a m i n t h e E u r o p e a n Championships in East Lothian, Scotland on May 28 to 30, 2013. Kayle qualified for this event by participating in a tournament at the Bronkhorstspruit Golf Course, playing 36 holes over two days. Kayle’s exceptional scores over the two days earned him a place in the South African Kids Golf Team. He competed against more than 20 golfers in the 9-year age group for only two qualifying spots. He was very excited about playing in Scotland and was practising “double hard” so he could do his best. His family hosted a golf day on 28 April 2013 to raise the necessary funds for him to go to Scotland.

Francis Ovenden is sixteen years old and is in Grade 11 at Sacred Heart College. He started piano lessons with Dr Lorraine Joubert when he was five and continued under her tutelage until her death in 2009. He is now studying with Pauline Nossel and Professor Malcolm Nay from WITS. In September 2006 he won First Prize for Piano 9-10 years in the Philip H Moore Music Competition. In December 2008 Francis went to Germany at the invitation of Prof. Ulrich Urban of the Leipzig Conservatory to give a series of recitals at various music schools in eastern Germany. Since 2008 he has participated every year in the Johannesburg Festival for the Advancement of Music and has been awarded several trophies for his performances. In August 2012 Francis was asked to play at Wits in one of the Wednesday lunch hour concerts hosted by the Music Department. In September 2012 Francis was invited to open one Professor Malcolm Nay’s Sunday morning Concerts.

Five Grade nine learners were selected for the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists to be held at the Science Auditorium at WITS on the 3rd August. Our young science whizzes (in no particular order) are Prashil Daya; Cassidy Wood; Carol Els; Sean O’Shea; and Paul Stansell. The experiments that the learners will be presenting range from whether fingerprints of blood relatives have any similarities; investigating germinating seeds in a simulated martian atmosphere, and the bumpless speed hump, among other exciting topics. The projects will be judged independently by experts in their fields and teachers. Certain participants will be selected to represent the Johannesburg Region at the South African International competition held in Boksburg later in the year. The aim of the expo is to help develop scientists that are able to identify a problem, analyse information, find solutions and communicate findings effectively.

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THE SACRED ARTS FESTIVAL On Thursday 6 June and Friday 7 June, the Sacred Heart College school bell was switched off and the curriculum was suspended to accommodate two exciting days of workshops, outings and activities for the High School learners. The College’s annual Sacred Arts Festival celebrates the arts and acknowledges the crucial role they play in the development of children. This year’s festival extended the curriculum in many ways: there were workshops on performing arts and fine arts, baking, music, photography, crafting and drumming. Groups could learn the art of A Capella singing, visit an art gallery or watch a live performance in their school hall. The performance by a group of Wits students living with different disabilities, exposed the silent disabilities that challenge all of us. This highlighted one aspect of the ‘blindness’ that was the theme of the festival. A creative collaboration enhanced learners’ awareness of human rights, asking, ‘What am I blind to?’ and ‘Would my perspective change if I opened my eyes and really looked at the things that I tend to avoid?’ The Sacred Arts Festival incorporated an art installation, Cry of the Iris, launched by Pretoria High School for Girls. On a square piece of paper, learners wrote a response to human rights issues such as woman abuse and rape. They then crafted the paper into origami irises and planted a field of irises on the school grounds, donating money to charity with each flower planted. The paper irises will be passed on to other schools to raise the voice of human rights. In 2014, this project will become international. Cry of the Iris empowers young people and raises their awareness of human rights. Sacred Heart College also implemented a ‘Save the Rhino’ campaign during the festival. Learners created postcards depicting the story of the Rhino’s struggle. These postcards will be sent to President Zuma to profile the plight of the Rhino. The learners enjoyed workshops by professionals in their fields. The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative presented a Dance Tracks programme to the school, followed by workshops in mime, physical theatre and dance. Learners were engrossed in special make-up effects workshops managed by the Kryolan Professional Make-up team – a group serving theatre, film and television with professional make-up around the globe. To their horror, staff and parents saw learners sporting horrifyingly realistic-looking injuries at the end of the day! Thami Khemese from the Soweto String Quartet wowed learners with his A Capella workshops, and WITS Drama for Life and Themba Interactive Companies brought a social consciousness angle to the workshops with their applied theatre techniques. Daniel Buckland and Kyla Davis from the Well Worn Physical Theatre Company presented a masks workshop and an intriguing masked performance of the "Lost Couple", who wandered around school to the astonishment of learners. The Sacred Arts festival equipped our young artists with the necessary skills and knowledge to embrace and enter the world of film, television and theatre. Their fascinating experience at the Sacred Arts Festival helped the learners of Sacred Heart College to remember that the arts are an essential ingredient in seeking solutions to the problems posed by everyday life.

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CONNECTING INTERNATIONALLY WITH PERFORMING ARTS Sacred Heart College has the unique opportunity to collaborate with schools internationally on the platform of performing arts. Sacred Heart College’s commitment and passion for the arts in education is reflected by two notable events on their busy cultural calendar: the TheatreLink project, and an appearance at the Crawford School’s Festival of Dramatic Excellence (FEDA) at the Joburg Theatre in May. FEDA was an exciting evening for the Grade 11 class who presented their play ‘The Gray Area’, produced as part of the TheatreLink project. No less thrilled to be part of this prestigious event were the cast and crew of ‘Choices’ – the winning House play written and directed by Grade 12 learner Nthabiseng Seane. The young thespians, delighted to perform in one of Joburg’s top professional theatre spaces, performed with passion and commitment. ‘Choices’ had already wowed its first audience in February of this year, and at FEDA it scooped the award for best script, and two awards for acting – to George Mokoena and Dylan Barry. ‘The Gray Area’, directed and performed by Grade 11 learners, also received a pair of acting awards – for Balin Benissan and Waseem Jadean as the entertaining comic relief policemen. ‘The Gray Area’ was written by Ashland High School in Oregon, USA, as part of the TheatreLink project. TheatreLink is a project of the Manhattan Theatre Club based in New York. Sacred Heart College is privileged to be one of three international schools taking part in the programme, with only 20 schools in total participating worldwide. TheatreLink enables students in geographically remote locations to study and create theatre together. The process encompasses a full term. In phase one, each participating class studies a play produced by Manhattan Theatre Club, then writes an original play inspired by the prescribed text. In phase two, each class sends its play to a partner school, which produces it. Each class is thus the author of one play and the producer of another. During the production phase students learn about and are assigned theatre jobs (actor, stage manager, or designer). Those schools that have video conferencing technology can use it to provide students with live, real-time interaction with their teaching artist and their partner school. At the project’s culmination, the author school, the producer school, and their teaching artist use video conferencing to view, then discuss, the live, streamed performance. The process is guided by the Manhattan Theatre Club’s New York City-based teaching artists, who confer and collaborate with classroom teachers and communicate with the students through the site. “It’s an amazing process for the learners,” says Sacred Heart College drama teacher Tamara Schulz. “Not only do they get this cross-cultural experience, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity for them to go through the entire play-making process, from writing through to directing, acting, designing and doing the technical work. They go through the process of writing a play, then they have to hand that over to a partner school and direct a whole new script – they take responsibility as a group for bringing the play alive.”

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AT THE FOREFRONT OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS Sacred Heart College is opening the minds of learners to a vast array of the latest technology to prepare learners for new concepts and future careers. Sacred Heart College has implemented lessons and external sources to educate its learners about 21st century skills. One example is Apple Core iSchool’s visit to the school in October 2012. During this session Sacred Heart College was introduced to the concept of Demibooks. Demibooks are created by the use of a programme called Composer to develop interactive iPad books that illustrate stories in an exclusive way. These iPad stories are accompanied by colourful illustrations, animations, sound effects, background sounds and voice-overs. Mr. Colin Northmore, Head of College, took an interest in Composer during Apple’s presentation. Karen Hart agreed to frequent the school and teach high school learners how to use the programme. Karen is the founder of ‘Picster Books’, a small company that publishes interactive application ‘storybooks’ in Apple and ebook format, utilising Composer. As someone who has successfully created a new career, and a job that did not exist six months ago, she is energized by the opportunity to steer the learners in the right direction for an ever changing, exciting future. “The future is transgressing in the direction of iPad-type utensils,” says Karen, “and they are a brilliant teaching method.” It is essential for learners of today to be acquainted with skills such as Composer that broaden their knowledge about technology. Karen presented the concept of Demibooks to the Grade 7s in the high school Media Centre auditorium on the school’s Apple Television, an appropriate platform for the purpose. Learners mentioned that learning to create applications and using Composer is “challenging but fun”. The students are learning fast and with enthusiasm, as Composer is a visual and interactive tool, which learners can adopt to develop their own inspired projects. Educating with iPads and teaching learners the skills to create their own applications is a learning curve that enables learners to be collaborative with an interactive project. The Composer lessons assist learners to publish their own animated Demibooks that can be used in a number of subjects for varying projects, and can even be sold at iStores. Demibooks has provided a platform for Sacred Heart learners to broaden their knowledge of innovative and emerging technologies.

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Connect

CONNECTING WITH ALUMNI

WHERE ARE YOU, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO, AND WHAT DRIVES YOU? Sacred Heart College’s alumni are diverse, driven, fascinating and fun – and never afraid to be different. We have interviewed some of our past students from all walks of life. Here are their stories.

CINDY NIKEN, CLASS OF 2004 in the past. Nevertheless, I accepted the post and my career as an educator began.

I began my life at Sacred Heart College in 1989 as a 3-year old in the blue group. I moved through the primary school from 1992 to 1999; a period where I met the friends that I am still in contact with today. The College was an environment that encouraged me to live, learn and grow, and it played an integral role in developing the person that I am today. Throughout my school career at the College, I was obsessed with all the different sports offered, and got involved in everything that I could. Ultimately, I found my strengths in swimming and hockey. I was proud to have been taught and coached by some of the best, and credit them for igniting my passion for sport and physical fitness. I matriculated in 2004 and, through the commitment and dedication of the outstanding academic staff at the time, I attained my desired results and was able to pursue the course of study that I had planned on. I began studying at the University of Johannesburg in 2005, and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Communication in 2009. During my studies, I was offered a coaching position at the College, which I gladly accepted. It was incredible to be able to work alongside some of the teachers who inspired me during my school career. I coached swimming, hockey, tennis and athletics for both the primary and high school during this period, and was able to put the theory I was learning into practice. It was a shock to me when, in 2009, I was offered a teaching job in the Physical Education department at the College. Teaching was never a career option for me, and I was concerned that I would not be able to live up to the standards that I had known from teachers

A young, inexperienced and extremely nervous teacher was now faced with grade 7 to grade 12 learners. It was incredibly tough dealing with young people’s mood swings and personality types, and trying to approach difficult situations in the most professional way possible. However, I dug my heels in and stuck it out, realising that, with time, they would grow to respect and appreciate my position as an educator. Needless to say, I am still teaching Physical Education at the College in 2013, and learning every day to appreciate each child for who they are. Whilst learning to become a teacher in practice, I also decided to qualify as a teacher academically by studying a post-graduate certificate of education at the University of Johannesburg. I completed this quest in 2011, and added English and Physical Education to my list of expertise. Being a student at the College and then teaching at the College has given me two very different perspectives of the nature of the school. However, in exploring the vast differences, I have also come to realise that there is one critical element that Sacred Heart College has enriched my life with: acceptance. As a scholar, I learnt to accept the people around me without judgement, regardless of race, culture or religion. In the same way, as an educator, I have learnt to accept each child and their unique qualities by understanding and empathising with difficulties that they may face. I value this trait and the environment in which it was instilled in me because I believe it is a rarity. In learning to accept and value another person for who they are and where they come from, I have become empowered in being able to learn and grow as an individual. I am proud to be a part of the Marist community and am grateful for the opportunities that this remarkable institution has afforded me. To the present students, parents, staff and alumni: embrace the Sacred Heart College experience and in meliora contende!

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Connect Class of 1989 Owns a business specialising in performance consulting

CINDY COEHLO How did Sacred Heart College affect your choices and directions? Undoubtedly Sacred Heart College has had a big influence on me. The strong ethos of family and community, as well as the respect we learned for diversity, culture and heritage has stood me in good stead throughout my career and various roles as local and global team member and leader. In all facets and phases of my life, the lessons of empathy and caring that we learned through the various charitable initiatives Sacred Heart College involved us in were invaluable. Throughout my school career I was fortunate to have many excellent teachers. Strong role models who ultimately led to my passion and interest in Education. At the start of my career I had the privilege of teaching at Sacred Heart College for a few years before deciding to take on new and varied challenges. Do you have any pleasant and/or comical memories of Sacred Heart College? Please share them. Sure. My school days are remembered with great fondness. The fun we had being involved in Mrs Foox’s fabulous drama productions. Holy Communion preparation with Mrs Giampaolo. The pride in representing Benedict at sports days and galas. Mrs Giuricich’s well led and organised annual school fetes. The always energetic and positive Mrs De Gouveia’s traditional Portuguese dancing lessons. Round robin tennis matches. Half time netball and hockey game oranges. High school crushes. ‘La très gentile’ Madame Holdstock. Gertie the old, beloved bus, Freddie the dog, the haunted bell tower, singing in the Old Chapel Theatre. Thursday’s macaroni and cheese from the tuckshop. The majestic trees in the orchard and on the fields. The good times and camaraderie we experienced at class camps and swim tours. Brilliant Mrs Sandham’s patience with me during Maths classes. Cake sales, school discos, the senior quad fountain and fishes. Beloved Mrs Zungu’s wisdom. Mr McGurk’s sense of humour and classroom antics. Civvies days. Mrs Denompont’s Standard 9 matric dance committee. The quiet sanctity of the chapel. All my wonderful team and class mates… So many warm and positive memories! What inspired you to become what you are today? ‘In meliora contende’, our school’s motto, has been a key driver of what continues to inspire me today.

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Throughout high school I clearly remember Mrs Kriel always encouraging us not to settle for mediocrity, to reach higher, to try harder. For me this directly influenced all my varied career moves, experiences and achievements. Striving for better things, both for myself and others, is reflected in my personal brand and forms an integral part of my work ethic What are your plans in furthering your career? My time at Hatch* was filled with wonderful opportunities both locally and internationally. Hatch is an environment where I flourished and continued to apply and improve on the basics that I learned at school. My learning curve has been phenomenal. It is now time for something new…. In my quest to share my local and international industry and project skills and experiences, as well as to be exposed to other organisations and learn more from ‘those in the know’ in different sectors and environments, I have decided to take on a new challenge and start a business specialising in performance consulting. I am looking forward to this next chapter in my career. What advice do you have for the learners at Sacred Heart College? You hear this time and again, but I feel it’s well worth echoing: Treat others as you would want to be treated in return – start now. In planning your path in life take heed of what Madiba once wisely said, “I am the master of my fate and the captain of my destiny”. It is up to you to make things happen and create your own happiness. Very importantly, ‘in meliora contende’ – strive for better things! *Hatch is a global consulting firm that supplies engineering, project and construction management services to the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure industries.

Connect Class of 1989 Award-winning Author

MARIA PHALIME

I didn’t know what to expect that first morning when I walked onto the Yeoville campus of Sacred Heart College. It was 1981 and I had just come from a local school near my home in Soweto. Change is always scary, but this was no ordinary change – it was a monumental leap into an unknown world, and I felt both excited and anxious. Would I fit in? How easily would I be able to make friends? What about the language barriers? By the time I left in 1990, all those initial anxieties had well and truly disappeared. I was leaving a wellloved home where my talents had been nurtured, where I’d formed life-long friendships, and where my eyes had been opened to the myriad opportunities that lay before me. How do I even begin to express the gratitude that I feel for the ten years that had such a profound impact on my life? I have many fond memories of my time at Sacred Heart: the hours spent designing Matric Dance dresses in class when we should have been paying attention to the lessons; the annual school fetes that were a celebration of the diversity of the school community; Portuguese prego rolls – my favourite – on the tuckshop menu on Thursday mornings; the startling contradiction in Dr Hyam’s meticulous attention to detail when she was teaching Maths and her apparent lack of attention to the speed limit as she drove her newly acquired Golf GTi to school…

Of course there were a few hiccups along the way. Like the time at the Standard 9 camp when a group of us were caught trying to sneak into the boys’ dormitory at night. The embarrassment that I felt when Brother Peter shone his torch, exposing our poorly executed plan! I was convinced that we’d be expelled the following day. I learned a lot during my time at the school. Sure, there was Maths, Science, Geography and so on, but more than that I learned the important lessons that would enable me to chart my own course in life: honesty, integrity, courage and the value of hard work. After Matric I studied at the University of Cape Town where I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1993 and a Medical degree in 1999. I practiced as a doctor for a short time before leaving the medical profession to pursue other interests. It was my class teacher in Standards 8 to 10, Mrs McLaren, who first encouraged my writing; I hope that she will read this and know that now I am an award-winning author. In Meliora Contende – Strive for Better Things. I wore the school’s motto on my blazer every day, so I guess its essence must have sunk into my subconscious because this is how I live my life striving for better things. I am forever grateful to Sacred Heart for that valuable lesson.

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Connect Class of 1993 Financial Controller in London

NICOLE COLL (NEE FOSTER)

On leaving Sacred Heart in 1993, having spent from Grade 1 to Matric at the school, I studied commerce at WITS to complete my South African Chartered Accountancy qualification. I returned to the school in 2000 to get married in the school chapel, which seemed especially poignant given my Catholic upbringing and longstanding roots at the school and in the Observatory area, always having lived within blocks of the school. In many ways this was also a fitting farewell, as I then moved abroad to live in New York and London with my husband. I have furthered my professional qualifications in accountancy in the USA and UK whilst working as a senior finance professional in the financial services sector. I now live just outside London with my husband and two children. Within months of arriving in NYC I found my life turned upside down by the events of 9/11. Working as an auditor for Deloitte, my main client was Cantor Fitzgerald, based on the 101st floor of the World Trade Centre. Thankfully I was on holiday in South Africa at the time, however, on my return I worked tirelessly on disaster recovery efforts, having lost in the attack most of the colleagues I had worked with. This difficult experience forced me to draw on my religious and spiritual values instilled whilst at school and by my parents, notably of compassion and dignity for those that had suffered tremendous loss. In September last year I took my own son to his first day at school and was overwhelmed by the hope that he too would enjoy a school experience that was as happy and fulfilling as my days at Sacred Heart – but, more importantly, that he would also have the wealth of opportunities and sense of inclusiveness that I had benefited from. I always remember my time at Sacred Heart College as being very busy, reflective of the school

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community atmosphere and wide variety of activities that one could participate in, and whilst academic excellence was of utmost importance I always remember being encouraged to take part in everything, from the student council to debating, hockey, young historians, edu-train and the French student exchange programme. The days were always jam-packed with extracurricular activities and one was always encouraged to give of one’s best, even when one wasn't necessarily the strongest member of the team. Academically, I excelled in subjects like History and French, whilst I battled on in Maths and Science with the help of Sacred Heart legends like Mrs Sandham, Mr McGurk & Mr Hollingworth. I always said I wanted to be an accountant, inspired in part by my father, but also because it offered a career with global opportunities, knowing that I saw myself travelling abroad. It was the supportiveness of staff like those mentioned above that made me believe that I could achieve anything with determination, no matter what my core strengths or weaknesses. Whilst at Sacred Heart I studied French and had the opportunity to participate in a student exchange programme to Reunion Island. At the age of 15, to go off and stay with a family for four weeks to improve one’s French, was a mind-blowing opportunity and definitely contributed to my desire to explore the world. On leaving school I continued my French studies in conjunction with my commerce degree and when I moved to London I joined a French company, which allowed me to speak French every day in my working life and certainly contributed to my career advancement within a very French organisation. This is a very practical example of how my time at Sacred Heart affected my future direction and how my dynamic education helped educate me for life in a broad range of skills in later life, quite distinct from my chosen professional path in finance. “In Meliora Contende” is a motto that has stayed with me for life alongside a carpe diem can do attitude, and it is certainly my educational foundation at SHC that has enabled me to know no bounds in my global career and personal aspirations.

Class of 1998

Connect

Senior Attorney for the Centre of Environmental Rights in Cape Town One of the Mail&Guardian's 200 Young South Africans for 2013

DINA TOWNSEND

My name is Dina and I’m a lawyer.

4. Everything is worth arguing about

As a parent choosing my daughter’s school, I weigh up a world of considerations: I consider its programmes, I scrutinise the art on the walls. Religious or secular? Private or public? And all the time I am painfully conscious of the injustice of this privilege. For most learners, South Africa’s education system offers horrifically little, with few teachers and fewer resources. I think about my parents choosing schools for me and my brother in the 1980s. They faced very different complexities – those associated with educating two small children in an apartheid state. Sacred Heart, with its mixed race student body and its revolutionary point of view, must have felt like an oasis in a desert of whites-only schools. For me, an 8-year old girl first walking through the gates, it was revolutionary.

5. Some things are right and some things are wrong.

I’m a mining lawyer, by the way, by which I mean I fight mining. Not all mines. Just mines that violate human and environmental rights. So just about all mines. In this country “human and environmental rights” are the same thing, as they should be. South Africa has an extraordinary and revolutionary Constitution. But these days, to say that human rights should come before mining is considered counter-revolutionary. Five revolutionary lessons I learnt at Sacred Heart College: 1.I’m Jewish (not in some profound sense – my teacher had to check the school record when I signed up for confirmation class) 2.I’m an activist 3.I’m not an athlete

The class of 1998 consisted of geniuses. It was this group, including Semane Parsons, Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon, Neshan Dinat, Mma-tshepho Mokgogo, Conor Ralphs, Keitu Gwanga and Asha Chita, who made my adolescence bearable and taught me how unpredictably funny and fascinating people can be. A great day was the day Dinah Dube called the students to a protest rally on the top field. I can’t remember what we were protesting, but she held a meeting with the principal and then, claiming victory, said we could go back to class. At least that’s how I remember it. These were the early years of democracy and the revolutionary spirit was strong at Sacred Heart. We thought we were at the best school in the universe. Rumours spread that the school had secretly housed ANC members, fleeing the secret police, in the old pool house. School was shut down for a day while the police looked for a bomb. Nelson Mandela kept popping in and making time to hug the children that would form lines at his feet. Our teachers kept leaving to help create a new democratic government. There were revolutions in the classrooms too. Ms Roux, Ms Oates, Mr Hollingworth, Mr Matherpike and Mr Lowry (and my remarkable standard 9 maths teacher whose name, to my shame, I cannot remember) taught by letting us think and allowing pleasure, joy, fascination and other such subversive feelings to grow in their students.

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Connect Class of 1999 Promotes and develops visual arts in South Africa

SARA HALLAT

Sara Hallatt is presently the Director of the Fordsburg Artists’ Studios, more fondly known as the Bag Factory. For more information on her organisation, please visit www.bagfactoryart.org.za or follow their Twitter handle BagFactoryArt or like their Facebook Page BagFactoryArt. “I joined Sacred Heart College in Grade 0 at the tender age of five in 1988, when the Junior School campus was located in Yeoville, across from the Catholic Church. We had the most fabulous animal yard and we gleefully played in our underwear in the sprinklers. Days of yore! In Grade 4 we graduated to the ‘big’ campus in Eckstein Street. We all felt super important. We used to stand in the quadrangle in the Junior School and sing Nkosi Sikelele iAfrica every morning before we started school. It wasn’t until I left the school the following year that I learnt that that was not South Africa’s national anthem. Sacred Heart was progressive in both its politics and its education, something you don’t grasp at the age of nine. My parents wanted to give me an opportunity to experience the country as it really should be and the non-segregated model that epitomised Sacred Heart allowed me to do just that. It became a cliché in the late 90s for white people to say, “My best friend is black!”; while I was at Sacred Heart it was true. The Sacred Heart Alumni are extremely diverse and open-minded. After four years of being away from Sacred Heart my parents offered me an opportunity to return. The last three years of high school were the best of my life. I had a dynamic bunch of friends who worked and played hard and teachers who had such patience with us and really cared about our potential to succeed in life. I became so close to my drama teacher that I decided, probably not so wisely,

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to study drama when I completed matric. quickly realised that I was not going to be the next Oscarwinning actress from South Africa and so I moved my focus to directing, which included a half major in Stage Management, whereafter I started to work for one of South Africa’s 100% black-owned events management companies under the tutelage of ex Mr South Africa, Paul Phume. During my five years at blackmagic communications I worked my way up the events ladder from production assistant to production manager. In May 2006 I joined VWV, one of the country’s largest below-the-line marketing agencies, where I produced events in Las Vegas, Mauritius, Zambia, Kenya, Gabon and Nigeria. In 2009 I was made Assistant to the Project Director of both the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This was a momentous experience, being part of something much, much bigger than myself. I stood on the edge of the soccer field watching history unfold. I realised that I wanted to be part of that history. I left the corporate world and in March 2011 was appointed the director of the Fordsburg Artists’ Studios, one of South Africa’s foremost visual arts institutions. The organisation has been the springboard for many of South Africa’s greatest artists, including Helen Sebidi, Sam Nhlengethwa, David Koloane, Penny Siopis and Kay Hassan. Apart from our regular programmes, our current focus is to develop an art gallery and museum-going culture in the youth of today. Museums and galleries provide the opportunity to further everyone’s learning in a dynamic and interactive way.

Connect Class of 2002 Managing Director

SIVENE LOLWANA

Sacred Heart College gave me the best 12 years of formal and social education I could ever have asked for. I started at SHC as a scrawny, crooked toothed 7-year old way back in 1991 (funny, my mom still has my Grade 1 blazer to this day). I later matriculated a well-adjusted young man ready to take on the world. There are very few schools, if any, as culturally diverse and accepting as SHC. During my time at SHC I met friends I still speak with daily. I loved my sports, especially soccer and cricket, and captained a few teams, as well as being House Captain of Benedict in primary and high school. I was also a Learner Leadership Council (LLC) member. From the orchid games like running red rover and marbles, to Mindworks, to plays like Bugsy Malone (I was Lieutenant O’Dreary) and Iliad (King Priam), to the fetes, the 24-hour runs, Inter-Catholic athletics meets, Winter Sports Tours and the “mad scientist” experiments in Mr. Hollingworth’s lab, Sacred Heart gave me a great rounded foundation in life. Having left school pretty undecided in terms of a career path, I found myself at the University of the Witwatersrand, as so many SHC alums do. I tried my hand at actuarial sciences, and economics, before landing in the built environment completing a bachelor of science in property studies as my

undergrad degree. As of this year (2013) I am busy completing my master’s degree at Wits in property as well. Today I run two property businesses that I founded, one in development consulting and the other in investment and management. I also have a beautiful young family, including my fiancée (also an SHC alumna), and our daughter and son. I don’t think I could have imagined I would be where I am today when I was a learner at SHC. But that is what SHC does so well. It gave me the ability to think outside the box, and also not to be afraid to be unconventional. It fostered a culture of bold individuals, and can be seen in the many entrepreneurial alumni of SHC. We all walk very differing paths, but that is because SHC taught us to brave enough to do so. Sacred Heart College was, and still is a great school. We hope to send our kids there when they are old enough. The teachers are great. The environment and culture are awesome. Not much more can be said about the school I called home for 12 years. The years seemed long at the time, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

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Connect Class of 2003 Connect Creative Director and Owner of Green Robot Design

KGOMOTSO MAUTLOA

I think they are happy that we are in the same field. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Can you share some exciting facts of your career as a creative?

How did Sacred Heart College affect your choices and directions? Sacred Heart played an immense role in many of the decisions I've made in the past, from my career path and my attitude to the work I do which have all shaped the person that I am today. I was very fortunate that my parents afforded me the opportunity to attend a school where my opportunities were endless, friends were abundant and avenues were easily opened. It was truly a blessing to attend such a prestigious school. Do you have any fond and/or comical memories of Sacred Heart College? Please share them. I wouldn't say that this was a comical moment but it resonates the most. I think it was Matric year and we were left alone in one of the classrooms upstairs. We were supposed to study but instead we mucked about for about two hours before the deputy principal came to reprimand us. She spoke to us for close to 20 minutes, she said that we were possibly the most unruly class she had ever seen. What stood out the most was what she ended with, she said "if you guys don't pull up your socks, you'll end up nowhere, as nobodies, you should feel privileged to be sitting in those seats", she said a few more things but I won't get into that... What inspired you to become what you are today? I think for the most part my parents. They are both contemporary artists so creativity has always been in my blood. Both my sister and I are in the creative industries. With liberal parents we were both given the opportunity to choose our preferred careers,

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The most exciting and probably the most thrilling part is that I get to create new work everyday, no one day is the same â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that's what gets me up in the morning. The endless opportunity to give art life and to craft work that people will see and hopefully enjoy pushes me to do better. What are your plans in furthering your career? I'd really love to go back to school to further my education. I think education is key, one never stops learning. Other than that I would like to see my company go to further heights. What advice do you have for the learners at Sacred Heart College? You should study hard, choose your careers carefully and, most importantly, work hard. Hard work always pays off.

Connect Class of 2002 Renowned Actor and Musician

WANDILE MOLEBATSI IN THE NEWS South Africa and the world are still shell-shocked by the tragic death of model/reality TV star Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot by her Paralympian boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius ... and while our soap icons have the ideal platform to spread the message a g a i n s t v i o l e n c e a n d a b u s e against women, most have politely declined to comment or had the channel’s PR do so on their behalf. e.tv’s Alexia de Souza wrote: “The soapies (Rhythm City, Scandal) have previously carried strong storylines aimed at addressing issues such as domestic violence, rape and murder. We would, however, like to decline this interview opportunity as it would not be astute for any of our personalities to comment on these events before the necessary legal processes have been concluded.” Meanwhile, 7de Laan’s publicity and PR manager, Tsholofelo Modise, responded: “Unfortunately, none of our senior actors and actresses wants to comment on this issue. Some are friends with Oscar, others with Rapulana.” That they were merely asked, as part of this nation affected by the shocking turn of events, to share their feelings – not to pass any judgement – mattered none. And so the pussyfooting prevailed with fearless actors – Wandile Molebatsi, Blessing in M-Net’s The Wild, and Zolisa Xaluva, Jason Malinga in SABC1’s Generations – the only ones agreeing to comment in their personal capacity. These are two real stars, on and off screen. What were your initial thoughts when you learnt Pistorius had killed his girlfriend Steenkamp?

But I guess my parents have given me a very definite sense of where the anger comes from and I take on the feeling of uncertainty and fear with a measure of calmness and hope about the future of South Africa. My stance is often seen as naive and simple; but I have been a victim of crime; so have my family, so my feelings are not based on a ridiculous dream. It’s a fundamental sense of hope I have.” A prominent soap actor-cum-film-producer was charged with assault. Would you say this is becoming a serious problem among our celebrities? Molebatsi: “I don’t think it’s a problem with celebrities or sportsmen, it’s a problem with the entire country.” What advice would you give to someone when their temper/jealousy threatens to get the better of them?

Molebatsi: “It just didn’t seem possible. I know the media can paint people in a certain way and every time I have seen interviews of, or comments by Oscar, he comes across as a genuine, level-headed young man. It really has not sunk in. It seems a terribly sick joke.”

Molebatsi: “Anger is something we all need to deal with every day. I am always stunned at the reaction I get on the roads. Road rage is a symptom of the high tempers in the country. When I am furious and want to vent, I take myself away from people and think about what I am upset about. I find silence and being alone helps to calm me down. Always talk to someone when you have calmed down.”

In light of speculation again that South Africa is a battlefield, have you ever felt unsafe?

What are your thoughts on having a gun for protection?

Molebatsi: “This is an incredible country. There is deep and severe inequality that is being addressed. The reality is that, until we have true and meaningful equality, there will be violent crime. I have felt unsafe and that feeling is very difficult to ignore.

Molebatsi: “That’s a never. If you are not a trained police officer or a member of the SANDF, you have no reason to have a gun in your possession.” Saturday Star, February 2013

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Connect Class of 1993 Top Plastic Surgeon

DR RIDWAN MIA IN THE NEWS

Doctor Ridwan Mia has probably realised many of his life-long dreams with an illustrious career and string of successes as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. But there is still one thing he wants to accomplish, and that is to build a laboratory where skin can be cloned for burn victims. The award-winning doctor was thrust into the spotlight after he helped spearhead the revolutionary skin graft operations for Isabella “Pippie” Kruger and Celiwe Maseko. Both girls suffered severe injuries after freak accidents at their homes. Speaking to the Saturday Star this week, Mia, 37, said it was possible for South Africa to clone skin similar to the way scientists at the Genzyme Centre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, did it. “We are all able to grow skin on a Petri dish. But to have a lab of this magnitude in the country would ensure that costs involved in skin procedures are less.

the lab in Boston. It has specialised lifts and is glassed off. You can’t have contamination. It’s treated as a sensitive area.” Mia, who studied medicine at Wits University and worked on numerous trauma cases at state hospitals, said the ideal location for the lab would be Joburg or Cape Town. He said skills were present in these cities and airports would be in close proximity to the lab. “To transport the skin would not only be easy for us but we could help patients in other African countries.” Speaking about his experiences with the operations on Pippie and Celiwe, Mia said it was “emotionally draining”. “Because they are young children it takes a lot out of you. I’ve got young nieces and nephews and having to treat these kids was emotional for me.

“Skin has a 24-hour viability. Placing it in flights from Boston to Joburg could have an adverse impact on it. Ensuring that it arrives at the hospital from the airport uncompromised is also an important factor. All of these logistics cost a lot of money,” said Mia.

“It was also equally satisfying, though.”

His medical surgeries on Kruger, 3, and Maseko, 5, were hailed as a success. Kruger sustained 80 percent degree burns two years ago to most of her body, while Maseko sustained serious burns to her legs, thighs and upper body.

He and his team had planned and rehearsed for the operation thoroughly. When it came to treating Celiwe, they were more than ready.

But what would it cost to have a hi-tech building with specialised equipment? Mia admits it does not come cheap. “It would cost R200 million. It’s quite a big building. I’ve been to

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Mia could still be considered quite a young doctor, but he is adamant that he was “ready for Pippie’s operation”.

“I am optimistic that with this lab we could treat many other conditions and ensure that hope is restored,” he said. Saturday Star, May 2013

Connect Class of 1964 Keith Brebnor Keith Norman Brebnor was at the top of his class at Marist Brothers Sacred Heart College, as it was then known. After matriculating in 1964 he went on to study a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Business Science at the University of the Witwatersand. Keith was a talented tennis player. For some time he was the Director of Cue Promotions Limited, he was a Committee Member for the International Tennis Tournament Association as well as the International Tennis Club, furthermore Keith was a registered tennis coach in South Africa and the United States. Today Keith is the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Johannesburg.

Class of 1991 Nkensani Nkosi As the Top Success Story of the Year in the Top Women in Business and Government Awards in 2005, and as the founder and creative director of Stoned Cherrie, Nkhensani Nkosi is one of South Africa’s most creative entrepreneurs. Nkhensani matriculated at Sacred Heart College in 1991, and completed a Bachelor of Arts. After graduating from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1994, Nkhensani became known as a gifted South African television personality, acclaimed actress and entrepreneur. She was the fresh African face hosting M-Net Face of Africa in 2000, judging the Coca Cola Pop Stars and copresenting Mojo on SABC TV. It was during the year 2000 that Nkhensani founded Stoned Cherrie, a renowned fashion brand.

Class of 1992 Hlomla Dandala Hlomla Dandala has a larger than life personality. He was awarded a Drama Blazer in Matric at Sacred Heart College. Dandala is a distinguished South African actor, television presenter a n d d i r e c t o r. Yo u m a y recognise him as Derek

Nyathi in Isidingo (1998 to 2001), in the feature films ‘Lord of War’ and ‘Sniper

Class of 1992 Katlego Danke Katlego Danke is a South African diva, actress and radio DJ who matriculated in 1996. She made an appearance at Sacred Heart College before the August 2012 holiday in order to greet Mrs. Roux before her departure. Katlego accomplished a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Performing Arts from the University of Cape Town. You may identify Katlego as Keketso Chaka in the soap opera on etv named ‘Backstage’, or as Dineo Mashaba, the magazine editor on SABC1’s Generations. Katlego is also skilled at theatre acting and is celebrated for her features in theatre

Class of 1997 Lebo Mashile Lebo Mashile moved the learners and teachers during an assembly held for Mrs. Roux’s farewell and a Women’s Day celebration in August 2012. Lebo matriculated in 1997 and then studied law at the University of the Witwatersrand before she decided that she needed to pursue a career in the arts. Lebo is perceived as one of South Africa’s leading poets. She is a woman with many talents. She is a singer, an actress, a life skills facilitator for adolescents, a presenter and a producer.

Class of 1998 Kim Craig Kim Craig, who was better known as ‘Kimmy’ to her peers at Sacred Heart College in her High School years, and particularly during her Matric year (1998), had the ambition to become a psychologist. She was highly talented at both netball and swimming; overall she was

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Connect an athletic young lady. There is more than meets the eye with Kim Craig; her sporty nature led her to become a South African beauty and stunt artist. Her strength and gymnastic abilities landed her a role as a stunt extra in the feature film ‘Lord of War’. Kim’s beauty landed her five international commercials and five national commercials, as well as an appearance in FHM’s calendar and ‘Deal or No Deal’.

Class of 2001 Pabi Moloi Pabi Moloi, (nicknamed ‘Pabi’ or ‘Pabs’ in High School) is a popular personality and name in South Africa. At the age of four Pabi Moloi appeared in BlackCat and Dairymaid adverts and she was a KTV Presenter in her teens. She matriculated at Sacred Heart College in 2001. Pabi has many talents, and is known as a TV presenter (the host of ‘Out of the Box’ on SABC3 in 2006 and ‘The Amazing Date’ on SABC1), a theatre actress and director (she has directed ‘The Coloured Museum’), a television actress (as Unathi in Soul City), a radio presenter (on 94.7 FM) and (as reported by the 2011 Feather Awards) the Style Icon.

Class of 2001 Nobunye Levin Not many can boast of being both an intellectual and a creative person. As a lecturer and an experimental filmmaker at the University of the Witwatersrand, Nobunye Levin, who matriculated in 2002, certainly can. Nobunye excels in experimental film and she enjoys video art and installation. Nobunye has been awarded a number of prestigious awards and nominations: she was featured in the Mail and Guardian’s “200 Young South Africans you must take to lunch” in 2010, and her 2009 short film named ‘I am Saartjie Baartman’ was aired at the 2010 Durban International Film Festival as well as having been selected at Germany’s 56th International Short Film Festival for the international competition section.

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Class of 2001 Linda Moeketsi Linda Moeketsi is a popular name, especially in Johannesburg. Linda is a renowned socialite and has established a name for himself at YFM as an account executive. at

Class of 2001 Lehasa Moloi

Lehasa Lee Moloi (nicknamed Jaz, Jefferson and Lee in High School) is one of South Africa’s rising stars. His ambition in 2004, in Matric, was to have a singing and acting career, which he undoubtedly achieved. Lehasa was highly involved in Sacred Heart College’s dramatic arts scene; he was a main role in a number of plays and the winner of numerous street rap competitions. After an aptitude test at Sacred Heart College Lehasa’s Life Skills teacher informed him that he could do anything that he wants to do. After having put some thought into that statement, Lehasa decided that he wanted to do everything, and the logical career path for him was acting. Since he made that decision, Lehasa has worked hard to become one of South Africa’s popular actors. He is known for his roles of P.J Luthuli in the 2010 feature film ‘Spud’, and Barman in the 2010 series ‘Wild at Heart’. Lehasa also plays roles in ‘Rhythm City’ and ‘Isidingo’.

Class of 2011

Lebohang (Naxion) Ntimane

Watch this space! Lebohang (Naxion) Ntimane is an up and coming DJ and promoter. Urban Breed Entertainment employed him in , straight out of high school. In order to advance his skills, Lebohang is currently studying at The Academy of Sound Engineering in Johannesburg.

Reunions

2013 REUNIONS CLASS OF 2003: 10 YEAR REUNION

We are coming together for a picnic on one of Sacred Heart Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fields on 7 September 2013. If you are interested in attending, please send your details to Ellen Howell: ellenh@sacredheart.co.za

CLASS OF 1963: 50 YEAR REUNION Come and enjoy a cocktail evening with us at Sacred Heart College 21 September 2013. If you are interested in attending, please send your details to Ellen Howell: ellenh@sacredheart.co.za

ARE YOU ON OUR DATABASE? SEND YOUR DETAILS TO ELLENH@SACREDHEART.CO.ZA https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacredheart-Collegealumni/351946768172864 http://twitter.com/SHCAlumni Sacred Heart College Alumni

If you and your fellow classmates are interested in planning a reunion for your year in 2013, contact Ellen Howell at ellenh@sacredheart.co.za

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Reunions

2014 REUNIONS CELEBRATING SACRED HEART COLLEGE’S 90 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 125 YEARS OF MARIST IN JOHANNESBURG!

In 2014 we will enjoy a week of reunions followed by a day in which graduates from all the years at Sacred Heart College will celebrate 125 years of Marist History, coinciding with our Heritage Day Fete. 20 September 2014: The “Obs” Years (1924 - 1980). Black Tie Event. 21 September 2014: The Struggle Decade (1981 - 1999). 22 September 2014: The Born-Frees (2001 - 2013). Backstage Pass. 23 September 2014: Commemorating 90 Years of Sacred Heart College’s position at 15 Eckstein Street, Observatory. Heritage Day 2014: Celebrating 125 Years of Marist History.

If you would like to volunteer to be on the Planning Committee, contact Ellen Howell at ellenh@sacredheart.co.za

If you would like to see your story featured in an Alumni Edition, regardless of what it is, we are interested. We want to know about travels and adventures, relationships and children, careers and enterprises, work and studies – and just what you are thinking about South Africa and the world today. Please send your details to Ellen Howell: ellenh@sacredheart.co.za.

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Congratulations! DAVID MARNEWECK graduated in 2003 and has achieved his Masters Degree in Science at Pretoria University. Matric Nicknames: Mdava; White Boy | Hopes & ambitions: BSCzoology and ecology. Game lodge and wild life management. Make documentaries and wildlife photography. Relax and be happy with my family in the bush | Extra-curricular achievements: Athletics team (badge); 1st Cricket team (Captain and badge); and 1st soccer team (badge). Played in the ISSL representative soccer team; Academic Blazer | Parting words: Have fun, work hard, enjoy school. MONIQUE DOS SANTOS graduated in 2004, and is currently studying MDietetics, majoring in sports nutrition. She was awarded the Department of Human Nutrition Leadership award in 2010, and has been a part of the Golden Key International Honours Society since 2010. Matric Nicknames: Momz; Twee; Niques | Hopes & ambitions: To become a successful and well-respected doctor | Extra-curricular achievements: first team Hockey; LLC ! member and treasurer; swimming | Parting words: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind” - Dr Seuss NICOLE PICAS graduated in 2004. She studied Biokinetics and received a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in 2011. Nicole received an award for ‘Best Student in the PGCE’ in 2011. Matric Nicknames: Piggy, Blondie, Nix, Picas, Pics, Pigs, Nicky Picky | Hopes & ambitions: To be happy in whatever I do in life and to live life and enjoy it to the absolute fullest | Extra-curricular achievements: LLC; badges for Netball and Athletics; Swimming scroll; House Captain | Parting words: The height of your accomplishments will be equal to the depth of your commitment. DAVID BALCHIN graduated in 2005. He completed his PhD in Biochemistry at Wits in 2012, and received the Roche Sciences prize; the best Biochemistry Honours student; the Inqaba Biotech prize; the best Molecular Biology Honours student; the SAB Gold Medal, and the best Honours student in the Biological Sciences. He was also the recipient of the Tata Africa postgraduate scholarship 2010 - 2012. JOE ROUSSOS graduated in 2005. He achieved a Masters degree in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics at Cambridge University in 2012 and has been awarded the best speaker and Worlds EFL finals judge. Matric Nicknames: X, Expect, and Ngcuka | Hopes & ambitions: To keep on learning and to wreak as much havoc as possible while doing it | Extra-curricular achievements: Debating Blazer; 3rd in English Olympiad and Academic Blazer | Parting words: “This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but with a whimper.” - T.S. Eliot. BENJAMIN VAN NIEKERK graduated in 2009 and is doing pure Maths at Wits and was awarded 5 Mathematics prizes for his achievements in 2012. Matric Hopes & ambitions: To become a Bollywood actor. To be on the Oprah show | Parting words: Never trust a fat dietician “Feels like a purse” - Oprah ETTIENNE RAUCH SMIT graduated in 2009, and is studying Life Sciences. He was awarded the William Cullen medal for being the top BSC student in the faculty for 2012. Matric Nicknames: E.T; Ostrich | Hopes & ambitions: To stay true to myself | Extracurricular achievements: Academic badge; academic scroll; completed the Midmar Mile twice | Parting words: “We apologise for the inconvenience” - God’s final message to his Creation (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams)

These are only some of the awards and achievements that we are aware of. Please send us yours! Congratulations to all of our past learners on doing so well and making us proud! | 21 19

We spent some time deciding on a name for this magazine. The Obs and Sacred Heart years share many things, one of the most important of which is our motto – In Meliora Contende (strive for better things). As we speak to, and about, our alumni, we hear time and again of how they have made the most of their opportunities to improve themselves and become ‘better’, but also, commonly, how they have worked to make life better for their families and those around them. True to our tradition and values we do not only celebrate those who made it into the papers or received public accolades. We know that some of the most significant contributions have been made by the unsung, unnoticed encounters that our alumni have with those around them. The word Meliora has more meanings than simply the word ‘better’. It can mean ‘more fully’ or ‘to make better’. Meliora can be translated to mean ‘good, honest, brave’ or ‘kind’. We tried to find a way to express the idea that our alumni had gone beyond ‘striving’ and were ‘doing’. The phrase, Facti Sumus Meliores means ‘those who have become better’ which has also been used in Latin writing to describe ‘those who are our betters’ in the sense of those who have done good work. We would like to recognize the tremendous contribution our alumni make to society by naming this magazine MELIORES.

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