Meliores November 2013

SACRED HEART COLLEGE MARIST OBS EDUCATION WITH HEART THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS

DECEMBER EDITION 2013

MELIORES

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

Who's Who

ALUMNI COMMUNICATIONS Ellen Howell

LAYOUT Naomi Meyer

SUB-EDITOR Elinor Lowry

PAPER Paper Cafe

THANKS TO the staff, parents and the alumni who contributed to the second edition of our Alumni Publication.

MELIORES 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 | Presence | In the Way of Mary |

01 | A note from the Head of College 01 | A note from the Alumni Manager

02 | Bright Young Minds Some of our Young Stars | 02 Active Citizenship | 03 Halala! Sport | 04 Aspiring Artists | 05

07 | Connecting with Alumni Brian Leong | 07 Paul Diessel | 08 Didi Ogude | 09 Thomas Butler | 11 Atlarelang Moletsane | 12 Jenna Lee Krause | 13 Viashin Govender | 14

15 | Reunions 2003 Reunion | 15 1963 Reunion | 16 Words of Wisdom for the Matric Class of 2013 | 17

19 | A Snippet of Sacred Heart College's History

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

Messages from our Team

A Note from the Head of College

A Note from the Alumni Manager

We often think that getting something started is hard, but the truth is that keeping something going is always more difficult.

Heather Blanckensee (High School Principal) is a biologist with a remarkable grasp of scientific method and human nature. She often reminds the management team that nature is in its nature chaotic and that anything will descend into chaos if you do not keep feeding energy into the system. I am delighted that the energy has continued to flow into this magazine.

At Sacred Heart College: Marist Observatory we have never felt that we can just sit back and admire our work; it descends into chaos too rapidly if we try. We are delighted to have discovered an exception to that rule our alumni.

As you read this magazine you will discover all the amazing things our graduates are doing and we have only scratched the surface. From designing games to saving lives. Through building the next generation of aircraft to teaching the next generation.

Photos and ambitions in a school magazine turned into reality in a way that we can only look upon with awe, we salute our remarkable alumni.

Next year we will have been doing this transformation from caterpillar to butterfly act for 125 years and we would love as many of you as is humanly possible to join us on Heritage Day to celebrate this remarkable achievement together.

Let the call go out! Let the clan gather! Let us tell the world that we are HERE and THIS is how one creates a bright future for children!

I am Ellen Howell. I started working at Sacred Heart College in the year 2009, and I have been moved to the position of the Alumni Relationship Manager in July 2013.

Communicating with you has inspired me and developed an enthusiasm and passion in me for the rich history of the school. The 2003 and 1963 reunions that took place this year have made me excited to meet more of you. Welcome to our second Meliores Publication. This issue is packed full of exciting memories, words of wisdom and inspiration.

Next year we will be having a reunion for all of our alumni as a part of our 90-year anniversary and celebration of 125 years of Marist in Johannesburg. Please encourage your fellow alumni to contact me via email (alumni@sacredheart.co.za) with their details so that I can update our database and keep everyone in the loop with the plans for 2014.

I would love to hear from you. Please send your stories, life experiences and memoirs of the ‘good old days’ - no matter the context - for our future publications. I hope that this issue will bring back warm memories for you, a Sacred Heart alumnus.

01 |

2014 REUNIONS

CELEBRATING SACRED HEART COLLEGE'S 90-YEAR ANNIVERSARY 125 YEARS OF MARIST IN JOHANNESBURG! If you would like to volunteer to be on the Planning Committee, contact Ellen Howell at alumni@sacredheart.co.za

Bright Young Minds

Some of Our Young Stars

P

aul Stansell, a Grade 9 learner at Sacred Heart College, participated in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists as a national finalist on 25 September 2013. The aim of the exposition is to develop scientists who are able to identify a problem, analyse information, find solutions and communicate findings effectively.

Paul’s scientific investigation and presentation was a mature piece of research on the viability of plant life on Mars, that he presented to a group of students, teachers, educational bodies, professional organisations and governments from all over South Africa. “I conducted more research on wheatgrass, retesting the effects of carbon dioxide and low atmospheric pressure but also testing the symbiotic effects of low pressures and water, and ionizing ultraviolet rays effect on the wheatgrass,” says Paul. “I concluded that plants cannot be grown on the surface of Mars. I hypothesized a solution which would be to use a plastic sphere, much like a beach ball. This would be inflated with a small amount of air, packed tightly and sent to Mars. On Mars they would expand in the low pressure environment. You could fill these spheres with enough air so that when they got to Mars they would have a higher air pressure inside them than the surrounding air. This would mean that liquid water would be stable inside the spheres. They could be sealed to prevent water loss, and made out of ultraviolet resistant plastic.”

Paul received the Hendrik J van der Bijl award for excellence in research, innovation, novelty, the level of work for his school grade and the quality of his documentation and presentation. Ms Lamorna Cantin, Paul’s science teacher, says that “Paul has put an exceptional amount of effort and individual research into his investigation. The maturity for his age impressed the judges.”

S

acred Heart College High School learners’ excelled at the isiZulu Olympiad that took place in October. Masego Mafata acheived first position with 93%. Cassidy Wood, who received 70%, is another of the top-achieving learners.

Sacred Heart College offers Afrikaans and isiZulu as compulsory subjects from Grade 1 to Grade 9. “To be successful in a country like South Africa, one must be multilingual,” says Colin Northmore, the Head of Sacred Heart College.

“It is not just about learning a language, but through learning another’s language one learns more about another’s culture”.

Zodwa Mentoor, the administrator of the Olympiad, says that the isiZulu Olympiad was launched this year in order to motivate learners to challenge themselves as far as the isiZulu vocabulary is concerned. “This year there were 407 grade 9 and 10 learners who wrote the Olympiad. We had a tie for first position in both Grade 9 and Grade 10. In Grade 9 we had Masego Mafata from Sacred Heart College and Nombulelo Mkhize from St Anne’s (Pietermaritzburg) both achieving 93%,” says Ms Mentoor. “The level of the competition was appropriate to each grade and the questions were ranked according to difficulty. Round 1 was moderate, and Round 2 was challenging as the multiple choice questions required complicated thinking rather than just circling the answer. Round 3 was more challenging as the competitors needed to use skills of evaluation, synthesis and analysis. Overall, I was very impressed with the result. The turn-out was also pleasing, and we hope to grow each year.”

| 02

Bright Young Minds

S

Active Citizenship

acred Heart College launched an Active Citizen Scholarship in October this year, a first for South Africa. “We are looking for young people who are actively involved in their communities and social justice causes,” said the Principal of Sacred Heart College’s High School, Ms Heather Blanckensee, explaining one of the reasons the College has launched the High School Active Citizenship Scholarship Fund.

“As part of our school culture we have always emphasized on taking real care of each other,” said Ms Blanckensee, “and we want to find new and meaningful ways to reinforce that – the scholarship is just that.”

Learners in Grades 7, 8 and 9 (going into 8, 9 and 10 in 2014) applied for the scholarship, which covers full high school fees at the College, well known for its excellent academic standards across both the humanities and the sciences, as well as for a tangibly caring school culture.

“Shortlisted candidates had to write our normal Mathematics and English entrance examinations,” said Ms Blanckensee, “but the primary criterion for this particular scholarship is demonstrable evidence of the applicant’s commitment to social good, neighbourliness, volunteer work and similar active citizenry.”

Colin Northmore, the Head of Sacred Heart College, elaborated saying that the scholarship is clearly aligning itself with South Africans who are going beyond the call of duty to address the complex challenges faced by our country.

“Citizens who do more than talk about the difficulties faced by many people in this country are, we believe, the right kind of potential leaders for South Africa.”

03 |

S

acred Heart College allocated three days to an exciting new project on active citizenship.

From 30 September to 02 October the usual classes were suspended so that learners from Grades 7 to 9 (and their teachers) could participate in an intensive process of exploring what it means to be a social or environmental activist in 21st century South Africa. “Sacred Heart College believes that democratic values include the willingness to become an active part of the solutions to the challenges we identify,” says Andre Croucamp, a member of the MindBurst Team, who has helped to conceptualise and facilitate the process.

On Tuesday 01 October real-life activists were invited to join the Junior High learners and teachers for a picnic. The activists who attended, shared their stories and were interviewed by the learners, were Carrie Shelver (gender activist); Jacob van Garderen (National Director of Lawyers for Human Rights); Ivy Mphahlele (heritage activist); Sharon Ekambaram (Advocacy at MSF); Susan Pam-Grant (interdisciplinary artist); Sean Lotriet (HIV activist); Musha Nelhuveni (curator and protest art historian); Alan Christopher Jones (musician living in Hillbrow); Rene Ferguson (lecturer on human rights and citizenship); Lucky Xaba (Ecopreneur from Foods and Trees for Africa), Andre Croucamp and Gábor Rácz.

“Education at Sacred Heart College is, among many other things, a preparation for young people to become active and productive members of society,” says Thiru Govender, Deputy Principal of the High School.

“Educational opportunities such as the Active Citizenship project enable learners to have real experiences of people within our communities who are making a difference.”

Bright Young Minds

Halala! Sport

football

Zaheen Casey, Grade 4, plays for Ajax Johannesburg. He represented RCLFA in the under 11 district team. He made the first Sundowns trials after being scouted by Lovers Mohlala while playing a league match, and is awaiting recall for the final trial session.

His team are current indoor league champions at Edenvale indoor soccer. Zaheen is the youngest player in his team and the district team. He has just joined the Brazilian soccer schools. Next year Zaheen will be attending trials both locally and abroad.

Sara Feldman, a Grade 6 learner, won U 11-13 Level 6 at the SA championships and will compete for South Africa at zone 6 in Harare in December.

Minenhle Twalo (Grade 11) was selected to compete in the South African Championship Games. She was placed 1st and has taken the South African Rhythmic Gymnastics title.

gymnastics

Sacred Heart College was up against some fierce competition at the ‘B’ league inter-high meet held at the Johannesburg Stadium in Doornfontein, 04 October 2013.

Many athletes achieved personal best times and distances in their respective events.

Sacred Heart College came 2nd out of 8 schools by a mere 6 points. The Sacred Heart athletes walked away from the competition with a multitude of new records.

-Ms Niken

athletics

The final of the Johannesburg Championship league was played at Sacred Heart College on Thursday 01 August 2013. The College’s 1st team welcomed Sandringham High School as their opponents and kick-off was at 15h00. Sacred Heart College managed to hold on to their 1-0 lead and became league champions of 2013.

-Ms Niken, Team Manager

soccer boys

This year the girls were entered into the U16 Independent JvW League. They played 6 matches in total against St Stithians, Veritas College and Marist Brothers Linmeyer. The team lost only one match and became the 2013 U16 League winners. They finished with 15 points and a goal difference of 18 beating St Stithians by just 3 points. The girls then played in the JvW tournament held at Modderfontein in October where they played teams from the other leagues. They were also awarded their medals and trophy for being the winners of their league.

- Ms San

Girls’ Soccer

| 04

Bright Young Minds

ASPIRING ARTISTS

Khanyisile Maqetuka Grd 12

Angela Kow Grd 12

Seven matric art students at Sacred Heart College entered the ISASA Matric Art exhibition on Wednesday 25 September. The exhibition presented many innovative works of art from talented individuals eager to pursue a career in the arts. It featured the matriculants’ artworks from six ISASA Schools in Gauteng. Khensani Mahlabane, Angela Kow and Palesa Ngoasheng from Sacred Heart College received merit awards, and Thorsten Reisinger came third overall. He entered evocative animation film based on a story he penned of a man who loses his family and thus loses touch with reality.

Mahin Ali, Grd 6

05 |

Noah Furman, Grd 6

Kemi Olaleye, Grd 3

Bright Young Minds

Jana Kalmer Grd 10

Thorsten Reisinger Grd 12

“It is a wonderful validation for our learners to get such a positive response to their art from the judges, who are professionals in the art world,� says Debbie le Roux, the Head of the Cultural Co-curricular Department, and the Subject Head for Visual Arts at Sacred Heart College.

Maya Le Roux Grd 10

Christine Smith Grd 12

| 06

Connect

CONNECTING WITH ALUMNI Where are you now, what are you up to, and what drives you?

S

acred Heart College's alumni are diverse, driven, fascinating, fun, and never afraid to be different. We have interviewed some of our past students from all walks of life.

Here are their stories.

Brian Leong Class of 1982 A Sacred Heart Parent and Alumnus

Sacred Heart College began admitting pupils of all races. In 1980, the school went co-ed, admitting girls to the once all-boys school.

In 1982, I was one of seven matriculants who spent a few days at a newly established Marist Brothers mission called Slough (near Kuruman). I came face to face with the poorest of the poor and heard of the exploitation that this community endured from the asbestos mines in the area.

At the recent school athletics sports day, I was watching the long jumpers going about their discipline, with my youngest daughter at my side. Frank Hollingworth was taking measurements. “It’s funny how we end up watching our children doing the same thing that we did”, he quipped. I chuckled as I recalled a vivid image, some thirty years earlier, of Mr Hollingworth demonstrating how to throw a discus. He spun round twice in the discus circle and catapulted the discus into the air. I was in awe.

In much the same way, Sacred Heart College has been doing the same thing that it has done for generations. That appears to be quite a ludicrous statement, considering how times have changed. I would like to explain what I mean. I started my schooling at Sacred Heart College in 1974 joining the Standard Two (Grade Four) class. The 1976 Soweto uprising went by unnoticed in my awareness. Whilst many white government schools at the time were going through emergency evacuation drills and pupils were being taught how to react if a bomb were to go off in the school,

07 |

Fast-forward to 2013. I have three children attending Sacred Heart College and my wife, Penny, assists with a reading program for the Three2Six group. Three2Six is an incredible initiative that allows refugee children to make use of the school facilities after school is out.

Amongst the many positive aspect of Sacred Heart College, what I appreciate the most is the diverse nature of the student body and I am grateful that my children can grow up in an environment that reflects South African society.

The school’s ability to navigate the treacherous waters of a failing educational system is what provides hope in a sea of despair and that for me is what makes Sacred Heart College what it is. It is this same hope that I experienced as a pupil thirty years ago, when apartheid was the order of the day. Back then, Sacred Heart College provided a haven which allowed me to experience a normal way of growing up in an abnormal society.

So I’ve seen huge changes in our country and huge changes in our society. These changes are often daunting. I continue to find hope in Sacred Heart College.

Connect

20 YEARS ON...

Paul Diessel A parent, a past student and our technology guru. Class of 1993. feeling inside, knowing that they are completely content with the choices we have made for them. I am sure that all of you at one point or another were told by your parents that your time at school would be some of the best years of your life and as the years seem to tick by at an ever increasing pace, I can’t help but find myself agreeing with them.

Recently I had the opportunity to see the 2013 matrics celebrate the last few days of their journey at the College: shoes dangling by their laces just out of reach, toilet paper streaked through the high school quad, and the matrics congregated at one side writing comments and drawing pictures on every square centimetre of clothing. Occasionally a teacher walks past looking to see what the ruckus is about, and then just disappears into the confusion, harassed for comment to be immortalized with ink on fabric. Yes, the memories of my last few days come flooding back as if 20 years ago was just yesterday. It’s that feeling of deja vu that overwhelms you. Familiarity, but the distinct feeling that something is different.

Walking around the college and seeing the 20 years of change is a real eye opener. There are obvious changes like a pre-primary school in the orchard and a media centre where the tuck shop used to be, but it’s the sheer number of subtle, under-the-surface changes that amazes me. It never really had a typical school feeling, but these days the atmosphere feels more like that of a university than a school. Students are seen more as individuals with individual needs, and technology is used to get young minds more engaged with the learning material.

Overhead projectors are out and Apple TVs are in, and iPad’s the new work books. My memories of burning patterns into wood with a magnifying glass are dwarfed by the primary school children printing their ideas on a 3D printer. Yes, I guess the “In my day…..” quotes have been added to my collection of phrases, and oddly enough I quite like that. It gives me something to measure progress with, and borrowing the by line from a local bank, it means we are “moving forward”.

7 years ago I once again became part of the Sacred Heart family, but this time it was as a parent when my wife and I enrolled our son at the pre-primary school. Immediately I found myself amongst a collection of familiar faces including teachers, support staff and even Sammy the ice-cream vendor. It was truly a fantastic experience, and as somebody that has always been a bit of an introvert, I immediately felt at home. As I write this article, I have a huge smile on my face observing my children from the corner of my eye and overhearing them telling their mother all about their day at school, proudly showing off the results of their latest tests. It gives you a warm

The one thing I am glad to see hasn’t changed though is the passion that the college staff have. I know they are proud of their results and the men and woman they help mould into citizens and I take my hat off to them.

They light up when past students pop in at the college and never give up an opportunity to reminisce about the old days. I have never been good at keeping in touch after we left the college, and seeing Ellen put so much effort into keeping in touch with the alumni is wonderful. To the current and previous staff: keep up the great work; it’s because of your efforts that I am proud to be a parent and past student of Sacred Heart College.

Hopes and Ambitions: Electronic Engineering Activities: Swimming | Scouting

Career: I.T. Professional Activities: Scouting

| 08

Connect

S

Class of 2002 Policy Analist for the South African Government

Didi Ogude

tudied her Masters in Global Affairs at New York University Her credit in terms of the way she sees and navigates through the world is due to Sacred Heart College Nickname: Dids,Dee,Grievance, PurpleD Hopes and Ambitions: To be successful in whatever I decide to do. Learn as much as possible about life and have fun while doing it.

Parting words: stand up for something or you’ll fall for anything.

Novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, once emphasized in a speech about the Danger of a Single Story: single stories create stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete.

They make one story become the only story and this robs people of their dignity.

I could tell you that I am black and female; this would not be untrue. I could tell you that I am South African, born in exile, at the tail end of apartheid; this too, would not be untrue. But to start and end with these limited narratives, to make them definitive and primary in describing who I am, would make my story, a single and incomplete one.

I was born in a small town called Roma, in Lesotho, to a South African mother and Kenyan father. The younger of two, I recall my parents repeatedly emphasizing, in their stern and encouraging voices – hard work and education is everything. They, who grew up modestly in Sharpeville Township and rural Kenya respectively, told my brother and me that their success as academics was due to nothing more than sheer hard work, and a respect for the privilege that good quality education afforded them. It was therefore no surprise that my parents, despite the immense monetary sacrifice it represented for them, enrolled my brother and me at Sacred Heart College; a school that was one of the first to allow black students attendance. Little did

09 |

my parents know that enrolling me at Sacred Heart would be the single most important decision they would make on my behalf.

Against the backdrop of the tense and palpable racial tensions of the early 1990s in Johannesburg – what many, upon reflection, say was a time when South Africa was on the brink of a civil war – Sacred Heart was an enclave of non-racialism and non-sexism; values that were later enshrined in a constitution the world reveres. Critically, Sacred Heart did not try to preach or indoctrinate vague notions of sameness, nor polarizing and simplistic ideologies of inherent differences we should merely accept of one another. Rather, they challenged the very assumptions upon which we all claim to be the same or different – and in fact, added that we need not feel the desire to classify each other at all, let alone along a false dichotomy such as ‘the same or different’. At the tender age of 7, I walked into Sacred Heart knowing full well that I was black, female and South African, not because of how I thought of myself, but rather because of the smothering societal ascriptions imposed on me, recognizing only certain features of my much more complex character. Twelve years later, I walked out of Sacred Heart knowing that indeed I am black, female and South African – but equally, I am also an African and a global citizen. More importantly, I am an intelligent, compassionate and curious human being that continuously yearns for more knowledge. I yearn for knowledge so that I can critique and share it, with the sole intent of gaining greater understanding for humanity, and contribute to a more politically stable and socio-economically equitable world.

Sacred Heart sensitized me to the fact that we all have a lens through which we navigate the world. This lens informs our understanding

Connect

of ourselves and of others; interpreting and reinterpreting the complicated world in which we live. Notably, it informs our everyday decision making. As I navigated my world beyond Sacred Heart, I encountered a complex and dynamic South Africa. One, that at times I was keenly fond of - because of the opportunities it afforded me; because of the resilience of its people, their hardworking nature and robust democratic engagement; and their enthusiasm and patience for a South Africa that would one day benefit all. But I also encountered another South Africa; one that was, at times, intolerant of my ‘odd’ Kenyan surname; one that continues to have large numbers of its people living in squalor, lacking the socio-economic rights their forefathers fought for; one that is still and, in some cases, glaringly stratified in terms of race, class and gender. It is ‘both’ these South Africas

that have led to my commitment to public service in my current position working for the South African government as a development economist. I am privileged and honoured to be at the centre of economic policy formation that is particularly focused on resolving the primary challenges of South Africa – inequality, poverty and joblessness – and in many ways the resolution of the legacies of the conflict that was apartheid… …Ultimately, the outcome of my education at Sacred Heart has manifested in my commitment to be part of the change that South Africa needs so that others can be beneficiaries of the good fortune and sacrifice of my parents. My pursuit of a PhD is in this vein.

| 10

Connect

Class of 2004 General Practicioner at Tygerberg Hospital

Dr. Thomas Butler Nicknames: Mouse; Gug-LamaGugs; Thi; Thommy; Mr. Pres.

Hopes and Ambitions: Travel the world over and lend my assistance to the medical field.

Activities: Drama; Athletics; Swimming Captain; President.

Parting Words: Increase the peace, spread the love and keep the world happy... one love my brothers and sisters.

I started my life at Sacred Heart College at the tender age of 5, in Grade R, and matriculated in 2004. I took a gap year in 2005. It was in that year that I fully comprehended that healing and health care was where I wanted to be. I excelled at Science and Drama at school. Medicine seemed like a good meeting place. The exposure that I had to Drama as a subject at Sacred Heart College gave me the confidence and ability to work with people.

I am currently working as a general practitioner, partaking in a two year internship of which 4 months are spent in each department, followed by a year of community service. I am eager to specialise in the field of Paediatrics: during my studies at WITS I grasped that I have a calling to work with children.

In my first and second years of studying at WITS, I picked up that people knew exactly what they wanted to do. Brain surgery and Cardiology were the popular choices. Students set themselves up from the beginning, and by the end of second year they had changed their minds. A career decision is never absolute. It is important for scholars to realise this. You must not be afraid to take the leap and do what interests and excites you, in fear of choosing the wrong path. Our class was diverse; there were a number of people in my year that had Masters degrees, and a 35-year-old lady, married with four children. A good friend of mine who was a psychic therapist, working with horses, decided to study medicine. As long as your studY for your chosen career fulfills your passions and interests, it is never wrong to try different things in order to find that niche that you are looking for.

Having been put in position as school president in Matric, and having been exposed

11 |

to people less fortunate than myself through Sacred Heart College’s community service programmes, I realised that there is a definite need for help and healing in South Africa.

Sacred Heart College’s diverse environment (culturally and racially) opened my eyes to the potential difference people can have on our community, regardless of where they come from. I was given the opportunity to realise, at such a young age, that I like to help people and improve their lives in some way or another.

I have a lot of fond memories from Sacred Heart. One great memory I have was a 24 Hour Fun Run. The entire school was involved.

The students ran to raise funds, and even the teachers participated throughout the night. Mrs Kriel (the Afrikaans teacher) was a marathon athlete. Having her run with us inspired us to give it our best.

I wouldn’t have wanted to go to any other school. I was fortunate to be able to go to Sacred Heart College. Even though Sacred Heart is structured around a Catholic ethos, it caters for (and celebrates) modern cultures.

I don’t know of a school that is as diverse (religiously, racially and culturally) as Sacred Heart. This diversity prepared me well for WITS and the professional environment. It made me realise how important integration is, which most students in my first year did not grasp.

The Sacred Heart teachers are caring, the classes allowed individual attention when we needed it, and there was support all the time.

Sacred Heart is an incredible school.

Class of 2007 Aeronautical Engineer

Connect

Atlarelang Moletsane

As T.S. Eliot once in my interactions with wrote: We had other persons and the the experience environment. but missed the meaning. And The second utility approach to the of Sacred Heart’s meaning restores technology, is that the experience in it enables functional a different form, I diversity, above the smack my lips in Marianna-Trench-like delight, tasting once diversity we read about NICKNAMES: Alti, Atla, Brightside, more the flavours of my memories at Sacred every day, of sharks Mr. President.

Heart College. In these current hi-tech times, eating smaller fish amidst Ethics, HOPES AND AMBITIONS: where the price of everything is known but the coral reefs. Having Study Aeronautical Engineering value is unknown, Sacred Heart’s invaluable received an impression and contribution is the technology of culture. of a heart that knows eventually become a commercial pilot.

Nowadays relationships are hot-swapped like no bounds, the desire ACTIVITIES: debating scroll; mobile phones on contract, the family-supper of a graduate student basketball; athletics; LLC; is becoming extinct, giving way to of Sacred Heart soccer.

PARTING WORDS: Brilliance reality TV. It appears that modern is to expand can be a cold place to Thank you day culture is being driven by the scope lighten up and bask in your Sacred Heart technology, along with its and impact radiance. for being at the glossy covers, short useful life of his/ cutting-edge of and its bottom line – what’s her service. Indeed, in all our in it for me. Being true to its activities, we are serving, either transforming revolutionary heritage, Sacred our stomach, nuclear family, consciousness Heart is attempting to cultivate friends or employer, teacher, by sowing seeds for in students a heart that knows no society – the list is extensive. In revolution. bounds. realising this goal, Sacred Heart alumni are very proactive in responding to Through its Marist ethos, I was fortunate problems and naturally, they become leaders enough to be part of a community that in their spheres of activity. was culturally diverse and true to its nonmaterial and spiritual identity. Families that In the wake of major crises facing human are practising non Judaeo-Christian religious society today, the call to leadership is not one cultures have put and continue to put their faith appearing in a dream or neo-prophecy, but is in a Catholic institution. This is an indicator a necessity for all persons, whether they desire of this technology of culture in action. Values change or not. In particular, to experts, the such as: need for human society to lighten its ecological Presence – listening to others, not with the impact, is seen to be the pressing issue of the intent to respond but to be compassionate; day. With humans consuming as though there Family – giving care and affection to the were 1.3 earth planets, we are called upon to youngest and most vulnerable; realise that we have not inherited the world In the way of Mary – trying to give from our parents, we are borrowing it from unconditional love, despite the conditions our children. Who will respond proactively? imposed by the demands of my body and You can trust that it will be the open mind of a mind.

Sacred Heart alumnus. Such is the superlative These values gives me a framework in nature of this technology of culture, that it which I can be progressively introspective grooms leadership with integrity.

| 12

Connect Class of 2008 Teacher

Jenna Lee Krause My life as part of the Sacred Heart family began when I was a grade 7 learner in a government school in 2003. I was invited to apply for a scholarship. After spending a day touring the school and hearing from Mr. Northmore my parents and I were amazed, the warm, welcoming atmosphere was palpable. My parents had decided that no matter what the outcome of the exam was they had to send me to this school.

In 2004 I entered these gates wearing the blue and gold. I was overwhelmed by how many different kinds of people surrounded me. My world was to become colourful and enriched. I soon came to realise that this school was not going to stereotype me: there was no prescribed box in which it wanted me to fit. Instead, my teachers were going to do everything they could to get me to express myself freely and to think about the world in ways I never would have thought of before.

My mind was opened by teachers like Mr Morake. He encouraged me to critically discuss the events that formed the world as we know it now. He led me to write with sincerity and honesty, creating my love of writing and poetry. Mr Hollingworth enlightened me with knowledge of the physical world, introducing me to Newton’s laws and the periodic table of elements. He also made the literal world easier to navigate, spending the last few minutes of break filling in the crossword together with his students, explaining the Latin origins of some words. Mrs Baker helped me inch out of my shell and become bold and expressive through dramatic arts. It is thanks to her that I am showing confidence in the classroom.

Mrs Johnson provided guidance and insight in all aspects of life. When we were looking into careers and she suggested I become a teacher, I told her she was crazy thinking I would ever work with children. A few years later I find myself completing my Bachelor of

13 |

Nickname: Jenz, Jen-ben.

Hopes and Ambitions: I want to be John Lennon, a cowboy and the president. I want to save the world by helping others find that ever elusive happiness.

Activities: Hockey, Tennis, House Plays (go O’Leary), AVP. Parting Words: Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act.”-Truman Capote.

Education degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, and I truly love what I do. She had insight into my life and it seems she was right after all.

During my studies I have had the privilege of a learnership in the Foundation Phase at Sacred Heart College. I have been afforded the opportunity to work in the Grade one, two, and three classrooms. I have benefitted from the experience of the talented and resourceful staff and been allowed to put the theory I have learned into practice. I have also had opportunities to work with the Intermediate Phase and take part in many co-curricular activities. Because of the valuable time I have spent at Sacred Heart College I know I am going to begin my professional teaching career as a well equipped and well-informed teacher.

I am also so glad that I will take into my classroom the values I acquired during my time at the school. These values include; a Christlike love of children, family spirit, enthusiasm, and an appreciation of the incredible diversity we are blessed with at our school.

The most exciting part of this story is that I have just been employed by Sacred Heart College and I will begin my professional teaching career as a Grade One teacher in 2014. Not only do I get to remain a part of this family, but I have the opportunity to teach children in the same manner I was taught. I trust Christ as my guide and desire to make a difference in the life of each child I encounter.

Connect Class of 2011 Game Designer in the Making

Viashin Govender

I always thought that leaving school would be the hardest thing.

Going into the real world, as I realise now, is a whole new ball game.

The real world was harsher, less intimate, and slightly less open to freedom than I thought. On my first day of varsity, I learned that Sacred Heart was a haven that let me be who I wanted to be and do things in my own way. I’m not talking about a sheltered life that hid me from the truth. Sacred Heart did something a lot of haven-like places do not. It told me to be who I am, and as I left, said “and don’t forget it”.

Through this, at Sacred Heart I learned what I loved doing and was in a school that had my back from day one. Making games and electrical engineering aren’t always a combination most would think of, but it’s what I found and is perfect. I, like many others in school, didn’t know what I wanted to do after Matric. What would I do with the rest of my life and would I enjoy it? It wasn’t that I didn’t have a clue, but too many. Arts and Science, I wanted both in one go.

The rest of the year was tough, but through it, I made it to where I wanted to be.

University life took the rest of my engineering class and me by storm. Life was tough and you weren’t as special as you thought. Drop outs left in all directions and by midyear 2012, the class was nearly cut in half. Not a single one of my friends from Sacred Heart left: we pushed on with no sign of stopping. We’re all still friends, not dependant, but there for each other.

I still hold that the best friends you make will be at this school. After weeks, months, and as I’ve seen recently, years, friends from Sacred Heart are there for you as though you saw them yesterday. I see people at varsity from school who matriculated years before me walking around with old school buddies. All still greet me like we’re still at school and ask how things are, something that confuses many of my friends I met at varsity. There’s a hidden support network in the world made just for Sacred Heart alumni, I swear.

Sacred Heart has given me a sense of open mindedness about race, homosexuality, and any controversial subject that comes to mind. It has given me the courage to go up to a person in my class and say “hi”, to push through my degree even when things are tough because I’ve learned that things are a lot tougher for other people with a lot less, given me the space to grow as a person so I know where I am, where my feet stand and my heart lies. All these things about me have their roots at Sacred Heart.

In April of Matric, I found out about the new Game Design degree offered at the University of Witwatersrand. Perfect timing. I was ready to go, and being at a place like Sacred Heart, I had credentials from both Arts and Science to guarantee me a spot in the pilot programme.

| 14

Connect

REUNIONS Class of 2003

A picnic was held on 8 September at Sacred Heart College top fields. Thirty alumni attended during the course of the day. It was a very enjoyable, informal event as everyone mingled and caught up and shared their stories.

15 |

Connect

Class of 1963

CLASS OF 1963

50 YEAR REUNION WHEN: Saturday 21 September 2013, 17h30 until 21h00 WHERE: Sacred Heart College, 15 Eckstein Street, Observatory, Johannesburg COST: To be Determined | RSVP by 1 September 2013

The50reunion of the Class of 1963 was a formal dinner around the Brothers’ table. The group years ago we walked away from Marist Brothers Observatory to build our lives as adults. We had

hopes, spent dreamsthe andfirst a good education behind discussing us. Now we shared come together to celebrate and youth. share theAslast of men part of the evening experiences of their

50 years of life on this journey called life. We reflect on what we have gained and lost. It’s a celebration.

the evening progressed they rediscovered one another, and their conversations (and the Join us for a cocktail evening in our hall or in our coffee shop.

exaggeration of the stories) grew. The evening was a great success with awakened memories We can’t wait to have you at our school again!

| 16

Connect Ahmed Khota 2003 Hopes and Ambitions: Study engineering at Wits. Become an astronaut. Score the winning goal in the Champions League Final for Man Utd. Be the first man on Mars, own a Ferrari, Enza, Porche GT and Lambhorghini Current Profession: Logistics Consultant Advice for the Matric class of 2013: Follow your dreams, don’t ever let anyone discourage you, and never ever hesitate, always grab every opportunity, go and get what you want out of life, nobody will give it to you for nothing.

Carol Makgato 2003 Hopes and Ambitions: to study film and Media at AFDA and by the time I'm 23 open my funeral home Current Profession: Specialist Recruiter Advice for the Matric class of 2013: "Don't think about what you have left behind, the alchemist said to the boys as they began to ride across the desert. Everything is written in the soul of the world and there it will stay forever."

by Paulo Coelho

Keitumetse Diseko 2003 Hopes and Ambitions: To study media and film at Wits and to be at the forefront of this African film industry. To have my own production/ media house Current Profession: SA Department of Arts and Culture in Shanghai Advice for the Matric class of 2013: Don't let your mistakes define who you are or what you can amount to. Find something that you love and get really good at it, and don't be afraid to innovate. Dream big and think big, knowing that the world is yours to discover

Kgomotso Mautloa 2003 Hopes and Ambitions: Graphic artist, Production Manager Advertising Current Profession: Creative Director and CEO at Green Robot Design Advice for the Matric class of 2013: Never stop dreaming, work hard and become the change you want to be, because no one will push you to live your own dreams.

17 |

Connect Melody McCabe (Brandon) 2003 Hopes and Ambitions: To say at the end of life - in the famous words of Frank Sinatra “and now the end is near and so I face the final curtain; my friends I’ll say it clear I’ll state my case of which I’m certain I’ve lived a life that’s full, I’ve traveled each and every highway. But more much more than this I did it my way.

Current Profession: Web Editor and journalist for Fairfax Media.

Advice for the Matric class of 2013: Never compromise on who you are and what you stand for. Don’t sell your self-respect to be accepted.

Whether in high school, university, or in the workplace. I have learnt over the past decade that if you want something bad enough, hard work will get you there. Regardless of what others think of you, of what you are capable of, or what they think your limitations are, you are the master of your own destiny.

Nontyatyambo Nqache (Mtshaulana) 2003 Hopes and Ambitions: Complete a B(Acc) and/or B(Econ Science), majoring in mathematics and economics Current Profession: Manager in Deals PricewaterhouseCoopers Amsterdam Advice for the Matric class of 2013: Make decisions everyone else is afraid to make. Dare to be different. Laugh at the fear of uncertainty and failure, knowing that the only failure is the failure to try. Keep redefining your personal definition of success. Learn to network. When someone gives you their business card drop them an e-mail. You will learn over time the value of relationships.

Shivan Mansingh 2003 Hopes and Ambitions: To complete my degree and become a CA Current Profession: Chartered Accountant Advice for the Matric class of 2013: SHC has provided you with the best platform to tackle what lies ahead. Dream big, and use what you`ve learnt to achieve exactly that. Never stop improving and learning.

Remember, the road to success is always under construction!

... Inspiring words for the Matric Class of 2013 from the Matric Class of 2003 | 18

A Snippet of Sacred Heart College's History

1960's

The School Gate on a snowy day

The Study Hall, 1964

The High School Quad

Playing in the Snow

1970's

The School Fountain

19 |

The Science Block

A Snippet of Sacred Heart College's History

1980's

More snow at Sacred Heart College

Family Day in the Quad

1990's An Aerial View of Sacred Heart College 1993

2000's

| 20

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.

If you would like to see your story featured in a Meliores edition, regardless of what it is, we are interested. We want to know about 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: alumni@sacredheart.co.za

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