Old TechniciansGifford High School
Bulawayo
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Old Technicians Gifford High School Bulawayo |
Jubilee Magazine |
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Hinc Orior 1977
Volume 6 - Number 1
1927 - 1977
O God, who has brought us through the darkness of night to the light of the morning, grant us this day penetration to understand, the capacity to retain and method and facility in study. Order the beginning, direct the progress and perfect the achievement of our work. To the Honour and Glory of Thy Name. - Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536).
It is a great pleasure for me to write the foreword for this commemorative issue of HINC ORIOR and to be able to extend my congratulations and good wishes to the school community of Gifford High School - parents, staff and pupils - on this the School's Fiftieth Birthday.
Opening in 1927 under the enthusiastic guidance and drive of P. H. Gifford, the school very quickly earned an honoured place on the roll of Rhodesian schools and it is a source of very considerable pride to me that it was here that I started my teaching career. No one could have been given a finer start in life - fine boys grand staff and an outstanding Headmaster.
Although over the years boys, staff and Headmaster have changed, the school has not and it
can be every bit as proud of its present fine record of attainments in all spheres of school life as it was of yesteryear's. I am confident the the years ahead will see many more fine achievements to add to the School's illustrious history.
Long may Gifford High School prosper and hold her proud place in the annals of Rhodesian education.
I.H. GRANT
Secretary for Education
Hinc Orior 1977 is a review of the School's fifty years of existence;
incorporated additionally are those facts and figures of the past academic and
sporting year, facts which by themselves often believe the vast amount of
effort and achievement that characterises any good school anywhere that is
concerned with its reputation and standards and traditions.
Each set of facts from each passing year means also a new set of faces in the classroom to
replace an older set that leaves to brave a world where progress is
bewildering and so rapid that the miracle of to-day is the commonplace of
tomorrow. But, it is not only the pace of scientific advancement with which
the school-leaver has to cope: we would appear to be living in an age where
there is an insidious erosion of moral, social, family and national standards
on the profane altar of expediency. Social disruption now seems almost an act
of political policy, and often governments seem unable, or unwilling, to cope.
All this often leaves the thinking adult be, wildered. Worse, as each set of
school-leavers enters the adult world, it tends to accept as the norm what so
often distresses the so-called older generations.
In this flux of life, stability in one form or another is necessary for the peace of mind and
emotional and moral security of every individual. In an age when it is
unfashionable to be conservative, where patriotism is in some quarters a dirty
word, where pride in one's culture is often decried and denigrated, then as
never before is there truth in the old adage that the best days of one's life
are often one's school-days where tradition and pride in achievement are in
this part of the world thankfully still of paramount importance.
To-day no one is so naive as to believe the alleged comment of the Iron Duke that Waterloo
was won on the playing fields of Eton. Nonetheless, the remark sums up the
values of tradition: tradition is a stabilising factor, it is a belief in
one's own ability based on the achievements of one's forebears. Tradition is
this, and much more: tradition is an accepted way of doing things, a way which
has proved its merits and has been accepted by others. Traditions can be
destroyed certainly, but not created just at the wave of a hand. Traditions
grow, they are not invented, nor do they spring up over night. Tradition in a
world where insecurity is rife, is valued and valuable.
A strong tradition lends strength.
This very fine School has both, and one of the objects of this Jubilee magazine is to collect together the threads of a vast, and considering the history of the School, a somewhat scattered tradition. The early 1960's of Gifford were not a little traumatic in as the school changed in character,
but it has emerged all the stronger for that, and its present this rooted
very firmly in the traditions of the "Tech." of the past. When unwritten
school laws governing codes of behaviour and conduct are traditional, as they
are at Gifford, then is one privileged to be part of that living tradition.
And also, the boys who leave this School as young men would do well to reflect
on the manifold traditions of Gifford because traditions are synonymous with
codes of conduct, and one hopes that our traditions will fortify the future of
each school-leaver: let each, both now and in the years to come, leave secure
in the knowledge that no matter what his personal achievements at the School,
no matter how laudatory they be, he has been, or will have been, part of
something greater than himself, something permanent, noble school with
respected traditions which have become the individual's own.
The task of the planning, compiling and editing of this magazine has been personally very rewarding for I have become fascinated by the history of Gifford. It could
have been very much longer, but one had to balance volume against budget. This
is the result. We have tried to show the many individuals that have comprised
the School have collectively and individually raised it above an average
school.
Inevitably lists of facts and tabulations have cropped up; those that
have been included serve, we hope, to show the history of the School, and of
its achievements. Many delightful anecdotes have come to light, and regrettably
have been discarded as almost all had too limited an appeal to warrant the
space and hence the expense.
One of the truly valued aspects about Hinc Orior
1977 has been the vast amount of assistance that has been lent in its
preparation. No fewer than twenty-four members of staff wrote articles, some
requiring enormous amounts of research and many hours of their own
very limited personal time which was freely given. A number have modestly
declined recognition within these covers, but to all of them the thanks of the
School are due for a very fine job done.
Perhaps mention should be made of the
voluminous assistance of Mrs. A.L.L. Furber, the librarian, who has been a
font of information, and of the Headmaster, Mr. H. Fincham, and Mr. R.A.
Furber, who in no small measure assisted in hunting out information and
preparing articles. I should like to thank many dozens of other folk who have
shown an interest and have helped, in particular the very willing and
competent Staff in the Office. Numerous pupils have assisted as well and given
freely of their energies, and I should like to record my thanks to C. Grieve,
C.L. Heuer, D.C. Hoile, D. Koufopoulos, A.C. Mcilwrick and R. Young in
particular. My colleague, Mr. D.A. Jack deserves praise for his efforts in the
darkroom, as also Mr. D. Maclean, a parent, C.D. Maclean, his son, and Miss
Len Lawes of The Chronicle, who have helped with the photographs. Also, our
most grateful thanks go to Dr. P.A.S. Evans for making it possible to take the
fine aerial photograph of the School.
Lastly, at R.C.P. I have always had the
most cordial co-operation, and in the printing of this jubilee addition Mr.
H.W. Flanagan, Mr. D. Payne, and Mr. R. Hargreaves have been the
personification of assistance and in no small way sustained flagging
enthusiasm towards the end.
Finally, let the last words be words of thanks to the advertisers who have made this Magazine possible. Many are staunch supporters of this School, and we should like to pay tribute to the following who have advertised consistently for more than ten years (the numbers in brackets indicate the number of occasions an advertiser has supported the School's Magazine):
McCullagh and Bothwell (Byo.) (Pvt.) Ltd. (42);
Haddon & Sly (Ltd.) (41);
Sanders (Pvt.) Ltd. (37);
Meikles Bulawayo (28);
Justin Smith (Pvt.) Ltd. (23);
Vigne Bookshop & Library (Pvt.) Ltd. (23);
Philpott & Collins Ltd. (20);
Townshend & Butcher (1957) (Pvt.) Ltd. (20);
0. Conolly & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. (18);
Ozalid Rhodesia (Pvt.) Ltd. (17);
Rhodesia Cycle Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. (17);
Bulawayo Bottlers (Pvt.) Ltd. (16);
Premier Woodworking (Pvt. )Ltd. (16);
Lobel Brothers (Byo.) (Pvt.) Ltd. (15);
Arenel Sweet & Biscuit Manufacturers (14);
Rhosmans (Pvt.) Ltd. (14);
Grey's Inn (Pvt.) (13);
Voyager Trouser & Suit Manufacturers (13);
Barclays Bank International Limited (11);
Douglas Hadfield & Sons (Pvt.) Ltd. (11);
Scotties General Supplies (11);
B & S Trucks (Pvt.) Ltd. (10);
Eric Davis (Rhod.) (Pvt.) Ltd. (10);
H. M. A. Esat (Pvt.) Ltd. (10);
Geoff Lacey Motors (10);
Matabele Steam Laundry (Pvt.) Ltd. (10);
Stansfield Ratcliffe & Co. (Rhod.) (Pvt.) Ltd. (10);
Ward's Transport (Pvt.) Ltd. (10);
The Editor.
Mr. Robert McGeoch
THE EDITOR, BLESS HIM ...
Mr. Robert McGeoch, Editor of "Hinc Orior 1977" needs to come out of the back
room for a moment so that we may thank and congratulate him. His absorption in
his task has been a major factor in the production of this splendid record of
our fifty golden years.
H. FINCHAM, (Headmaster).
To Headmaster, Staff, Boys, Old Boys and Friends,
As I sit down to write this to you, on 27 January 1977, fifty years on, to the
day, I realise that I must not open wide the flood-gates of reminiscence so I
propose to reflect for a few minutes on people and events connected with the
early history of the School; no more than that. What did one think on taking
up the chalk on that first day of the life of this School' What does one say
now, fifty years on'
It wasn't the moment for seeing visions and dreaming
dreams, to tell you the truth, but I think all of us had the thought that we
were at the start of something new in education, something that might help to
shape the future of this young nation.
Southern Rhodesia, as we called it
then, was a land crying out for development. Life was uncomplicated. We all
lived very happily in the present, but serious men were thinking in terms of
the future.
The thoughts of some of them lay in the direction of industry.
They foresaw the need for young men able to take their places in a wide range
of technical activities on leaving school - in engineering, transport, mining,
communications and so on - at skilled levels.
In the end thoughts took
tangible shape in the form of a school with a bias towards preparation for
industry. So was born the Bulawayo Technical School.
And now, half a century
later, I look back with quiet satisfaction on the stony path that took us
slowly upwards so that you look round today on a fine, virile School rich in
dignity, in tradition and in performance - a School respected throughout the
land.
Mr. Gifford would never allow himself to be spoken of as a pioneer
because that word, with a capital "P", has a special meaning in Rhodesia. So I
will not offend his spirit; but, he was the founder and is rightly honoured as
such. Founders also were the early members of the Staff - Mr. A. E. Farrell,
Mr. A. C. Vaughan, Mr. T. M. Shand and Mr. H. A. Pingstone - my colleagues,
who shared with Mr. Gifford the arduous tasks of the early years. It was
twenty unbroken years before any one of us broke away.
Let me not omit the
founder students: tough in body and spirit, gentle in manners, bright
responders to the mood and function of the School, deeply loyal to it as boys
and Old Boys.
Nor let me omit those whose names are on the War Memorial who
died while expressing the deepest loyalty of all.
The School has always been
rich in friends who gave their services as organisers, games coaches and as
willing helpers in a score of ways. Two names stand out as if as stars in a
clear firmament, those of Sir George Johnson and Mr. R. S. Perry, in the early
days, but in reality there were scores of others and over the years they were
to be numbered in hundreds.
For myself, it is a matter of the most extreme
regret that uncertain health makes it impossible to be with you in person on
the great occasions of this year. I send you, of course, my very best wishes
for the success of all your functions.
In saying farewell I salute you - Old Technicians and young Giffordians and
charge you to honour your School - its traditions, its colours, its motto,
above all its name.
The very last words shall be William Shakespeare's from Julius Caesar, perhaps
my favourite among a score of quotations from that play. Two great Roman
generals, allies and friends, are parting, and give me words that I may aptly
pass on to you. I address them particularly to my many many friends among Old
Boys ;
"If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed,
If not, 'tis true this parting was well made".
I was proud to be associated with many fine boys, able members of Staff and
helpful parents - not to mention the Old Technicians whose monthly committee
meetings I regularly attended.
To all those I send my greetings and best wishes. My wife joins me in this. We
live in an uncertain world, with decisions to be made which none can safely
predict. To the present generation I would say that few of us have complete
freedom of choice in deciding the details of a career. But, whatever tasks we
find ourselves committed to, we should try to perform with zest. It is a great
thing to be able to do the sort of work that we enjoy. If work becomes a
pleasure, it is done all the better for that. When times are hard, one can
gain encouragement from Shakespeare's lines:
"Receive what cheer you may,
The night is long that never finds the day".
Or, as a great saint I once knew used to say,
"This also will pass".
THE MAGAZINE
The first issue appeared in August 1929 and cost one shilling and six pence. The editor was Mr. A. C. 'Daddy' Vaughan, who continued to edit the magazine till 1950. Compared with the size of to-day's magazine, it was small in size being but 205 mm x 130 mm, and small in bulk, about twenty-six pages pIus photographs and advertisements.
There were three literary articles by boys and very good they were too. Their names were
S. Perry, M. Taute and F. D. Wickwar; and several by members of the Staff, together with articles dealing with School boxing, plus details of a swimming gala in which the School participated.
So began the School's printed history. In the following year, 1930, there were two magazines published, in May and November, the first and last time that ever happened. Thereafter the magazine appeared regularly in November each year till the decision was taken in 1970 henceforth to delay publication in order to include the publicexamination results of the academic year in thy magazine of the past calendar year. Consequently no edition appeared in 1970.
The cover in use from 1950 to 1963 was designed by a pupil, M. J. Bancroft, and that was used with variations till 1967 whereafter the cover as we know it to-day was adopted. In 1973 the word 'Technical' was dropped from the cover.
Tracing the editors has been a task in itself as their anonymity has been well preserved. After Mr. Vaughan I suspect Mr. C. A. Carlow was the editor till 1961. Mr. D. N. McKinley edited the 1962 magazine, while Mr. A. T. E. McCormick
This page sponsored by
Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Park
edited some, if not all, of the remainder, till Mr. R.T.McGeoch took up the editor's red pencil in 1967.
Over the years successive editors have cajoled staff and pupils alike in order to get together the magazine, and the comment in the 1937 edition suitably echoes an editor's thoughts:
"I think every fellow ought to try and write something for the magazine. Otherwise the Editor might have to write some of the articles himself, and that would be very bad for the magazine."
The printing history of the magazine may be as follows:
Printers, 1929-1977
1929-1949: The Rhodesian Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.
1950-1954: Philpott and Collins Ltd.
1955-1975: The Rhodesian Christian Press (Pvt.) Ltd.
1976-1977: Rhodesian Commercial Printers (Pvt.) Ltd.
The Volumes:
Volume I: nine magazines, 1929-1937.
Volume II: ten magazines, 1938-1947.
Volume III: ten magazines, 1948-1957.
Volume IV: ten magazines, 1 958-1967.
During this period the size of the Magazine was
from its original size of 205mm x 130mm to 250mm x 185mm.
The first number in the new size was number 7.
Volume V: eight magazines, 1968-1976.
In this volume, the first number is erroneously given as number 11 of volume IV.
Lastly, newsprint was used to print the 1976 magazine for the purposes of economy and to conserve imported paper in the national interest.
R.T. McGEOCH
HEADMASTER'S REPORT
1976 was a year of achievement and preparation. The achievement was in various fields; the preparation was for our Golden Jubilee, 1977.
CURRICULUM
The decision was taken to make general science compulsory in B-streams from 1977 onwards; physics-with-chemistry will be offered only in A-streams. Internal examinations in music and Art were set for the first time.
EXTRA-MURALS
These will be reported on in detail elsewhere. The fact that in 1976 fifteen boys gained national
colours in various sports, a feat equalled only once before in the history of the School, bears testimony to the enthusiasm not only of individuals but of coaches. We have experienced manpower problems; they have been overcome.
The fact that our 1976 athletic sports meeting had to be cancelled because the tract was soaked underlined the need for the magnificent new cinder track which is nearing completion. This is our P.T.A.'s main Jubilee project.
Two squash courts were brought into operation in April, and squash is now a popular and growing sport. A squash club for parents and Old Boys was also formed.
Mr. R. Furber's outstanding production in the first term of The Trial of Mary Dugan won the Rhodesian High Schools' Drama Festival Award.
New clubs made great strides during 1976. These were the Toastmasters' Club (an offshoot of the Sixth Form Forum), the Printing Club, and the Drama Workshop.
The annual Magazine was supplemented during the year by two editions of The Honeycomb, which is a commendable English Department venture designed to fill the gap left by our decision, for reasons of economy, to delete the literary section from the Magazine.
The Games House system was boosted by having boys in the same house standing together in assembly and also the mounting, in the Hall foyer, of the original cabinet in which the Gifford Trophy was housed long ago and is now once again housed. The splendid score-board from days gone by was re-furbished and mounted on the opposite wall, Further, an honours board bearing the names of winning houses since the inception of the competition was put up near the Gifford Trophy.
The work involved was done by members of the Technical Department, who, together with Mr. B. Stone, made a major contribution to School projects in 1976, as they do each year. This included items such as the building of a new rugby stand for the 'Supporters' Club' (another 1976 innovation), work on the Pingstone Gates which have been erected on the 16th Avenue entrance nearest the pavilion, and a magnificent pedestal on which the bust of the Founder Headmaster has been mounted.
Friends of the School donated trophies to be competed for in various sports, thus promoting interests in these sports. These were the Bolton
This page sponsored by. -
Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Park
Hockey Stick, presented by Mr. J. E. Bolton, to be awarded annually to the best hockey player in his first season in the first team, and the Nick Booyse Memorial Trophy to be awarded to the most improved player in the first XV.
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS
One highlight during 1976 was the official opening, by the Regional Education Officer, Mr. C. 0. Benson, of the new squash-courts and of change-rooms (another P.T.A. project) for the McLachlan Pool. At the same time he inaugurated the pillars and name-plaques on various fields which had been named in honour of men who had contributed much to the School. These fields are the Cowan Field, the Sutherby Field, the Andrew Hart Field, the Farrell Field, the Stan McLoughlin Field, and the Sandham Field. The old pool which had been cleaned and repaired, was named the Anderson Pool and the plaque denoting this was also inaugurated. Present among guests at the ceremony were Mrs. Gifford, widow of the founder Headmaster, Mrs. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Sandham, Mr. Ian Farrell (son of 'Tinky' Farrell, who died during 1976), and Mr. Roy McLoughlin (son of Stan McLoughlin).
Four new classrooms in an extension to the Library Block were taken over at the beginning of the second term. This made it possible to rationalize the grouping of subject departments.
The Ministry of Works undertook an extensive cleaning and painting programme at the School during l976. This was but one of the many ways in which they served the School so splendidly; other ways included the laying of paths, road repair, drainage work and expert advice, as well as the installation of adequate lights in the school outer office.
Lights were installed in the Cowan Memorial Gates and at the vehicle shelter, largely through the good offices of our P.T.A. chairman, Mr. Cyril Hart.
Over sixty more trees were planted during the year and gardens were extended. Mrs. du Preez, on the Staff, was responsible for the creation of two new aloe gardens, one on the east side of the Administration Block and one north of the extension to the Library Block.
The garden outside the matrons' quarters in the Dining Hall has been transformed through the combined efforts of the Ministry of Works and Mrs. R. Gray, who kindly offered to take on this task.
A small rose garden (known as the McGeoch Garden) has been planted between the Pool Block and the Anderson Pool and the rest of the area has been planted with grass, as has the space between the Pool Block and the Library Block. Once established, this should remove most of the scars of building operations.
A large area of ground north of the existing tennis courts was levelled during the third term and three courts will be built there after the rainy season.
STAFF
Mrs. E. Clelland (mathematics department) was on leave in the first term. Miss B. Mcllroy took her place. Mr. G. Townshend joined the staff as acting master-in-charge of mathematics, a post to which he was permanently appointed at the end of the term. Mr. D. Wakefield joined the mathematics staff, as did Mr. M. Maylam.
The second term began with further troubles in the mathematics department when Mr. Maylam left. This problem was eventually resolved when Mrs. M. Lewis took over.
The Deputy Headmaster was on long leave during the second term. His place in the classroom was taken by Mrs. M. Pinte-Reich. Mr. A.Menne acted as Deputy Head, Mr. A. van Heerden acted as Senior Master in Mr. Menne's place, and Mr. B. Webb acted in the Additional Post.
Two members of the Afrikaans staff, Mrs. M. Smuts and Mr. H. Griessel, left at the end of the first term to go to South Africa; their places were taken by Mrs. D. Jones and Mrs. A. Williams.
Mr. R. Pate (woodwork) was also on long leave in the second term, and his place was taken by Mr. L. Newson-Smith.
Mr. B. Stone was away on army service for the first half of the second term and his place was taken by Mrs. K. Lemmer.
Mr. R. Strickland was appointed caretaker at the beginning of the second term.
The staff-changes saga continued during the third term when Mr. D. Davis went on long leave. Mrs. Pinte-Reich took his place in the classroom and Mr. A. Daly acted as head of the geography department.
Mrs. Williams left the Afrikaans department at the end of the second term and her place was taken by Mr. C. M. Viljoen.
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Mrs. D. H. Evans
Mr. T. Brine was away for a spell in the army, and Mr. F. Wilson, Mr. R. McGeoch and Mr. J. Boyce were away for spells of Police Reserve duty. None was replaced, as we were able, because of public examinations, to provide supervision for their classes.
Mr. A. Menne went on a half-term's leave from the beginning of November, during which time Mr. D. Beere acted as housemaster of Russell House, Mr. A. van Heerden acted as Senior Master, and Mr. D. Gray acted as superintendent.
At the end of the third term Mr. B. Stone (art) left on transfer to Marandellas, after six years at Gifford. His place was taken by Mrs. D. Hardie. Mrs. 0. Jones and Mrs. R. du Plessis, both of the Afrikaans department, also left and have been replaced by Mrs. M. Phillips and Mrs. J. Woollacott.
To all the staff at the School both in the hostels, in the office, in the grounds and in the classrooms, I owe appreciation for the way in which they rallied round when difficulties arose. Their loyalty and dedicated effort throughout the year must not go unregarded. In particular I wish to record my thanks to Mr. R. Furber, my Deputy, who continues to show in his work his own special level of efficiency and involvement. His co-operation and judgement and friendship I value.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL AND P.T.A.
Gifford has for many years been blessed with Advisory Councils and P.T.A. Executives, well above the run of councils and executives. 1976 was no exception. To all these good people I should like to express my appreciation and that of the School for the time, thought, effort - in a word, service-they have brought to their appointments. In particular we owe much to our chairmen: Mr. W. Townshend, of the School Advisory Council, and Mr. C. Hart, of the P.T.A. Executive - good men and good friends. The support the School has had in such matters as advice on traffic problems, coping with non English-speakers in the School, the major P.T.A. projects already mentioned, plus things such as the printing of report forms and Certificates of Excellence, the entertainment of new intake parents, catering at inter-school sports, daily assistance in the Tuck shop - all these indicate a very happy and healthy relationship.
'HINC ORIOR 1977'
Hinc Orior 1977 is a review of the School's fifty years of existence as well as being our annual magazine. The amount of preparatory work which went into this effort in 1976 and 1977 is beyond belief. All members of staff involved made a superb effort, but the one person whom I must mention in this connection is Mrs. A. Furber, our Librarian. She did two gigantic exercises in preparation for our Jubilee. One was research to provide the matrix material for all the aspects of Hinc Orior 1977. The other was contacting Old Boys and recording addresses. The work involved here such as consulting admission registers, correspondence, card indexing, she began in 1975 and has continued steadily ever since. She has the gratitude of us all.
PREFECTS
In the School our prefect body in 1976 did a fine job, an often unenviable job. That they did it so well is in large measure ascribable to the splendid leadership they had in the person of the Head Boy, 1976, Graham Biffen.
THE MINISTRY
During 1976 the most senior Ministry of Education official to visit Gifford was Mr. M. E. Richardson, now the Deputy Secretary for Education. The School was also from time to time visited by the Educational Psychologist and by various members of the Inspectorate, including the Senior Inspector of Schools, Mr. J. Ryan. I should like to express my thanks and that of the School to all of them. Their advice and direction have been invaluable to us.
I should like also to make known my deep appreciation of the support, encouragement and guidance I have received from the Regional Education Officer, Mr. C. 0. Benson. His staff at the Regional Office likewise maintain a relationship with Schools which makes it a pleasure to work with them.
Our links with Head Office are of necessity more tenuous, but I must record my thanks also to the good people there. Importunate communications from Gifford have been treated with courtesy and thoughtful consideration.
The existing harmonious relationship between the School and the Administration will, I trust, be enhanced during our Jubilee Year, 1977.
This page sponsored by . . Mrs. M. Smillie, Mrs. B. A. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. G. Saunders
THE HEADMASTERS OF GIFFORD
'Fifty years on'
The First Headmaster,
An Appreciation by the Second.
The celebration of the School's 50th Anniversary calls first and foremost for a tribute to the work of Philip Henry Gifford, whose energy and personality were largely responsible for bringing the School into existence and shaping its successful evolution.
The only remaining member of the original teaching staff - all of whom worked with him
from the beginning and stayed with him for twenty years - takes it upon himself therefore to set down these words of appreciation as an integral part of the history of the School.
Little is known of his life before he came to Rhodesia. I believe he was born in the British Embassy in Tehran where his father was a member of the Embassy staff. He never spoke of his boyhood and rarely of his education. He took his degree, in science, at the University of
Manchester. During the Great War of 1914-1918 he held a commission as lieutenant in the Royal Navy and served in a destroyer at a naval engagement in the early months of that War. His contact with the Navy stamped his character and personality with an indelible mark.
In appearance Mr. Gifford was tall and thin, almost to the point of being gaunt. He spoke always in a clear voice, with a touch of a Lancashire accent. He played tennis, golf and squash.
Before coming to Rhodesia in 1923 he taught at a school in Ireland and at the Edinburgh Institution. He joined the staff of the Salisbury Boys' High School before it received its present name of Prince Edward School, became its vice-principal and was appointed to be the first Headmaster of the Bulawayo Technical School on 1 January 1927.
He was well endowed for the tasks ahead of him and he gave it his full zest and capability, unstintingly. He had a marked talent for getting to know the leading people of the town and he gained their sympathetic interest in the School.
Mr. Gifford was no martinet, although he did not suffer fools gladly. He was broadminded and patient. In twenty years I never knew him to lose his temper, nor did he ever bear a grudge. He taught mathematics throughout and put a high value on mathematical ability in boys, seeking it, bringing it out and nurturing it. He believed that every boy could be taught something. His classroom style was very forceful and his scornful use of the word 'Dolt!', applied to an unfortunate boy slow in replying to a question, was long remembered by the boy.
Mr. Gifford put a high value on physical activity for boys and from the beginning took the lead in developing organised athletics, rugby, cricket, boxing, swimming, water-polo and, in time, gymnastics as part of a boy's education. Under Captain Farrell the Cadet Corps achieved a high level of efficiency.
While all this was going on the School was thrusting forward in respect of numerical strength, academic and public esteem. One by one the Headmaster's plans matured. The new School building was opened in 1929, High School status was won in 1931, a Beit Hall was presented by the Trust in 1933. Later in the thirties a strong form V developed and a course evolved which led to university entrance so that senior boys could expect to reach the B.Sc. (Eng.) degree of the South African universities.
Mr. Gifford rarely showed his feelings, but I
This page sponsored by: A. H. Randal, V. C. Savin, A. L. Rutherfoord-Jones
think he was very proud on the day when the first of his boys left for Cape Town.
As the years went by there flowed from the School a steady stream of young men with a good general education and a firm interest in the prospect of a career in a technical profession.
Mr. Gifford gave up his position in 1947 on promotion to Chief Inspector and before he left
he had the satisfaction of seeing many of his Old Boys occupying positions of great responsibility in manufacturing industry, in transport, in mining, in personal engineering enterprises, in
architecture and in building.
Thus the educational experiment of 1927 was justified and the dedication of 20 years of the
Headmaster's life made evident.
The greater part of Mr. Gifford's out-of-school happiness came about as a result of his marriage
in 1932 to Miss Gladys Terry and from his son and daughter. Mrs. Gifford was a source of strength to him, and thus to the School, through-out their married life. She is remembered for her readiness to be at his side at public functions and School occasions and for her grace and charm at all times.
On his retirement Mr. Gifford was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He
died in 1962. He was, by any judgement, a man of outstanding stature with a singleness of mind
rarely met with. He was a great Rhodesian and a very great Headmaster.
H.J.SUTHERBY
HENRY JOHN SUTHERBY
Henry John Sutherby, the second Headmaster of the School, succeeded Mr. Gifford in the third term of 1947. Mr. Sutherby had been a founder member of Staff. At the beginning of 1947 he had gone to Salisbury as Principal of the Polytechnic (he is an M.l.Mech. E.), but returned to the School as Headmaster after two terms away.
He was born in 1901, at Portsmouth, and it is not surprising that he entered the naval dockyard there as an apprentice in mechanical engineering in 1917. During his six-year apprenticeship, he
was given the first elements of a technical education, supplementing this by the first elements of a cultural one, obtaining ultimately the matriculation of the University of London, in the course of which a strong interest in English literature arose. This was to extend itself with the years and to become very rewarding.
Parallel with this came a strong interest in the drawing side of mechanical engineering. As an Admiralty draughtsman, he had permanent employment and assured promotion, yet he decided to change careers and conceived the idea that a teaching post with engineering as his main subject might offer greater scope. And so he came to Rhodesia.
Mr. Sutherby had no teacher-training when he took up his first piece of chalk. He claims to have taught by the light of Nature, acquiring the basic principles as he went along. His methods were no doubt informal but, as he says, 'they seemed to work I' He was much helped by the well-mannered willingness of boys to learn and by the attraction his subject had for them.
Draughtsmanship was a new subject in the curriculum of a Rhodesia School. He brought to it the vivid interest of real engineering and drawing-office experience. He went beyond classroom instruction by creating an Engineering Society and arranging visits to local firms engaged in technical work.
His appointment as Headmaster in 1947 was
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a happy appointment in view of his long association with the School. His teaching record in the Engineering Department of which he had been Head, was legendary. He had a long association with the School's hostels, the last being Russell House, of which he was superintendent from 1939 to 1946. His interest in drama is remembered at the School, and it was Mrs. Sutherby who started the first formal School dramatic society, producing plays by Bernard Shaw and J. B. Priestly among others.
He was one of the founders of the Old Technicians' Association in 1931 and helped it as counsellor and friend for 20 years; he still retains a strong interest in the 'Old Techs'. During the war years of 1939-45 more than 500 old boys were with the armed forces. He urged them to keep in touch with their School, sent School magazines to all whose whereabouts were known and wrote many hundreds of personal letters. Later Mr. Sutherby inaugurated the War Memorial fund to which the first subscriber was Ronald Goldhawk in memory of his friend Henry Paterson.
Mr. Sutherby's period as Headmaster was marked by change and development and by several landmarks in the School's history. Among these were the dedication of the War Memorial, the presentation of the Gifford Trophy, and the School's Silver Jubilee.
In 1952 Mr. Sutherby was appointed the first Principal of the Bulawayo Technical College, which had just been established. He remained as Principal until his retirement in 1959 and now lives in Worthing, England. In 1976 the old South Field was renamed the Sutherby Field to perpetuate Mr. Sutherby's name in the School to which he contributed so much. He retains a strong link with the School and has contributed valuable historical material which is being used in Hinc Orior 1977.
The main work of his life has been to contribute to the technical education of Rhodesian Youth.
He considers his life well spent.
ANDREW HART
Andrew Hart, the third Headmaster, had a long association with the School before being appointed Headmaster in January 1953.
He joined the Staff in January 1941, coming to us from Plumtree, where he had been since 1928. He is a graduate of Oxford, where he studied classics and English. English it was he taught at Bulawayo Technical School and he remained as senior English master until he was appointed Headmaster.
He was acting housemaster of Russell House for a term in 1942, became superintendent of
Heyman House in Suburbs for just over a year and was then appointed superintendent of Johnson House in September 1946. He remained there until January 1961.
In the meantime he had been appointed Deputy Headmaster in January 1948, under Mr. Sutherby, who had just been appointed Headmaster after Mr. Gifford's retirement.
Apart from the very high academic standards Mr. Hart set and demanded, he founded the
Debating Society, the Chess Club and the School Library and also took a keen interest in drama in
the School.
In 1976 one of the School fields was named the Andrew Hart Field in recognition of Mr. Hart's contribution to the School. His period as Headmaster, from 1953 to 1961, was a period which included considerable development of the
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grounds at the 'South Branch' or 'Russell House Branch', where in fact the School was finally centred - also during Mr. Hart's period of office - in 1956. It was a period on which Mr Hart, in his retirement in Bournemouth, England must look back with satisfaction.
DONALD ROBERT WHITE
Donald Robert White succeeded Mr. Hart as Headmaster in January, 1962, and remained in this post until November 1966.
Mr. White (now Dr. White) was born in London and before finally deciding to become a teacher, he had an unusual life which included becoming a King's Scout, working as a junior chemist at Whitbread's Brewery and serving in the Royal Marines with the 'Cockleshell Heroes'.
After the war he took a B.Sc. degree and a Teacher's Diploma, both reflecting his strong and enduring interest in mathematics.
After teaching for three years in Britain, Mr. White came to Rhodesia in 1952 and was actually posted to Bulawayo Technical School as an
assistant teacher. In 1954 he returned to Britain, but returned to Rhodesia in 1956. He was appointed lecturer in mathematics and physics at the Bulawayo Technical College (where Mr. Sutherby was Principal), and was later appointed senior lecturer in mathematics.
In January 1959 Mr. White became an inspector of schools in Northern Rhodesia. In that same year he also took his BEd. degree which was to be followed by an M.Ed. degree in 1966 and later by a doctorate. This high level of academic interest was to be the hall-mark of Mr. White's headmastership. He came to the School from the inspectorate in 1962 and left it for the post of Senior Inspector of Schools, Salisbury, in November 1966. During those four years he concentrated on consolidating and extending the academic base of the School.
Dr. White was later the Principal of the Teachers' College, Bulawayo, and he went from there to join the Education Department of the University of Rhodesia, where he still is.
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IVOR JOHN McLACHLAN
Ivor John McLachlan, fifth Headmaster of Gifford, was born in Johannesburg in 1919. He matriculated at Durban High School and went to the University of Natal, where he took his B.A. degree and U.E.D.
He had ten years with the Natal Education Department, three of these years being spent
away from teaching with the South African Air Force during the war. Schools he taught at in Natal included Port Shepstone Secondary, Eshowe High, Glenwood High and Warner Beach Secondary.
In 1951 Mr. McLachlan emigrated to Northern Rhodesia, where he joined the staff of the Frederick Krupp School in Kitwe. He became senior master there in 1953 and in 1955 became deputy headmaster of Kitwe High School. From here he was appointed founder Headmaster of Lord Malvern School, Salisbury, in 1959. He transferred to Gifford in 1967.
Mr. McLachlan as a youngster played rugby, cricket and hockey and was also a swimmer. He promoted these interests throughout his career and continues to do so in Umtali. His other varied school-orientated interests include drama, printing, careers guidance and sixth form studies. Outside school his interests centre on his family (two sons - one a lawyer and the other studying medicine - and his wife, Margaret, who was much involved with the School during Mr. McLachlan's headship.)
Mr. McLachlan's period at Gifford was marked by several major physical developments, which included the building of the Hall, the establishment of three new playing fields and the building of the new pool, which he officially opened in September, 1974. It is named the McLachlan Pool in his honour.
Mr. McLachlan started the School's weekly newsletter, The Bee Hive in 1967.
The School's premier award, the Gifford Award, was introduced by Mr. McLachlan, as was the system of merit awards.
He was an innovator, but every innovation was based on sound experience. His identification with the interests of the School was complete.
Mr. McLachlan left Gifford at the end of 1973 to become Headmaster of Umtali Boys' High School, where he continues to apply the philosophy of education which he himself sums up in the statement that 'Education is the academic, cultural, physical and moral development of Youth'.
HARRY FINCHAM
Harry Fincham, current Headmaster of Gifford, was born in Kimberley, South Africa, the year before the Bulawayo Technical School was born. He went to school at St. Andrew's in Bloemfontein, O.F.S., and after matriculating there served for a little over two years with the Imperial Light Horse/Kimberley Regiment in Egypt and Italy.
After the war he took a B.A. degree at the University of the Witwatersrand and a Teaching Diploma at the Johannesburg Teachers' Training College. After teaching in the Transvaal and the Cape for eight years, he came to Rhodesia. His first post in Rhodesia was at Jameson High, Gatooma.
From there he moved to Sinoia High School, where he was deputy Headmaster for ten years before being appointed Headmaster of Gifford in January 1974.
R. A. Furber
DO YOU REMEMBER'
(A survey of the development of the School)
The Birth of a School
In January 1927 technical education in Rhodesia began quietly under the sure hand of Mr. P. H. Gifford, newly-appointed Founder Headmaster of the Bulawayo Technical School. The School's own buildings were not yet built, so we began life in the St. George's Buildings, in Main Street. St. George's College, originally established in Bulawayo, had just moved to Salisbury, so we rented their buildings.
Anderson Pool, which the School used three days a week; while in exchange the R.A.F. used our fields for sport. In 1945 the R.A.F. handed over the whole complex to the School - a considerable bonanza. It was decided in 1955 that only one gymnasium was required, namely the South gymnasium, which is still probably the best school gymnasium in Rhodesia. The other gymnasium was converted initially into two workshops, which in turn were converted into four classrooms in 1969. In 1975 yet another conversion was done here when two of the classrooms and some of the storerooms were stripped and made into an Art-andCraft centre. The squash courts were converted to classrooms in 1956, when classroom accommodation was at a premium, and remained as classrooms for twenty years, though they were converted back to squash courts in 1976. The pool, which is still in use, was tiled in 1956, and a new chlorination plant was installed, This was some small compensation for the loss of the squash courts.
the drama of 1948, when an African strike in Bulawayo paralysed essential services and boys
from Gifford, among others, helped to run them. A year too late to record our activities then for poterity, the School Photographic Club began its existence on 15 July, 1949.
In 1952 the new South Field, now known as the Sutherby Field, was used for the first time. It was for some years to be the main rugby field. In that same year the buildings of what had been the Famona Kindergarten School were handed over to us. A programme of alterations to these buildings were completed in 1962, and in 1969 they were once again altered to make them acceptable as a technical drawing centre which is what they are today.
built, and a new engineering workshop was completed - this is the one next to the Anderson Pool.
Merit ties were awarded for the first time in 1960, but this award seems to have been largely quiescent until revived and redefined in 1967 when, in addition to a Merit award, a Merit-with Honours award parallel in status with a Colours award was instituted. (A more detailed exposition may be found on page 77).
The Bulawayo Technical School becomes Gifford Technical High School
Speech night on 19 August, 1961 was a very important occasion in the evolution of the School, for it was then that the official announcement was made that what had been the Bulawayo Technical High School would henceforth be known as the
THE EVENING DEPARTMENT
From the beginning it was the intention to establish an evening department for the postschool instruction of apprentices and others in subjects likely to be of value to them. Within a week of the establishment of the Day School, the Evening School was duly launched, and the Headmaster and Staff were called upon to devote a proportion of their time and energy to this work, which had not previously been given any systematic planning anywhere in Rhodesia, and which called for the development of new techniques in administration and in teaching.
Bulawayo was the centre of such industrial development as the country had achieved by 1927 and the workshops of the Rhodesia Railways were the industrial heart of Bulawayo, a town, be it remembered, of fewer than 8 000 white people. Other firms were coming into existence to undertake the manufacture of mining and agricultural machinery and its maintenance. Growth was in the air and it was evident that technical skills were going to be in demand. Into these firms, as to the Railways, there was a small but steady flow of apprentices and the post school education of these young men in technical matters began to loom as a paramount necessity.
In the beginning the notion of part-time release from work to attend classes was in its infancy except with very large industrial and Government organisations in Britain. Attendance at classes was made compulsory for the early
years of apprenticeship by the Rhodesia Railways and other local employers, but such attendance was to be in each student's own time. This was accepted by many apprentices ungrudgingly, but there was a touch of resentment by some at being required to give up six hours of their own time each week. In time, however, the willing element came to predominate. Above all Evening School enrolment began to include in ever-increasing numbers boys who had gained a good grounding in mathematics and technical-drawing at the Day School.
The physical circumstances of evening classes in the early days left a lot to be desired. Compared with present-day conditions at the Technical College, they were bad indeed. The classrooms were badly lit and in winter were cold and inhospitable. The teaching hours were 7.30-9.30 p.m. without a break. Some attempt was made to start and maintain classes in commerce subjects, with success.
It was twenty-six years before the Evening Department evolved into its true form and home with the establishment of the Technical College in 1953. By that time, by dint of hard work and dogged persistence, large numbers of apprentices in engineering and the building trades had equipped themselves with a background of theoretical knowledge which made them eligible for careers well above workshop level. By that time, too, the notion of day-release had gained ground. The Rhodesia Railways made generous concessions which the industrial councils were quick to follow. The way ahead was open.
One looks back on the development of evening education with some satisfaction despite the inconvenience and strain it imposed on staff and students alike. Not only was the Evening Department the seed-bed from which sprang the College, it was also the cradle of the Old Technicians' Association. Above all it gave many a young man and young woman a channel and an incentive towards a career of higher status and greater usefulness in their developing land.
H. J. SUTHERBY
FIFTY YEARS ON, A LOOK BACK
Early days
It was no easy task to bring a new type of school into existence in 1927. The white population of Bulawayo was about 7 000, and of the whole country was some 38000, men, women and children. The number of boys in the 13-15 range of years was therefore small and all of them were catered for by existing schools.
In getting together his band of pioneer scholars,
Mr. Gifford had to turn mainly to the parents of junior school leavers and persuade them to send their sons to his new school. He did manage to bring with him from the Boys' High in Salisbury a handful of boys of known scholastic ability, who were to be the backbone of the first year. In the end by providing convincing justification in speeches to local organisations, in press interviews and by advertising he gathered together sufficient to start a school.
Recruitment difficulties dogged us for the first year or two, but in time publicity was found to be self-generating. The building of a temporary engineering workshop on the Main Street premises and the installation of its machine tools in January 1928, the Department of Education's faith - to the extent of building the new premises in Rhodes Street - and above all the production of successful examination results - made the School known, and provided it with public confidence and esteem.
The first day
It was Thursday, 27 January 1927. The full complement of boys had not arrived, but the bell was rung. The boys were ushered into line. Mr P. H. Gifford descended from his quarters, the four members of the staff ranged themselves behind him - Mr W. E. Farrell, Mr A. C. Vaughan, Mr. Arderne and Mr. H. J. Sutherby. (Mr. T. M. Shand joined the staff in July on Mr. Arderne's resignation).
The Headmaster said a Collect; we all recited the Lord's Prayer. A roll was called. The boys were divided into two groups which, after some sorting out, became forms A and B. They were led to two classrooms and we were all set for a test of scholastic ability when it was found that there was no chalk. A box was soon forthcoming from the headmistress of Eveline High School on a hurriedly telephoned request.
Questions were written on blackboards and the tests began. Soon it was time for the "break", after which the first-day formalities started. Slightly more orthodox registers were prepared. Stationery and text-books were issued. The outline of a lesson was given to each class and instructions were given as to the morrow. I think "prep" was set on the Headmaster's orders. A bell was rung and the school dismissed.
At that moment we had no colours, no motto, no crest; the engineering workshop was not built. We had no sports equipment and no prepared playing fields. But, we were alive and kicking. We were one day old. We were a
School.
The Standards Achieved
The standard of education required on admission was a nominal standard VI, which in those days was part of the junior school curriculum. The first-year course was therefore standard VI, and it was directed towards the National Technical Standard VII Certificate of the Union of South Africa, later known as the Preliminary Technical Certificate (P.T.C.).
The subjects were English, civics, physical science, workshop, arithmetic, technical-drawing and geography. Afrikaans was introduced later. This course served us well for twenty years or more. It was revised and brought up to date from time to time. The pass mark was 40% in every subject; a distinction was 70%. To achieve the honour of "Top place in South Africa and Rhodesia" with many hundreds, sometimes thousands, of candidates involved, usually demanded 90 to 100% and was obtained by the B.T.S. boys, some scores of times over the years.
The conditions
We worked a four-term year in those days. Fees were charged for both evening and day tuition, but these were dropped after a few years. The lowest rung of the salary scale in 1927 was £330 per annum for non-graduates and £420 per annum for graduates, with an additional (non-pensionable) marriage allowance of £50 per year.
A matron's salary was £8/10/0 per month with board, lodging and laundry during school terms. Resident masters paid £24 per annum for board and lodging.
H.J. SUTHERBY
THE HUNGRY GENERATIONS
(A survey of the Boarding establishment)
In any school which has boarders, they are recognised to be a unique breed. It is fitting therefore, that our Hostels should have a separate record in Hinc Orior 1977.
Our first boarders were accommodated when the School opened in 1927. They stayed originally in the old St. George's complex and constituted a significant slice of Bulawayo's then total white population of 7 000. Mr. P. H. Gifford was superintendent, and stayed in a small suite adjacent to the pupils' quarters, while Mr H.J. Sutherby and 'Daddy' Vaughan (as he was
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affectionately known), were the resident masters who lived in a bungalow in the grounds. In August 1930 the School occupied its first purpose-built hostel, called Main House, in 12th Avenue; Mr. Gifford was the superintendent.
In 1936 Heyman House, in Clark Road, was leased as a hostel for the mining students. This had been the residence of Sir Melville Heyman. Forty boys moved in, under Mr. A. E. ("Tinky") Farrell, the first Housemaster. In the following year Heyman House was enlarged to take 100 boarders; Mr. Sutherby became Superintendent and Mr. Farrell became Superintendent of Main Hostel, where he remained until the hostel was handed over to Coghlan School in 1943. Heyman House was a stately but somewhat decrepit building which the Government had rented originally for one year, though the lease was thereafter extended several times. It was renamed St. Patrick's House by Coghlan School.
The rapid expansion of the School made it necessary in 1939 to take over Russell House. This hostel was built in 1928 as a hostel for the Bulawayo Public School (later the Bulawayo Primary school, later renamed Coghlan School). Russell House was named after the Chief Justice of Rhodesia from 1931-1942, Sir Fraser Russell. Sir Fraser acted as Governor of Southern Rhodesia on four occasions, and had the other distinction of winning a guinea prize for naming the suburb of Kumalo! He received his knighthood in 1933.
Mr. Sutherby became the first superintendent Russell House after the School took it over and remained there until 1948, when Mr. A.J.Anderson became superintendent. Russell House, of course, included the dining-hall complex, which is separate from the main building. Mr. S. Higham succeeded Mr. Sutherby as superintendent of Heyman House.
In 1943, having handed over Main Hostel to Coghlan School, the School occupied another hostel, Johnson House, in Park Road. This hostel, for senior boys, was named after the much-loved chairman of the Schools' Advisory Council, Sir George Johnson, who had done a great deal for the School over a long period. Mr. A. E. Farrell became its first superintendent, to be succeeded by Mr. A. Hart in 1946 (Mr. Hart had been superintendent of Heyman House for one year.)
Our hostel accommodation was thus scattered very effectively and boarders did a good deal of commuting to school in Rhodes Street.
Russell House was extended in 1948, and in 1950 the dining-haIl/kitchen complex was altered by closing the 'assembly verandah' to enlarge the kitchen.
In that same year we moved out of Heyman House, whose superintendent at that time was Mr. E. J. C. Bacon (he had succeeded Mr. G. L. Anderson, who had been superintendent of Heyman for a year in 1946.)
In 1946 an unofficial hostel called 'Grundy House' was established at 46 Park Road, Suburbs (it had been in existence before that in a lesserknown existence closer to the school). It catered largely for boys from Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland (as they then were) and derived its name from its owner, Mrs. Grundy, whose discipline remains a legend.
After the surrender of Heyman House, its inmates were supposed to have moved into a new hostel (referred to as an 'austerity type' hostel) which was in the process of being built near Russell House. Unfortunately, though not unprecedentedly, it was not yet complete, so for six months the tenants of Heyman House lived in the 'South Gym' (currently the only gymnasium) with their young resident master, Mr. Ian Grant (now the Secretary for Education).
Two years previously another young man on the Staff, Mr. J. A. C. Houlton, had acted as superintendent of Johnson House. He became Mr. Grant's predecessor as Secretary for Education truly, - the School has been a seed-bed for distinction in many fields.
On 2 July, 1951, we finally moved into the newly-completed hostel, which was named after a well-known citizen of Bulawayo and friend of
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the School, Colonel (also Alderman) C. M. Newman, a former Mayor of Bulawayo and Chairman then of the School Advisory Council.
The first housemaster of Newman House (one of our only two surviving hostels) was Mr. E. J. C. Bacon, previously superintendent of Heyman House. He was succeeded in 1954 by Mr. C. D. Cowan, whose name lives on in the School in the Cowan Field and the Charles Cowan Memorial Gates which were built after his tragic death in a climbing accident in the Matopos, very shortly after his retirement.
Meanwhile, Mr. W. A. Owen had been appointed superintendent of Johnson House in 1952 and was succeeded there by Mr. Cowan, in 1956. Mr. Cowan was to be the last superintendent of Johnson House, which was in 1960 surrendered to the new Bulawayo Technical College.
In 1962 Mr. Cowan took over as superintendent of Russell House where extensive alterations had been done the year before: the quadrangle had been enclosed by building a single-storey unit across it; today this area constitutes prefects' and monitors' rooms. Mr. Cowan took over from Mr. G. Lambert who, at the time of writing, is Headmaster of Mount Pleasant School, Salisbury; he was then Deputy Headmaster of Gifford. Mr. Lambert had been appointed superintendent in 1961, taking over from Mr. C. E. de Wet who had been superintendent since 1957.
When Mr. Cowan moved to Johnson House from Newman House in 1956, Mr. S. H. (Stan) McLoughlin took over as housemaster; Mr. McLaughlin was another Deputy Headmaster of the School. He is remembered for his fine garden, among other things.
1968 saw two further changes in hostel administration: Mr. I. J. Mclachlan, the Headmaster, became superintendent and moved into Newman House, and Mr. J. Herbst (another Deputy Headmaster) became housemaster of Russell House.
In the interim, pressure on boarding places had made it necessary for a number of Gifford boys to be accommodated in the Hillside Junior School Hostel, from 1963 to 1965. In 1963 and 1964 Mr. B. P. Webb who is still on the Staff, looked after them there, and in 1965 this fell to Mr. N. Clark, who is now Headmaster of Tennyson Junior School.
In 1968 Mr. Herbst left Russell House and was succeeded by Mr. D. K. Broster, who is at present Deputy Headmaster of Umtali Boys' High School. He was succeeded in 1971 by Mr. W. McQuade, now senior Master at Falcon College, who was
in turn succeeded in 1972 by Mr. A. Menne, who still reigns over Russell House.
Mr. McLachlan left Newman in 1973 to move to his own home, so Mr. R. T. McGeoch became housemaster. Mr. McLachlan remained as nonresident superintendent, a post which the new Headmaster, Mr. H. Fincham, also non-resident, took over in 1974, but relinquished to Mr. Mennι in 1976.
Mr. D. J. Gray took over as Housemaster of Newman House in September, 1975, and still occupies this post.
In 1975 further alterations were done in the dining-hall/kitchen complex. These alterations were to the matrons' quarters. In that same year a new floor was put into the dining-hall.
So much for the buildings and the Staff. What about the boys the 'hungry generations'' They will recall the buildings and the staff and a thousand other details. Their own story is recorded in the society of Southern Africa, where a great many of them occupy leading positions. We like to think that the boarding situation at the School helped to shape their futures. May they be the 'satisfied generations'.
TWENTY-ONE YEARS AT THE 'TECH'
by A. Hart, Esq., Headmaster 1953 to 1961
Twenty-one years at the Bulawayo Technical School is a long time and I cannot do more than jot down a few random recollections of events and personalities during that period.
Arriving in January 1941 and reporting to Mr. P. H. Gifford at Rhodes Street, I found a school different from anything I had known before. Before long I was committed to doing visiting duty at Heyman House (one week-end in three) and part-time military training (one week-end in two) for the Second World War was still in its early stages. Thus, in a term of twelve weeks, I had only two week-ends at home! Nevertheless, with Mr. H. J. Friggens, I founded the School Debating Society which got off to an excellent start thanks to the enthusiasm of some brilliant boys in the Mining School, such as A. Banks, M. Piers and W. Andley. Mrs. Hart kindly took on the job of producing a one-act play for speech Night, choosing Augustus In Search of a Father with David Candler as a night watchman.
In the classroom I remember being harangued by an inebriated gentleman passing by in 11th Avenue 'What are you doing' Teaching, eh ''
and I can still see a well-meaning, if misguided,
inspector of schools demonstrating the latest teaching technique by trying to slide over the knotted floor-boards of classroom A to illustrate Mr. Pickwick's venture on the ice. In the Rhodes Street staffroom I was impressed by the practical knowledge shown by so many of the staff in ordinary conversation and the rapid sketches made by such talented men as Mr. Pingstone and Mr. Shand.
Mr. Gifford was a man of considerable presence, besides being kindly and always ready to inspire individual members of staff with confidence when he deemed it advisable. At Assembly he would say: 'Now I want you to listen carefully to what I have to say.. . Tell that boy over there to stop fidgeting I' And what he had to say was good common-sense and well-heeded by most of his audience, the gist of his tale being that the School was, and must continue to be, second to none. An example of his sense of humour was the way he brought to an end a lengthy discussion at a staff-meeting about a proposed School dance with the remark: 'We can't spend the term on the dance floor!'
A pleasant interlude came in September 1942 when I had the privilege of taking over Russell House for a term during Mr. Sutherby's absence on leave. This was brought to a happy conclusion by Christmas festivities which included an excellent thriller produced by Mrs. Hart. Alan Carew's captaincy of the School's cricket team came about this time, and I remember particularly his century against Milton and the XI's second victory over Plumtree.
Appointment as Heyman House Superintendent in 1945 did not turn out happily as I had to leave it suddenly for hospital. But, a year later when Mr. Farrell went to Chaplin School as Head, I was fit enough to accept the Johnson House post. At least I attended to the housemaster's duties while my wife supervised domestic matters unofficially of course. She also ran the tuckshop with great success. There were worries in this job, but in some ways it was the most enjoyable period I spent at the School. One bright sunny early morning, when the cadets among our boarders were to leave for camp, we were woken by the most perfect bugle call of reveille I have ever heard. There was something quite romantic about it and I wish I could remember the name of the bugler. I wonder how many of those concerned would remember when I found it necessary to gate the head boy of the house, Christopher Dams, and all Dorm 1 - The offence must have been fairly innocuous, but everyone took the affair in good part. And who
was the boy who rang my front door bell early one morning with a straight face and the story of some disaster requiring immediate attention on 1 April'
1947 became known as the year of the three headmasters. Mr. Sutherby had left to take charge of the Salisbury Polytechnic and Mr. Gifford had gone on leave, so Mr. G. J. Anderson acted as Head for the first term. The second term saw Mr. Gifford back to complete one more term before joining the inspectorate, while in the third term Mr. Sutherby's period of headship began. All who were at the School during that time will remember Mr. Sutherby's Friday morning assemblies. The most impressive Assembly of all was that which he organised so well for the unveiling of the School's War Memorial plaque by Field Marshall Earl Wavell in 1948 which was one of the School's greatest occasions.
Back at Johnson House we played our part during the two-day general strike. I can still see in the mind's eye some of our brawny seniors just returned, hot and grimy, from their unwonted toil as shovellers of coal at the power station. Others performed varied tasks of a less strenuous nature and seemed to enjoy the change from normal school routine.
In August 1951 my wife and I left Johnson House and moved into our own home. Later, Mr. Sutherby being away, I had to interview candidates for the post of Bursar, among whom was Mr. P. T. H. Crandon. I duly reported to the Headmaster that I thought Mr. P. T. H. Crandon 'too good for the job'. He was, of course, appointed and proved to be worth his weight in gold. (See page 49). I must not forget to mention Mr. G. J. Anderson's sotto voce remark remark to me one day after the morning Assembly had been dismissed with the not uncommon command Right and left turn: 'He wants to make us into contortionists,' he said.
In 1953 Mr. H. J. Sutherby became Principal of the newly formed Technical College and I was appointed Headmaster of the School. I received my instructions from Mr. L. R. Morgan, Secretary for Education, with whom I paced the platform of Bulawayo station as he was changing trains on the way to Pretoria. As Headmaster I missed my regular teaching, but found plenty to do in the office and much interest in attending School matches and other functions. Once I was asked to inspect the Cadet Corps and address 'the troops': I accepted with some trepidation, but found the experience (complete with tea taken with Officers and N.C.O's afterwards) quite a pleasure. The cadets were ably commanded and
instructed in my time and one always felt proud of them at the Queen's Birthday parade.
Two other things came to mind: that tremendous boxing match between John Banks and Michael Smart; and the picture (and voice) of Mr. M. W. Tregidgo starting the races at athletic sports with such efficiency.
In 1961 at my last Speech Night, with Mr. W. A. Mollatt (Chief Inspector of Schools) a very welcome guest-speaker, we also had the ceremony of re-naming the School after the first Headmaster. It was a great pleasure to have him on the stage to receive an illuminated address and to speak to us all. (See photo page 22) Mrs. Gifford, too, was there to play her part by unveiling the plaque inscribed with the new name.
Then, early in 1962, after a round of farewells came the day of departure for England. A goodly number of Staff and senior boys came to the station to see us off, a gesture that was greatly appreciated.
DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
1939-1945
D.F.C.:
F/O. B.T.F. Coventry
F/Lt. M. J. Goodwin, D.F.M.
F/O. E. G. Hadingham
P/O. R. K. Hart
F/Lt. J. D. Haworth
P/O. L. W. Hayler
P/O. D. G. Fitt
F/Lt. N. J. Lucas
P/O. D. Palmer
D.F.M.:-
Sergt. H. J. Goodwin
Sergt. F. E. Peters
C.G.M.: Sergt. A. H. Cowham
M.M.: Sergt. P. Vorster
M.C.: Lieut. G. Miller
B.E.M. (Military Division): L/Cpl. C. P. Pavlich
American Bronze Star: Tpr. D. Eltze
M.B.E. Capt. W. H. Harnden
MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES (1939-1945)
Cpl. A. Armstrong
W/O. II. A. W. Barbour
F/O. J. A. Konschel
A/C. S. A. McMaster
F/O. P. M. C. Theodosiou
Rfn. A. Thomas
Sergt. J. T. Tsirindanis
DECORATIONS
(COUNTER-INSURGENCY OPERATIONS)
1974 Air Sub.Lieut. C. P. Dickinson, O.L.M. (The Order of
the Legion of Merit)
1975 G. Devine was awarded the B.S.A.P. Commissioners'
Commendation for Bravery.
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A. G. Crane D. D. Rosedale | E. C. Clarke |
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
A War Memorial plaque in honour of fifty-four old bays who gave their lives during the Second World War was unveiled at a Dedication Service in the Beit Hall, Rhodes Street, on 2 March 1948.
It was in March 1947 that Messrs. Thomas Henshaw and Sons of Edinburgh were engaged to supply a bronze memorial. At the top the letters B.T.S. appear, together with the School's crest and motto; below the dates 1939-1945 is an inscription: To the Glorious Memory of Old Boys of this School who fell in the Cause of Freedom. Their Name Liveth for Evermore. Notable is the fact that no rank or decoration is mentioned: none was needed. This noble memorial is cased in a fine wooden mounting, and it is now in the foyer of the new School Hall, but the solemnity of its original dedication in the Beit Hall remains with it.
One of the great soldiers of the Second World War, Field Marshall Earl Wavell, P.C., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., C.M.G., M.C., unveiled the memorial in the presence of the whole school, including the Headmaster, Mr. H. J. Sutherby, and the Head Boy, W. A. Donkin, as well as the Founder Headmaster, Mr. P. H. Gifford. Present were many relatives and friends, representatives of the Old Technicians' Association and of the School's Advisory Committee, and from various schools, churches, and civic bodies.
Mr. Gifford delivered the moving dedicatory address particularly moving since both he and Mr. Sutherby, the Headmaster, remembered each of these men personally. In a recent letter to the present Headmaster, Mr. Sutherby commented on the fact that he remembered very vividly still all those men and the ceremony at which their sacrifice was honoured.
Field-Marshall Wavell's short speech (recorded in the 1948 Magazine) ended with the wholly appropriate epitaph pronounced on Allan Wilson and the Shangani patrol by a Matabele chieftain after the battle in which they had been annihilated:
Let them lie in peace. They were men who fought like men, died like men, whose fathers were men.
THE PINGSTONE GATES
These beautiful wrought-iron gates were made in the School's workshops in 1930 by Mr. H. A. Pingstone, who joined the staff in that year. There is no welding on the gates; all the wrought iron work is bolted together. They were erected on the Rhodes Street frontage of the School (which was then, of course, at the old site not where it is now, off Matopos Road). Unfortunately a lorry struck one of the supporting pillars on which the gates were hung and the gates were taken down and put into storage.
When the School began concentrating on the Russell House site, they were erected on pillars at the entrance to what is now the Cowan Field, virtually where the Cowan Field name pillar now
is. When the field was re-levelled and extended, they were once again taken down and remained unhung until 1977, when they were re-erected in 16th Avenue, near the Pate Pavilion.
It is fitting that they should hang near the Technical Drawing Centre and the Workshops a continuing testimony to the fine craftmanship on which the technical teachers of this school have always prided themselves.
1. The Cowan Gates at the main entrance to the School.
2. Russell House, formerly the Primary Hostel of the Public School, which,
together with Milton Junior School, were the first two primary schools in
Bulawayo. It was built by McDonald and McFarlane and completed in July 1926
It was taken over by the School in 1939 as a junior hostel to replace Heyman House.
3. Dining Hall, built at the same time as Russell House.
4. Newman House was occupied on 2 July 1951. Previously 26 new boys, 2 prefects and the resident master, Mr. l. G. Grant, had had temporary accommodation in the converted south gymnasium.
5. Geography Department and Economics. It was built in 1939 by Public Works
and was originally a pattern-making shop for the Technical School.
6. The School Hall built by A. Chiaklidas (Pvt.) Ltd. and opened on Friday,
18 July 1969 by Mr. A. P. Smith. Minister of Education.
7. The Administration Block, built by Nellen Construction. Work began on 5 October 1962 and was completed in the vacation between the first and second terms of 1963. In the interim, office staff and Headmaster were squeezed into two tiny rooms in the Famona Kindergarten School (14).
8. Quadrangle consisting of two senior laboratories two classrooms, and an art room (now the biology laboratory) was built by D. J. Burger in 1966.
9. The Library Block now housing part of the Mathematics and Science Departments, the library and prefects' common-room was built in three sections by W. S. Walenn. The first section which is furthest away from the Cowan Field, was occupied in January 1957, the second stage (which includes the old staff-room) in 1959, and the third section in 1960.
10. The Afrikaans Dapartment, an extension of the Library Block, was built by Burger and McBean (Pvt.) Ltd. and occupied in 1976.
11. The Pool Block houses the English, French and History Departments, and was occupied in the third term of 1975. Built by Burger and McBean (Pvt.) Ltd.
12. The Gym Block was built in 1942 by Jimmy Cowden and contained two gymnasia and two squash courts. This building was presented to the Southern Rhodesia Government in April 1945. The one gymnasium no longer exists, being turned first into workshops, then into four classrooms (1969), and then into an art-and-craft centre (1975) plus two rooms devoted to audio-visual equipment.
13. Metalwork Shop, built by J. Cowden and occupied early in 1961.
14. Workshop, built by W. S. Walenn & Son (Pvt.) Ltd. in 1961 and occupied in 1962.
15. Famona Block, originally the Famona Kindergarten School, was built by the National Housing Board, a Government organisation set up after the war to catch up on housing shortage. It was taken over in January 1962 thereby making it possible for all the School to come together at the South Branch with the exception of the one laboratory at the Rhodes Street school for junior science classes. It was converted to a technical -drawing centre in 1969.
16. The Pate Pavilion on which work started on 12 February 1964. There will be a separate artcle on this elsewhere in these web pages.
17. The new position of the Pingstone Gates.
18. The former Scout Hut which was built in 1960 with funds collected by Mrs. Hart and her committee. Mr. Ross Kerswell, Johnnie Nollenze (an old boy), and Mr. R. W. Pate were responsible for its construction.
19. Two prefabricated buildings, the one nearer the Famona Block (14) is the music room.
20. The African compound, which was built in 1946.
PLAYING FIELDS
A. The Cowan Field, formerly the Russell House field or ''The Oval", is the main cricket field for the first-team matches in rugby and hockey. The field was levelled and resurfaced in 1957.
B. The Sutherby Field, formerly the South Field and venue for first XV matches. It was used for the first time in 1952, and was reconstructed in 1961.
C. The Andrew Hart Field, formerly the Middle or 1965 Field which is when it was planted with grass by Gifford pupils.
D. The Farrell Field, formerly the North Feild, was first used in 1957. The athletics track was still under construction when this photograph was taken (November 1976). The centre of the athletics oval will be a cricket field and hockey pitch.
E. The Sandham Field for junior hockey. Construction began in 1963 though the fieid was commissioned only in 1975.
F. The Stan McLoughlin Field, for rugby. Construction was also began in 1968 and the field was commissioned in 1975.
G. Fallow area which has been levelled as a playing field for future development.
RECREATIONAL AREAS
H. Newman House Tennis court built in 1961 mostly by the boarders. Lt. Col. J. R. Webb (the father of our Mr. B. P. Webb) provided the posts and netting at a "very modest figure''.
J. The existing block of four courts commissioned in 1974. They were built on the site of two former courts at what was then known as the Russell House Site in 1954 and 1956.
K. Levelled area for the preparation in 1977 of three further courts.
L. The McLachlan Pool, on which work was begun on 15 March 1973, was officially opened on 28 September 1974. The P.T.A. project, namely the change-rooms, can be clearly seen.
M. The main basketball courts which were laid in 1970.
N. The Anderson Pool was built in 1944. The terracing clearly visible in the photograph was undertaken in 1960; the change-rooms built by the School in 1963 can be seen to the immediate right of the pool. Many Old Boys will remember this as the position of the old tuck shop. The tuck shop now operates in the foyer of the Hall.
O. The old basketball courts, used now mainly by junior teams, were laid down in 1963.
P. The cricket nets nearest the Cowan Gates were built in 1959 after it was found that the nets built in the south-east corner of the Field in 1957 were insufficient. There used to be further nets more or less where the McLachlan Pool is now.
Early in 1963, the Headmaster, Mr. D. White, approached me with a
suggestion that consideration might be given regarding the construction
of a cricket score-board to be carried out as a 5B project. Not only did
the School need a score-board, but a pavilion with changing facilities
was high on the list of priorities.
Several professional cricketers were consulted regarding the basic
requirements for such a project, one being
Mr. Wigginton, our caretaker and groundsman at that time, who had played
for the Leicester County Cricket Club. Sketch plans were drawn for the
Headmaster's approval. Although showing enthusiasm, he considered the
proposed pavilion incorporating a score-board rather ambitious, as work
of that nature had never been attempted at the School previously. In the
end Mr. D. White agreed to find the money while I guaranteed that the
building would be completed. A set of plans was soon on its way to Head
Office in Salisbury showing the proposed site of our new pavilion, and
work started on the foundations on 12 February 1964.
When I reflect on
those early days, lads wielding picks and shovels, a great feeling of
pride goes out to them, for not only were they learning about the
building trade, they were being of service to their School. A large
mound of sand, stones and cement arrived on site, and with the aid of a
very large concrete mixer which was loaned to the School, 35 cubic yards
of concrete were poured into the foundations and slab.
Next came the
bricklaying, which is not one of the easier trades to learn, as many of
the lads discovered, experiencing many sore thumbs and also a few
heartaches. Some of the walls were built and rebuilt five times over.
Soon, however, our pavilion started to take shape.
Local building
merchants began to show interest, giving us all a wealth of
encouragement in our endeavours. Window and door frames started to
arrive on site, together with a 7-ton truck loaded with tubular
scaffolding, kindly loaned to the School by Luveve Teachers' Training
College. Erecting scaffolding was the next step. The lads did an
excellent job learning that safety is of paramount importance, and also
gaining confidence in their own ability. Shuttering for circular columns
and beam boxes were all con. constructed in the workshop.
Both Mr. E. Lafrentz and the late Mr. J. Hotz willingly co-operated when the
building required steel reinforcing for the beams, mats, etc.; also Mr.
Lafrentz was primarily responsible for the fabrication of the
score-board. The roof trustees were assembled in the workshop before
being erected on site. Next came the plumbing and electrical work which
was installed by the boys. The locker fittings, prefabricated in the
workshop,, were finally fixed into the two changing-rooms, so forming
seats and storage for cricket and hockey kit.
The cricket pavilion was
officially opened on 6 November 1968 by His Worship the Mayor,
Councillor J. Goldwasser, who unveiled a plaque naming the building the
RON PATE PAVILION, a very great honour indeed; however, but for the
wonderful effort and achievement of the lads of 5B, this project would
not have come to fruition.
R. W. PATE.
STAFF, 1977
Mr. H. FINCHAM, B.A.(Rand), T.T.D Headmaster
Mr. R. A. FURBER, B.A., U.E.D.(Rhodes) Deputy Headmaster
TEACHERS IN CHARGE
Mr. E. M. CAREW, B.Sc.(London), P.C.E.(Exeter) Science
Mr. D. M. DAVIS, B.A., U.E.D.(Rhodes) Geography
Mrs. L. DU PREEZ, T.E.D.(Potchefstroom) Africaans
Mr. R. T. McGEOCH, M.A., U.E.D.(Rhodes) English
Mr. A. MENNE, B.A.(Rhodes), P.C.E.(London) Chief Assistant
Mr. W. J. SANDHAM Technical Subjects
Mr. D. G. TOWNSHEND B.Sc.(London) Mathematics
Mr. A. L. VAN HEERDEN, B.A.(Rhodes) History; Additional Post
SUBJECT TEACHERS
Mr. J. BOYCE, Teacher's Certificate (Bulawayo) Science
Mr.T.M.BRINE Metalwork
Mr. M. P. C. CLARANCE, B.A.(Rhodes), Cert. Ed.(London) English, Science
Mrs. E. S. P. CLELLAND, M.A.(Glasgow), Scottish Ed. Dip.(Jordanhill) Mathematics
Mr. A. DALY, B.A.(Manchester), Mm. of Ed. Cert.(London) Economics, Geography
Mr. D. J. GRAY, B.Sc.(U.C.T.), P.G.C.E.(U.C.R.), Ac. Dip.(London) Chemistry
Mrs. D. HAR DIE, Teacher's Diploma (Bulawayo) Art
Mr. M. F. HARLEN, B.Sc.(Hons.) (Natal), G.C.E.(U.R.) Science
Miss N. K. HUGHES, L.R.A.M Music
Mr. D. A. JACK, B.A., P.C.E.(London English
Mrs. S. JORDAAN, B.A.(Natal) English
Mr. E. R. LAFRENTZ Engineering
Mrs. M. I. LEWIS, Cert. Ed.(Bulawayo), Dip.Agric.(Cedara) Mathematics
Mrs. C. M. MOSS, B.Sc., U.E.D.(Reading), Mm. of Ed. Cert.(London) Science
Mr. R. W. PATE Woodwork
Mrs. M. P. PHILLIPS, Teacher's Diploma (Bulawayo) Afrikaans
Mrs. F. ROBSON, Teachers' Certificate (Bulawayo) Mathematics
Mr. I. G. SHAW, B.Ed.(Hons.) (Sussex), T.Cert.(Eastbourne) History
Mrs. D. TOD, Teacher's Diploma (Derby), Diploma(Sorbonne) French, English
Mr. C. M. VILJOEN, Teacher's Diploma (Goudstad) Afrikaans
Mr. D. W. R. WAKEFIELD, Teacher's Diploma (Bulawayo) Mathematics
Mr. B. P. WEBB, B.A., U.E.D.(Rhodes) English
Mr. F. WILSON, Teacher's Diploma (Bulawayo) Physical Education
Mrs. J. B. W. WOOLLACOTT Afrikaans
OFFICE STAFF
Mrs. M. C. KALLIE Bursar
Mrs. C. RAFTOPOULOUS Secretary
Mrs. S. M. THOMSON Part-time Assistant
Mrs. A. L. L. FURBER Librarian
HOSTEL STAFF
Newman House Russel House Dining Hall
Mrs. S. L. CUNNINGHAM Mrs. K. C. F. DEVENISH Mrs. S. N. CLOETE
Mrs. A. C. SOFTLEY Mrs. B. M. GARDNER Mrs. M. P. E. LAWSON
Mr. S. R. STRICKLAND Caretaker
Mr. H. W. JEPTHA Groundsman
*on leave
GIFFORD'S DEPUTY HEADS
Alfred Edmond 'Tinky' FARRELL
The School would continue to move, over several years, to the South Branch, the site of Gifford today. A difficult and rather confused era followed, and was not really eased until the School became fully established on the present site.
R.C.E. RESULTS, 1976
First deputy head of the School, and a founder member of staff with Mr. Gifford, Mr. Farrell was number two in seniority until the post of deputy headmaster was made official, in which capacity he served until 1946. 'Tinky' Farrell was born in 1892 at Kirriemuir, Scotland, and he obtained his M.A. and B.Sc. degrees at Edinburgh University. He served in the Royal Field Artillery and the Cavalry, in which he was commissioned, during the First World War, and after the war he taught in England and Scotland until he emigrated to Rhodesia in 1924. He joined the original Technical School Staff in 1927 after 3 years' service at Umtali High School. Mr. Farrell taught science and mathematics, and was head of both departments; he was a hostel housemaster for many years, of Main Hostel 1937-42, and of Johnson House from 1943 till he left on promotion in 1946 when he was appointed Headmaster of Chaplin School, Gwelo. Mr. Farrell acted as headmaster on three occasions whilst at the Technical School. He is perhaps best remembered for his inspiring leadership of the Cadet detachment, which he started at the School in 1927 and of which he was in charge until he left. Mr. Farrell retired in 1952 and enjoyed a long and fruitful retirement until his death in February, 1976.
Andrew HART
Served as deputy headmaster from January, 1948 to December, 1952, when he was appointed headmaster (see biographical notes on the headmasters of Gifford.)
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Graham John ANDERSON
Succeeded Mr. Hart, after the latter had been appointed Headmaster of the School, in January, 1953, and retired in this post in April, 1959. Mr. Anderson was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland and attended Rivington Grammar School, where he became School Captain (Head Boy). He went straight from school to the army, joining the famous Argyll and Sutherland Highland Regiment in 1915. He transferred, while in France, to the Royal Engineers, and was gassed near Calais in 1916. The effects of the gassing he felt for the rest of his life. He graduated after the Great War with a B.Sc. degree at London University and obtained his Teacher's Certificate. He taught for some years at Heversham Grammar School, before emigrating to Rhodesia in 1929. Mr. Anderson taught at Umtali, Prince Edward and Chaplin Schools before joining the Bulawayo Technical School Staff in 1945, where he remained for 14 years. He was housemaster of Russell House for several years, was in charge of the Rhodes Street Branch in 1958/59, and acted as headmaster on five occasions. Mr. Anderson was an effective teacher of science, and was involved in many school activities, including dramatics and swimming. He was responsible for the renovation and maintenance of the ex-R.A.F. swimming pool which now bears his name. Mr. Anderson lived in Bulawayo during his retirement and died in 1975.
Geoffrey LAMBERT
Became the School's fourth deputy headmaster having been on the staffs of Northlea School and the old Heany Teachers' Training College. Mr. Lambert was born in Durban in 1915 and attended Durban High School at which he became a prefect in 1931. He gained a B.Sc. in mathematics which became his main teaching subject, and chemistry, at Natal University, and obtained his Higher Education Diploma in 1935. He taught at Maritzburg College until his attestation into the South African Army Special Signals Services (Radar) in 1940. Mr. Lambert served in North Africa and Italy, attaining the rank of Captain. After the war, he taught at Estcourt High School and emigrated to Rhodesia in 1956. Mr. Lambert was housemaster of Russell House whilst at Gifford, and his tenure of office was characterized by considerable drive and energy. He left the School in April, 1962, to become headmaster of Thornhill High School, Gwelo. Mr. Lambert is at present headmaster of Mount Pleasant High School, Salisbury.
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Stanley Haig McLOUGHLIN
Served as deputy head from May, 1962 to April, 1968. 'Uncle Mac', as he was affectionately
known, was born in Uniondale, Cape Province, and attended Uniondale High School at which he matriculated. He attended Rhodes University where he obtained a B.Sc., majoring in botany and zoology, and a U.E.D. Mr. McLoughlin developed such a love of mathematics, however, that he spent his career teaching the subject which had been his favourite at school. He taught at Selborne College, East London, from 1942 to 1944, and emigrated to Rhodesia later that year when he was appointed to the staff of Umtali High School. He moved to the Technical School in 1948, and remained on the staff for 20 years. Mr. McLoughlin's great interest outside the classroom was rugby, and he coached many highly successful first XV teams. He is specially proud of the first ever tour by a Gifford side to South Africa; the team beat all their opponents in Johannesburg. 'Uncle Mac' was superintendent of Johnson House and later, a much-loved housemaster of Newman House. He now lives in East London, Cape Province.
Johan Franzoa HERBST
'Frank' Herbst was appointed to Gifford as deputy headmaster in September, 1968, and left the school in December, 1969 to become a lecturer in Afrikaans at the Bulawayo Teachers' College, at which institution he has remained. Born and educated at primary school level in Fort Victoria, Mr. Herbst completed his secondary school education at Boshof High School, Orange Free State in 1946. At high school he was an outstanding rugby player he captained the first XV and was also a fine athlete. He graduated from Stellenbosch University with a B.A. degree and Secondary Teachers' Diploma, his major subjects being Afrikaans, Netherlands and history. His service prior to his arrival at Gifford was at MiIton~ Umtali and Northlea High Schools. Whilst at Gifford, Mr. Herbst was fully occupied as deputy headmaster and housemaster of Russell House, but retained his interest in rugby, cricket and athletics, all of which he enthusiastically coached in all the schools at which he taught. He finds his present work challenging, but misses the closer contact with young people that school life provides.
Reginald Alan FURBER
Appointed as Gifford's seventh deputy head in May, 1970, he is now the second longest serving member in this post. Born in Bulawayo in 1936, he went to Milton Junior and Milton High Schools, and at the latter he was Head Boy in 1954. In the same year, he was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour as the best cadet officer in the Federation. He attended Rhodes University and obtained his B.A. and U.E.D. at that institution. After teaching history at Hillfield College, Canada for two years, he returned to Rhodesia, and has taught at Que Que and Cranborne High Schools, at which he held various posts, including O.C. Cadets, master-in-charge of geography, acting deputy headmaster, etc. Since his arrival at Gifford, Mr. Furber has acted as headmaster on three occasions, directed several major school theatrical productions, including the winning play, The Trial of Mary Dugan, in the 1976 A.R.T.S. Schools' Drama Festival, and involved himself in the majority of the School's activities and functions. He is currently Editor of The Bee Hive, and has a special interest in sixth form activities and the cultural side of the extramural programme.
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THEY SERVED WELL
After conducting an exercise of research into past magazines and other reference material, it was revealed that more than 220 teachers served the School from 1927. This number does not include the 33 members-of-staff who are currently with us. Stalwarts who have served for ten years or longer are remembered below.
B.P. WEBB
Mr. A. C. Vaughan, 1927-1951
'Daddy' Vaughan joined the staff when the School opened, and except for six months at Milton, spent the whole of his teaching career of twenty-four years at the School teaching English, geography and civics. From 1929 until 1950, he edited the school magazine; for many years he was also housemaster of Whitworth House, and had charge of the School's funds account. He ran the debating society and library, took an interest in dramatics, and was treasurer of the War Memorial Fund for four years. Thus he was largely responsible for the construction of the War Memorial which was unveiled as part of the School's twenty-first anniversary celebrations in 1948. For his efforts in this connection, Mr. Vaughan was made an honorary life vice-president of the Old Technicians' Association. He retired to Durban where in 1953 he died.
Mr. T. M. Shand, 1927-1953
Tim Shand joined the staff six months after the School had opened; after having served the School for over thirty-five years, he was transferred to the Bulawayo Technical College in January 1953. He taught woodwork, and had an interest in dramatics. Ultimately he became deputy principal of the Evening Department. Mr. Shand took a keen interest in the Old Technicians' Association of which he was vice-president from 1948 until he retired.
Mr. H. A. Pingstone, 1930-1962
Harry Pingstone joined the staff as an engineering Instructor and soon proved himself to be a highly competent and meticulous craftsman. In 1930 to adorn the grounds at the Rhodes Street School, he designed and constructed a pair of wrought-iron gates and a sundial. Later, assisted by Mr. Clubb, Mr. Pingstone made a fine bell for Russell House, and both he and Mr. Ness made the indicator board for the annual inter-house competition, a board which is now mounted in the entrance foyer of the Hall. According to Mr.H. J. Sutherby, 'He was utterly single-minded. Practical engineering was his hobby as teaching it was his profession. He set a very high standard to which not every boy could attain, but few who came under his instruction left without having been touched by his genius.'
Mr. Pingstone was Housemaster of Whitworth House for some years, and the starter of the athletics sports in the late forties. After thirty-two years' service, he retired in December 1962.
Capt. F. A. Bailey, 1933-1954
Capt. Bailey joined the staff in 1933 as P.T. instructor and had an immediate impact on the sporting activities of the School. He had an energising effect on the first cricket team for the first few years, and in addition coached athletics, gymnastics and rugby. He took a keen interest in the cadet unit which he joined in 1937, and of which he was the commanding officer from 1946 till he retired. In June 1954, Capt. Bailey was awarded the Efficiency Decoration for his many years of service with the School's cadet unit.
Mr. E. J. C. Bacon, 1934-1954
Mr. Bacon taught engineering in the mining department until he was transferred to the Technical College in July 1954. He always took a keen interest in the welfare of the boarders, and became superintendent of Heyman House in 1947, then of Russell House in 1950, and was the first housemaster of Newman House after that hostel was opened in July 1 951. In addition, he acted as deputy headmaster in 1952, was chairman of the School's Engineering Society for a time, was the School's squash representative on the Old Technicians' Committee, and was housemaster of Dalton House in 1951 when the Gifford Trophy was won for the first time. Mr. Bacon was in charge of rugby and cricket for some years, and it was while he coached the first rugby team that the School won the Honey Cup for two successive years, namely 1940 and 1941, and that rugby colours were introduced in 1936.
Mr. W. S. Penfold, 1935-1945
Mr. Penfold joined the staff as a science teacher. He was a resident master in Heyman House after that hostel had opened at the beginning of 1936. During his ten years at the School, he was of great assistance in promoting school games, particularly soccer and tennis, until he was transferred to Chaplin High School at the end of the second term in 1945.
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Mr. S. Higham, 1935-1964
Mr. 'Sid' Higham joined the staff in 1935 as the principal of the mining department which was started that year, and he was closely associated with all its activities until the department was closed at the end of 1 961. It was largely owing to his enthusiasm and skill that the department made such a notable contribution to the country's development.
It was he who, with Mr. Beak, surveyed the South Field, now known as the Sutherby Field. Mr. Higham was acting housemaster of Main Hostel in 1938 while Mr. Farrell was on leave, and later he became superintendent of Heyman House until 1945. An August 1961 Mr. Higham, officially retired after twenty-five years' service, although he stayed on at School for a further two years.
Mr. W. H. Beak, 1937-1961
Mr. Beak was an instructor in the mining department; he was a member of the School's grounds committee for many years and as such he assisted Mr. Higham in surveying the South Field, now the Sutherby Field.
Mr. R. W. Haigh, 1937-1953
Mr. Haigh served the School for sixteen years before being transferred to the Bulawayo Technical College in January 1 953. At various times he was in charge of swimming, water-polo, and soccer. He is probably best remembered for his great interest in colour photography, which he developed to a fine art. On several occasions he entertained the boarders of Heyman and Johnson Houses with coloured films on a variety of subjects, particularly African life and Rhodesian scenery. At the annual School concert and prizegiving in 1943 and again at the prize-giving in 1944, Mr. Haigh showed films portraying the general activities of the School.
Mr. J. A. C. Houlton, 1938-1950
Mr. Houlton left the school in 1950 to become a housemaster at Prince Edward High School. During his eleven years here, he showed his versatility both in the classroom, where he taught English, French and Mathematics, and out of school, where he took an active part in the cadet unit and the dramatic society, besides being the business manager of the school's magazine. Early in his career at Gifford, he was in charge of cricket and he coached soccer. He was superintendent of bth Johnson and Heyman Houses. After becoming the Regional Director of Education, Mr. Houlton was the guest speaker at Speech Night in June 1960.
Mr. D. M. Clubb, 1940-1951
Mr. Clubb was a woodwork teacher at the School till 1951 when he left for Milton High School. He was a resident master in Russell House during his first year at the School, and it is recorded in the magazine of that year that 'His Saturday evening sing-songs, with guitar accompaniment added greatly to the gaiety of the House'. He took a keen interest in boxing, and for a time was in charge of the sport.
Mr. J. M. Buchanan, 1945-1959
'Bucky' as he came to be known universally, was the senior woodwork master who very soon became the mainstay of cricket and rugby at the School, and was in charge of both the major sports for many years. Not only did he have great gifts as a coach, but he was no mean performer himself as he played both cricket and rugby for Rhodesia and the Old Technicians' Association after having had a distinguished sporting career in Port Elizabeth. In addition to all this, Mr. Buchanan gave many years of valuable service to the School's finance and grounds committees, and took a very keen interest in all the activities of the School.
Mr. C. E. de Wet, 1946-1959
Chris de Wet was the senior Afrikaans master at the School for a number of years. He spent nearly all of his career at the School in the hostel: he was a resident master in Johnson House for ten years, and later housemaster of Russell House for two years. Mr. de Wet coached cricket and rugby, including the first XV and was for two seasons in charge of rugby.
Mr. C. D. Cowan, 1938-1968
It would be correct to say that Mr. Charles Cowan was one of the great schoolmasters and housemasters of Gifford. He came to the School at the beginning of the third term in 1938, and for some time taught in both the Day and Evening Departments. He taught building construction, carpentry and joinery, metalwork, mechanics and technical-drawing. He was a resident master in Main Hostel until 1941, after which he acted as superintendent of Johnson House for two terms in 1948; he was housemaster of Newman House from July 1954 to December 1955; he was superintendent of Johnson House from January 1956, until the end of 1960 when the hostel was transferred to the Bulawayo Technical College; finally, he was housemaster of Russell House from September 1962 until September 1968. Mr. Cowan was acting deputyheadmaster for six months in 1953, and master-
in-charge of the Russell House Branch, or South Branch, from January 1958. Mr. Cowan coached cricket, rugby, athletics, and tennis at various times. He was housemaster of Dalton House from 1954 until 1956, when he became housemaster of Faraday House until he retired at the end of 1968 after twenty-one years at the School. He was due to rejoin the staff the following year as a temporary teacher, but died tragically after a climbing accident in the Matopos in December 1968. Mr. Cowan is above all else, remembered for his gentleness, modesty, efficiency and integrity.
Mr. D. B. Dyssell, 1947-1960
'Des' Dysell left the staff after thirteen years' service to become deputy-headmaster of Lord Malvern High School. He is remembered chiefly for his efforts in school boxing which he took over after his arrival. During the long period that he was in charge of boxing, the standard of boxing in the School was very high, and 'Tech' boxers established a reputation for being clean, sporting winners and game losers. He was also associated with the cadet corps as a lieutenant.
Mr. W. M. Ness, 1948-1967
'Jock' Ness joined the staff in March 1948 as a woodwork teacher and left for Northlea High
School, where he is still teaching, at the end of the first term in 1967. Mr. Ness assisted with boxing for a short period, but his main sporting interest was soccer, a sport he actively coached.
During his eighteen years at the School, Mr. Ness also spent countless hours on constructing sets for dramatic productions, often almost singlehanded. He was also the stage manager on several occasions, notably for Ivanhoe in 1962,
H.M.S. Pinafore in 1963 and The Naked
Island in 1965. He also made the prefects' lectern which is used at assemblies.
Mr. W. J. Sandham, 1948-
'Captain Jack' Sandham joined the staff in March 1948. He retired in 1968, but returned, and happily is still teaching here after twenty eight years. Mr. Sandham came to the School to teach engineering. Since 1959 he has been in charge of the technical department, while in 1966 he acted as deputy headmaster for a term. He joined the School's cadet corps in 1954, and became the officer commanding on the resignation of Capt. Carlaw, a position he retained until the cadet movement was disbanded in 1968. In June 1966, Capt. Sandham was awarded the
Rhodesian Cadet Corps Medal for his long service. It was his position in the cadets that earned Mr. Sandham the soubriquet 'Captain Jack'. Mr. Sandham has always taken a keen interest in school sport: he used to coach soccer and at one time was a Rhodesian selector; for many years he was in charge of swimming and water-polo and was on the Matabeleland Swimming Board. He has been the starter of nearly every sports meeting and swimming-gala for the last twenty years or so. He still actively coaches hockey, and was the housemaster of Davy House from 1948 to 1972.
Mr. C. A. Carlaw, 1951-1962
During the eleven years that Mr. Charles Carlaw was at the School, he taught English and later became senior English master. Before he left in August 1962 to become deputy-headmaster of Founders High School, he was the librarian, chairman of the sixth form club for a period, and in charge of the dramatic society. He also took an active interest in the activities of the photographic society. Mr. Carlaw produced and stage managed several dramatic productions over the years, notably Ivanhoe in 1962, which was the first full-length play produced at the School for many years, and his greatest success H.M.S. Pinafore in 1963, which was the first musical production in the School's history. His other activities included cadets: he was appointed lieutenant in 1952, and in 1955, following the retirement of Capt. Bailey, became officer commanding with the rank of captain. In addition, he was a member of the Rhodesian Schools' Exploration Society, and took part in two expeditions, one to the lull District and the other to the Limpopo River.
Mr. K. Parry-Hughes, 1952- 1966
Mr. Ken Parry-Hughes was the senior mathematics master at the School and when he left in 1966 it was to take a post at the now defunct Sixth Form College. He took over tennis soon after his arrival; he assisted with swimming, and he also coached soccer.
Mr. W. A. Anderson, 1953-1971
Mr. 'Shorty' Anderson after eighteen years, left on transfer to Milton High School in May, 1971. He taught geography and science. Besides coaching various cricket, rugby and hockey groups, Mr. Anderson was a valuable member of the cadet corps which he joined as a lieutenant soon after his arrival. He took a great interest in the activities of the School's Christian Union, and for many years its members gained much from his spiritual guidance. Mr. Anderson will long be remembered for his robust support at First XV rugby matches which he rarely missed.
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Mr. E. R. Lafrentz, 1953-
'Laffy' or 'Mac' Lafrentz joined the staff in January, 1953 to teach engineering-workshop practice, and from 1962 to 1970 was in charge of workshops. In 1956 he put his scouting experience to good stead when he revived the School scout troop; four years later he saw the completion of the Scout Den on the south side of the gymnasium block, and this was in active use until the troop was disbanded in 1963. He was also at one stage the careers master. 'Mac' used to coach the second Xl and later assisted with junior groups. He was a housemaster of Dalton House from 1962 to 1972. Over the years, Mr. Lafrentz has constructed many items of equipment for the School: the following are just a few examples which serve to show how varied his contributions have been fittings for the Ron Pate Pavilion, basketball posts, and racks for stage-lighting.
Mr. J. Hotz, 1955-1967
Mr. John Hotz, who taught mathematics and mechanics, joined the staff in April, 1955 and left on transfer to Hamilton at the end of the first term in 1967. He was respected for his organising ability: he ran numerous school dances, raffles and fund-raising activities for projects such as the building of the Anderson Pool changerooms; he started a private bursary fund, and raised the funds which enabled the first XV to tour East London and Border in April, 1964. Another of his projects was raising funds for the Ron Pate Cricket Pavilion.
Mr. J. P. French, 1955-1973
Mr. Jack French joined the staff in April, 1955, and after eighteen years, he left the School on medical grounds in August, 1973. He taught metalwork until 1969, after which he was moved to technical-drawing. He coached a variety of cricket and rugby teams, and was the business manager of the School's magazine for many years, He served with the cadet corps first as a lieutenant and after 1965 as a captain.
Mr. B. P. Webb, 1956-
Although he now only teaches English, Mr. Webb in the course of his nineteen years at this School has taught geography and history as well. His service was broken when he spent a year, starting in April, 1970, doing child-care and welfare work at a boys' home in Johannesburg. Before this, 'Tammy' Webb was a resident master for ten years, serving in Newman, Johnson and Russell Houses. In 1963 he was in charge of a dormitory of form one Gifford boys at Hillside Boys' Hostel, and later acted as housemaster of this hostel for two terms. At one time Mr. Webb was in charge of chess, junior debating, the film club and judo. He has coached a variety of cricket and rugby teams, particularly among the under 13 groups. At present he is in charge of cricket. In 1969, Mr. Webb was appointed master-in-charge of form one pupils, a post he held until the administrative posts at the school were reorganised by the Ministry in 1973.
Mr. D. K. Broster, 1957-1970
Initially Mr. Ken Broster was the School's physical education instructor, but later he taught geography and became master-in-charge of this department. He was a most versatile sports-coach and had great organising ability: he was in charge of athletics for six years and coached the second Xl cricket team. Mr. Broster was also master-incharge of basketball for twelve years, and in 1959 the School played its first season of competitive basketball. He was, in addition, master-in-charge of hockey for seven years. Further, Mr. Broster soon after his arrival, joined the cadet unit as a lieutenant, and was promoted to the rank of captain in 1965. For the years 1969, 1970 Mr. Broster was one of the two staff representatives on the P.T.A. In 1969 he became Housemaster of Russell House, and also in 1969 was appointed to be in charge of the upper echelons of the school, a post he held until he left in 1970 to go to Umtali Boys' High School. He was acting deputy headmaster on three occasions in 1968, 1969 and 1970.
Mr. R. W. Pate, 1960-
During the past sixteen years, Mr. Ron Pate has proved to be a great asset to the School, and has become respected for his excellent skills in building, cabinet-making and craftmanship. He has, for example, made several stringed instruments which are equal to the best available, and is a member of the Bulawayo Philharmonic Orchestra, and has been involved in pratically every construction project at the School since his arrival; for example, he assisted with the construction of the Scout Den in 1960, made the headmaster's lectern, the honours boards in the hall, and recently a fine pedestal for Mr. Gifford's bust. Mr. Pate's crowning achievement was the cricket pavilion which was aptly named after him. This
project was started in 1964, and with the assistance of Mr. E. R. Lafrentz, Mr. J. Hotz and the boys of 58, the pavilion was completed in 1968. In addition he has constructed the properties and sets for every school production since 1962, and the tableaux for the annual carol concerts.
Mrs. L. du Preez, 1962-
Mrs. Lourine du Preez joined the staff in September, 1962, when she was the only lady on the teaching staff. She has taught Afrikaans for the fourteen years she has been at Gifford, and from 1966 she has been in charge of the department. Soon after her arrival, Mrs. du Preez took over the chess club which has developed into one of the most successful cultural activities at the School. To her also goes the credit for the several attractive aloe gardens in the School grounds.
Mrs. E. S. P. Clelland, 1963-
Initially Mrs. Clelland joined the staff in August, 1963 to teach mathematics for one term: that was thirteen years agog She has taken remedial classes in the afternoons and has done much to assist pupils experiencing difficulties with mathematics. She has assisted with the library and has taken tennis. She acted as teacher-in-charge of the mathematics department for two terms prior to April, 1972.
Mr. R. T. McGeoch 1967-
Since being posted to Gifford in 1967, Mr. McGeoch has been in charge of English. In that time he has coached most sports, the exceptions being swimming and water polo; at present he is in charge of hockey. He feels, though, his greatest contribution has been in the non-sporting sphere: at one stage he had the title of master-incharge of cultural activities, in which capacity he reorganised and refurbished the library and recatalogued the books according to the Dewey system. He initiated the revival of dramatics at the School on the construction of the hall, and produced the first major play in it, namely Arms and the Man. In the following year, he produced Both Ends Meet (1972). He founded the Sixth Form Forum in 1969 and sponsored the renewed interest in debating among the juniors. At one stage he was editor of The Bee Hive and was the first Drone; he has edited all the School's magazines since 1967, and is currently editor
of The Honeycomb. Since the inception of the
Merit and Honours awards in 1967, he has been closely associated with these awards. He has been housemaster of Whitworth (1971-1972) and Faraday (1973) games houses, and of Newman Hostel (1973-1975). He also served as one of the staff representatives on the P.T.A. from 1968 to 1970.
NON-TEACHING STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Wiggington, 1953-1969
'Wiggie' became the caretaker of the Rhodes Street School in 1953, and two years later of the Russell House Branch, at which time Mrs. Wiggington became the cook-matron. Mr. Wiggington used to play professional cricket for Leicestershire so his arrival here was a great asset: he assisted with coaching, and within a season or two provided excellent wickets. Mr. Wiggington's main achievement was the levelling and extension of the Cowan Field, a task which kept him busy for nearly two years.
Mrs. Wiggington was a good confectioner, whose cricket teas in particular were always appreciated.
Mr. P. T. H. Crandon, 1952-1962
Mr. 'Tommy' Crandon was the bursar at the School and became widely respected for his competency in managing the School's accounts, while his affable, pleasant personality gained him many friends.
Miss H. Jayes, 1948-1968
Miss Jayes was the Russell House sick-bay matron till 1954, when she transferred to Newman House where she remained until she retired at the end of 1968 after twenty years of conscientious service.
Mrs. K. A. A. Chapman, 1954-1967
Mrs. Chapman succeeded Miss Jayes as sickbay matron of Russell House from where she retired at the end of 1967 after thirteen years of loyal service.
Mrs. R. McNamara, 1950-1960
Mrs. McNamara became the cook-matron in Johnson House in 1950, and after the hostel was transferred to the Bulawayo Technical College at the end of 1960, she remained there for several years.
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There are twenty-three African employees at Gifford who have served the School for over ten years.
Parichi
Parichi, better known as Parish, was awarded a Long-Service Medal in 1973, commemorating thirty-one years of service to the school. He started in January 1941, and although Parish has officially retired from Government service, he is still employed at the School where he is the Boss- Boy.
India Kajamasasa
India entered service in May 1946 as a hostel assistant. He was at Heyman House for five years, after which he moved to Newman House when the hostel opened in July 1951. He was presented with a watch in 1976 to commemorate thirty years of service.
Justin Manatsa
Justin started as a cleaner at the Rhodes Street School in August 1951, and became the School's messenger a few years later. He moved to the Russell House Branch when the School was consolidated at this site in 1963. Justin has been at Gifford for sixteen years.
The other long-serving African employees are:
Freddie Musekiwa and Gilbert Muzrenge (Russell House); Quashee (Dining Hall); Ashani, Beka,
Gumganayi, Joram, Katare, Langton, Mailos,
Mugari, Muzengi, Nyokie, Paint Siamchemba, Pat, Paul, Sialubi, Stephen Munererewa, Tarunga,
and Tsokoto.
THE CHANGING FACE OF A SCHOOL
50 Years of History
A technical school, then and now.
It must be difficult for the present generation of pupils, and their staff, at Gifford to appreciate that for the greater part of the School's 50 years of life, the curriculum and examinations structure were so different from our system today as to be unrecognisable; the curriculum was technically and vocationally based, and the examinations taken were exclusively set by the Union of South Africa Department of Education. An analysis of the subject under discussion also reveals a bewildering array of subjects taught and examinations taken which undoubtedly contributed to much of the confusion about the real role that the technical school was to play in the educational scene of this country. The administration and educational difficulties experienced by headmasters and their staffs when the Technical School was closely bound up both with adult vocational and commercial education, all housed in several separate venues, must have been frustrating indeed, and until the advent of what we now know as the Technical College as distinct from the Technical High School, a fully corporate spirit was hard to achieve. Yet the Bulawayo Technical School succeeded in fulfilling one of its fundamental aims, namely its raison d'etre, which was to produce technically-minded and technologically trained individuals in a rapidly developing country which needed, and still needs, their special skills.
South African Technical Examinations, 1927.
In 1927, Mr. P.H. Gifford and four teachers began to teach an average enrolment of 39 pupils who embarked upon an initial three-year course in the following subjects: English, mathematics, science, engineering, engineering-drawing, building construction, and woodworking. Extra evening classes were begun in commercial subjects which included bookkeeping, commerce, shorthand, and typewriting. The first examination at the end of that year was the Preliminary Technical Certificate of the Union Department of Education, and was attempted by 9 candidates. In 1928, the second year, 6 candidates were entered for the National Technical Certificate Examination, Part I (Engineering), and one female candidate sat the National Certificate Examination (Clerical Group). In 1929, R. W. Barbour, who by alphabetical chance appears as number one on the roll, obtained the Preliminary Technical Certificate (P. T.C.) with distinction, and gained first place in South Africa in both English and science. G.S. Perry the first pupil to enrol at the School, was the first Rhodesian to pass the National Technical Certificate Examination (N.T.C.)Part II (Engineering).
A dual role
From its inception, the Bulawayo Technical Technical School fulfilled a dual role: the Day School provided a general education with technical training, while the Evening School carried technical training further, and with a variety of commercial subjects, embraced the vocational aspect. The latter role is today catered for by the Technical College, Bulawayo, and the Polytechnic, Salisbury.
High-school status, 1931.
By 1931, the curriculum of the School had been expanded to provide a full 5-year course of instruction, and the School was granted High School status, being henceforth known as the Bulawayo Technical High School. In November 1930, G. S. Perry sat the final examinations of the N.T.C.Part II, and became the first Rhodesian to obtain a full National Technical Certificate (Engineering).
In 1932, Mr. Gifford stated in the School Magazine editorial that "the object (of the technical school) is to provide a definite training for some industry together with a substantial amount of general education. No high attainment in any specific craft is aimed at. The Curriculum is designed to give that preliminary manual training which is the basis of all crafts, with some tendency towards later specialisation according to the trade in which the pupil is to find employment". In that, the School's sixth year, the day school had enrolled 139 pupils, while 256 students of both sexes attended evening classes. In the November 1932 Examinations, J. N. Wright passed the National Senior Technical Certificate with distinction on the technical side, so earning the successful candidate a Matriculation Exemption.
The Mining School, 1935
A significant development occurred in 1935 when the Mining School was established, at which pupils followed a 2-year course after which they became apprenticed for a further; 3 years "at various approved mines". Subjects taken included geology, mineralogy, surveying and assaying and plenty of mathematics. The first examination written by pupils at this branch of the School was the N.T.C. (Mining) in November 1936.
S.A. Junior and Senior Certificates, 1937
During a speech delivered by the Hon. G. M. Huggins, Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, a clear prophecy was made, and the 1 937 Magazine editorial relates: Technical schools are intended to provide a course for those pupils who, at a comparatively early age, have decided on a vocation which necessarily involves technical training. The Government agrees with the Education Commissioner that, for the present at any rate, the Bulawayo Technical School should be developed as the technical centre for the whole country, and must eventually become a technical college." In the same year the examinations structure included the National Junior Certificate (S.A.) as the preliminary examination to the National Senior Certificate (S.A. Matriculation equivalent); the latter was attempted only by a select few. In November 1937 C. L. A. Thompson wrote the latter examination and obtained first place in Southern Africa in mathematics out of 265 candidates. H. Roussot and J. A. Konschel shared first place with 1 4 other candidates out of 2468 in the N.T.C., Part II, and in the P.T.C., R. K. Hart was first in Southern Africa out of 2 241 candidates in English, while B.Sc. Haworth headed the list of 2494 candidates in technical drawing. At this time the School had 241 pupils in the day section, and 336 students attended evening classes.
N.A.T.C., 1943
The Second World War soon intervened, and the November 1939 editorial comments, somewhat ruefully, ' In happier circumstances it would have been our pleasure to point to the plans . . . for widening the sphere . . . of the Technical School. Increased facilities for technical education were to be provided, following the erection of a fine Technical College . . ." During the war years there appeared an additional qualification, the National Advanced Technical Certificate, and in November 1943, it was recorded that D. C. Candler (who was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1946) and J. F. Pollock, both evening students at that
stage, and passed the examination with distinction.
Three campuses
Construction began on the buildings of the new Technical College in the later war years, and it was an ambition of Mr. Gifford "that the Technical High School be linked up with the new Technical College . . ." and further, " . . . that the College could easily become the Faculty of Technology in a future Rhodesian University". At the time Mr. Gifford relinquished the headmastership for the inspectorate in 1 947, 20 years had passed in the School's life, and the enrolment had risen to 432 boys. Unfortunately, in the years prior to the final separation of the Technical School from the College, the former suffered from sub-division among various premises, and a unified school on one campus became the dearest wish of the second headmaster, Mr. H. J. Sutherby. Nonetheless, the new buildings at Park Street were used by the School after the opening in 1 951 of the imposing Henderson Block laboratories of the Technical College.
The Bulawayo Technical High School, 1953.
In 1953 the School was officially designated the Bulawayo Technical High School, having forms 1 to 5, all work beyond form 5, all apprentice and part-time education including commercial subjects, would be the concern of the College, and the latter was officially opened in the same year.
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The first local examination, 1956.
The first break away from the South African system occurred with the introduction, in 1956, of the local Form II Examination in English and arithmetic, which replaced the Standard Vll (Technical) Examination (S.A.). The former examination was essentially designed for boys wishing to enter apprenticeships, and could be regarded as a forerunner to our present R.C.E. (Lower) Examination.
And university entrance, 1957
At Speech Night, 1957, the headmaster, Mr. A. Hart, stated that, "Our University entrants straight from school this year were six in number." Several students had embarked upon university careers in earlier years, but usually only after they had attained further qualifications by attending evening classes, etc. The separation of School and College was almost complete. In November of the same year, two pupils wrote mathematics and physics at Cambridge Higher School Certificate level, which they were able to do after having passed the S.A. National Senior Certificate.
Cambridge Certificates, (1958), and C.O.P.
A major landmark was reached in the examinations structure in 1958 when candidates were entered for the Cambridge School Certificate (other High Schools had been doing these examinations for years), for the first time, but " . . . the subjects we shall offer in the Cambridge Examinations are almost identical with those taken at present by National Senior Technical Certificate candidates." The 1960 Magazine editorial refers to a change in emphasis as to what the technical school should provide, by quoting Admiral H. G. Rickover, the 'father" of the U.S. nuclear submarine. Admiral Rickover distinguished between training in order to provide vocational skills, and education " . . . which en- t larges the individual's comprehension, giving him knowledge and the mental capacity to understand". The editorial speaks of " . . . a spirit (which) seems to be that technical education in schools must not be vocational and should incline to the academic." This thinking was undoubtedly instrumental in the phasing out of the N.T.C.
(S.A.) examination system and the introduction of a full range of academic subjects leading to the Cambridge School Certificate, while the nonacademic stream would concentrate on Form II and the new College of Preceptors Examination. In 1961, the Mining Department of the School was closed.
The early 1960's were years of frustration and some anxiety for the School, with a further change in status and the severing of several links with the technical past, changes in the examinations structure, and the projected but slow movement to the Russell House site. Having barely had time to absorb and adjust to the more "academic" Cambridge system. the curriculum and syllabuses and approach almost immediately became even more academic with the introduction of the Associated Examining Board's G.C.E. system.
"Tech" becomes Gifford Technical High School, 1962
On 3 December, 1962, at Speech Night, the School was officially named the Gifford Technical High School, following a Ministry of Education announcement to this effect in August. That year Select Entry Tests in English, arithmetic and general intelligence were taken by all pupils wishing to enrol at the technical school, which was now bearing the name of its founder headmaster and pursuing an academically-orientated curriculum, though retaining a technical bias" in that the majority of pupils leaned towards a mathematics-science weighted course in which technical-drawing was a compulsory subject, and many pupils still aimed towards a technological vocation, However. whilst Latin was not offered, the broad curriculum became no different from that offered at any other Rhodesian high school.
The A.E.B. Examinations, 1962
In November 1962, the first A.E.B. Examinations were written, but only at the "M" (Matriculation) Level. These were attempted by 12 candidates in lieu of the Subsidiary Level of the Cambridge Higher School Certificate, and in June, 1963, five pupils wrote the A.E.B. "O" (Ordinary) Level. In November 1963 Advanced, Matriculation and Ordinary Levels of the G.C.E. were written, and apart from the modified syllabus to align "M" Level with "A" Level introduced in 1972, this fine examination system has prevailed.
Selective Entry
With the break away from the Technical College and the introduction of selective entry, the School's enrolment actually dropped to 370 in 1963. A four-stream entry only gradually increased enrolment for a time, but by 1974, the last year involving a Select Entry intake, the School opened with 621 pupils. The peak enrolment figure was in January 1977, with the School functioning on a five-stream entry, at 693 pupils.
1965 - a 'technical' bias
Reflecting the 'technical bias" referred to above, the range of the G.C.E. subjects at all levels appearing on the November 1965 Examination entry lists was: English, English literature, Afrikaans, French, geography, mathematics, additional mathematics, applied mathematics with mechanics, pure and applied mathematics, physics, physics-with-chemistry, electronics, chemistry, and technical-drawing. It may also have been purely coincidental that the headmaster at the time was Mr. (now Dr.) D. R. White, a mathematician.
R.C.E., the second local examination, 1972.
November 1972 saw several significant changes to the examinations structure. The C.O.P. examination, considered too academic for the less gifted child, was written for the last time, and the new local examination, the Rhodesian Certificate of Education (R.C.E.) at the higher level was also taken by the lowest form 3B class. The R.C.E., having been designed for C-streams will be written for the first time at the lower level in 1977 by our present form 3C, and at the higher level when they are 4C in 1978. As previously mentioned, the original 8 M" Level course was substituted by new A"-Level aligned syllabuses, and the first examination based on the latter course was also written in November 1972, and found to be of a standard above the capabilities of the majority of pupils who had attempted the "O" Level.
'Comprehensive' status
At Speech Night, 1974, the Acting Headmaster, Mr. R. A. Furber, reported that "the year 1973 could be regarded as a watershed in the history and development of this school, for . . . the Ministry of Education announced its intention to change the status of the two technical schools, with their Select Entry System, to comprehensive high schools. Since all schools in the country now offer the full range of technical subjects in the curriculum, there is no reason why Gifford's selection of subjects should not become identical with that offered at any other school. All institutions should welcome constructive change, especially if such change is seen to be a progressive and maturing process." Gifford Technical High School was the official name of the School, but the word "Technical" was retained as a recognition of the status the School had experienced for 46 years. However, in common usage for a number of years right up to the present time has been the name Gifford High School, a name which honours the School's founder, Mr. P.H. Gifford, and its technical background, and at the same time recognises its present status as a "comprehensive" high school, with a curriculum virtually identical with any other secondary school in Rhodesia.
1976 - 36 subjects
The "comprehensive" character of the School's curriculum is amply illustrated by a scrutiny of the November 1976 A.E.B. Examination entry lists at all levels, on which appear no fewer than 36 subjects, written by a total of 250 candidates.
The subjects are: at Ordinary Level:
English, English Literature, French, Afrikaans, geography, economics, history, mathematics, physics-with-chemistry, general science, biology, craftwork-wood, engineering-workshop theory and practice, geometrical-drawing, and art (132 candidates).
At Matriculation Level:
English, French, Afrikaans, geography, history, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and art. (78 candidates).
At Advanced Level:
English, Afrikaans, geography, economics, history, pure and applied mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, engineering-drawing, and Use of English. (40 candidates).
R.A. FURBER
OBITUARY
It was with great regret and shock that we learned of the sudden death at Pietermaritzburg, Natal on Friday, 28 January, 1977, of MRS. H. SANDHAM, wife of Mr. Jack Sandham. Mrs. Sandham took an unfailing, and personal interest in the pupils and activities of Gifford over many years, and we will miss her deeply. We express our deepest sympathy to Mr. Sandham and his family.
This page sponsored by: Mr. and Mrs. L. O'Neill, F. West, M. J. Brannigan
EXAMINATION RESULTS
G.C.E. 'A' LEVEL USE OF ENGLISH August, 1976
Cudworth, P. J.
Griffin, K.
Hutchinson, 0. G.
Lake, D. A. C.
Norman, M. C.
Payne, B. K.
Swart, J. W.
Winter, M.
November/December, 1976
An asterisk after a name indicates that the candidate obtained Matriculation exemption, while an asterisk after a subject indicates a distinction was obtained.
Bolton, H. N.*:
Coley, J. M. M.:
Cudworth, P. J.*:
Foley, T. R.*:
Griffin, K.*:
Hutchinson, D. G.:
Lake, D. A. C.:
Muldoon, S. D.:
Norman, M. C.*:
Payne. B. K.*:
Strong, K. G.:
Swart, J. W.*:
Van der Heever, G.:
Van der Merwe, L. J.:
Winter, M.*:
Pure and Applied Mathematics.
Afrikaans.
Pure and Applied Mathematics,
Chemistry, Biology.
Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics.
Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics.
Economics.
Economics*.
Economics.
Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics.
Pure and Applied Mathematics*,
Chemistry, Physics.
Economics.
Afrikaans.
Afrikaans.
Afrikaans.
Pure and Applied Mathematics,
Chemistry, Physics.
The following candidates gained passes in Engineering Drawing:
Biffen, G. A.
Booyse, L. F.
Dodd, G. B.
Griffin, C. W.
Nunn, R. L
Strong, K. G.
Wegener, G. W.
G.C.E. 'M' LEVEL
November/December, 1976
An asterisk after a candidate's name indicates that the
candidate obtained Matriculation exemption. Figures in parentheses denote the
number of distinctions a candidate obtained.
FOUR SUBJECTS:
Mackay, J. A. K.* (4)
Westermann, G. J.* (3)
THREE SUBJECTS:
Biffen, G. A.* (1)
Binns-Ward, N. P.*
Brinkley, K. E.*
Burford, K. M.*
TWO SUBJECTS:
Bolton, H. N.
Booyse, L. F.*
Bulpitt, G. A. (1)
Caddick, P. B.
christensen. C. G. (1)
Davies, A. G.
Heuer, C. L. (1)
Jones, T. 0. L.
Konson, A. G.
ONE SUBJECT:
Ashby, G. W.
Bebington, H. R.
Begemann, W. Q.*
Botha, C. M. (1)
Bowen, T. M.
Classen, G. A.
Coley, J. M. M.
Croll, A. M.
Cullen, D. L.
Dodd, G. B.
Dymond, R. J.
Greetham, B.
Griffin, C. W.*
Griffin, K.
Jones, W. S.L.
Lombard, A.
Winter, T.T.*(1)
Fitzgerald, B. K.* (1)
Grieve, C. P.
Sones, D. D.*
Trautman, C. J.
MacLean, C. D.
Muller, D. J.
Nunn, R. L.*
Paterson, I. A.
Pissas, D. J.
Prinsloo, A. D.*
Rowley, S. A.
Rutherfoord-Jones, N.* (1)
Sasman, M. I.
McMillan, J. C.
Minnaar, P. C. (1)
O'Hagan, J. F.
Potts, H. B. R.
Rousseau, 0. C. (1)
Rudnick, J. G.
Skinner, B. A.
Stack, N. C.
Strong, K. G.
Taylor. G. W.
Urquhart, F. W. M.
Van Blerk, B.
Van Blerk, M. J.
Watson, N.
Wegener, G. W.
G.C.E. '0' LEVEL June, 1976
TWO SUBJECTS:
Botha, C. M.
Heuer, C. L.
ONE SUBJECT:
Caddick, D. J.
Caddick, P. B.
Bebington, H. R.
Cullen, D. L
Davies, A. G.
Jones, T. 0. L.
Jones. W. S. L.
Koufopoulos, D.
Lombard, A.
McTaggart, J. B.
Hodder, C.H.
Minnaar, P. C.
Pissas, D. J.
Sasman, M. I.
Swiel, J.
Urquhart, F. W. M.
Van Blerk, M. J.
Van der Merwe, C. J.
Watson, N.
Wegener, G. W.
November/December, 1976
Figures in parentheses denote distinctions.
TEN SUBJECTS:
Bruce, G. C. (1)
NINE SUBJECTS:
Bowman, A. J. (3)
Bufι, W. G. (2)
Hoffman, M. P. (3)
Hogan, G. R. (7)
EIGHT SUBJECTS:
Beale, C.
Evans, J. H. (3)
Griffin, N. (4)
Hart, M. A. (3)
SEVEN SUBJECTS:
Ainscough, M. M. (2)
Berdou, J. T. (1)
Durand, C. J. (4)
Fuller, M. W.
Geddes, D. A. (5)
Herbert, S. C. (1)
Kitshoff, S. (1)
SIX SUBJECTS:
Almy, M. V. (2)
Barrett, D. A.
Berry, W. N. (1)
Harrold, M. A. (2)
Holmes, S. P. (1)
FIVE SUBJECTS:
Barnard, I. H.
Beale, A. P. G.
Dodd, G. R.
Gibson, H.
Gilbert, V.
Hughes, B.
Jones, G. P. (1)
FOUR SUBJECTS:
Atkinson, A. J.
Brown, M. D.
Cox, L. I. B.
Garde, B. R.
Hodder, C. H.
Jansen, M. P. (3)
Lodolo, A. F.
Mouat, D. G. (3)
Palmer-Jones, A. D.
THREE SUBJECTS:
August, B. M.
Demetriou, 0.
Dwyer, P. J.
Elbers, G. W. A. (1)
Evans, S. N. G. (1)
Fraser, I. G.
Gaylard, N. W.
Golding, D. D. P. (1)
Gray, D. A.
TWO SUBJECTS:
Banks, P. L.
Botha, C. M.
Bowen, T. M.
Boyd, P. J.
Dearden, D. H. J.
Dymond, R. J.
ONE SUBJECT:
Best, G.
Fitzgerald, K. J.
Gardner, A. J.
Grobler, A. P.
Marais, B. P.
Jeans, A. K. (7)
Magowan, G. V. P. (4)
Smith, A. W. (7)
Van Rooyen, T. R. (3)
Jordan, P. A. (3)
McCulloch, D. J.
Russel-Smith, V. M. (3)
Sahli, D. D. (4)
MacGregor, M. A. (1)
Newlands, C. S. (4)
Sohaili, V. (4)
Stephens, F.M. (1)
Ward, T. D. (4)
Watts. D. L (2)
Karassellos, E. M.
Krause, D. F.
Montgomery, J. H. (2)
Riskowitz, C. D. (2)
Swanepoel, R. Z. (2)
Lambert, S. G.
Muldoon, B. R.
Richards, P. J. P. (2)
Rowland, B. G. (1)
Rumney, A. C.
Thurbon, G. A. (1)
Wilde, M. A.
Parnell, C. J.
Payet, B. G. S.
Pool, C. F. (1)
Trouw. E. I. G.
Van Zeeventer, H. J.
Viljoen. D. W. (1)
Walker, C. A. (1)
Wallis, M. I.
Wedlake, P.0. R. (1)
Jackson, A. E.
Manning, A. D.
Moore, W. H.
Mullins, S. E.
Parker, A. F. S.
Pitchard, I. T.
Seager, A. J.
Wood, K. B. F. (1)
Wynn, G. A. (2)
Hunt, J. A.
Leyshon, D. W.
Potts, H. B. A.
Rousseau, M. T. (1)
Taylor, G. W.
Waywell, D. W.
Mason, A. P. M.
Rowley, S. A.
Sasman, M. I.
Wilford, A. J.
(English, Mathematics, Science all at the Higher Level)
THREE SUBJECTS:
Blundell, S. E.
Dickinson, K. M.
Hawkins, J. B.
TWO SUBJECTS:
Benade, C. J.
de Villiers, L. F.
Robins, A. J.
Saunders, I. G.
ONE SUBJECT:
Edwards, J. E.
Kunz, L. E.
Langworthy, I. M.
Murray, W. K.
Whittaker, R.
Skinner, G. G.
Tarr, R. G.
Spinks, M. A.
McGibbon, D. C.
R.C.E. TECHNICAL DRAWING
(An asterisk indicates a distinction)
Aingworth, D. W.*
Ayliffe, D. 0.
Basson, C. 0.
Beaumont, B. J.
Bowen, R. P.*
Blackbeard, J. L.*
Brown, D. D.
Charters, J.
Coertz, H. J.*
Collington, G. E.
De Clerq, F. V.*
Devine, B. J.
Fanucci, M.
Fowler, J. R.*
Fry, G. H.*
Galbraith, K. T.
Haigreen. C. J.*
Hattingh, V.*
Inggs, A. V.
Kogler, W. F. J.*
McTaggart, N. 0.
Meal, L. G.*
Oakley, N. A.*
Perret, A. H.*
Reid, S. M.*
Tintinger, F. W.
Trevenen, M. V.*
Biffen, G. R.
Clarke, I. G.
Dex, G. M.
Dickinson, I. G.
Evans, D. B.
Follet-Smith, P.
Fredriksson, C. E.
Freestone, E. R.*
Garriock, D.
Godfrey, S.*
Hayler, A. V.
Olivier. D. F. M.
O'Neill, D. L.
Pebody, S. M.
Pomfret, T. V.*
Poupado, F. J.
Rowley, B. R.
Stopforth, M.
Wiggil, T. W.
Winterskov, J.
PRIZE LIST
P.T.A. Subject Prizes (Based on Public Examination Results) :
Afrikaans: J. W. Swart (U6)
Biology: C. J. Westermann (6M1)
Chemistry: B. K. Payne (U6)
Economics: D. A. C. Lake (U6)
Engineering: A. P. G. Beale (5B2)
English: D. G. Mouat (4A1)
French: A. W. Smith (4A1)
Geography: D. J. Muller (6M1)
History: K. M. Burford (6M1)
Mathematics: B. K. Fitzgerald (6M1)
Physics: M. Winter (U6)
Physics-with-Chemistry: A. W. Smith (4A1)
Woodwork: A. G. Rumney (5B2)
Prize for best 'A' level results: B. K.
Payne (U6).
Prize for best 'M' level results: J. A.
MacKay (6M1).
Prize for best '0' level results: G. R. Hogan,
A. K. Jeans, A. W. Smith (all 4A1 1976, and with identical results).
Old Technicians' Prize for first class progress:
Senior: A. G. Rumney (5B2).
Junior: L. W. Trim (1 B2).
School Council Prize for Scholastic
Achievement:
Senior: J. A. MacKay (6M1).
Junior: R. M. Francis (3A1).
Class Certificates, 1976 (Number of distinctions awarded are in parentheses. Only pupils who have achieved a minimum of five distinctions have been recorded here):
3B1: J. R. Davidson (5).
2A: R. N. Geddes (5); P. J. Linnevelt (5); D. Lyon (5); E. L. Nel (6); S.J. Randall (6); K. C. Westermann (6).
2B1: S. J. Schlachter (5).
1A: G. Barbaressos (6); L. D. de Jager (5).
Sir George Johnson Prize For Excellence
In Drawing:
Senior: L. F. Booyse (6M1).
Intermediate: T. D. Ward (4A1).
Junior: C. Myers (3A1).
Eileen White Trophy for the best actor in
1976:
S. R. Rowley.
The Bolton Stick: D. Sahli.
The Townshend Bat: C. J. Parnell.
The Watson Cup (Sportsman of the Year 1976):
C. J. Trautman.
This page sponsored by
Maxwell Clothing Co. (Mfg.) Pvt. Ltd.
The Abrahamson Prize for Leadership:
G. A. A. Biffen.
The Gifford Award (Excellence of character and outstanding service to the School):
G. A. A. Biffen.
The Gifford Trophy: Whitworth House.
SCHOLASTIC AWARDS
The following Gifford boys have recently won the following awards:-
I. R. Hayes-Hill (left 1975):
Miles Andrew Johnson Scholarship; Rhodesia Government Bursary ($700 p.a.).
J. H. J. Howard (left 1974):
Law Society Cadetship; already holder of a Joseph Gordon Scholarship.
G. S. J. Mouat (left 1973):
Rhodesian Government Scholarship; Rhodesia Railways Scholarship.
A. G. Tucker (left 1975):
Miles Andrew Johnson Scholarship; Rhodesian
Government Scholarship; Messina (Transvaal)
Development Corporation Bursary.
J. Wallis (left 1975):
Rhodesia Railways Accountancy Cadetship;
Rhodesian Government Scholarship; Anglo-
American Scholarship ($2 000 p.a.).
B. R. Wolhuter (left 1975):
Ministry of Water Development Cadetship ($2 000 p.a.).
W. R. K. Corder (left 1973):
Rhodesia Railways Scholarship ($1 200 p.a.).
A. Rutherfoord-Jones (left 1975):
Ministry of Health Pharmacy Scholarship ($750 p.a.).
SPEECH NIGHT AWARDS
Sir George Johnson Prize for Excellence in Drawing.
The Sir George-Johnson Prize for excellence in drawing was presented first in 1927, and was won by Maxsted Sheasby. Mr. Johnson, as he then was, was the chairman of the Advisory Committee till his death in 1946. The prize was awarded annually, and he left a bequest to continue the presentation of sets of drawing instruments for the best draughtsmen of the School. Initially only two prizes were presented, though now a third prize in the intermediate age group is also presented.
Edith White Trophy
The trophy was presented by Mrs. Edith White, wife of the fourth headmaster, Mr. D. R. White, who had a particular interest in dramatics. It goes to the best actor of the year.
The Townshend Bat
The Townshend Bat is presented annually by Mr. W. J. Townshend who has been chairman of the School Council since 1966. The bat was first presented in 1963 to Brian Davison which was the year he played in a Matabeleland Invitation XI against the M.C.C. Previously there had been the award of the Morris Bat presented annually by Mr. A. R. Morris, and was first awarded in 1958 to R. Varkevisser. Before that even, other bats for cricketing prowess had been given, for example in 1940 by Mr. Ralph Vincent and Sanders (Pvt.) Ltd. to C. D. Candler for the best performance and to B. Carew as the most improved player.
The Bolton Stick
This is to be an annual award and was presented for the first time in 1976 to D. Sahli. The award goes to the most improved player in the first hockey team, and is presented by Mr. J. Bolton, whose sons both played for the first team, Clive winning colours in 1974 and Hugh colours in 1976. Mr. John BoRon in fact played rugby for Old Techs in the years 1944-1949, while his parents had a close association with the School:
his mother was cook-matron while his father was caretaker from 1949-1955 and was largely responsible for the initial re-levelling of the Cowan Field and the laying out of the Sutherby Field. So, the Bolton association with Gifford spans three generations.
The Watson Cup
This was presented to the School in 1962 by Mr. R. E. Watson in honour of his son, Philip, who was a pupil in the years 1960 to 1965, and who was to become an outstanding sportsman ultimately obtaining colours in swimming, athletics and gymnastics and captaining the first XV; he was successful academically, and in 1 965 was deputy head boy. Mr. Watson himself became Chairman of the Advisory Council in 1965. The Cup is for the sportsman of the year, and by curious coincidence was first won by his namesake. M. A. Watson.
The Abrahamson Prize
This prize is awarded at Speech Night for
Leadership, and takes the form of a book prize.
The prize was awarded for the first time in 1955
to P. Bowman, and was presented by the Hon.
A. E. Abrahamson, former cabinet minister in
Southern Rhodesia, who was the Guest of
Honour at the 1954 Speech Night.
The Gifford Award
This is the premier award of the School and was first presented at Speech Night in February, 1973, the first recipient being T. W. Bassett, Head Boy, 1972. The form taken by the award is a magnificent illuminated scroll on which is included a hand painted Gifford badge.
THE CLARENCE RALSTEIN FUND
In 1942 John Ralstein, M.B.E., endowed the School's Mining Department with £5 000 to establish an education fund in memory of his nephew, Clarence Ralstein, who was killed in action in the Western Desert in 1940.
The purpose of the Fund was to enable pupils of the Mining Department to proceed to higher centres of instruction in mining engineering. A characteristic of the Fund is that young men
assisted by it undertake to repay to the Fund, as and when they can, the money they receive. It is thus a circulating fund and is still administered by the School, even though the Mining Department closed in 1961.
It may be used for boys who complete their schooling at Gifford only.
THE MILES ANDREW JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP
When Sir George Johnson died in 1947, after many years of close association with the School, he left bequests to the School to cover the future awards of the Johnson Prizes for Technical Drawing and to establish a memorial scholarship.
The latter bequest, of £2 000, was to be used to fund a scholarship in honour of his youngest son, Miles, killed during the war while flying with the R.A.F. The Scholarship was to be administered by two Trustees, namely the Chief Justice of Rhodesia and the Headmaster of the School, and was awarded originally for study in aviation engineering. The terms were subsequently modified so that the Scholarship would be available for university study in any engineering or technical field.
It is a Scholarship which is confined to boys who complete their schooling at Gifford.
MAJOR BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS, 1934-1976
|
Year 1934 1938 1939 1941 1942 1946 1950 1951 1953 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1964 1965 1966 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 |
Name G.S.Perry D. J. Close H. A. McLean C. A. Cranswick M. P. Piers A. Banks D. C. Candler N. I. Creasy K. V. S. Meyer G. J. C. Visagie C. A. Cranswick N. I. Creasy V. L. Jenkinson E. Lieberman A. V. S. Meyer J. B. Waugh M. J. Bancroft N. P. Grant A.W.Ackhurst P. V. R. Harris A. S. Ford J. L. P. Haskins A. G. Perrin I. M. Tetley K. A. Hulley A.E. Clarke P.L. Lewis-Roberts A. Carnegie T. K. G. Hem M.D. Smart J.C. Welgemoed M.B. Algeo F.A. Broughton M.A. Watson B.N. Davidson N.J. A. Booyse W.Green A.W. Hay P.A. Watson C.D. Green K.J. Brackenbury N.J. Forbes W.R. Jackson W.J. Clegg R.C. Croll T.W. Garde P.E. Hastings R.P. Hollis P.A. Schonfeldt D.Anderson R.G. Benjamin I.K. Friend M.A. Garden D.M. Rademeyer H.J. Tiuzeck A.G. Will J.Chadowitz J.P.A.M. d'Aguiar N.D. Hayes-Hill M.T. Outram P.A. Watts C.B. Williams K.L. Bell P.D. Fraser M.M. Halgreen A.C. McCoy M.F. Mouat A.B. C. Pigott D.A. Wynn P. D. Baum S.C. Baum T.W. Basset G.Urquhart P.A. Watts J.V. Burton E.Warner P.T. Whitehead L.S. Wright M.A. Carrier J.H.J. Howard J.H.J. Howard A.D. Tucker J.L. Wallis |
Award Beit Beit Beit Beit Beit Tanganyika Government Rhodes Beit Beit, Chamber of Mines Northern Rhodesia Government Beit Rhodes Charelick Solomon Charelick Solomon Chamber of Mines Beit Beit Beit Chamber of Mines Beit Chamber of Mines Chamber of Mines Southern Rhodesia Government Chamber of Mines Rhodesia Railways Chamber of Mines Southern Rhodesia Government Southern Rhodesia Government Elizabeth Lane Federal Government Rand Mines Anglo American R.S.T. World War Fund, Anglo-American Rand Mines, Rio Tinto Ministry Water Development Rhodesia Railways Rhodesia Railways Shell Hawker-Siddeley Rhodesia Railways R.S.T. Rhodesia Government Roberts construction Rhodesia Railways De Beers Consolidated De Beers Consolidated N.I.C. Rhodesia Railways A.S.T. Ministry of Roads Rhodesia Government Grinaker Ltd. Rhodesia Railways Bulawayo City Council Roberts Construction Rhodesia Government Gary Hocking Rhodesia Government Rhodesia Government E.S.C. Rhodesia Government Central African Power Corp. Anglo-American Beit Anglo-American Roberts construction Anglo-American Bulawayo City Council Philips (South Africa) Rhodesia Government Rio Tinto Grinaker Ltd. Rhodesia Government Rhodesia Railways Roberts Construction Bulawayo City Council Bulawayo City Council Rhodes A.I.S.C.O. Joseph Gordon Rhodesia Government Rhodesia Government Rhodesia Railways, Rhodesia Government |
SCHOOL DIARY
(Major events of 1976)
First Term:
February 13: Mr. D. Campbell was the guest speaker at Speech Night.
February 25-26: Variety '76 was held to raise money for tour funds.
March 13-14: Gifford participated in the Matabeleland athletics championships.
Apr11 1-2-3: The award-winning drama, The Trial of Mary Dugan produced by Mr. R. A. Furber, was staged.
Apr11 1 and 3: Gifford competed in the interschools' athletics, and were placed fifth.
April-May Holidays: The first hockey and rugby teams went on tours respectively to Pietermaritzburg-Durban and the Western Cape.
Second Term:
June 4: The P.T.A. raffle draw took place: a sum of $1 590 was raised.
June 12: The squash courts were opened by the Regional Education Officer, Mr. C. 0. Benson.
July 2: The inter-house one-act play competition was won jointly by Faraday and Whitworth.
August 6: The annual musical evening was staged.
August 7: The awarding of the Combined Old Boys rugby trophy was followed by a P.T.A. social function.
August 9: The rugby dinner was held at which the guest speaker was Mr. J. Pluke.
Third Term:
September 24: Pupils wrote 'Learn and Earn' tests to raise funds for School amenities: over $2 600 was raised.
October 5: A 'Civvies Day' earned $110 for charity the Terrorist Victims' Relief Fund was the main benefactor.
October 22: The inter-house gala took place, and was won by Whitworth.
October 29: Gifford won the inter-schools' gala.
October 30: The leavers' dinner-dance was held.
November 7. The annual carol concert took place.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The School Advisory Council, formerly the School Advisory Committee, was established in the year of the establishment of the School, i.e. 1927. As its name implies, the function of the Council was, and is, to 'advise and to make recommendations to the principal in regard to all matters connected with the welfare of the pupils attending the School . . .' The Council is concerned with such aspects of the School as acquisition and development of grounds, the use of school buildings outside hours, extra-mural activities and written complaints from parents, to name but a few.
During the formative years of this School, a need was strongly felt for technical education in Rhodesia. The Council involved itself closely with the development and expansion of the School along the lines of such an educational
system. Workshop facilities, boarding accommodation, the broadening of technical education came to the attention of the Council. It was due largely to the effort of the Council that the mining department, now a part of Bulawayo Technical College, was established. The Council worked closely with industry and Rhodesia Railways in an effort to find the technical needs of the country at that time.
In later years, when the School was established on its present premises, the Council found itself more and more concerned with the day-to-day welfare of the children at the School. The traffic hazards at the entrance were the subject of long investigation by the Council and the present system, ensuring safety for the pupils, is a result of the efforts of this body of people. The recent building programme, the reinstatement of the squash courts, and the construction of our cinder athletics track were all deliberated upon by the Council.
At present the Council consists of six members elected by the parents and eight nominated members. In addition, the Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster are ex officio members, as is the honorary secretary who is the Senior Master. The Council thus consists of sixteen members, a far cry from the handful of members of that first Advisory Committee of 1927 which met under the chairmanship of Mr. George Johnson. (Regrettably the names of the members of that Committee cannot be traced - Editor)
The School Council of to-day still reflects the history of 'technical' education as three of the nominated members are representatives from the Chamber of Industry, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Rhodesian Institute of Engineers. The Jubilee Council comprises:
Nominated Members:-
MR. W. J. TOWNSHEND (Chairman)
Government Representative
MR. J. J. BOWMAN
Government Representative
MR. C. J. NEGUS
Chamber of Commerce
MR. E. HODES
Chamber of Industry
MR. V. G. WATKINS
Rhodesian Institute of Engineers
MR. N. CUMMING
Combined Old Boys' Association
MR. V. J. GARNER
Headmasters' representative
MR. C. W. HART
P.T.A. representative
Elected Members:- Mr. P. de Villiers, Mr. T. C. Devine, Mr. F. Fuller, Mr. L. C. Konson, Mr. H. Russot, Mr. A. L Rutherfoord-Jones.
School Members :- Mr. H. Fincham (Headmaster), Mr. R. A. Furber
(Deputy Headmaster), Mr. A. Menne (Senior
Master, secretary).
For many years the Council, or Advisory Committee as it then was, was led by Mr. George Johnson (later Sir George) who took a keen interest in all the activities of the School. Since then a number of worthy men, and a woman, have had the chairmanship of the Council, the most recent being Mr. Wally Townshend who is also chairman of the Matabeleland Education Advisory Board.
Chairman since 1927:-
1927-1946 Sir George Johnson, A.M.I. Mech.E.
1947-1952 Col. C. M. Newman, O.B.E., M.C., V.D., ED.
1953 Mr. S. M. Boyer
1954-1955 Mrs. J. Stakesby-Lewis
1956-1959 Mr. K. McR. Smith
1960-1961 Mr. A. S. Lishman
1962-1964 Mr. J. F. Davison
1965 Mr. A. E. Watson
1966-1977 Mr. W. J. Townshend
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT, 1976
It has been my privilege and indeed my pleasure to have served on the School Advisory Council for the past twelve years, of which eleven have been as Chairman.
During that period many parents and other people have served as members and have served it well, having always fulfilled their responsibilities over the various matters which were before them for consideration. I would therefore express my appreciation to all of them for the valuable services which they have rendered and which have made my task so much easier and so much more pleasant. To each and every one of them a very sincere 'THANK YOU'.
While the Council is an Advisory body, it can take action in certain circumstances and this Council has done so to good effect in the past.
Today Gifford has modern and up-to-date classrooms and is self-contained - a far cry from the days when boys attended classes at thc present School, at the Beit Hall in Rhodes Street,
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and at the present Technical College, and had to walk from one place to the other.
The Council fought hard to prevent the R.A.F. squash courts being turned into classrooms, but were unsuccessful. The courts are now again at long last being used for the purpose for which they were built.
The swimming bath, built by the R.A.F. during World War II, has been replaced by a most modern pool.
The grounds have been extended and more fields brought into use, and the new cinder track will be one of the best in the country.
Prior to 1968 Council and other meetings were held in the gymnasium, but since the opening of the new Hall by the Hon. A. P. Smith, Minister of Education, Gifford now has a most suitable hall for every school use.
Also in 1968 the Council, deploring the lack of policy on technical high schools, requested a firm decision by the Government on their future. Gifford High School is now a fully comprehensive school.
Road safety is always kept under constant review and we are indebted to the City Council and the B.S.A.P. for their assistance on this most important aspect.
The Council is happy that it has been able to assist and advise on all of the above matters.
The members of the Council pay periodic visits to the School and I would, on their behalf,
touch on other matters pertaining to the School. Over the years there have, of course, been
numerous staff changes, transfers, marriages, staff leaving the service, staff taking up positions with private schools, and there are those, too, who have passed away and whom we remember with affection. With the exception of the gentleman who 'unexpectedly up and returned to Ireland', I would emphasise that Gifford is indeed fortunate in the calibre of the teachers it has had, and does have, and their loyalty and constant efforts in every aspect of their duties is beyond measure.
The members of the Council have been most impressed, too, by the 'silent ones' the office staff, the hostel and cook matrons who do a sterling job for the boys, and here we must congratulate as well the groundsman and his staff.
Presiding over all, the Headmaster, and the Council have always been kept fully in the picture by Messrs. D. R. White, I. J. McLachlan, and H. Fincham. I have worked closely with the two latter gentlemen, different in their approach to their work but both have done such a tremendous amount to improve the School in every sphere.
And the boys - There are many who have passed through Gifford and many have won distinction not only in the academic but also in cultural, sporting and other spheres. Whether they excel or merely make their way slowly, the boys at Gifford have been well taught and are a credit to their School.
On behalf of the members of Advisory Council on the occasion of the School's Golden Jubilee, I would offer their congratulations and it is certain that with the present Head, Mr. H. Fincham, his deputy Mr. R. A. Furber, and the Staff, that the School will go on from strength to strength.
W. J. TOWNSHEND
THE P.T.A., 1963-1975
Incredible as it must seem, this School had no P.T.A. before 1963. Probably the best explanation of the absence of a P.T.A. till quite recent years lies in the very nature of the School, firstly its being half a school and half a technical college, secondly the fact that only in 1953 were the links between the Technical School and the Technical College officially severed.
The very next year there is a report that on 29 September a Parents' Social Evening was held at which a Mr. C. E. Kerr spoke on the careers for boys educated at the Technical School. Possibly as a result of this, the Magazine records that a Parent-Teachers' Association 'is to be
formed'. Nothing, however, was achieved, though annual meetings between parents and staff were held at which the parents' representatives on the School Council were elected. These meetings were referred to as the annual general meetings of parents and staff.
In 1958 only about 45 persons attended the A.G.M. and this led that champion of civil liberties, Mr. C. E. M. Moore of especial fame in Bulawayo for his work for the over-sixties club (he has, incidently, also spoken to our Sixth Form Forum), to castigate the School authorities in no uncertain terms. As a parent, he wrote to the School Council on 11 April 1959 as follows: 'I believe that children re-act to the interest that a parent takes in the child's School.' He considered the lack of interest by parent as 'shocking' and, in making an offer to help form a P.T.A., said: 'I want to help the children of this country to understand the principles of democracy, but how can one do this if the parents show no interest in the school in which their children are being educated ''
Still nothing was done for a further three years! Then, on 23 March 1962, a parents-teachers' social and dance was held. Purely as a matter of interest, while only a few parents supported the function, the staff turned out in force and 'certain (staff) members set a very high standard of entertainment for future social evenings'. The guests had the services of the School band, consisting of lain Harper, Charles Smith and Jackie Plaks for the evening. More to the point, however, is that history was made that evening when the first P.T.A. Committee was elected. Its members were:- Chairman: Mr. H. Quihampton; Secretary: Mrs. W. H. Quihampton; Treasurer:
Mr. Dickinson; Mr. W. J. Sandham (Staff representative), Mesdames Blake and Raaff, Messrs. Barn and Sudding, and the Headmaster.
On 1 August 1962 the P.T.A. constitution was formally adopted at a meeting where the staff outnumbered the parents! It is recorded in that year that the committee had battled hard 'to overcome the apathy natural in a school that has not had a P.T.A. in its 35 years of existence'. Its aim was stated quite simply as: 'to do everything possible to help YOUR sons'. How well our P.T.A. committees since then have achieved that
aim.
Mr. J. Hietink, chairman of the 1968 committee, succinctly expressed the purpose of school P.T.A's as follows: 'Regular contact between parents and teachers is essential when promoting the welfare of the School, which is in fact the welfare of our boys. The Parent-Teachers'
Association aims to foster this contact by arranging programmes on interest both educationally and socially'. These aims, since the election of the first P.T.A., have been fully achieved.
Social events nowadays include the various get-togethers organised during the year, principally the function after sports day and the entertainment after the annual open-day for parents of the following year's form one pupils. In former years dances were popular, as was the one in 1963 when about 60 persons had a most enjoyable evening. The P.T.A., too, since 1967 has entered into friendly competition with Northlea, Baines, Thomas Rudland, Hugh Beadle, and Newmansford schools for the John Love Cup. The cup was first won in 1968 and retained the next year when Gifford was, for the first time, the host school. Other forms of entertainment have included a swimming carnival in October
1967.
One of the most valued activities of the P.T.A. is the organisation of the tuckshop which commenced operating on 5 June 1963 with Mrs. White, the wife of the Headmaster, heading a committee of ladies who staffed the shop. Later that year the change-rooms at the Anderson Pool were started, and part of the design included a tuckshop (which, incidentlaly, is still used during November when the public examinations are being written in the Hall.) Mothers of Gifford pupils still staff this amenity entirely.
Above all, the P.T.A. has helped the School in fund-raising, and in the thirteen years of the P.T.A.'s existence various committees have raised considerable sums. In 1964 a very successful fκte on 30 May raised £350 to finance partly the costs of building the pavilion. In 1968 funds were provided for a complete redecoration and refurbishing of the library. Incidently two P.T.A. committee members, Mr. L. Fraser and Mr. J. Hietink, worked like Trojans making and fitting the pelmets. In 1969 a sub-committee was established to administer a memorial fund to perpetuate the name of Charles Cowan who, for thirty-one years, had taught at Gifford: the result was the construction of the Cowan Gates which so finely embellish the main entrance to the School. In 1969 the first sponsored walk raised $6 838 which provided the School with four tennis courts, two basketball courts, and paid for the macadamised roads around the hostels. On 8 July 1970 the second 'big walk' raised $4 732 for the pool. Since then there have been annual raffles; for example, the October 1973 raffle raised $1 495 for School amenities, while in 1974
a sponsored swim and raffle raised $2 766 and $1 865 respectively, the first amount being used for the building of the change rooms at the McLachlan Pool which were officially opened on 12 June 1976 by Mr. C.O. Benson, the Regional Education Officer.
Much of the effort of the P.T.A. Committee goes unacknowledged, mainly because most persons are not fully aware of how enthusiastically these stalwart supporters of the school work for its improvement. Without their efforts since 1963, Gifford, as we know it, would be a vastly different
place.
R.T.McCeoch
Chairmen of the P.T.A., 1963-1977
1962 Mr. H. Quihampton
1963
1964
1965 Mr. H. Quihampton
1966
1967 Mr. B. J. Eley
1968-1969 Mr. J. Heitink
1970 Mr. C. W. D. Pagden
1971 Mr. R. Vollaire
1972-1974 Mr. V. J. Garner
1975 Mr. L. C. Konson
1976 Mr.C.W.Hart
1977 Mr.C.W.Hart
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT, 1976
A chairman's primary functions are to promote the full participation of all members attending the meeting, also to arouse interest, to initiate discussions, and finally to control and guide those discussions in order to achieve the objectives of the meeting. At meetings throughout the year under review, the foregoing aims were realized. This was due to the regular attendance and interest of members of the Committee, and I extend my sincere thanks to all members for their enthusiasm and personal involvement in the numerous discussions and projects undertaken by the Committee during the year.
1977 is the Golden Jubilee of the school and to mark this occasion, the promotion of a lasting major project was considered necessary. The construction of an athletics cinder-track was considered as the most suitable asset, and construction of the track commenced in April, 1976. I must express my special thanks to Mr D.J. Gray for the tremendous effort he has expended on this project and to the mant parents and business organisations who have assisted in various ways.
Two major fund raising projects were successfully concluded during 1976: the annual raffle and, for the first time, a "learn and Earn" sponsorship. Income from these two ventures amounted to approximately $4100.00
Several social functions were organised durin the year in order to maintain contact between parents and teachers outside the classroom environment. In my opinion these functions are most vital to maintain a closely knit Parent-Teachers' Association, and I appeal to all parents, both new and existing, to participate in these activities. You have my assurance that these social evenings are not a gimmick to lure you into a web of financial expenditure. Profits from these evenings are minimal and your Committee is satisfied provided running costs are covered.
Since Gifford has boarding accommodation for 150 scholars, twenty per cent of the school parents are boarder parents unable to attend all the functions programmed by the Headmaster and your Association. The burden therefore is all that greater on the local parent content of the school, and I once again appeal for your support in the forthcoming year.
The financial position of the Asociation at the year's end was satisfactory. An expenditure of nearly $6 000,00 is indicative that an active Committee is essential in order to maintain that rate of expenditure associated with the development of the School's amenities.
My first association with the School was as a
scholar during 1943-1945. At that time Gifford was a giant on the educational horizon with an excellent scholastic and sports record under the Headship of the late Mr. P. H. Gifford. Scholars at the School, at that time, were enrolled from Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, the Union of South Africa, and towns throughout Southern Rhodesia for technical training and post matriculation mining studies. The majority of the School's students left Bulawayo on completion of their studies and today are scattered around the world. The absence of these and other Old Boys creates a vacuum difficult to fill. On behalf of the School, I extend my good wishes to them all and a sincere invitation to visit the School, if possible, and to participate in some way in our Golden Anniversary Celebrations. You will always be welcome.
It has been a great privilege indeed to have been of service to my old School, and I am confident that Gifford School will play an ever increasing role in the moral, educational and physical development of Rhodesia's sons of today and in the future.
My grateful thanks are extended to the Headmaster and P.T.A. staff members of the Committee for their never failing interest, assistance and cooperation during my year of office.
P.T.A. COMMITTEE, 1977:
Mr. C. W. Hart (Chairman), Mr. F. Fuller (Vicepresident), Mr. T. C. Devine (Treasurer), Mrs. J. Mullins (Secretary), Messrs. I. W. Magowan, J. Pigott, M. Rudnick, D. J. Sahli, and D. C. Smith, and Mesdames M. Barrett, J. Causton, N. Cockerton, Y. Greetham, I. van Rooyen, and V. Winter.
HEAD BOY'S REPORT
1976 was marked by an upsurge in School spirit and discipline in School life, as well as in sporting and cultural activities. Although we did not always achieve the goals we had set ourselves, we can be proud of the way we applied ourselves.
In the summer sports, several Gifford athletes produced good results in the inter-schools' athletics competition: C. Hodder, A. F. S. Parker, B. J. Devine, I. G. Fraser, A. J. Erasmus, S. Luff, G. Parnell and A. McCoy in particular all performed with distinction and Gifford finished in fifth place. Gifford continued to dominate the Matabeleland swimming scene and our swimmers swept to a convincing victory in the inter-schools gala. W. S. L. Jones, T. 0. L. Jones, B. G. Duguid and B.J.Beaumont all enhanced their reputations of being among the top schoolboy swimmers in the country. A talented water-polo side failed to live up to its reputation and finished only fifth in the Crusaders Schield; C. M. Botha and E.J.G.Trouw, however, were selected to represent the Rhodesian schools' water-polo side. The School's gymnastics team again proved itself to be the finest in Matabeleland, and C. W. Griffin, B. van Blerk, M. Neyland and D. Lundt all excelled in the various tournaments which were held during the year. 1976 was a good year for basketball and Gifford proved to be the top side in Matabeleland. J. B. McTaggart and P. J. Boyd were selected for the Matabeleland basketball side. The cricket side started the season well by beating Plumtree for the first time in 15 years, but despite this good start the cricket side had a mediocre season. R.P.M.Mason was selected to represent the Rhodesian Nuffield cricket team.
After a series of extremely successful fund-raising activities which culminated in a highly successful variety concert, the first rugby XV went on a tour to Cape Town, while the hockey side toured Durban. The first XV seldom played true to form and had a very poor season, but G. Ashby and I.G.Fraser were selected to represent the Rhodesian Schools' rugby team at Craven Week. The first hockey Xl had a successful season and C. J. Trautman was selected to captain the Rhodesian schools' hockey side. Squash has taken a strong hold on the Gifford sporting scene with the opening of the new squash courts, and Gifford can boast of some fine young players. A number of boys brought honour to Gifford through their achievements in those activities which are not offered at the school. R. Dryburgh and the late P. Fourie distinguished themselves at cycling, while A. Maclean distinguished him self at shooting. M. van Blerk represented Rhodesia at Gymkhana, and S. Dorman went with the Rhodesian Optimist class sailing-team to Turkey. I.G.Fraser, N.Watson and A.Konson were selected to play soccer for Rhodesia. Numerous awards were gained during the year by Gifford pupils in life-saving and from the Red Cross Association.
The last six years have witnessed a cultural growth at Gifford and 1976 saw a continuation of the concerted efforts of staff and pupils to make a mark on the cultural scene. The highlight of the year was the successful production of The Trial of Mary Dugan which won the 1976 A.R.T.S. Schools' Drama Festival. A number of the cast of this production received individual credit. Mr. R. A. Furber received a prize for producing the winning play, S. Rowley received the best actor award, while Miss B.Wilmot (Eveline) and
M. Ainscough were adjudged as having acted the best cameo roles. 1976 saw the inauguration of the Toastmasters' Society at Gifford, while the photographic club initiated a renaissance all of its own. The Sixth Form Forum had slightly more success than in the previous years and will without doubt be more successful if members were to put more effort into this society. D. Hodes and D. Sones were chosen to represent the School on the Junior Council, and D. Hodes was elected Junior Mayor. Gifford continued to dominate the Matabeleland schools' chess scene and S. Herbert became the Matabeleland schoolboy chess champion. A. Konson distinguished himself at public-speaking and managed to get into the final round of the Lions' public-speaking contest.
A special vote of thanks must go to all the staff and members of the P.T.A. who gave up their time so unselfishly over the year. The School would not be anything like it is if it were not for their unstinting efforts and enthusiasm. Finally, I should like to thank the prefect body for its help in maintaining the high standard of discipline at the School. I wish the School everything of the best in the future, and I hope it will continue to be one of the best schools in Rhodesia.
G.A. BIFFEN
HEAD BOYS, 1927-1977
|
1927-1928 1929-1930 1931 1933 1934 1935 1936 1938 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 |
M.F. Sheasby G.S. Perry J.N. Wright B.T. Attwell D.S. Smith J.E. Tsirindanis L.H. Mitchell C.W. Nelson A.T. Willis F.S. Farrell D.C. Candler B.E. Mullon A.S. Carew E. Edwards K. Morrison G.T. Young T. Lange W.A. Donkin R.W. Smith H.A. Barnard C.W. Dams J.H. Coumbis M. Lukan W.A. Simons N.K. MacLachlan P. Bowman |
1956-1957 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963-1964 1965 1966 1967 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 |
E. M. B. van Aart J.M. Goosen K.R. Hulley M.D. Smart D.M. Simmonds A.L. Sudding M.A. Watson D.C.T.Androuliakos M.N. Desfontaine O.C. Weston J.T. Neser G.F. Gardner R. Horrocks C.W. Coetzee K. Ashcroft P.C. Semple R.0. Rayner T.W. Basset N. Dewar J.H.J. Howard J.L. Wallis G.A. A. Biffen A.G. Konson |
The list is, regrettably, incomplete; perhaps readers can supply the missing names of Head Boys in the years 1932, 1937, 1939 and 1941. Twenty-four pen-portraits of past Head Boys follow, and it has been a far from easy task to condense the mass of fascinating information which has been supplied.
George Stanley Perry, head boy in 1929-1930, was one of the first pupils of this School who
began his apprenticeship at F. Issels & Son Ltd. before winning a Beit Training Scholarship in
1934 which allowed him to attend the Manchester College of Technology. By 1938 he had
been elected G.l. Mech.E. and returned to Southern Rhodesia. From 1939 to 1943 he was on
active service in East Africa and the Middle East firstly with Number 1 Squadron, Southern
Rhodesian Air Force, and later with the famed 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron of the R.A.F. He
returned to Heany in 1943, and in 1944 was elected A.M.I. Mech.E. After the war he worked
for a mining concern before returning to the firm of Issels. He is married and has an active
interest in outdoor life, being a member of the Wild Life Society and the Ornithological
Society.
John E. Tsirindanis (1932-1935) while at "Tech" had a distinguished sporting career: in
addition to captaining the water-polo team, he was vice-captain of rugby and victor ludorum
in athletics, and in 1932 played junior soccer for Rhodesia. Boxing was his chief sport,
however, and in 1934 he won the junior Rhodesian heavy-weight championship. After school
he was the middle-weight champion of Rhodesia for four successive years, and continued
the sport in the Egyptian desert while serving in the King's Royal Rifles Corps. At Tobruk he
was trained in sabotage and specialised in destroying disabled German tanks to prevent their
recovery and repair. On numerous occasions he cheated death, both in Egypt and the Aegean island
chain. He transferred to Middle East Command and operated behind German lines on the island of
Syphnos where he manned an observation post detecting enemy shipping. He recruited local patriots
and formed them into sabotage teams to harass the Germans. His exploits read like a latter-day
Scarlet Pimpernel, and without doubt required great initiative and high qualities of leadership.
The photograph is historic as this was the very one used on his identity documents at the time.
Ultimately he returned to Rhodesia where he continued his interest in boxing as a trainer. He has
a son at Gifford.
David C. Candler (1936-1941) was one of the first sixth formers at the School. Another
school first was his selection for the Nuffield side in 1 941 (he played for the first Xl from
1937). During the war years he was an apprentice on the Railways, and played cricket for a
Rhodesian Xl and soccer for Matabeleland. Thereafter he went to U.C.T. in 1945 and
graduated with a B.Sc.; then to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar where he continued his representative
sport, and achieved B.A. and M.A. degrees. He returned to Bulawayo to teach in the Evening
Department (1952-1953) and later at the newly established Technical College before attending St.
Paul's Theological College in Grahamstown in 1956. He was ordained in 1957, and in 1957 and 1958
was chaplin at Falcon College. During this time he helped (physically) to build St. Stephen's at
Balla Balla, and was the first head when that College opened in 1959. In 1960 he moved to
Plumtree where he was school chaplin, master-in-charge of mathematics, and was priest in charge
of the Plumtree-Marula area. He left Plumtree in about 1984 and moved to the UK. He is married and has a family of three children.
Basil E. Mullon (1938-1942) was head-boy of R.E.P.S. before being head-boy of "Tech". He
was a distinguished sportsman, winning colours in rugby and hockey and excelling at
athletics. For four years after school he served with the Rhodesian forces and the Sixth
South African Armoured Division in Egypt, Palestine and Italy. After the war he represented
Rhodesia at rugby (1947 and 1948) and athletics (1947.) He trained as an electrician and has
been associated with several Rhodesian mines. He is now resident engineer at the Trojan
Mine at Bindura. He is married and has six children.
Allen S. Carew (1940-1943) studied Engineering at U.T.C. during which time he played cricket
for Western Province, and later for Rhodesia between 1946 and 1952. Initially he worked in
the Surveyor-General's office before going farming in 1947. He is married with three children.
Kenneth 'Shorty' Morrison (1942-1945) was a distinguished sportsman a school; he
represented the School in swimming, boxing, tennis and athletics and got colours for rugby
and was rugby captain. He joined Rhodesia Railways as an apprentice fitter and turner, but in
1 948 went to the U.K. to gain further ex-perience. To pay for his fare to England, "Shorty"
joined the Huddersfield Rugby League Club as a professional ! While in England he married
a "Lancashire Lass" and they have four children. In 1955 he was transferred to South Africa
as service manager for his firm, but resigned in 1961 to return to Rhodesia where he has
helped create a thriving engineering works at Que Que. He is a member of Rotary and a life
Member of Old Techs.
William A. Donkin (1944-1948) played first team in all sports except cricket and was a
second lieutenant in the cadet corps. When he became an apprentice fitter and turner, it is of
interest to note he was granted two years, remission as he had already passed N.T.C. I to III
and had had 200 working hours practice at School. He in due course established his own
engineering firm with a thriving export business and a branch outside Rhodesia. He is
married with four children.
Hendrik A. Barnard (1945-1950) joined RISCO upon leaving school; and was manager of
the coke-oven department at Que Que as well as development manager. He was the branch chairman of the Rhodesian Institute of Management. His
interest in sport was kept alive with his association with the RISCO club of which he was chairman.
Christopher William Dams (1947-1951) was attested into the Southern Rhodesian Air Force
in 1952. Promotion followed and he achieved the rank of Squadron Leader commanding
Number 6 Squadron. Since then he has command at Thornhill and at New Sarum.
He is married with three children.
Nigel Keith MacLachlan (1950-1955) was an enthusiastic sportsman who began his adult life
studying land-surveying, but opted to join the Royal Air Force in 1962 as a bomber pilot. He
holds the rank of flight-lieutenant, and is married with two daughters.
Dudley M. Simmonds (1954-1961) worked for a tyre manufacturing company before entering
the retreading industry in 1970. Presently he is a director of two companies. He was head boy
in 1960 and he received colours for rugby, cricket (including Nuffield colours), hockey and
basketball, and was captain of all these teams except rugby (vice-captain). After school he
played rugby for Rhodesia on seventeen occasions. and has represented Matabeleland and
Midlands in basketball and latterly as captain of these provincial golf-teams. He is married
with two children.
Rory L. Sudding (1956-1962) was head boy in 1961. He relinquished the position in 1962 to
attend the sixth form centre at Milton. He has represented Rhodesia and Matabeleland at
athletics from 1959 to 1976. He entered commerce and has become a company secretary
and accountant, and at present is a manager for an international firm of business machine
suppliers. He is married with two children.
John M. Goosen (1952-1957) on leaving school took up an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner
with Rhodesia Chrome Mines where he still is employed as Mechanical Foreman at Selukwe Peak Mine.
He is an active player of recreational squash, tennis and golf. He is married with two children.
D.C.T. (Dino) Androuliakos (1957-1964) was head boy in 1963 and 1964. His sports included first XV
rugby, captain of judo, and athletics for which he was awarded colours. At present he is employed at a radio factory; he is married with 3 children.
Murray N. Des Fontaine (1960-1965) is now the managing director of a family auctioneering
business in the Midlands. He is, in addition, a director of companies with interests in ranching
and finance. He is a member of the Que Que Rural Council.
He is married with two sons.
Johannes T. Neser (1961-1966) joined RESCCO Ltd. as a junior in the design and estimating
office, and by 1977 was the assistant erection (construction) manager. He was awarded Rhodesian
water-polo colours in 1967 and 1968, Rhodesia under 20 rugby colours in 1967, played for the
Goshawks in 1971 and 1972, and in 1973 and 1976 won Rhodesian rugby colours. He married in 1975.
Keith Ashcroft (1964-1969) studied mining at the Bulawayo Technical College from whereafter he
joined the Shabanie Mine where he is now an underground & shift boss. Currently he is pursuing
further studies in mine management.
Paul Colin Semple (1965-1970) was, and still is, an accomplished sportsman who played in
the School's first teams in water-polo (he also captained the Rhodesian under 19 team while
still at school), in rugby (he went twice to Craven Week), and in basketball in which sport he
was chosen as a member of the Rhodesian Schools' basketball team. He entered the business world and is now a branch manager. Since
leaving school he has represented Rhodesia in water-polo and at rugby.
Robin O. Rayner (1966-1971) represented Gifford in both cricket and hockey, winning colours
for both sports and being selected for the Rhodesian Schools' hockey team in 1970, and 1971 as
vice-captain. He won the Townshend Bat four times, scored over 1000 runs for the first Xl, and
was selected as a reserve for the Rhodesian Nuffield team in 1971. He won the Abrahamson Prize
for his qualities of leadership and sportsmanship. He was associated with the introduction of the
Sixth Form tie in 1971. After School he joined the Town Planning branch of the Bulawayo
Municipality and qualified from the Salisbury Polytechnic in 1973. He has played in the Rhodesian
Country Districts and Under 23 sides in hockey. He is married.
Tom W. Bassett (1966-1972) had a distinguished academic career which won for him a
major bursary to further his career as a civil engineer. He hopes to graduate at the end of
1977. It
was his exceptional qualities of leadership and total involvement in the School that led to the
inauguration of the Gifford Award, of which he was the first recipient. He played most sports
at the School and represented the School in public-speaking. Under his leadership, the
Headmaster was persuaded to accept the black blazer for the sixth form, while the prefect
body was moved to raise the money for the present Honours Boards that grace the Hall.
Neil Dewar (1968-1973) completed a B.Sc. degree with majors in chemistry and bio-
chemistry at Natal. He continued his studies at
Stellenbosch University in dentistry and he opened a
practice in Umhlanga Rocks. Latest reports say he emigrated down under. He played in the first XV (1971-1973) and received
colours for athletics. He was a junior city councillor, and won the Abrahamson Prize for
leadership. In addition, he received a Merit-with-Honours award for his services to Gifford.
Julian H.J. Howard (1969-1974) had a brilliant school career at School, and as a result won a
Joseph Gordon Scholarship and a Law Society Cadetship to study law at the University of
Rhodesia. At school he played in the first rugby and basketball teams, was chairman of the
Sixth Form Forum, and had a distinguished career on the stage. He won a Merit-with-Honours tie no
fewer than three times, and was awarded the Abrahamson Prize for leadership and the School's
premier award, the Gifford Award.
A.J.L. 'Joe' Wallis (1970-1975) had a brilliant scholastic career. He possessed an all-round
interest in affairs of the School where he captained the second XV. He will attend Rhodes University to read for a B.Com. Degree. He
has been awarded an Anglo-American Scholar-ship.
Graham A. Biffen (1971 -1976) is the son of an Old Boy. He played in the first teams for
rugby and water-polo, the latter for three years, and also represented the School in athletics
and swimming. He spent 1975 in Okalahoma, U.S.A., as a Rotary Exchange Student. His leadership was
recognised by the Gifford Award. He plans
to go to Natal University to read for a degree in quantity-surveying.
Ashley Gregg Konson, head boy 1977, came to Gifford in 1972. His main sport is soccer,
having captained the Rhodesian under 15 team and been selected for the under 17 team. His
versatile interests include public-speaking and dramatics, and has represented the School in the
second XV, the athletics team, and in the inter-schools' gala. He received the Gifford Award in 1977.
R.T.McGeoch
SCHOOL AWARDS
In any institution where academic, cultural and sporting achievements are sought after, a system of awards has a central function to perform. This goes beyond the simple recognition which should always be given to one whose efforts have resulted in a certain measure of achievement, and it is more than a means of providing incentive for pupils participating in the various fields of school activity. The system of awards should be rooted in the tradition of the institution reinforcing the sense of identity of both group and individual, and providing a set of consistent criteria by which the institution, and those who are associated with it can measure their achievements with pride. Gifford has, over the years, developed an elaborate and impressive system of awards which performs this function extremely well.
In all sports offered at the School, there are three levels of achievement for which awards may be made: at the highest level a pupil may earn a Colours award; at an intermediate level a half-colours award may be won, and, for a pupil who has earned neither half- nor full Colours, there is the possibility of a team award. The latter awards are made at the discretion of the coach of the first team in the sport concerned. Although a pupil who has represented a first team for two-thirds of the matches played in a season would normally be a candidate for a team award, there is no hard and fast formula since there is always a host of factors to be considered (e.g. injury, late-development, cancelled fixtures, to mention but a few). Furthermore, no award at any level would ever be made unless the Colours Committee were completely satisfied that the candidate was a sportsman in the very truest sense of the word. Of course, age might also prove a disqualifying factor as normally Colours are awarded only to pupils who are in form four or above, though this convention can be, and has been, waived in view of outstanding achievement.
In order to earn a half-colours award, a candidate must have been a regular member of the first team, but again beyond this there is no rigid formula to satisfy. There are, however, many guidelines: long and consistent service, brilliant form cut short by injury or illness, an important contribution to team spirit, attainment of a standard which would earn selection in the first team of any other school and, in sports where standards can be physically measured, a particular standard. Once again, the test of sportsmanship is crucial.
A full Colours award is made for exceptional
achievements in a particular sport. Obviously, representation at provincial or national level is a strong recommendation, but in the final analysis, the worthiness of the candidate to hold a Colours award is measured by Gifford's own standards. It is worth noting that there have been cases of boys gaining junior provincial honours while they were unable to maintain regular positions in Gifford first teams. Conversely, boys who have been rated very highly by the School have often failed to win provincial of national selection. A holder of a Colours award must have attained the standard of excellence traditionally demanded by the School and must be seen to possess high
personal standards.
The Merit-with- Honours award is the equivalent of a Colours award and is made for outstanding
achievement and/or service in any non-sporting activity. The holder of this very high honour does not wear a Colours blazer, but does wear the Merit-with-Honours tie which is the same as a Colours tie. The half-colours equivalent for nonsporting activities is the Merit award. It is made for commendable achievement and/or service. The importance of service to the School is emphasized by the system of awards. Merit or Merit-with-Honours awards may be gained by service in a single area or by service in many different fields. It is doubtful whether the Gifford Award, the School's highest honour, would ever be within the reach of a pupil who was not already the holder of a Merit-with Honours or at least a Merit award.
The Merit-with-Honours award is the newest in the School's history, having been instituted in 1967 largely because it was felt that the system of Merit Ties, introduced in 1960, was inadequate and that it had, in any case fallen largely in abeyance. The first recipients of these early Merit Ties were K. Davidson, C. de Beer, C. Duke, E. Hitz, A. Jerrard, A. Taute, and P. van der Walt. Furthermore it was decided that a Colours award would be solely for sporting achievements: it seemed incongruous to give Colours for dramatics as happened for the first time in 1965 when J. Murphy and T. Steenekamp were given Colours for their parts in The Naked Island while the rest of the cast got dramatics 'tabs'. The same occurred in 1966.
Furthermore, the Merit awards of the early 1960's were to be awarded 'to boys who make some contribution to the life and progress of the School which is deemed worthy of recognition.' This definition seemed to argue the award of Merit ties for dramatics, and other non-sporting school activities. But, prefects were specifically debarred from receiving a Merit tie. Clearly the time had come for a revision of the system, and so Merit awards were linked in status to halfColours and Merit-with-Honours to Colours. The first recipients, in 1967, of a Merit-with-Honours award were G. Seale and C. Green, and both were prefects! The first boys to hold the new Merit awards were P. Hallums, I. Ruth. J. Archibald, R. Snell, C. Oliver, W. Jackson, A. Hiscock, and M. Everton. The first Merit-with-Honours awards specifically for achievement on the stage went to N. Hayes-Hill and L. Tobias, with a Merit award going to M. Howard, for their parts in Arms and the Man.
At the same time as these changes were introduced, the white Colours blazer was withdrawn, to be replaced by the present Colours blazer.
The School is, therefore, extremely proud of its awards system, and standards are carefully guarded.
A. L. van HEERDEN, R. T. McGEOCH
EMBLEMS OF GIFFORD
A comprehensive display of the Gifford emblems described below may be seen in the foyer of the Administration Block.
COLOURS
The School's colours are maroon and silver, and the motto is Hinc Orior meaning 'from here I arise', or, more freely, 'from these beginnings my formed mind springs.' These colours were registered in 1957.
BADGES
The School Badge may be described heraldically as follows: azure within a bordure or a chevron of the second between three bees volant proper.
In layman's terms, this means that the badge is blue, within a gold bordure, a gold chevron between three flying bees (two in chief, one in base) in their proper colours. Additionally the School badge has G.T.S. (Gifford Technical School) in blue above the badge.
The Prefects' Badge was designed in 1954. It is the same as the School badge but without the letters G.T.S. super-imposed. There is a gold laurel to either side, with the words HINC ORIOR woven in gold on a gold scroll with a black background.
The Colours Badge is the same as the School badge, but the letters G.T.S. are pricked out in Gold, as is the name of the sport against a maroon background.
Team Tabs indicate in gold lettering the name of the sport on a maroon tab. The holder wears the tab beneath an ordinary School badge.
TIES
The School tie consists in alternating broad maroon and silver stripes, sinister.
The Prefects' tie is maroon with a regular pattern of small School badges pricked out in gold on a blue background.
The Colours and Merit-with-Honours tie is plain maroon with a single School badge centrally situated.
The half-Colours and Merit tie has broad maroon stripes alternating with narrower silver stripes, dexter.
The Sixth Form and Supporters' tie is plain maroon with three silver pin-stripes, sinister, behind one silver badge on a black background situated centrally. The tie was designed by Mr. B. M.
Stone in 1971.
R. T. McGEOCH
THE GIFFORD TROPHY
In Thought Faith In Word Wisdom
In Deed Courage In Life Service
Reach for the Stars
The magnificent solid silver casket bearing the above inscription engraved round it, and the School badge pricked out in enamel, was presented to the school by Mr. H. T. Guerrier in commemoration of the great work done by his friend, Mr. P. H. Gifford, the first headmaster of this School. The formal presentation was made on 13 April, 1951 at an impressive ceremony held in the Rhodes Street Beit Hall. The Headmaster, Mr. H. J. Sutherby, received the Trophy from Mr. T. J. Harrington on behalf of the School.
The second purpose of the Trophy was to provide a tangible focal point for every form of service that could be rendered by the boys to their School. The Trophy is competed for annually on an inter-house basis. The names of the winning House, the Housemaster and House Captain are recorded in a record book which is kept inside the casket.
The Trophy was first displayed in an elevated glass case in the Beit Hall, after which it was moved to the foyer of the Administration Block, and today it is once more housed in its original
case in the foyer of the School Hall.
The following is a summary of the first system used for allocating points for the Gifford Trophy:
Athletics sports (one-fifth of the points scored by the winning house);
Inter-house cricket, rugby, swimming, boxing and soccer (25, 15, 5);
School Colours (3 Points for every recipient; 1 point for a re-award);
The Junior and Senior Victores Ludorum in athletics (5 points each);
The winner of the Morris Bat (3 points);
Rhodesian representation in the sports offered at the school (3 points);
Various cadet activities (the points gained could vary, from 25 upwards);
School Prefects (3 points); the Head Boy 5 points);
An article or photograph accepted for the School Magazine (2 points);
Points for Scholarship (10 for Beit Engineering Scholarship; 5 for Beit Bursary);
For being first in Southern Africa in the Technical Examinations (up to 10 points);
Winners of the Sir George Johnson Drawing Prizes (Senior and Junior, and the Arthur
Griffin Prize-4 points each);
The senior and junior prizes (4 points); form prize winners (2 points);
Contributions in acting and back-stage work for the Dramatic Club (up to 10 points);
Winners of essay competitions (4 points each);
20 points for boys who showed a high standard of leadership, character orsocialachievement.
A revision of the method for awarding points for the Gifford Trophy was considered in 1953, and modifications were again made to the system in 1963 after the House system was reorganised. Some adjustments were made to the numbers of points allocated, while points were awarded for the swimming Victores Ludorum; points for life-saving were added, and Headmaster's discretionary points were introduced. (In 1966 the system was modified again).
Then in 1970 major changes were made with the introduction of a new system of grading activities into Super, Major and Minor categories according to their significance and following in the School. The gradings could be adjusted if the need arose. It was also intended that the Sporting, Cultural and Academic activities would each account for approximately one-third of the overall points scored, but in practice this was not achieved owing to the dominance of inter-house sporting activities over cultural activities. Also, not all the cultural activities provided for were held each year. Details are as follows:
Super (12, 9, 6, 3)
Major (8, 6, 4, 2)
Minor (4, 3, 2, 1)
SPORTING ACTIVITIES:
Super athletics, swimming, rugby, cricket.
Major cross-country, basketball, hockey,
water-polo.
Minor athletics standards, swimming standards tennis, rugby placekicking.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:
Major merit awards, social chess, senior public-speaking, senior debating, junior debating, one-act play competition.
Minor chess (team competition), inter-house quiz.
ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT:
Forms one to three:
November examinations.
first to fifth Progress Reports: merit certificate awards (derived from the November examinations)
Public Examination Classes:
Super: July examinations.
Major first to fourth Progress Reports; distinctions gained in the July examinations.
The system of scoring the Gifford Trophy that is currently in use was introduced in 1975. It was considered that only those activities which could be conducted on a strictly inter-house basis should feature. Thus a departure was made from one of the original purposes of the Trophy, namely that it should incorporate all forms of service to the School. It was considered that recognition for non inter-house contributions were adequately catered for by many other awards in the School. The points allocated were modified and an additional grade was introduced for inter-house athletics and swimming. The system is as follows:-
Premier (24, 20, 16, 12)
Super (16, 13,10,7).
Major (10, 8, 6, 4)
Minor (6, 5, 4, 3)
Premier athletics, swimming.
Super rugby, hockey, cricket
Major basketball, water-polo, cross-country, tennis, gymnastics, dramatics (inter-house one-act play festival).
Minor chess, debating, squash.
B.P.WEBB
THE GIFFORD TROPHY, 1976
|
Premier Section: (Points awarded 24, 20, 16, 12) Swimming Super Section: (Points awarded 24, 20, 16, 12) Cricket Hockey Rugby Major Section: (Points awarded 10, 8, 6, 4) One-Act-Play competition Basketball Water-Polo Minor Section: (Points awarded 6, 5, 4, 3) Chess Debating |
Davy 16 17 13 16 6 4 4 4 6 == 85 |
Newton 20 7 7 7 4 10 6 5 4 == 70 |
Faraday 12 13 10 13 10 8 10 6 3 == 85 |
Whitworth 24 13 16 10 10 6 10 3 5 == 97 |
WINNERS OF THE GIFFORD TROPHY
|
Year 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 |
HOUSE Dalton Whitworth Dalton Dalton Faraday Faraday Faraday Faraday Faraday Whitworth Dalton Dalton Faraday Davy Dalton Davy Davy Dalton Faraday Davy Dalton Faraday Davy Faraday Whitworth Whitworth |
HOUSEMASTER Mr. E. J. Bacon Mr. H. A. Pingstone Mr. E. J. Bacon Mr. C. D. Cowan Mr. W. A. Owen Mr. C. D. Cowan Mr. C. D. Cowan Mr. C. D. Cowan Mr. C. D. Cowan Mr. H. A. Pingstone Mr. S. McLoughlin Mr. E. Lafrentz Mr. C. D. Cowan Mr. W. Sandham Mr. E. Lafrentz Mr. W. Sandham Mr. W. Sandham Mr. E. Lafrentz Mr. B. P. Webb Mr. W. Sandham Mr. E. Lafrentz Mr. A. Reeve-Johnson Mr. C. Pluke Mr. M. Neal Mr. A. L. van Heerden Mr. A. L. van Heerden |
HOUSE CAPTAIN H. McKenzie-Fraser J. H. Coumbis B. Melloy R. A. Armstrong J. M. Gordon L. T. Yeatmam C. Smithdorf D. Pugh-Roberts R. Harris D. M. Simmonds M. Watson M. Watson R. Petzer B. F. Davison L. R. Bursch R. Horrocks A. R. Dempster R. Pitchford P. Semple R. D. Seton-Rogers R. 0. Rayner C. D. Eley N. Dewar J. H. Howard I. Hayes-Hill W. S. L. Jones |
TROPHIES
(The dates and names in brackets indicate when a trophy was presented and the first winner)
ATHLETICS
The Inter-house Challenge Cup for
winning house on sports day was presented by
J.D. Robertson, Esq. in 1931 when it was won jointly by Faraday and Whitworth, the only time that a tie has occurred.
The Inter-house
Tug-O'War Cup was presented in 1959 when it was won by Whitworth.
Trophies for individual achievement
The cup for the Senior Victor Ludorun presented by Messrs. MacGillivray and Son (1931: M. Dickenson).
The cup for the Under 16 Victor Ludorum was presented by Miss E. Bancroft (1944: K. Morrison). Originally it was for the Victor Ludorum in Johnson House.
The cup for the Junior Victor Ludorum (under 15) was presented by Dr. E. Loring Kelly (1931;C. Mann).
Under 14 Champion
Under 13 Champion
Best athlete in Davy House, the Brian Davison
Cup, was presented by Mr. and Mrs. J. F.
Davison in 1963 as a gesture of goodwill towards
the School where Brian had been a particularly outstanding sportsman.
Best athlete in Dalton House.
Best athlete in Faraday House, known as the
Ron Reeve-Johnson Cup was presented in
1972 by the boys of Faraday House when their
Housemaster left the School.
Best athlete in Whitworth House.
Best athlete in Newman House; the cup was presented probably in 1960 when G.duToitwon it.
Best athlete in Russell House; the cup was presented probably in 1960 when G. Bradshaw
won it.
Best day-scholar athlete, known as the MacLachlan Cup was presented by N. K.
MacLachlan, Head Boy in 1955 (1956; M.G.Snelling).
Trophies for Individual events:
Open 100 metres, the Holt Cup.
Open 200 metres (1960; P. Lishman).
Open 400 metres (1958; M. Wyndham).
Open 800 metres, known as the Marler Cup, was presented by B. Marler who in 1961 held the records for the 440 yards and 880 yards races (1962; D. Smith)
Open 1 500 metres, the Clarke Cup was presented by A. E. Clarke (1958; R. V. Smith).
Open hurdles, known as the Archie Edworthy Cup it might have been presented in his memory as he was killed in action in 1940.
Open relay cup, presented in 1952 by the Old Technicians' Association.
Open triple jump, known as the Dino Androuliakos Cup, was presented by D. C. T. Androuliakos in 1965. He was head boy in 1963 and 1964, and was the record-holder for this event in 1961, 1963 and 1964 (G. Bates).
Open High jump (1958; R. Rhodes.)
Open Long jump, the Rory Sudding Cup; he held the record in 1962 and was Head Boy in 1961.
Open discus, the Keith Pinchen Cup.
Open javelin, the Martin Mienie Cup.
Open shot put, the Mcintosh Cup.
Under 16 100 metres, the Scott Cup.
Under 16 400 metres (1963; P. Watson).
Under 15400 metres (1958; G. du Toit).
Under 13 relay, the Meyer Cup.
BASKETBALL
The Sandham Memorial Trophy for InterHouse Basketball was presented in 1977 by 'Capt. Jack' Sandham member of staff 1948-1977.
BOXING
The Alex Thomas Cup was presented in 1951 by A. N. Gordon and P. Nussbaum in memory of Alex Thomas, an Old Technician. It was for inter-house boxing. It was first won by Davy House in 1962.
CHESS
The Philip Whitehead Trophy for Inter-House chess was presented in 1977 by Mrs.
Joan Whitehead in recognition of the services
rendered by Philip to the game at Gifford.
CRICKET
The Candler Trophy for inter-house cricket was presented in 1943 by R. F. and D. C. Candler and was first won by Davy House.
DRAMATICS
The Edith White Trophy for the best actor of the year was presented by the wife of a former headmaster, Mr. D. R. White.
The Howard Trophy for inter-house dramatics was presented by J. H. J. Howard, Head Boy in 1974, and M. T. Howard, both of whom had a special interest in, talent for, dramatics. It was won first by Faraday House.
GYMNASTICS
The Cup for the senior gymnastics champion was presented in 1975 by Mr. J. L. Mullins.
RUGBY
The Philip Watson Cup for inter-house rugby was presented in 1977 by Mr. R. E. Watson.
The Nick Booyse Trophy for the most improved player in the first XV was presented in 1976 by Mrs. L. Booyse in memory of her husband, an Old Boy, who had a life-long interest in the rugby fortunes of the School. It was first won by M. Hart.
The Honey Cup for competition between school rugby teams was presented to the Rhodesian Rugby Football Union in 1922 by W. S. Honey, Esq. It was won by the Technical School for the first time in 1937 and again in 1939 and 1940, whereafter it was retained in perpetuity.
SOCCER
Brian Abrams Memorial Shield for interhouse soccer was presented by the boys of Gifford as a tribute to Brian who was interested in soccer.
TENNIS
The Junior Singles Cup was presented by Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Sher, and first won by K. Bernet in 1972.
The Open Doubles Championship Cup was presented by Mr. A. W. Varrie, and first won in 1973 by M. Ray and G. Innes.
The Open Singles Championship Cup was presented by Mr. and Mrs. M. J. M. Coley, and first won by E. Rudnick in 1971.
The Inter-House Tennis Trophy was presented in 1977 by Mr. D. A. Jack, member of staff 1970-1977.
SQUASH
The Inter-House Squash Cup was presented in 1977 by Mr. T. M. Brine, an Old Boy and member of staff since 1969.
SWIMMING
The Ellenbogen Trophy for the winning house at the annual inter-house gala was presented in 1954 by Mr. M. E. Ellenbogen. It was first won 'by Dalton House at the gala held on 4 November.
The Robert Lee Jones Trophy was presented in 1975 by Mr. R. L. Jones, uncle of W. S. L Jones and T. 0. L. Jones (who are both Rhodesian swimmers and pupils of the School) as there was no trophy specifically for the open group. The first winner was Paul Broster (Dy).
The Broster Trophy for the under 16 swimming champion was presented in 1975 by Mr. Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Broster in recognition of the assistance given by the School to Olympic Swimmer, Paul Broster,in his career. It was won for the first time by T. 0. L, Jones (Dy).
Under 15 Champion
The Jones Cup for the under 14 swimming champion was presented in 1974 by Mrs. D. Jones. The first winners were D. Viljoen (Dy) and M. Hart (N).
The Devine Cup for the Under 13 champion in the inter-house gala was presented in 1968 by Mr. and Mrs. Theo C. Devine. In existence was a cup for the best swimmer in the Under 13 and under 14 age-groups, and by coincidence their two sons, Graham (U14) and Gavin (U13) tied for that cup in 1967. The presentation of the Devine Cup obviated the anomaly of there being one cup for two age groups.
The Finlayson Trophy for the winner of the open 100 metres free-style event was presented by Mr. John Finlayson, the physical education teacher, in 1965 because at that time, apart fr m the Ellenbogen Trophy, there were no trophies for individual winners in swimming.
Water Polo
The Brian Abrams Memorial Trophy for inter-house water polo was presented in 1969 by the boys of Gifford in memory of a popular sportsman who lost his life in a motor accident.
It was first won by Davy House.
THE INTER-HOUSE SYSTEM
The origins of the inter-house system which prevails with varying degrees of success and emphasis in our schools lie in the tradition conscious background found in the great English Public Schools. At schools such as Rugby and Eton, the boys congregate in Houses, where they eat, sleep and study as a corporate group, which vies with other groups of boys in other Houses in the same school. At every conceivable level the spirit of fierce competitiveness between Houses remains the hallmark of the Public School System. Rhodesian schools have derived their inter-house spirit and activity from the old Public Schools. Obviously, an all boarding school would relate more closely to the above ideal.
At Gifford, the four Games Houses as they are called, concentrate on fostering competition in extra-mural activities. At one stage, when the School had three hostels, the games-house system was linked to the boarding establishments, i.e. Dalton House consisted of boys from Newman House hostel, Faraday House drew its support from Johnson Hostel, while Whitworth was synonymous with Russell Hostel. The day-boys formed the fourth games-house, namely Davy. This system was abandoned probably in 1960 when Johnson House was handed over to the Technical College.
DALTON HOUSE, 1931-1975
Housemasters:
1951-1953 Mr. E. J. C. Bacon;
1954-1956 Mr. C. 0. Cowan;
1961 Mr. S. McLoughlin;
1962-1972 Mr. E. R. Lafrentz;
1973-1975 Mr. A. Mennι;
1976-1977 Mr. D. M. Davis
Won Gifford Trophy in 1951, 1953, 1954,
1961, 1962, 1965, 1968, 1971.
Dalton House began its career inauspicuously in 1931 by coming last in the School's first interhouse athletics sports. In 1932, however, the House improved to reach second place, and in 1933 Dalton gained a clear victory by forty points. The fortunes of the House fluctuated over its succeeding years till 1941 when the House won the Sports by an astonishing 109 points over the
nearest rival. The next decade was a period of athletics triumph for Dalton: from 1942 to 1951
the House won five times and came second four times.
In 1939 a small swimming gala of eight events was held. Dalton won easily, winning more than
half the total points. This was the start of a long
success story in swimming, for the House won
eleven of the next sixteen galas, to 1958.
In 1951, the Gifford Trophy was presented to
the School and stimulated inter-house competition to reach beyond athletics and swimming.
With wins in these two competitions and also in boxing and rugby, Dalton very convincingly
won the Gifford Trophy in its first year.
Another trophy we were the first to win was
the Ellenbogen Trophy (swimming) presented in
1955.
Although the house was still a force to be
reckoned with in the first half of the 1960's,
winning the sports and rugby regularly, by the
early 1970's the House had dropped to the bottom
of the ladder in most things. Thus when it was
decided to eliminate the confusion caused by
having two houses with the initial D, Dalton was
selected as the one to have its name changed.
Newton was chosen as the new name, after Sir
Isaac Newton who was famous for postulating
the laws of gravitation and for developing
differential calculus.
So, for a short period, from 1973 to 1976,
Dalton was known as Newton House. In 1977,
however, the School's Jubilee year, it was decided
to put tradition before a slight inconvenience, and
on 23 February we once again became Dalton
House.
NEWTON HOUSE, 1976
Housemaster: Mr. D. M. Davis
Captain: C. Biffen
After the poor performances and depressed spirits of 1975, we went into 1976 with a new determination to become a force to be reckoned with. House spirit grew under the lively leadership of a group of seniors headed by G. Biffen and the House went into each inter-house contest with keen determination, even if it did frequently emerge with little success. Though we were last in cricket, hockey and rugby, we won through to second place in the swimming gala and inter-house chess, won the basketball competition, and held first position in social chess almost all year. We were also forced into last place in the one-act play festival, but in such a tightly-contested competition, this was no discredit to us.
I am grateful to Mr. E. Lafrentz for taking charge of the House during my leave, to the many seniors who worked hard and gave encouraging leadership, and to all the boys of Newton House for their keenness, even in the face of defeat.
DAVY HOUSE, 1939-1975
Housemasters:
1948-1972 Mr. W. J. Sandham;
1973 Mr. C. Pluke;
1974 Mr. M. J. D. Black;
1975-1977 Mr. D. A. Jack.
Won Gifford Trophy in 1964, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1973.
The House is named after Sir Humphry Davy, 1778-1829, who in his life became involved in numerous experiments, particularly on the nature of explosive gases found in mines. As a result he invented the celebrated Davy Lamp which made coal-mining incomparably safer. He was elected to the Royal Society in 1803, knighted in 1812 as a result of his efforts in the field of science, and was made a baronet in 1818.
The first mention of Davy House in past School Magazines was in Volume II No. 2, 1939 where, under the heading of 'Annual School Sports' appear the words: 'A feature of the meeting was the improved keenness in the inter-house competition. For the purpose of the competition the school was divided into four houses.. .' Obviously a fourth games-house was needed owing to a growth in numbers and perhaps to revitalise interhouse competition, so Davy House was born, and has certainly played its part in inter-house competitions of all kinds. During the last thirty-seven years, the House has been particularly dominant in both athletics and the annual swimming galas. With the introduction of the Gifford Trophy in 1 951, the scope of inter-house competitions was widened to include cultural activities as well as sporting. In the cultural activities, too, the House has done well, and the Gifford Trophy since 1951 has been won five times by Davy.
A lot of the credit for the successes of the House must go to the former housemasters. Tribute must be paid in particular to one former housemaster who, in his twenty-three years of office, did a great deal for the house, developing a tremendous spirit which was the guiding factor in so many of the successes enjoyed by the House. Mr. W. J. Sandham took over as housemaster in 1948, and retired from this position in 1971; since that time he has still been actively involved in all aspects of the House.
D.A. JACK
DAVY HOUSE, 1976
Housemaster: Mr. D. A. Jack
Captain: R. R. M. Mason
For the second year in succession, Davy House came second in the Gifford Trophy competition. In some respects this was a little disappointing as I feel that, with a more enthusiastic attitude, the House could have done better.
In the sporting field the House won the rugby and cricket competitions; the latter success was particularly pleasing as the House has not fared too well in this sport for some years. The House came second in the hockey, third in the swimming and, unfortunately, last in both water-polo and basketball.
On the cultural side the House has not done particularly well with the exception of winning the debating competition. It was disappointing to see our chess team lose their dominant position after so many years of success: we came third in this competition. We also came third in the interhouse one-act play festival.
The trace of apathy among certain members that became evident in 1975 abated to a degree in 1976, when it appeared to be prevalent only in the senior section of the House. This must be eradicated in the near future if the House is to enjoy significant success. My thanks go to A. Konson and A. Mason for their help in the organisation of the House.
FARADAY HOUSE, 1931-1975
Housemasters:
1955 Mr.W.A.Owen;
1956-1968 Mr.C.D.Cowan;
1969-1970 Mr.B.P.Webb;
1971-1972 Mr.A.Reeve-Johnson;
1973 Mr.R.T.McGeoch;
1974-1975 Mr.M.Neal;
1976-1977 Mr.T.M.Brine.
Won Gifford Trophy in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1969, 1972, 1974.
The House was named after the famous English physicist and chemist, Michael Faraday (1791 -1867) who, from very humble beginnings, became a professor of chemistry. His fame rests chiefly on his discovery of electromagnetic induction: terms such as electrode, anode, cathode, ion, anion(') and cation were introduced into English by him, while the unit of electrical capacity, the faraday, was named after him.
In the period under review, Faraday may be considered the most successful of the houses:
since the inception of the Gifford Trophy, Faraday has won it nine times, once more than its nearest rival, Dalton. But, before that, Faraday had been successful both in the inter-house athletics competitions and in the annual galas. At the first athletics meeting on 22 April 1931 , Faraday shared the honours with Whitworth, but after that initial success had to wait till 1938 before winning the sports again: Faraday won convincingly with a clear margin of ninety points over Whitworth. The success was repeated in the following year when for the first time Davy House competed. A period of dominance followed in the mid-1940's when the House won the athletics for five successive years starting in 1944.
In 1939 the first inter-house gala was held; Faraday managed to accumulate a total of only five points in eight events, compared to Dalton's forty-seven, so the House was a glorious last I Fortunes changed, however, and Faraday beat Dalton by seven points in 1945; for the next few years the House came second, before winning again in 1950.
It appears that in 1952 inter-house rugby and water-polo were introduced: in both competitions the House came second, firstly to Whitworth and to Davy in the water-polo.
In 1955 the twenty-fifth sports meeting was won by the House by just one point. Water-polo was also won, and as a result 1 955 saw Faraday winning the Gifford Trophy for the first time. The captain was J. M. Gordon and the housemaster was Mr. W. A. Owen. From then on, for five years in a row, Faraday won the trophy.
Throughout the 1960's Faraday's star burned somewhat dimly, winning the Trophy only in 1963
and 1969, though since then the House has won twice more, in 1972 and 1974.
FARADAY HOUSE, 1976
Housemaster: T. M. Brine
Captain: C. J. Trautman
Faraday can look back on 1976 as a year of mixed fortunes. The under 13 and under 14 groups proved to be the weakness of the House although the talent was available. Nonetheless it was pleasing to see the determination displayed by the juniors at the inter-house gala. Swimming, however, was the main failure of the year owing to the lack of talent, yet a fine effort was put up by all who so willingly assisted.
Much hard work was put into the preparation for athletics in the hopes of achieving a good result, but the competition had to be abandoned
because of rain. In the other sports, the seniors captured the rugby, cricket, water-polo and tennis titles and came second in the hockey and basketball competitions. All in all, these were most commendable results, but as all inter-house results are a combination of the results of both the junior and senior competitions, the overall results were regrettably rather poor.
Mention must be made of the chess players who supported the House once a week throughout the year in an effort to boost the tally towards winning the Trophy. D. Hutchinson must also be specially commended for his skilful direction of the one-act play in the inter-house competition in which we shared joint first position with Whitworth. Among the seniors, C. Trautman, C. Griffin, G. Ashby, D. Hutchinson, J. McMillan, S. Muldoon, G. van den Heever, I. Fraser, C. Botha and B. Payne must be specially commended for the valued and worthwhile leadership.
WHITWORTH HOUSE, 1971-1975
Housemasters:
1931 (')-1951 Mr. A. C. Vaughan
1952-1962 Mr. H. A. Pingstone;
1971-1972 Mr. R. T. McGeoch;
1973 Mr. W. A. McQuade;
1974-1977 Mr. A. L. van Heerden
Won Gifford Trophy in 1952, 1960, 1975, 1976.
The House was named after the English mechanical engineer, Sir Joseph Whitworth, Bart. (1803-1887). He is renowned for his pioneering work in standardization, particularly in machine-screws (the Whitworth thread is named after him) and was closely associated with the design of the rifles which came from the famous Enfield Royal Small Arms Factory.
If one studies the honours board in the School Hall which lists the winners of the Gifford Trophy, one is struck by the fact that Whitworth House has won the coveted inter-house trophy only four times since the inception of the competition. The natural conclusions are that the blue banner has seldom been borne by the School's leading sportsmen or that, since two of the four victories in the competition were won in 1975 and 1976, Whitworth is at last emerging from its long spell in the doldrums. These conclusions rest on shaky foundations. Any deeper study of Whitworth's record not only since 1951 but also since the introduction of a games house system at the School twenty years before that, reveals evidence of strong House spirit and impressive achievement. There was a brief period in the Sixties when the inter-house competition as a whole seemed to go through a very bad patch and it is interesting to note that Whitworth's most dismal period coincided with that general slump. It is furthermore significant that in the last five years, a period in which the inter-house competition has shown growing vitality, Whitworth has twice won the trophy and been runnerup twice as well. In the earliest years of the competition it was Whitworth and Dalton that battled for supremacy, and in the late Fifties, when Faraday established a firm dominance, it was again Whitworth which provided the major challenge.
In the twenty years before the introduction of the competition for the Gifford Trophy, Whitworth enjoyed long periods of supremacy in inter-house competitions. In the first ten years of the house system of the School, Whitworth won the annual athletics competition no fewer than seven times. Athletics seems to have been as much the House's own private property in those years as swimming has become in the past few seasons. Whitworth's success in athletics was founded very often on solid teamwork, but the House was not without its share of individual stars. Names such as
E. Hadingham, A. Johnson, N. Cumming, K. Ziehl, M. Lukan and others crowd the record books.
Much of the credit for the success of Whitworth over the years must be attributed to the long service of that most dedicated of teachers, Mr. Harry Pingstone. When one surveys the list of triumphs scored and the challenges met while Mr. Pingstone was housemaster, one is soon aware of the enormous debt owed by the House to him. It is fitting to salute that gentleman at a time when the House is once more riding the crest of a wave.
WHITWORTH HOUSE, 1976
Housemaster: Mr. A. L. van Heerden
Captain: W. S. L. Jones
In a year in which consistent effort very often had to compensate for depth and flair, Whitworth House did itself proud by winning the Gifford Trophy for the second year in a row. Determined leadership by the senior boys, who always set an excellent example, and keen spirit from the junior pupils in the House, were the key factors in the repeat of the 1975 success.
While the undisputed highlight of the year was the storming triumph in the inter-house gala in which Brendan Beaumont made a massive contribution, it was very often in the competitions
in which Whitworth looked the underdogs on paper that the spirit which was the House's greatest strength, was revealed. In both senior and junior water-polo events, seemingly weak Whitworth sides came extremely close to pulling off real upsets. Consistent scoring through second places probably best explains the overall triumph.
William, Jones proved an able captain and he was well supported by his lieutenants, but perhaps the greatest praise should go to masters such as Mr. B. Stone, Mr. J. Boyce and Mr. G. Townshend for their interest and involvement.
THE GIFFORD WAR-CRY
School war cries in Southern Africa frequently make use of the African vernacular, among which Zulu seems to be popular. Unfortunately, war cries tend to become notoriously garbled over the years, and would-be translators are further confused by the insertion of strange phonetic sounds and phrases, which may sound satisfyingly war-like, but read like the mouthings of primeval apes or the signals of little green men from a remote galaxy.
With the co-operation of linguists from the B.S.A.P., Bulawayo, two possible versions, with
translations, of the School's War-Cry are given.
VERSION 1
Kulu ma-bane'
Kulu ma-sibi!
(repeat)
Zing, zing, neaga ting
Eelavu!
G-IFF0RD
GIFFORD
Translation:
Who is greater than we'
There is none greater than us!
(repeat)
Zing, zing, give it to us G-IF-F0-RD
GIFFORD!
VERSION 2
Okalunayo ngubabe'
Kuluma sibili!
(repeat)
Zing, zing, niaga ting
Ndhlovu
G-IFF0RD
GIFFORD
Translation:
Who is talking'
Talking indeed!
(repeat)
Zing, zing, give it to us Elephant
G-IFF0RD
GIFF0RD
The first version would appear to be the more phonetic, Sindebele-from-Zulu, and the translation more apt. The second version is certainly more grammatically correct, pure Zulu, but the translation not so apt. The main stumbling-block seems to be the word before spelling out GIFFORD. 'Eelavu' is quite meaningless, though phonetically satisfying, while 'Ndhlovu' is meaningful, but less phonetically satisfying.
Mr. R. A. Furber, in The Bee Hive of 23 September 1970.
Credit for composing the War-cry goes to E. F. Hartman, the rugby captain; he and others of the team sat in the prep room 'solemnly composing it' some time in 1950 Editor.
Pupils who have earned national representation in non-school sports
Archery 1976 M.A.Wilde
Cycling 1965 B.C.McVey, 1967 B.C.McVey, D.Lambert, 1972 J.Burt, R.Evans
Gymkhana 1976 M.J.van Blerk
Sailing 1976 M.G.Souter
CRICKET, 1929-1976
A Prelude
A few introductory remarks are necessary before I embark on the general history of cricket in the School over the past fifty years. My sole qualification is that I am in charge of the present First XI. Not for me the luxury of those longserving members of Staff who effortlessly remember the exploits of Tom, Dick and Harry and who recall the School in its many phases. Nevertheless, perhaps my short association does allow a certain objectiveness denied those who have been so personally involved over the years.
I have tried to verify all my facts and figures. I have badgered Old Boys, haunted The Chronicle, and pored over every article written about cricket in the School. I am extremely grateful to Mrs. Furber, our librarian. Her frightening energy has unearthed masses of material from the past in all facets of the School's history. I have been as comprehensive and accurate as possible. I hope I have not offended anyone by leaving out some notable feat. I hope I have not made any claims to records that are incorrect. If I have done either, I apologise. Corrections will be willingly received and subsequently published. Although a certain amount of repetition is inevitable, I have tried not to include too many statistics in my resume. These are included in the section entitled, 'For the Statistically Minded'.
In the final analysis, I cannot claim for the School any outstanding prowess in the art of cricket as a whole. There have been some outstanding individual performances, but the overall record is probably the poorest of all the old preWar schools. Reasons are not difficult to find and we may well lay the blame on the initial fragmented nature of the School and its very limited facilities. This is not the whole truth: cricket is not a game, it is a culture. It is an endless consolation, as exasperating in its elusiveness as it is boring to the uninitiated, It may be played badly, but never frivolously. It is expensive and time-consuming. It is difficult to defend its continuation, yet impossible to eliminate. Its philosophy has never really been accepted by the School. This is not a criticism, it is a statement. One thing is clear: cricket is part of our traditions and a worthwhile one. After all, to break our ties with the past is just not cricket.
The Pre-War Years
The earliest recorded matches were played in November 1929 with games against the Evening
School, Matopos School and the Milton second XI. Undoubtedly friendly contests were played
before this time, even when the School was situated temporarily in the old St. George's School for the two years prior to 1929. Unfortunately, no social records were kept of this time.
There were very few senior schools in those early years: Milton, Plumtree and the Technical School in Matabeleland, Prince Edward and St. George's in Mashonaland, Chaplin in the Midlands, and Umtali in Manicaland. Travelling was not easy. Indeed, a visit to Plumtree was an adventure in itself. The train was the only practical means of transport and the regularity of arrival far from guaranteed. Road traffic was well-nigh impossible. Many will remember, often with mixed feelings of nostalgia, the bone-shattering corrugations and the nights spent stranded by the low level bridges as one waited for rivers to subside. Turf wickets were unheard of and all cricket was played on matting. The School itself had no grounds of its own and the facilities of the Bulawayo Athletic Club were thrown open for the School's use. Indeed, a decade was to pass before a home ground was established at Russell House. Up to that time, all fixtures were played away. Matches appeared to have been organised on a last minute basis and early opponents included such sides as St. John's Choir, Old Crocks, and Bellevue. Cricket gradually spread to lower groups and second XI fixtures are recorded in 1931. The School did not graduate to first Xl status until 1935. This appears to be the year of decision, as was stated in that year's magazine:
'Our cricket, hitherto so chancy, shows signs of developing a shape and form more nearly resembling the game at its best.' The Milton second XI was defeated for the first time, while a creditable performance emanated from the first match against Chaplin. In 1936 the School took on the might of the Milton and Plumtree elevens, and in the following year defeated the Milton first team for the first time by 7 runs. Some idea of the general standard of play is characterised by by the general criticism of the time: 'Belief in the attempted six still characterises our batting; and again and again it has been proved that this is the only attitude to short matches . . . and no doubt the off-drive and the square cut, at present conspicuous by their absence, will one day accrue.' Oddly enough, this attitude is pertinent to this day! In 1938, the first of the overseas professionals, a Mr. James of Northamptonshire and New Zealand, arrived and, as a result of this added impetus, the grounds at Russell House were developed with net facilities. The following year saw the inauguration of a School first XI cap plain white with the School badge on the front. The opening match on the new ground
was against a team from the military training camp, which the School won, following up with the second victory over Milton a week later.
The War Years
Fixtures became difficult as so many town sides were depleted by players serving in the Allied Forces. Nevertheless, Queens and B.A.C. managed to field sides from time to time and the School continued to play these club sides as it had done in the past ten years. A notable event was the first victory over Plumtree in 1940 on the Russell House ground. The standard of play had improved immensly under the direction of Mr. H. Friggens, a member of staff, and for the first time the School took part in the Tomlinson Cup, the inter-school cricket competition.
In 1939, Lord Nuffield visited the Union of South Africa and bequeathed £10 000 for the furtherance of cricket in that country. From that sum, the S.A. Cricket Association started the famous Nuffield Tournament and Southern Rhodesia was invited to participate. To 0. C. Candler goes the honour of being the School's rirst Nuffield representative. Incidentally, the Rhodesian school-boy side did exceptionally well, defeating N.E. Transvaal, O.F.S., Western Province and Border, losing only to Bellville's XI which was not a Nuffield side.
Despite difficulties, there was an increased interest in the game and much of this was Undoubtedly due to the efforts of Mr. Candler (D.C. Candler's father), who voluntarily helped with the coaching of school teams. A fine player himself, who had played for Kent, he instilled enthusiasm and keenness. He is remembered to his day, and the inter-house cricket competition competes for the Candler Trophy, presented in 1943, and which was first won by Davy House. Indeed the name of Candler figures prominently in the school's history. D. C. Candler is credited with scoring the first century for the first team, and he was later to become the School's first Rhodes Scholar.
A great shortage of materials prevailed during the war years, but somehow these difficulties were overcome. It would be out of place to gloss over these years without mentioning the remarkable Carew brothers Bernard, Allan, Anthony, and Peter. From 1939 to 1945 a Carew was always in the first team. Bernard was selected for the Nuffield team in 1941 and 1942, with Allan, very young at that stage, selected as a nontravelling reserve. Unfortunately that was the last tournament for the duration of the war.
Perhaps it is relevant to reflect on the misfortune of Allan Carew at this stage. He is undoubtedly one of the finest all-rounders that the School has produced and missed gaining a Nuffield cap because of the postponement of the Tournament. He still had two more years at school and to him goes the honour of making the first inter-school century by a Technical cricketer when he scored 109 against Milton in 1942. After the War, both Bernard and Allan played for Rhodesia in the Currie Cup.
Once again, the highlights of 1943 were an innings victory over Milton, a victory over Plumtree on the Russell House ground and the ultimate triumph of a win over Plumtree at Plumtree in the third term of the year. In the latter match, R. McNulty scored 150 out of a total of 217 and his individual score stood as a record in inter-school cricket for seven years.
During the War years, the School had thrown open their limited sporting facilities to the R.A.F. who were based in the Agricultural Society's Show Grounds across the road. This contact led to many friendly cricket matches between the School and the various branches of the Services. Games were arranged between the Initial Training Wing, Heany, No. 2 Training Camp, R.A.F., and Army. This association was well rewarded because, under the energetic direction of F/O. S. B. Cloete, a swimming bath, two gymnasia, and two squash courts were built on School grounds, and were handed over to the Southern Rhodesian Government in 1945 when the R.A.F. left their base in the Show Grounds. These amenities, though altered and rejuvenated, are still very much in use.
Post-War Years
Mr. H. Friggens had left the School, and 1945 was marked by the arrival of Mr. 'Bucky' Buchanan. There are few people associated with the School, or with sport in general for that matter, who do not remember this remarkable character. An accomplished performer, he played cricket and rugby for Rhodesia, as well as coaching the first XI. Under his direction, cricket flourished and there can be no doubt that the '40's were the best and most successful in the School's cricketing history. Matches were arranged further afield. In 1946, the School lost their first encounter against Prince Edward in Salisbury, but the following year defeated Prince Edward at home and away. Milton also suffered two defeats. T.Lange and T.Anderson were selected for the 1947 Nuffield side and, together with G. Ziehl, were again selected in 1948. T.Lange captained the team and is the Schools only
cricketer to have led a Nuffield XI. The number of boys selected three remains the most to have represented Rhodesia in the Tournament in any one year from the School. Both T. Lange and T. Anderson played for the Matabeleland Senior XI in Logan Cup matches whilst still at school.
In 1945 fields were built at the Upper School near Johnson House in the Suburbs and by 1949 the matting wicket at Russell House was discarded in favour of a turf wicket at the Upper School.
Also, at that time the Rhodesian Cricket Union, with financial help from the State Lotteries, was responsible for bringing out English professionals as coaches. Vic Jackson, from Leicestershire, is well remembered at the School and he returned for several years to render valuable assistance. Facilities were still limited and the movement to the Upper School was not altogether successful. The boarding hostels were far removed from the ground and it was decided to return to Russell House. In 1950 a borehole was sunk and an intensive programme started to rejuvenate the fields at the hostels. Turf nets were constructed at Russell House which at least dealt with the problem of practices as well as allowing boys to practise on their own. By the mid '50's the grounds at the Upper School had deteriorated markedly and a few years later they were abandoned and the new turf at Russell House brought into operation. Much of this work fell on the shoulders of Mr. Sam Wigginton. Perhaps it is a small tribute to him that in 1960 the turf on the Russell House field was described as the finest in the country. He deserves special mention for his efforts.
Another notable landmark was achieved in 1948. T. Martin was selected for the South African School's XI in 1949 and he is the only player from the School to achieve this honour.
The actual performances of the School during the 1950's were mixed. A few new schools appeared on the scene. The whole pattern of the cricket itinerary changed. Fixtures against clubs began to fall away as more inter-school games were arranged. The large influx of immigrants after the war and the establishment of the Federation of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland necessitated the building of more schools. It was then possible to arrange fixtures among the schools at all levels. This had always been a problem prior to 1950. Guinea Fowl, one of the new schools, was first played in 1951, and inflicted a heavy defeat on the School. It is worthy of note that, in this year, Clive Currin became the youngest boy ever to represent the first XI he played for the team before his thirteenth birthday. Another highlight of these years was the bowling analysis of P. McKechnie against Guinea Fowl in 1953: he claimed 10 wickets for 10 runs in the one innings.
Salisbury was smaller than Bulawayo before 1947, but raced ahead when it was chosen as the Federal capital in 1953. Schools sprang up everywhere and in 1956 matches were played between Churchill and Falcon College. Northlea and C.B.C. had appeared on the local scene to add to the list of opponents. By the end of 1959, Mr. 'Bucky' Buchanan had left after fifteen years of devoted service. His name has only to be mentioned to any associate or Old Boy and it immediately brings an affectionate smile. He made the game fun without being flippant. He will always be remembered. In fact, 'Bucky' left the School to go to yet another new school, Hamilton.
Enthusiasm for cricket seems to have declined in the 60's. Several articles in School magazines make reference to this point. Mr. A. Meyer, himself an Old Boy and ex-Nuffield player, was in charge of cricket for a few years and did much to prevent interest from flagging. The first of the two cricket tours that the School has embarked upon was undertaken and the 1960 side visited Northern Rhodesia over the Christmas holidays. The 1961 School Magazine makes the following statement: 'Cricket is in the doldrums at the School. When one analyses the situation I think we can lay the blame at the feet of (1) the Staff, (2) the boys, and (3) the parents.' This hardhitting criticism may well be justified, but there were some remarkable performances round about that time. Most of the School record-wicket partnerships were established during this period;
D. Simmonds hit a lightning century against Falcon College in 59 minutes. I can find no record of a faster hundred in any inter-school game. Peter Lishman's exploits with the bat deserve special mention. He represented the School from 1960 to 1962 and has easily scored the most centuries in first XI matches. His feat of five centuries in the third term of 1962 is quite remarkable. For the next two years, Brian Davison dominates the cricketing scene. It is perhaps fitting to quote the 1963 Magazine: 'On behalf of the School and the team I would like to thank Brian Davison for his excellent service to the School in cricket.'
1964 marked the start of worthy project. Mr.R. Pate and Mr. E. Lafrenz undertook to build a cricket pavillion using only schoolboys. These two long-serving members of staff and their helpers completed the task in a little over two years. It stands on the south side of the Cowan
Field and is an outstanding example of self-help and staff-pupil co-operation. The Russell House ground had been renamed the Cowan Field in honour of that well-respected housemaster, Charlie Cowan.
After Brian Davison left, the School went through a very lean period. There were no Nuffield cricketers for the next twelve years until R. Mason was selected for his fast bowling performances during 1976. A vote of thanks must be extended to Mr. AIf Morris for all the voluntary coaching he did at the School for eleven years. He was not directly connected with the School, but he willingly took junior groups and later the first Xl. Another stalwart over this lean period has been that long-standing member of staff, Brian Webb. Totally self-effacing, he has worked with the junior groups and his efforts are much appreciated.
At present, cricket is firmly established, but the School still suffers from lack of facilities. There are only two grounds, the full-size Cowan Field and a smaller field for junior matches. The nets are inadequate to cope. There are a number of other factors which limit the numbers playing the game. Many of the other summer sports like tennis, athletics, swimming, water-polo, squash and basketball are less time-consuming and are preferred. Add to this the prohibitive cost of equipment and it can be seen that the game labours under difficulties. The nucleus, however, of keen players and devotees is there and cricket, an integral part of Gifford's tradition for fifty years, will continue to make its contribution to the life of the School.
M. P. C. CLARANCE
FOR THE STATISTICALLY MINDED
Results of Inter-Schools Matches
The columns represent the opponents, the number of
matches played, those won by Gifford, those lost by Gifford,
drawn games and tied games.
|
Schools Milton Plumtree Northlea Chaplin Guinea Fowl Falcon C.B.C. Hamilton St. Stephen's QueQue Prince Edward Thornhill Churchill St. George's Jameson Allan Wilson |
Played 81 66 29 28 25 23 21 18 15 10 8 8 7 3 3 2 |
Won 15 6 13 3 6 8 9 1 10 8 2 6 1 - 2 1 |
Lost 54 48 11 17 13 12 8 14 3 1 6 2 4 2 1 - |
Drawn 12 11 5 8 6 3 4 3 2 1 - - 2 1 - 1 |
Tied - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
1940 D. C. Candler 1951 K. C.Ziehi
1941 B. J. Carew 1953 P. J. B.McKechnie
1942 D. c. Candler 1954 P. J. B.McKechnie
B. J. Carew 1955 M. G.McConway
1947 T. Lange 1957 R. G. Cunningham
J. T. Anderson 1960 R. A. V. Harris
1948 T. Lange (captain)1961 R. G. Gubb
J. T. Anderson D. M. Simmonds
G. Ziehl 1963 P. J. S. Lishman
1949 T. Martin 1964 B. Davison
G. Slater 1966 B. Davison
1950 A.V.S. Meyer 1976 R. P. M. Mason
South African Schools' XI
1949 T. Martin
Highest total in innings:
341 for 2 declared against St. Stephen's College 1 November 1975.
Lowest total in innings.
19 in the 2nd innings against Plumtree 11 March 1944.
Highest individual Innings.
I.Hayes-Hill, 218 not out against St. Stephen's College 1 November 1975.
Best Bowling Analysis.
P.McKechnie, 10 for 10 against Guinea Fowl February 1953.
Individual centuries.
1940 D. C. Candler 109 vs. Training Camp 3rd term
1941 D. C. Candler 106 vs. l.T.W. 3rd term
1943 A. Carew 109 vs. Milton 1st term
R. McNulty 150 vs. Plumtree 3rd term
1945 W. Gray 116 not out vs. Y.M.C.A. 1st term
1956 R. Cunningham 103 vs. Guinea Fowl 1st term
1960 D. M. Simmonds 102 vs. Falcon 3rd term
P. J. Lishman 102 not out vs. Que Quo 3rd term
1961 P. J. Lishman 111 vs. Falcon 3rd term
115 vs. Que Quo 3rd term
1962 P. J. Lishman 102 vs Milton 1st term
164 not out vs. Northiea 3rd term
121 vs. Guinea Fowl 3rd term
112 vs. C.B.C. 3rd term
108 vs Quo Quo 3rd term
126 vs. Falcon 3rd term
1963 B. Davison 106 vs. Hamilton 1st term
1964 B. Davison 132 vs. Plumtree 1st term
1974 I. Hayes-Hill 105 vs. St. Stephen's 3rd term
1975 I. Hayes-Hill 218 not out vs. St. Stephen's 3rd term
Record partnerships for each wicket:-
1st wicket-143 P. Lishman and M. Watson vs. Que Que 3.11.62
2nd wicket-274 I. Hayes-Hill and K. Sullivan vs. St. Stephen's 1.11.75
3rd wicket-129 B. Davison and L. Harding vs. Hamilton 13.3.63
4th wicket-144 P. Lishman and M. Watson vs Hamilton1 3.1 0.62
5th wicket-95 R. Harris and D. Simmonds vs. Chaplin 14.3.59
6th wicket-101 P. Lishman and B. Edwards vs. Northlea 15.9.62
7th wicket-51 B. Blair and B. Lund vs B.S.A.P. (Sby.) 21.9.63
8th wicket-66 M. Theunissen and P. Hilton vs. Founders 17.3.62
9th wicket-79 P. Lishman and D. Smith vs. Que Que 28.10.61
10th wicket-42 R. Gubb and A. Taute vs. Chaplin 3.10.59
Miscellaneous Information
Only five of the Schools Old Boys have represented Rhodesia.
H. K. S. Evans, probably one of the finest wicket-keepers the
country has seen, represented Rhodesia before World War II in 1939 and again after the War. He was joined in the Rhodesian side by the eldest of the Carew brothers, Barnard, who played regularly from 1947-1949. In the early 1950's Allan Carow became the third Old Boy to play for his province. Over twenty years elapsed before the School again had another Old Boy in the senior side. Brian Davison, currently a professional with the English County side Leicestershire, was selected in the early 70's and in 1975 was appointed captain of the side. He is still captain of Rhodesia and there is no reason to suppose that he will not remain in this position for many years to come. His cricketing career has many years to run. Recently. Trevor Townshend, a Lancashire League professional, has been selected for a Currie Cup fixture against the Transvaal and becomes the fifth Old Boy to merit the selection.
Ian Hayes-Hill's 218 not out against St Stephen's College
in 1975 is the current school-boy record individual batting
performance by a Rhodesian schools' cricketer.
D. M. Simmonds scored 102 against Falcon College in 1960 in 59 minutes. This is the fastest recorded century by a
Rhodesian school cricketer in inter-school matches.
The School's 341 for 2 is the highest score made by a school
side in one-day games (vs. St. Stephen's College, 1975).
The 2nd wicket partnership between I. Hayes-Hill and K.
Sullivan of 274 against St. Stephen's College in 1975 is a
record for any wicket in inter-school games.
The youngest player to represent the School first Xl was
Clive Currin in 1951. He was 12 years 11 months when he
first represented the School.
In 1966 C. Puttock took 5 wickets in 5 balls against Founders
High School; he had a final match analysis 8 wickets for 5 runs.
CRICKET, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. B. P. Webb
Coach: Mr. M. P. C. Clarance
Captain: C. Trautman
Performances in 1976 were creditable without being remarkable. Nine inter-school matches were played, of which we lost five and won four. Much of the team's success relied on the opening ability of C. Trautman and R. Mason who bowled well on all occasions. Unfortunately, the batting did not measure up to our performance in the field. The batsman were not able to cope when put under pressure. We dismissed sides for reasonable totals, only to see our batting collapse quite inexplicably. C. Trautman was a popular captain who set a fine example and was rewarded for his efforts by being selected as vice-captain of the Matabeleland Schools' XI. R. Mason was also selected for the side which took part in the Nuffield Trials. We congratulate him on his selection for the Rhodesian Nuffield team. He is the first Gifford cricketer to be selected for twelve years.
D. Hutchinson, C. Parnell, H. Bolton, C. Trautman and R. Mason each played a good innings from time to time, but the batting lacked consistency and application. Our facilities are
still limited and the cost of cricket equipment, especially cricket balls, is seriously inhibiting the game. Nevertheless, 1977 looks promising. There are a number of up-and coming cricketers in the lower groups, and the first XI has a nucleus of experienced cricketers who are returning to school. We look forward to the coming season in hopeful anticipation.
FIRST TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Versus Plumtree: Plumtree 104 (Mason 5 for 17). Gifford 106 for 6 (Parnell 28). Won by 4 wickets.
Versus Northlea: Northlea 23 (Mason 5 for 5, Trautman 4 for 7). Gifford 94 for 9 declared (Van Rooyen 34 not out).
Won by 8 wickets.
Versus Milton: Gifford 132 (Trautman 38).
Milton 133 for 7 (Mason 3 for 37).
Lost by 3 wickets.
Versus Hamilton: Hamilton 145 (Trautman 4 for 39). Gifford 45. Lost by 100 runs.
Versus Falcon: Falcon 164 (Mason 5 for 17). Gifford 94. Lost by 70 runs.
Third term:
Versus Milton: Milton 200 for 6 declared (Trautman 3 for 82). Gifford 152 (Hutchinson 69). Lost by 48 runs.
Versus Plumtree: Plumtree 90 (Mason 6 for 24). Gifford 62 (Mason 22). Lost by 28 runs.
Versus Northlea: Gifford 240 for 5 declared (Hutchinson 76, Bebington 76, Parnell 47). Northlea 112 (Trautman 4 for 39. Mason 3 for 28, Parnell 3 for 27). Gifford won by 128 runs.
Versus C.B.C.: Gifford 108 (Trautman 39, Mason 30). C.B.C. 50 (Mason 5 for 25, Trautman 4 for 15). Won by 58 runs.
SECOND TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Versus Plumtree: Gifford 24, and 77. Plumtree 62, and 40 for 1. Lost by 9 wickets.
Versus Northlea: Northlea 114. Gifford 117 for 9. Won by 1 wicket.
Versus Milton: Milton 69. Gifford 57. Lost by 12 runs.
Versus Falcon: Gifford 65. Falcon 67 for 3. Lost by 7 wickets.
Third term:
Versus Milton: Gifford 127 (Bebington 38, Barnard 29). Milton 128 for 7 (Prinsloo 4 for 33). Lost by 3 wickets.
Versus Plumtree: Plumtree 203 for 8 declared. Gifford 62, and 111 for 7. Lost by 141 runs on first innings.
Versus Northlea: Northlea 63 (Barnard 5 for 8, Dickinson 3 for 11). Gifford 60 for 7. Match drawn.
Versus Hamilton: Gifford 54, and 102. Hamilton 77 for 8 (Prinsloo 4 for 30. Barnard 3 for 33), and 62 for 6 (Barnard 5 for 22). Lost by 5 wickets on first innings.
Versus Falcon: Falcon 282 for 9 declared. Gifford 94 (FolletSmith 29). Lost by 188 runs.
UNDER 15 RESULTS
First term:
Versus Plumtree: Gifford 206 for 3 declared (Parnell 96; Van Rooyen 92). Plumtree 142 for 6. Match drawn.
Versus Northlea: Gifford 104 for 4 declared. (Brinkley 33; Van Rooyen 22; Parnell 20). Northlea 37, and 53 (Parnell 6 for 16). Won by an innings and 14 runs.
Versus Milton: Gifford 163 (Linden 73). Milton 86 (Van Rooyen 8 for 14). Won by 77 runs.
Versus Falcon: Falcon 113 (Engall 3 for 21; Van Rooyen 3 for 15). Gifford 114 for 8 (Parnell 46). Won by 2 wickets.
Third term:
Versus Milton: Gifford 111. Milton 113 for 9. Lost by 1 wicket.
Versus Plumtree: Plumtree 69. Gifford 57. Lost by 12 runs.
Versus Northlea: Gifford 209 for 4 declared. Northlea 45, and
51. Won by an innings and 113 runs.
Versus C.B.C.: Gifford 143. C.B.C. 51. Won by 92 runs.
Versus Falcon: Gifford 130. Falcon 132 for 7. Lost by 3 wickets.
UNDER 15 'B' RESULTS
Third term only:
Versus Hamilton: Hamilton 137 for 5 declared. Gifford 72. Lost by 65 runs.
Versus Milton: Milton 100 for 9 declared. Gifford 18, and 37 for 8. Lost by 82 runs on the first innings.
UNDER 14 'A' RESULTS
First term:
Versus Plumtree: Gifford 100. Plumtree 103 for 6. Lost by 4 wickets.
Versus North/ca: Northlea 49. Gifford 87 for 8. Won by 5 wickets.
Versus Mi/ton.' Milton 84 for 4 declared. Gifford 68 for 8. Match drawn.
Versus Falcon: Gifford 38, and 53 for 6. Falcon 39 for 1. Lost by 9 wickets on first innings.
Third term:
Versus Milton: Milton 119 for 7 declared. Gifford 126 for 6. Won by 7 wickets.
Versus Plumtree: Gifford 45, and 70 for 3. Plumtree 80, and 36 for 6. Lost by 35 runs on first innings.
Versus Northlea: Northlea 102. Gifford 65. Lost by 37 runs.
Versus C.B.C.: Gifford 79. C.B.C. 80 for 6. Lost by 4 wickets.
Versus Falcon: Falcon 219 for 7 declared. Gifford 96. Lost by 123 runs.
UNDER 14 'B' RESULTS
First term:
Versus Falcon: Gifford 37, and 76. Falcon 88, and 27 for 2. Lost by an innings and 2 runs.
Versus Milton: Gifford 47. Milton 63 for 6. Lost by 7 wickets.
Versus Northlea: Gifford 109 for 7 declared (Wilde 42). Northlea 41. Won by 68 runs.
Versus Northlea: Northlea 27. Gifford 28 for 1 . Won by 9 wickets.
Third term:
Versus Milton: Gifford 116 for 8 declared (Beck 30). Milton 57 (Brannigan 6 for 22, Keith 3 for 13). Won by 59 runs.
Versus Northlea: Northlea 1 5 (Keith 4 for 1 ), and 23 (Keith 5 for 2). Gifford 117 for 3 declared (Brown 46). Won by an innings and 79 runs.
Versus Hamilton: Gifford 84. Hamilton 90 for 5. Lost by 5 wickets.
Versus Falcon: Falcon 21 7 (Brown 5 for 64). Gifford I 8, and 74. Lost by an innings and 125 runs.
UNDER 13 'A' RESULTS
First term:
Versus North/ca: Northlea 26. Gifford 27 for 4. Won by 6 wickets.
Versus Plumtree: Plumtree 1 59 for 3 declared. Gifford 41, and 108. Lost by an innings and 7 runs.
Versus Milton: Gifford 33. Milton 34 for 3. Lost by 7 wickets.
Versus Falcon: Gifford 96. Falcon 97 for 5. Lost by 5 wickets.
Versus Hamilton: Gifford 19. Hamilton 20 for 2. Lost by 8 wickets.
Third term:
Versus Milton: Milton 149 for 3 declared. Gifford 73. Lost by 76 runs.
Versus Plumtree: Plumtree 210 for 7 declared. Gifford 58. Lost by 152 runs.
Versus Northlea: Gifford 83 for 2 declared. Northlea 41. Won by 8 wickets.
Versus C.B.C.: Gifford 65 for 9. C.B.C. 28. Won by 37 runs. Versus Falcon: Falcon 81. Gifford 66. Lost by 15 runs.
UNDER 13 'B' RESULTS
First term:
Versus Northlea: Northlea 47. Gifford 73 for 4. Won by 6 wickets.
Versus Milton: Milton 45. Gifford 44. Lost by 1 run.
Versus Falcon: Falcon 216. Gifford 108. Lost by 108 runs.
Versus North/ca: Northlea 23. Gifford 148 for 2. Won by 8 wickets.
Third term:
Versus Milton. Milton 119. Gifford 99. Lost by 20 runs.
Versus Plumtree: Gifford 95, and 45 for 6. Plumtree 46, and 110 for 4. Gifford won by 49 runs on the first innings.
Versus Northlea: Northlea 46 for 7 declared. Gifford 47 for 0. Won by 10 wickets.
Versus Hamilton: Hamilton 54. Gifford 45. Lost by 9 runs.
BOXING, 1929-1968
Fifty years ago boxing was a very popular sport in Rhodesia, and most of the boys' schools had a boxing team. When provincial or Rhodesian championships were held, large crowds gathered and seldom was the personality presenting the trophies less than the Governor or the Prime Minister.
The Bulawayo Technical School started a boxing team in 1929 with Mr. W. Reid as the trainer. The School very soon made its presence felt, and names such as G. S. Perry, G. Rickards, G. Brown, D. G. Matthew, I. B. McLeod, E. Vernon, and K. Hochuli come to mind. In 1930 G. S. Perry was awarded the cup for the best boxer, the trophy being awarded by the Matabeleland Amateur Boxing Association. In the same year we see the name of W. Fulton mentioned; boxing at 77 lbs., he was beaten in the final of the Matabeleland championships. One wonders how many people watching that fight recognised the talents of this lad because it was only four years later ~that the same W. Fulton was boxing for Rhodesia at the Empire Games in London, and, what is more, he brought back a medal. W. Fulton, a true Bulawayo Technical School product, must have been one of our first boys to stamp his name in the proud records of Rhodesian sport. Between 1 930 and 1931 Mr. C. Bennington and Mr. N. Bennington were training the 'Tech' boys, as was Mr. R. Daly (1932-36); surely they must have felt their efforts well rewarded.
In the 1931-34 era Bulawayo Technical boys continued to take part in all the championships and gained a number of titles in Matabeleland and Rhodesia. Some of these names are still discussed in boxing circles, namely W. Fulton, A. Tsirindanis, J.Tsirindanis,J. Hawdon, H. Bowerand D. Close.
The later 1930's were years of achievement:
in 1936 the School team were runners-up for the Strong Cup; in 1937 J. Tsirindanis won the Matabeleland (senior) welterweight title; W. Fulton and A. Tsirindanis were selected to box for Rhodesia at the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney. In that year the School won the Collation Cup in the Matabeleland championships; boys in
the team were R. Baker, E. Karassellos, E. van Niekerk, R. Gillespie, and C. Phillips.
Through the war years Matabeleland and Rhodesian championships were cancelled, but the boxing club carried on, and at times there were as many as 40 members. Competition was confined to inter-school bouts. In 1943 T. Hall and J. Tsirindanis began training the boys, and the records show that the boys like Gillespie, R. Oberholser, F. Buitendag, R. Reid, K. Morrison, J. Erasmus, I. Thomson, 0. Thompson, E. Smith and Z. Smith took part regularly in these tournaments.
Shortly after the war Mr. D. B. Dysell joined the staff and took over the boxing club. Mr. Dysell was a very keen boxer himself and the standard of boxing improved, so much so that in 1947 at the annual cadet camp the School won the inter-unit boxing competition. In 1948 the School was given an old boxing ring by the Matabeleland Boxing Association. This ring was erected in the south gymnasium after a great deal of trouble because the doors were too small to get certain parts through. However, we were not a technical school for nothing, and Mr. W. Ness broke the ring down and re-assembled it. Having its own ring soon encouraged a great deal more of interest in the sport. This year also saw the School runners-up at the cadet camp, while
D. Boshoff represented Rhodesia at the South African championships where he won a title.
By 1950 'Tech' boxers had established a reputation as clean, sporting winners and game losers, and when a boy climbed into the ring wearing maroon togs he was just expected to win. Every sport at school level has its ups and downs. Here 'Tech' boxing was at its peak. The School won the Collation Cup for the best team in the Matabeleland junior championships. In that year
B. Chappell won the Rhodesian junior lightheavy-weight title, so emulating the feat of D. Venter the previous year when he had won the national light-weight title. With boxers such as
A. Bekker, R. Conway, T. Conway, D. Venter, B.Reid, and E. van der Byl at the School it is not surprising that the School easily defeated Plumtree by ten bouts to two with one draw.
In 1951 inter-house boxing was established:
no fewer than fifteen bouts were fought, and Dalton House emerged as the winner. "Tech' again beat Plumtree, by eight bouts to three at Plumtree, while T. Drummond was selected to box for Rhodesia in the S.A. Championships. At the cadet camp inter-unit tournament, 'Tech' boxers won six bouts out of seven. Boxing against Milton, 'Tech' won twelve bouts out of
fourteen. A. Bekker won a S.A. junior title. Other individuals to achieve success were G. Danielson, who in 1953 represented Rhodesia in the S.A. Championships, while J. Varkevisser, boxing at 1 50 lbs., won a Rhodesian title.
In the later 1950's boxing did not command the same following; perhaps this was due to other sports taking over, while some boys who had stuck to boxing joined outside clubs, and then in 1957 the polio restrictions did not help. In 1958 Mr. Dyssell said that it was to be regretted that less manly pastimes seemed to occupy the time of many of the boys. What a pity for a man who had put in so much into boxing.
We must, however, place on record that D. Boshoff (1950), A. Bekker (1952), F. GateSmith (1952), R. Smith (1954), J. Danielson (1 954), all boys of the School boxing for outside clubs won S.A. titles. A. Bekker won a Silver Medal at the Empire Games in Vancouver in 1 954. A. Pretorius and A. Bekker represented Rhodesia at the 1958 Empire Games. A. Bekker had the honour of boxing for his country at the 1960 Olympic Games.
The School re-started boxing in 1964 with Mr. T. Yeatman doing the training. G. Gardner became the Southern Rhodesian featherweight champion. In 1965 Gifford boys trained with the North End Boxing Club where Mr. Myburgh was their trainer. Boys who received Matabeleland titles were G. Bates, C. Lane, J. Neser, W. van Greuning, while Rhodesian titles were won by G. Gardner, and W. Powys. But again through lack of interest, the club fell away in 1968.
Now the School is celebrating its 50 years, and if there are any boys keen on boxing they should contact the Combined Old Boys' Club where A.
Bekker is doing the training: you will be allowed
to box in maroon togs.
E. R. LAFRENTZ
Pupils who have achieved National Representation in Boxing, since 1960:
1963 G. F. Gardner
1964 G. F. Gardner
1965 G. F. Gardner
1966 G. F. Gardner
1966 W. Powys
1973 A. Bekker
1973 R. A. Campbell
SWIMMING AT GIFFORD, 1929-76
The first gala in which the School took part was held in the Municipal baths on 25 March 1 929. For several years these inter-school galas were organised by Milton and were known as the 'Milton School Galas'. The schools that took part in the 1929 gala were Eveline, St. Peter's,
Convent, Chaplin, Milton, and Technical. Places gained by boys from Technical were: A. Dawes came second in the 50 yards 'handicap for boys (junior)'; I. McLeod won the equivalent event in the open age group; F. Wickwar won the 50 yards open back-stroke, while A. Dawes came third. M. Sheasby and G. S. Perry were second and third in the open diving. The School came second to Milton in the 'inter-school team race'. In the 1930 gala, G. S. Perry won the 'Junior Rhodesian 100 yards championship' in a time of 73,8 seconds. There were four competitors for this championship event.
For the following years 'Tech' progressed little in swimming. Typical results from the Milton School Gala were four or five placings in racing and diving.
The first inter-house gala on record took place in April 1939 and was held at the Municipal Baths; Dalton came first, Whitworth was second, while Davy and Faraday were third and fourth respectively. Regrettably, no times for that gala were recorded for posterity. The 1942 magazine illustrates the limited facilities our swimmers had in those days: 'During the past year it has been necessary to share our private hour at the Municipal Baths with Milton Senior School'. The 1 942 gala was a combined affair with Milton, while in 1943 and 1944 no school galas were held. By 1944, Technical boys were able to use three times a week the swimming bath belonging to the R.A.F. Initial Training Wing. In April 1945 this pool, known nowadays as the Anderson Pool, was handed over to the Southern Rhodesian Government 'for the benefit and use of the school which may use Russell House as its hostel.' From this time on, the inter-house galas were held in the 'Russell House Swimming Bath', the first being in 1945.
In 1948, W. A. Palmer was included in the Rhodesian currie cup team and F. H. Turnbull swam for the Rhodesian Schools' team in the South African Schools' Championships. In November 1954, Mrs. Ellenbogen presented the Ellenbogen Trophy for the inter-house champion. It was won for the first time by Dalton, a House which with eight victories out of thirteen galas since 1939 had dominated the inter-house competition.
The School entered teams in the local swimming league in 1956 and subsequent years, and this competition probably did much to raise the standard of swimming.
In 1963 the swimming team was coached by Mr. Ian McIntosh, then a resident master in Russell House, and now national rugby coach.
Mr. John Finlayson took over as coach in 1964. In the next ten years, Gifford's swimming standard increased rapidly, largely owing to the hard work and determination of Mr. Finlayson. Not surprisingly, therefore, in the 1965 magazine appears this comment: 'The promise of 1964 has been realised. Gifford is now considered among the top swimming schools in Matabeleland'. Outstanding swimmers in these years were P. Watson, J. Neser, A. Dempster, R. Horrocks, 0. Haigh, and A. Caldwell.
Gifford won the Harriers' Shield for the first time in 1967. This Shield goes to the winning school at an inter-schools' gala held in the first term of each year. The School won every relay gala and friendly gala in that year in addition to the inter-schools' gala. B. Mienie and G. Devine were chosen to swim for a Rhodesian junior side to compete against a touring South African team. The years 1968 and 1969 saw a similar run of victories with the School often winning a gala by a large margin. The School team took part in the 1 969 Mashonaland inter-schools' gala, which it won. Mr. Finlayson wrote: 'we can surely claim to be the top school side in Rhodesia this year'. Notable swimmers were R. Beaver,
P. Broster, A. van Rensburg, P. Semple, B. Honderson, R. Bluett, L. Abrams, and B. Watt (diving).
In 1970 Gifford again won the Harriers' Shield and inter-schools' gala, but by narrower margins. That year twenty-three records were broken in the inter-house gala consisting of 44 events.
P. Broster was chosen for the Currie Cup side. The next two years saw Gifford suffering a 'recess' in swimming power, coming third in the 1 971 inter-schools, and second in the 1972 interschools, albeit by small margins. Our best swimmers in these years were A. McCoy, M. Robinson, and P. Broster, who was selected for the Rhodesian Olympic team that went to Munich, but which was debarred by that supreme sporting body.
From 1973 to the present Gifford swimming has fared well, the School having won the Matabeleland inter-schools' competition by comfortable margins for four consecutive years. W Jones, T. Jones, and B. Beaumont have represented Rhodesia in the Currie Cup side.
From 1974, inter-house galas have been held in the new metric pool, the McLachlan Pool. The past decade has seen the golden years of swimming at Gifford. A glance at the tabulation of record-holders will confirm this. I end by quoting a former coach, Mr. A. L. van Heerden: 'Competitive swimming knows no master when it comes to character building. It requires singleness of purpose, determination and an infinite amount
of self-discipline'.
A. MENNE
BOYS WHO HAVE REPRESENTED
RHODESIA
1966 B. Mienie
1966 G.M. Devine
1970 P.E. Broster
1971 P.E. Broster
1972 P.E. Broster
1973 P.E. Broster
1973 T.0.L. Jones
1974 P.E. Broster
1974 T.0.L. Jones
1975 T.O.L. Jones
1975 W.S.L. Jones
1976 B.J. Beaumont
1976 T.0.L. Jones
1976 W.S.L. Jones
1976 A.W.P.Smith (Diving)
SWIMMING, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. A. Menne
Captain: W. S. L. Jones
The swimming team enjoyed a very successful year. In the first term we took part in a relay gala at Northlea pool where we emerged winners by a clear margin.
In the third term, the inter-house gala was attended by a capacity crowd. Whitworth House led from the start and won the gala by a handsome margin. The School team achieved an outstanding victory at the inter-schools' gala held at the C.B.C. pool, the results of which are indicated below.
INTER-HOUSE GALA, 1976
OPEN
100 metres back-stroke: 1. 1. Jones (W); 2, W. Jones (W);
3, E. Trouw (D). Time: 1 minute 8,6 seconds (Record).
100 metres breast-stroke: 1, B. van Blerk (W); 2, W. Jones (W) and R. Jackson (D). Time 1 minute 20 seconds.
200 metres breast-stroke: 1, W Jones (W); 2, B. van Blerk (W);
3, R. Jackson (Li) .Time: 3 minutes 0,1 seconds.
50 metres butterfly: 1, T. Jones (W); 2 W. Jones (W); 3. I Pritchard (D). Time: 30.3 seconds.
100 metres free-style: 1, W. Jones (W); 2. T. Jones (W); 3, C. Botha (F). Time: 57,6 seconds.
200 metres free-stlye: 1, T. Jones (W); 2, W. Jones (W); 3, C. Griffin (F). Time: 2 minutes 14 seconds.
4 x 25 metres individual medley: 1, W. Jones (W); 2. T. Jones (W); 3, C. Botha (F). Time: 1 minute 8,7 seconds.
4 x 50 metres medley relay: 1, Whitworth; 2, Faraday; 3, Davy. Time: 2 minutes 6,12 seconds.
4 x 50 metres free-style relay: 1, Whitworth; 2, Faraday; 3. Davy. Time: 1 minute 55,1 seconds.
UNDER 16
100 metres back-stroke: 1, M. Hart (N); 2, G. Bruce (W):
3, S. Holmes (F). Time: 1 minute 19.8 seconds.
100 metres breast-stroke: 1, M. Hart (N); 2, D. Viljoen (D);
3, G. Magowan (D). Time: 1 minute 18,4 seconds.
200 metres breast-stroke: 1, M. Hart tN); 2, D. ViLjoen (D);
3, L. Meal (W). Time: 2 minutes 52,8 seconds.
50 metres butterfly: 1, D. Viljoen (D); 2, A. Smith (N); 3, M. Hart (N). Time: 31.3 seconds.
100 metres free-style: 1, M. Hart (N); 2, 0. Viljoen (D); 3, L. Meal (W). Time: 60,6 seconds.
200 metres free-style: 1, M. Hart (N); 2, D. Viljoen (D); 3, L. Meal (W). Time: 2 minutes 20,2 seconds.
4 x 25 metres individual medley: 1, D. Viljoen (0); 2, M. Hart (N); 3, L. Meal (W). Time: 1 minute 11,4 seconds.
4 x 50 metres medley relay: 1, Davy; 2, Newton; 3, Faraday. Time: 2 minutes 15,1 seconds.
4 x 50 metres free-style relay: 1, Davy; 2, Newton; 3, Whitworth. Time: 1 minute 57,2 seconds (record).
INTER-SCHOOLS GALA RESULTS
OPEN
W. Jones first in 200 metres free-style; second in 100 metres free-style.
T. Jones first in 100 metres back-stroke (record); second in 100 metres butterfly; third in 4 x 50 metres individual medley.
A. Palmer-Jones first in diving.
B. van Blerk first in both 100 metres and 200 metres breaststroke.
UNDER 16-
M. Hart first in both 100 metres free-style and 100 metres breast-stroke.
S. Holmes first in 1 00 metres back-stroke.
A. Smith first in diving.
D. Viljoen first in both 50 metres butterfly and 4 x 50 metres individual medley.
UNDER 15
B. Beaumont first in three events: 100 metres free-style (record), 50 metres butterfly, and 4 x 50 metres individual medley (record).
M. Coetzee third in diving.
B. Duguid first in 1 00 metres breast-stroke (record).
A. Jeans first in 100 metres back-stroke.
UNDER 14
D. Andraos first in 100 metres free-style; second in both 100 metres breast-stroke and 4 x 25 metres individual medley.
D. Brannigan first in 50 metres back-stroke.
S. Henderson second in diving.
UNDER 13
G. Tarr second in both 50 metres butterfly and 4 x 25 metres individual medley.
N. Palmer-Jones first in diving. A. Russell second in 50 metres breast-stroke.
MEDLEY RELAYS
Gifford came first in each age group except under 14 where
second place was attained; the under 15 and under 16 events were each won in record time.
FREESTYLE RELAYS
Gifford came first in the under 13, under 14 and under 15
events, and second in the under 16 and open relays.
OVERALL RESULT
1, Gifford 129 points; 2, Hamilton 67 points; 3, Milton 51 points; 4, Plumtree 45 points; 5, combined schools (C.B.C., Founders, Northlea) 20 points.
TROPHY WINNERS:
Under 13 Champion (Devine Cup) : G. Tarr (W).
Under 14 Champion (Jones Cup): D. Andraos (F).
Under 15 Champion: B. Beaumont (W).
Under 16 Champion (Broster Cup): M. Hart (N).
Open 100 metres free-style (Finlayson Trophy): W. S. L. Jones (W).
Open free-style relay: Whitworth.
Open Champion (Robert Lee Jones Cup): W. S. L. Jones (W).
Inter- House Trophy (Ellenbogen Trophy): Whitworth.
SWIMMING RECORDS, 1939-1976
The tabulation of record-breakers serves to illustrate the history of swimming in this School both in achievement a glance will show how times have steadily been improved, in some instances quite dramatically; and in development because the tabulation shows how the distances of various events have progressively been increased as the years have passed.
No record of the galas exists earlier than that begun by Mr. A. Mennι in 1970. This tabulation therefore also shows when an event was held for the first time, and so represents an inaugural record (except those events of 1 939 when no times were recorded).
Events at present of the swimming programme are indicated in bold headings. All distances have been converted according to the official conversion tables of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateure. The converted record for the metricated distance is in each case entered a second time when metric distances were contested for the first time, which was in 1974. In every instance the last record before 1974 was metricated.
Every effort, naturally, has been made to ensure the accuarcy of this record of thirty-eight years' swimming.
R. T. McGEOCH
OPEN
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50 yards backstroke: 1948 Knighton (W) 1953 B. Barnard (Dy) 1956 J. Banks (Dn) 1957 J. Banks (Dn) 1962 M. Smales (F) 100 yards backstroke: 1969 L. Abrams (Dy) 1970 M. Sykes (W) 1971 R.vanWyk(W) 1972 M. Robinson (Dy) 1973 M. Robinson (Dy) 100 METRES BACKSTROKE: 1973 M. Robinson (Dy) 1976 T. Jones (W) 50 yards breast-stroke: 1956 J. Banks (Dn) 1957 J. Banks (Dn) 1959 R. Armstrong (W) 1960 A. Francis (W) 1961 A. Francis (W) 1962 N. Cooke (W) 100 yards breast-stroke 1964 P. Watson (Dy) 1965 J. Neser (W) 1966 M. McNeil (Dn) 1967 A. Caldwell (Dn) 1968 A. Caldwell (Dn) 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 100 METRES BREAST-STROKE: 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 200 yards breast-stroke: 1969 P. Semple (F) 1970 P. Semple (F) 1971 A. van Wyk (W) 200 METRES BREAST-STROKE: 1971 R.vanWyk(W) 50 yards butterfly: 1960 A. Francis (W) 1961 M. Smales (F) 1962 N. Cooke (W) 1963 M. Smales (F) 1965 J. Neser (W) 1966 J. Neser (W) 1970 G. Devine (Dy) 1973 P. Broster (D) |
35,8 secs. 34,0 secs. 33,1 secs. 32,7 secs. 32,3 secs. 1 min. 10,3 secs. 1 min. 9,2 secs. 1 min. 8,6 secs. 1 min. 5,3 secs. 1 min 4,8 secs. 1 min. 11.2 secs. 1 min. 8,6 secs. 36,4 secs. 36,4 secs. 36,4 secs. 35,7 secs. 35,6 secs. 34,3 secs. 1 min. 19,6 secs. 1 min. 15,1 secs. 1 min. 12,0 secs. 1 min 10,9secs. 1 min. 10,0 secs. 1 min. 8,4 secs. 1 min. 15,4 secs. 2 mins. 58,2 secs. 2 mins. 54,4 secs. 2 mins. 37,2 secs. 2 mins. 52,9 secs. 36,3 secs. 33,0 secs. 31,1 secs. 31,0 secs. 30,6 secs. 29,8 secs. 28,4 secs. 28,4 secs. |
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50 METRES BUTTERFLY: 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 1974 P. Broster (Dy) 25 yards free-style: 1950 W. Palmer (Dn) 50 yards free-style: 1939 F. Lambert 1940 J. Davidson (F) 1941 D. Shepherd (Dn) 1942 I. Baines (Dy) 1945 P. Leach (Dy) 1949 F. Turnbull (F) 100 yards free-style: 1940 G. Raaff (W) 1941 A. Kiemnenberg (On) 1945 P. Leach (Dy) 1949 F. Turnbull (F) 1956 E. Marshall-Goodridge (Dy) 1965 J. Neser (W) 1966 A. Horrocks (Dy) 1970 P. Semple (F) 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 100 METRES FREE-STYLE: 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 200 yards free-style: 1948 W. Palmer (Dn) 1949 W. Palmer (Dn) 1969 P. Semple (F) 1970 P. Sempie (F) 1971 A. Mccoy (W) 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 200 METRES FREE-STYLE: 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 4 x 25 yards individual medley: 1965 J. Neser (W) 1966 J. Neser (W) 1967 A. Caidwell (Dn) 1969 L. Abrams (Dy) 1970 P. Semple (F) 1972 M. Robinson (Dy) 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 4 x 25 METRES INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY: 1973 P. Broster (Dy) 6 x 25 yards consolation relay: 1970 Davy 4 x 25 yards medley relay: 1957 Whitworth 4 x 50 yards medley relay: 1964 Davy 1965 Faraday 1966 Davy 1970 Faraday 1973 Davy 4 x 50 METRES MEDLEY RELAY: 1973 Davy 4 x 25 yards free-style relay: 1974 Faraday 4 x 50 yards free-style relay: 1939 Dalton 1940 Whitworth 1950 Faraday 1953 Davy 1961 Faraday 1967 Davy 1969 Faraday 1970 Faraday 1973 Davy 4 x 50 METRES FREE-STYLE RELAY 1973 Davy |
29,2 secs. 28,9 secs. 12,4 secs. No time known 29,2 secs. 28,6 secs. 27,2 secs. 25,2 secs. 24,8 secs. 1 min.11,8secs. 1 mm. 2,8 secs. 1 mm. 0,6 secs. 59,0 secs. 58,8 secs. 57,0 secs. 57,0 secs. 55,5 secs. 50,9 secs. 56,0 secs. 2 mins. 20,0 secs. 2 mins. 16,0 secs. 2 mins. 11.6 secs. 2 mins. 7,8 secs. 2 mins. 6,6 secs. 1 min. 54,8 secs. 2 mins. 6,2 secs. 1 min. 9,5 secs. 1 min. 9,5 secs. 1 min. 9,5 secs. 1 min. 6,8 secs. 1 min. 5,3 secs. 1 min. 5,3 secs. 1 min. 1,4 secs. 1 min 7,3 secs. 2mins. 24.6 secs. 60,0 secs. 2 mins. 21 .0 secs. 2 mins. 1 5,4 secs. 2 mins. 4,2 secs. 1 min. 59,1 secs. 1 min. 53,3 secs. 2 mins. 5,3 secs. 50,25 secs. No time known 2 mins. 1,4 secs. 1 min. 57,0 secs. 1 min. 51,6 secs. 1 min.51,5 secs. 1 min. 50,7 secs. 1 min. 48,3 secs. 1 min. 43.1 secs. 1 min. 39,3 secs. 1 min. 55,1 secs. |
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50 yards back-stroke: 1959 D. Taylor (W) 1960 N. Cooke (W) 1963 R. Hewson (Dy) 100 yards back-stroke: 1964 E. Solman (W) 1969 M. Sykes (W) 1970 A van Aensburg (F) 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 100 METRES BACK-STROKE: 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 1975 T. Jones (W) 50 yards breast-stroke: 1960 N. Cooke (W) 1963 P. Watson (Dy) 100 yards breast-stroke: 1965 A. Dempster (Dy) 1969 B. Henderson (Dy) 1969 A. Caldwell 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 100 METRES BREAST-STROKE: 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 200 yards breast-stroke: 1964 J. Neser (W) 1970 A. van Wyk (W) 200 METRES BREAST-STROKE: 1970 A. van Wyk (W) 25 yards butterfly: 1960 N. Cooke (W) 50 yards butterfly: 1963 P. Watson (Dy) 1964 J. Neser (W) 1965 M. McNeiil (Dn) 1967 B. Mienie (Dn) 1969 G. Devine (Dy) 1971 M. Robinson (Dy) 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 50 METRES BUTTERFLY: 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 1975 T. Jones (W) 50 yards free-style: 1946 R. van Niekerk and A. Ballantyne (F) 1958 M. Kinsey (Dn) 100 yards free-style: 1948 D. Edwards (Dn) 1956 V. Fletcher (W) 1964 A. Warren (F) 1967 B. Mienie (Dn) 1970 A. van Aensburg (F) 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 100 METRES FREE-STYLE: 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 200 yards free-style: 1969 B. Disler (F) 1970 A. van Rensburg (F) 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 200 METRES FREE-STYLE: 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 4 x 25 yards Individual medley- 1964 R. Warren (F) 1967 B. Mienie (Dn) 1970 A. van Rensburg (F) 1972 P. Broster (Dy) 4 x 25 METERS INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY: 1972 - P.Broster (Dy) |
36,4 secs. 33,8 secs. 33,7 secs. 1 min. 16.5 secs. 1 min. 13,2 secs. 1 min. 7,7 secs. 1 min. 5,5 secs. 1 min. 12 secs. 1 min. 6,7 secs. 37,0 secs. 35,0 secs. 1 min 14,1 secs. 1 min 10,7 secs. 1 min 10,7 secs. 1 min 9,5 secs. 1 min 15,5 secs. 2 mins. 56,0 secs. 2 mins. 37.0 secs. 2 mins. 52,7 secs. 14,8 secs. 33,9 secs. 33,4 secs. 31,6 secs. 29,7 secs. 29,7 secs. 29,7 secs. 28,3 sece. 30,8 secs. 30,6 secs. 29, 2 secs. 25,9 secs. 1 min. 9,8 secs. 1 mmn. 1,1 secs. 59,7 secs. 56,6 secs. 56,0 secs. 51,5 secs. 56,6 secs. 2 mins. 15.4 secs. 2 mins. 8,7 secs. 1 min 57,4 secs. 2 mins. 9,1 secs. 1 min 10,2 secs. 1 mm. 6.6 secs. 1 mm. 5,6 secs. 1 mm. 2,2 secs. 1 min 8,6 secs. |
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4 x 50 yards medley relay: 1957 Whitworth 1964 Whitworth 1967 Faraday 1969 Davy 1971 Davy 4x 50 METRES MEDLEY RELAY: 1971 Davy 1975 Faraday 4 x 50 yards free-style relay: 1964 Whitworth 1965 Davy 1967 Faraday 1970 Faraday 1971 Davy 4x 50 METRES FREE-STYLE RELAY: 1971 - Davy 1976 Davy |
No time known 2 mins. 17,0 secs. 2 mins. 2,9 secs. 2 mins 2.9 secs 2 mins 2.7 secs 2 mins 15,4 secs. 2 mins 13,0 secs. 2 mins 0,5 secs. 1 min 56.5 secs. 1 min 53,3 secs. 1 min 51,0 secs. 1 min 48,7 secs. 1 min 59,6 secs. 1 min 57,2 secs. |
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25 yards back-stroke: 1948 D. Williams (Dy) 50 yards back-stroke: 1955 C. Cuthbert (Dy) 1956 M. Kinsey (Dn) 1957 M. Kinsey (Dn) 1958 J. Graham (F) 100 yards back-stroke: 1964 I. McNeil 1967 L. Abrams (Dy) 1969 A. van Rensburg (F) 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 100 METRES BACK-STROKE: 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 1974 T. Jones (W) 50 yards breast-stroke 1955 C. Tetley (F) 1956 M. Drummond (W) 1957 P. Hovell (F) 1961 P. Watson (Dy) 1962 P. Watson (Dy) 1963 J. Neser (W) 100 yards breast-stroke: 1964 A. Dempster (Dy) 1971 G. Mouat (Dy) 100 METRES BREAST-STROKE: 1971 G. Mouat (Dy) 1976 B. Duguid (Dy) 200 yards breast-stroke: 1969 A. van Rensburg (F) 1970 A. Weston (Dy) 1971 - P. Broster (Dy) 200 METRES BREAST-STROKE: 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 1975 M. Hart (N) 1976 B. Duguid (Dy) 25 yards butterfly: 1961 R. Wheeler (W) 50 yards butterfly: 1962 P. Watson (Dy) 1964 M. McNeil (Dn) 1969 G. Devine (Dy) 1970 M. Robinson (Dy) 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 50 METRES BUTTERFLY: 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 1976 B. Beaumont (W) |
17.1 secs 36.9 secs 35,7 secs 33.9 secs 32.1 secs 1 min 18,9 secs 1 min 15,4 secs 1 min 7,9 secs. 1 min 3,5 secs. 1 mm. 9,7 secs. 1 mm. 8,6 secs. 43,9 secs. 41,0 secs. 38,1 secs. 37,6 secs. 36,4 secs. 36,0 secs. 1 min 14.0 secs 1 min 12.8 secs 1 mm. 19,1 secs. 1 mmn. 17,7 secs. 2 mins 52,2 secs 2 mins 49.2 secs. 2 mins 41,1 secs 2 mins 57.2 secs 2 mins 54,1 secs 2 mins 49,7 secs 15,4 secs. 33.8 secs. 31,4 secs. 30,4 secs. 30,1 secs. 28,9 secs. 31.5 secs 30,2 secs |
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25 yards free-style 1948 - C.Gates (Dy) 1949 R. Hill (F) 50 yards free-style: 1939 G. Raaff (W) 1940 A. Kleinenberg (Dn) 1945 A. Ballantyne (F) 1955 V. Fletcher (W) 1957 M. Kinsey (Dn) 100 yards free-style: 1955 C. Stanton (F) 1957 M. Kinsey (Dn) 1958 P. van den Heever (W) 1964 0. Haigh (F) 1966 B. Mienie (Dn) 1969 A. van Rensburg (F) 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 100 METRES FREE-STYLE: 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 1976 B. Beaumont (W) 200 yards free-style: 1969 A. van Rensburg (F) 1970 M. Robinson (Dy) 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 200 METERS FREE-STYLE 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 1976 B. Beaumont (W) 4 x 25 yards individual medley: 1964 - O.Haigh (F) 1966 B. Mienme (Dn) 1969 A. van Rensburg (F) 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 4 x 25 METRES INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY: 1971 P. Broster (Dy) 6 x 25 yards consolation relay: 1964 Dalton 1965 Whitworth 1967 Davy 1970 Davy 1971 Davy 6 x 25 METRES CONSOLATIon RELAY: 1971 Davy 1974 Faraday 1975 Whitworth 4 x 25 yards medley relay: 1957 Dalton 4 x 50 yards medley relay: 1964 Davy 1970 Davy 1971 Davy 4 x 50 METRES MEDLEY RELAY: 1971 Davy 1974 Faraday 4 x 25 yards free-style: 1939 Dalton 1940 Faraday 1945 Dalton 1949 Faraday 1957 Dalton 1958 Whitworth 1959 - Faraday *joint holders. 4 x 50 yards free-style relay: 1962 Davy 1964 Faraday 1967 Davy 1969 Davy 4 50 METERS FREE-STYLE RELAY 1969 Faraday 1974 Faraday |
13,2 secs 12.7 secs no time noted 29,2 secs. 29.0 secs 27,5 seconds 26,7 secs. 1 min. 6,2 secs. 1 min 2.7 secs 1 min. 0,9 secs. 1 min. 0,5 secs. 1 min 0,4 secs. 56.4 secs 52,2 secs. 57,4 secs. 57,1 secs. 2 mins 11,6 secs. 2 mins 10.8 secs 1 min 55.1 secs 2 min. 6.6 secs. 2 min. 4,5 secs. 1 min 14.3 secs 1 min. 12,8 secs. 1 min. 6,0 secs. 1 min. 1,5 secs. 1 min. 7,4 secs. (no time) 2 min. 32,7 secs. 2 min. 19,4 secs. 1 min. 59.0 secs. 1 min. 58,4 secs 2 mins 8.9 secs 2 min. 5.3 secs 1 min. 56.1 secs 1 min 0,5 secs. 2 min. 16,7 secs. 2 min. 6,3 secs. 2 min. 5,6 secs. 2 min. 21,9 secs. 2 min. 18,2 secs. (no time) 61.6 secs. 56.0 secs. 54.2 secs. 54.0 secs. 52.3 secs. 2 mins 4.2 secs 2 mins 1,1 secs. 2 mim. 0.4 secs. 1 min 51,3 secs. 2 mins. 2,4 secs 2 mins 1.8 secs |
UNDER 14
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25 yards back-stroke: 1959 B. Godley (F) 1960 E. Finaughty (W) 1961 P. Watson (D) 50 yards back-stroke: 1962 R. Havekes 1963 M. McNeill (On) 1966 L. Abrams (Dy) 1968 G. Devine (Dy), and A. van Rensburg (F) 1970 A. Beaver (W) 1973 T. Jones (W) 50 METRES BACK-STROKE: 1973 T. Jones (W) 25 yards breast-stroke: 1957 T. Reeves (W) 1960 P. Watson (Dy) 1961 P. Watson (Dy) 50 yards breast-stroke: 1962 G. Bates 1963 M. McNeill (Dn) 100 yards breast-stroke: 1964 A. Caldwell (Dn) 1970 P. Broster (Dy) 100 METRES BREAST-STROKE: 1970 P. Broster (Dy) 25 yards butterfly: 1961 P. Watson (D) 1962 J. Neser (W) 50 yards butterfly: 1963 M. McNeill (Dn) 1970 A. Beaver (W) 50 METRES BUTTERFLY: 1970 A. Beaver (W) 50 yards free-style: 1946 G. Browning 1953 J. Banks (Dn) 1955 M. Kmnsey (Dn) 1957 W. Bowen (Dy) 1963 0. Haigh (F) 1967 G. Devine (Dy) 1970 P. Broster (Dy) 50 METRES FREE-STYLE: 1970 P. Broster (Dy) 4 x 25 yards individual medley: 1964 A. Caidwell (Dn) 1965 B. Mienie (Dn) 1967 G. Devine (Dy) 1968 A. van Rensburg (F) 4 x 25 METERS INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY: 1968 A. van Rensburg (F) 1975 B. Beaumont (W) 6 x 25 yards consolation relay: 1964 Dalton 1965 Whitworth 1970 Whitworth 1971 Faraday 1973 Whitworth 6 x 25 METRES CONSOLATION RELAY 1973 Whitworth 1974 Davy 4 x 25 yards medley relay: 1969 Davy 1970 Davy 1971 Davy 4 x 25 meters medley relay: 1974 - Davy 4 x 25 yards free-style relay: 1964 Dalton 1968 Faraday 4 x 25 METRES FREE-STYLE RELAY: 1968 Faraday |
17,5 secs. 16,8 secs. 16,4 secs. 40.3 secs. 34,1 secs. 33,7 secs. 30,4 secs. 30,4 secs. 30,3 secs. 32,9 secs. 18,9 secs. 18,1 secs. 16,7 secs. 36,8 secs. 34,4 secs. 1 min. 17,0 secs. 1 min. 14,1 secs. 1 min. 21,7 secs. 16.8 secs. 15,6 secs. 31,1 secs. 28,1 secs. 30,6 secs. 34,0 secs. 30,0 secs. 30.0 secs. 28,4 secs. 27,4 secs. 26,7 secs. 24,8 secs. 27,3 secs. 1 min. 16,4 secs. 1 min. 16,2 secs. 1 min. 13,8 secs. 1 min. 5,6 secs. 1 min. 11,9 secs. 1 min. 11,9 secs. (no time available) 2 min. 31,4 secs. 2 min. 12,8 secs. 2 min. 7,6 secs. 1 min. 59,2 secs. 2 min. 9,8 secs. 2 min. 8,3 secs. 60,0 secs. 59,0 secs. 55,1 secs. 1 min 3.3 secs 55.2 secs 51.4 secs 56.5 secs |
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50 yards back-stroke: 1962 - M. MeNeill (Dn) 1967 - G. Devine (Dy) 1972 - T. Jones (W) 50 METRES BACK-STROKE: 1972 T.Jones(W) 50 yards breast-stroke: 1962 M. McNeill (Dn) 1968 M. Robinson (Dy) 1973 G. Magowan (Dy) 50 METRES BREAST-STROKE: 1973 G. Magowan (Dy) 25 yards butterfly: 1962 M. MeNeill (Dn) 1964 B. Mienie (Dn) 1966 G. Devine (Dy) 1969 A. Beaver (W) 1972 T. Jones (W) 25 METRES BUTTERFLY: 1972 T. Jones (W) 25 yards free-style: 1939 R. White (W) 1940 W. Hawke (Dn) 1941 K. Meyer (Dn) 1942 T. Lange (F) 1945 0. Prentice (F) 1950 P. Watson (Dy) 1955 M. Kinsey (Dn) 1958 G. van den Burg (F) 50 yards free-style: 1958 T. Simpson (W) 1960 R. Petzer (Dy) 1961 J. Hawxby (F) 1962 M. McNeill (Dn) 1967 G. Devine (Dy) 50 METERS FREE-STYLE 1967 G. Devine (Dy) 4 x 25 yards individual medley: 1964 B. Mienie (Dn) 1966 G. Devine (Dy) 1967 G. Devine (Dy) 1969 P. Broster (Dy) 4 x 25 METRES INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY: 1969 P. Broster (Dy) 6 x 25 yards consolation relay: 1964 Whitworth 1965 Faraday 1967 Davy 1971 Whitworth 1972 Whmtworth 1973 Davy 6 x 25 METRES CONSOLATION RELAY: 1973 Davy 1974 Whitworth 4 x 25 yards medley relay: 1957 Dalton 1969 Davy 1972 Whitworth 1973 Davy 4 x 25 METRES MEDLEY RELAY: 1973 Davy 4 x 25 yards free-style relay: 1964 Faraday 1966 Davy 1967 Faraday 1969 Davy 1972 Whitworth 4 x 25 METRES FREE STYLE RELAY: 1972 Whitworth |
36,2 secs. 31,4 secs. 31,4 secs. 34,2 secs. 36,3 secs. 36,5 secs. 35,9 secs. 39,2 secs. 15,9 secs. 15,5 secs. 14,1 secs. 14.0 secs. 13.4 secs. 14.6 secs. No time known 16,8 secs. 16,6 secs. 15,2 secs. 14,6 secs. 13,8 secs. 13,1 secs. 13,1 secs. 31,7 secs. 31,2 secs. 32,7 secs. 28,65 secs. 26,1 secs. 28,2 secs. 1 min. 23,1 secs. 1 min. 19,5 secs. 1 min.11,8 secs. 1 min. 8,5 secs 1 min. 15.5 secs. (no time available) 2 min. 45,0 secs. 2 min. 37,7 secs. 2 min. 19,2 secs. 2 min. 14,7 secs. 2 min. 14,7 secs. 2 min. 23,5 secs. 2 min. 16,9 secs. 1 min. 0,5 secs. 1 min. 3,0 secs. 1 min 1,5 secs. 1 min. 1,5 secs. 1 min. 6,2 secs. 58,3 secs. 57,0 secs. 56,0 secs. 55,1 secs. 53,9 secs. 59,3 secs. |
INTER- HOUSE GALAS 1939-1976
Dn Dalton (until 1972)
Dy Davy
F Faraday
N Newton (from 1973 to 1976)
W Whitworth
Apparently there were no gaias in 1943, 1944 and 1952 as no mention is made of them in the only records extant, the Magazines. There are also gaps in those records. Should anyone have the missing details, we would be glad to hear from them.
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Year 1939 1940 1941 1942 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 |
First Dn W Dn Dn F Dn Dn Dn F Dn Dy Dy Dn Dn Dn Dn Dn W W W W F Dy Dn Dn Dy Dy Dy Dy Dy Dy W W W |
Second W Dy W W Dn F F F Dn F F - Dy Dy Dy Dy W F F F F W Dn - Dy F Cancelled F F Dn W W F F Dy |
Third Dy F Dy Dy Dy W W W Dy Dy Dn - W - W W Dy Dn Dy Dy Dn Dn F - F Dn - Dn W W F N Dy N N |
Fourth F Dn F F W Dy Dy Dy W W W - F - F F F Dy Dn Dn Dy Dy W - W W - W Dn F Dn F N Dy F |
RUGBY, 1930-1976
When one considers the number of leading personalities who have been associated with rugby at the School over the past five decades, it is hardly surprising that the history of the game at Gifford has been so eventful and so full of achievement. Names such as Desmond Lardner-Burke, 'Bucky' Buchanan, Ronnie Hill, Ian McIntosh, and many more, crowd the pages of the School's rugby record and it is gratifying to reflect on the extent of the contribution to Rhodesian rugby in general made by those who have either coached or played rugby at the School at some stage of their career. Small wonder that since the first major successes on the field in the mid-30's, the School has established itself as a constant force to be reckoned with.
Solid foundations, so vital to the development of any sport at a school, were laid by a small but enthusiastic band of boys and masters between 1930 and 1936. Plagued by a host of problems which related inevitably, to fields, shortage of fixtures and a bus which was just plain otherwise, these rugger pioneers displayed commendable perseverence in their determination to promote the game at 'Tech.'and to make a real contribution to rugby in Matabeleland. Indicative of the frustrations endured during this period is the somewhat mournful statement in the 1934 magazine which runs, 'Owing to the fact that there was no Third League in operation this year, it was found difficult to arrange matches for the First XV and we had to rely solely on inter-schools fixtures'. Yet the problems were overcome and by the beginning of the 1936 season, the School was well-prepared for the challenging new era, on the threshold of which it then stood. Technical School rugby came of age in 1936.
In addition to the firm foundations laid in the preceding years, two principal factors enabled the School successfully to meet the new challenges introduced in the 1936 season: the expertise of coaches, namely Mr. D. Lardner-Burke and Mr.
W. C. Robertson, and the opening of the new Mining School, which meant the School had a much larger number of senior boys from which to draw. These factors considered, it is not difficult to credit the sound performances of the Technical School team in the newly-formed under-nineteen Matabeleland League, but one can still appreciate the delight of all those associated with rugby at the School when 'Tech.' emerged as runners-up in this brain-child of the Matabeleland Rugby Board.
The other major challenge of 1936 came in the form of the Honey Cup, the premier trophy for
inter-schools rugby in Southern Rhodesia, the competition in which the
Technical School entered for the first time. A heavy defeat at the
hands of Plumtree knocked the School out of the 1936 competition in
its early stages, but the first step had been taken along the difficult
road which was to lead to permanent possession of the coveted trophy.
In the four years following 1936, the achievements of the School in the
Honey Cup competition were most impressive.
In 1936, too, the first colours for rugby were awarded to C. W.
Nelson, A. T. Willis, R. Ailberry, R. K. Pike. Henceforth colours would be
awarded 'only to boys who in the opinion of the Headmaster and Committee
have excelled on the field'.
In the 1937 season the Technical School shared the Honey Cup with
Prince Edward School of Salisbury after a thrilling final. P.E. had a good
reason to be pleased with their performance as earlier in the season
the School had edged them out in another tight encounter. In the
following year 'Tech.' again contested the final of the Honey Cup Competition
at the end of a fine season during which many admirers had been won.
Among these had been Mr. R. Hart, Chairman of the Matabeleland Rugby
Board, who described the School's game against Plumtree at Hartsfield
earlier in the season as 'the finest schools' game seen in Bulawayo for
years'. 'Tech.' lost the Honey Cup final 0-5 to a strong St. George's
College side from Salisbury. According to the records in the 1937 magazine,
that year proved to be the 'busiest and most eventful season in
inter-school and competitive rugby', and yet again a place was earned in the
final of the Honey Cup Competition. The Technical School's opponents in
the 1939 final were once again Prince Edward and those who had
anticipated another closely-fought duel were not disappointed. 'Tech.' ran out
winners by the slender margin of six points to four. Possession of the
Honey Cup was contested for the last time in 1940, at the end of a
season which had not been as full as in previous years because of war
conditions. The result of the 1940 final, which was between The Technical
School and St. George's College, was a splendid 18-0 victory for the
former. It is of interest to note that in 1974 these two schools renewed
contact on the rugby field and after the match a film of the 1940 final
was shown: the younger generation conceded that there were lessons to be
learnt from the quality of performance in the last Honey Cup final. The
Cup incidentally is still proudly displayed in the foyer of the
School's administration building.
Another prestige competition with which the School has been associated
for a long time is the Rhodes and Founders' inter-schools' rugby
tournament. The School's record in this particular competition since 1938 is
one of which any school would be proud, and often 'Tech.' emerged
unbeaten. The 1946 season provided one of those occasions, not surprisingly,
since coaching the first XV for the first time was 'Bucky' Buchanan,
surely one of the most knowledgeable rugby coaches this country has ever
seen. The writer's cheeks still flush when he recalls a lesson learnt
during the first game of the 1973 tour to Port Elizabeth, which 'Bucky'
had helped to organise. The Gifford lineouts were a shambles despite a
distinct height superiority and the service of Gareth Powell-Rees, a
superlative jumper and catcher of the ball. 'Bucky' saw the problem
immediately and growled: 'Move your loose-head prop to number three.' A
feature of the Gifford team's performances thereafter, in what turned out
to be a very good year, was the quality of the lineout work. It is
interesting to note that one of the members of 'Bucky's' 1946 team was none
other than Ian Wedderburn whose services to the game have been and, in
fact, to this day still are, considerable.
In the year before 'Bucky's' arrival as first XV coach, eight schools
from all over Southern Rhodesia participated in the Rhodes and
Founders' Tournament which was held at Hartsfield. Three Matabeleland schools,
Milton, Plumtree and the Technical School, reached the end of the
tournament undefeated, and it takes little to imagine the boost this gave to
the game at all levels in Matabeleland. The Rhodes and Founders'
tournament has long provided incentive for schoolboy rugby players,
entertainment for a rugby-mad population and an avenue for the promotion of all
that is best is this great game, and Gifford is proud that the
association of the School with the tournament, which is now held annually in
Umtali as part of the Aloe Festival celebrations, still continues. Over
the past four years Gifford has participated on three occasions and in
1976 won the tournament.
School rugby, like everything else, was adversely affected by the war
and yet, despite the trying conditions which came on top of the
perennial problems all school sports teams have to endure, rugby at the
Technical School moved steadily forward and several landmarks, some already
mentioned, were reached. In 1943 the Matabeleland Rugby Board eased the
problems relating to fields considerably by permitting our first XV to
practise on the 'B' field at Hartsfield. One must
acknowledge here that the hindrance of having no really suitable venue
for practices and matches was eliminated only in 1952 with the
completion of the development of the South Field, now the Sutherby Field.
Staff and boys were justifiably proud of this new field which, they
asserted, 'must rank with the finest schools' fields in the Colony, and
indeed, challenge the excellence of Hartsfield itself'. Another notable
landmark reached during the war-years was the first match between the
Technical School and Allan Wilson School of Salisbury. 'Tech.' won this first
encounter 15-0 despite the fact that the Salisbury side had been
boosted by the inclusion of a number of old boys. That progress was made
during those difficult times is a tribute to the resolve and
resourcefulness of masters and boys, and one must commend them on the positive
approach from which they never deviated. Lectures on the laws of the game
were often given by Mr. Lardner-Burke, and both players and coaches always
demonstrated a willingness to learn from touring sides. Thorough
coaches and dedicated players make a combination which will always be
difficult to beat.
Over the years the School has been fortunate to play host to some of
the most well-known rugby-playing schools from South Africa, and this
has undoubtedly had a rewarding effect not only from the rugby point of
view but also from the social angle. The contact afforded by tours is
inevitably of immense value to a schoolboy whether he be host or visitor
and, in the case of the latter, the opportunity to travel with a group
of his peers should always be seized with both hands.
In the vintage 1937 season, the only game that the Technical School
lost was to St. Andrew's College from Bloemfontein who treated the
Bulawayo public to a fine display of controlled running rugby. The links
between this famous O.F.S. School and Gifford have been maintained and the
most recent clashes on the rugby field were in 1972, when the School
went down 6-18 in a disappointing match played at Falcon College, and in
1973, when Gifford turned the tables on their old adversaries in
Bloemfontein in running out winners by 16 points to 9.
Natal, the cradle of the running game in South Africa, has since 1939
sent us some of her top schoolboy sides. In that year of outstanding
achievement for the School in Rhodesian schools' rugby, once again the
only defeat suffered was at the hands of a famous South African school.
On that occasion it was Hilton College from Natal who smashed hopes of
an unbeaten record.
Maritzburg College, Durban Boys' High School, Glenwood, Michaelhouse,
and many others have all been guests at Gifford, and the School has
gained a great deal from the contacts with these teams who play in a home
league in which there are no easy games. Small wonder they have always
been such formidable opponents. In 1964, a full season in which the
school played 19 games, a very good 'Tech.' side, which included future
Rhodesian forwards Jannie Neser and Murray Desfontaine, as well as Brian
Davison who was an exceptionally powerful wing three-quarter, went down
to the powerful D.H.S. team. It is of interest to note that a mere
three years later, the rangy Desfontaine stunned rugby pundits throughout
Southern Africa when he dominated the lineouts in Rhodesia's match
against the 1967 French touring team, which included the great Benoit Danga.
Among Gifford's other distinguished visitors from South Africa over
the years have been Bishops and Rondebosch from Cape Town, St. John's
from Johannesburg, and Dale College from Kingwilliamstown. When one
studies results, one might get the impression that the School has all too
often 'taken stick' from our South African friends, but this is in no way
the case. In most cases the matches have produced hard, exciting rugby
in which boys from both sides have given account of themselves. One has
only to recall the rugged 1953 encounter with Selborne, or the
ding-dong 1973 tussle with Dele, to dppreciate the standard of the School's
performance, even in defeat. In the latter match, Dale, leading 17-13 ten
minutes from time, had to endure a sustained onslaught from a possessed
Gifford side which produced some of the finest running seen on the
Cowan Field. Rugby was the winner in a match from which both sides learnt
many lessons.
The School's first tour to South Africa took place in 1962 and no
Gifford side since has been as successful as far as results are concerned.
The first XV coach in that year was Mr. Stan McLoughlin, a very fine
sportsman in his day, and the father of two excellent sporting sons. By
way of preparation for that 1962 tour, Mr. McLoughlin handed the team
over to another old boy for fitness training. After qualifying as a
physical education master at Bulawayo T.T.C., Ian McIntosh had returned to
his old School and no pupils were more aware of his presence than those
rugby players who toiled for long hours under his critical eye, so
well-known now throughout Rhodesia, and indeed throughout the whole of
Southern Africa. In 1955 'Mac' had
been a member of the unbeaten second XV, but had never made the first XV, believe it or not, because he was too small!
The two 'Macs' worked wonders on that first tour and the side returned from Johannesburg with the proud record of five victories in five matches. It is worth remembering that money for the tour had been raised by the legendary fund raiser, Mr. J. Hotz.
Since 1962 Gifford has toured the Northern Transvaab, Natal, the Orange Free State, the Eastern Cape, Western Province, and Boland. Win or lose, the School has always learnt a great deal and lasting friendships have been made. The hospitality with which we have been received has always been flawless and I am sure that every Old Boy who, while at School, toured to South Africa with the first XV, still appreciates the great personal value of the experience.
Any really comprehensive survey of the history of rugby at the School would run to several volumes, and, if the personal experiences of but a few of the leading personalities were included, one could probably fill the School library. It takes little to imagine how many pages could be filled and how much nostalgia could be whipped up by the reminiscences of an old work-horse like Brian Webb, who has coached under-13 rugby at the School for close on 20 years.
It is a safe bet that John Finlayson, who coached the first XV for eight years, has a bag of memories that would raise many a laugh, redden many a cheek, and, perhaps, bring a nostalgic tear to the odd eye; and if a crowd of old boys bike Hill, Mackenzie-Fraser, Van Schalkwyk, Lukan and Rowland got together, what a host of stories, and legends, would be forthcoming. Alas, we have to be satisfied with an all too brief resume on this, the occasion of the School's Golden Jubilee.
Rugby at Gifford has an impressive record of past achievements, many proud traditions, and, overall, a great legacy for present and future generations. It is fitting that we should here salute all those who have made a contribution, great or small, over the past 50 years.
A.L. van HEERDEN
RUGBY, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. A. L. van Heerden
Captain: G. W. Ashby
The 1976 season was in many ways one of frustration and disappointment for the Gifford first team. The side won only five of the seventeen games played, and often lost by score-margins which suggested irremedial weaknesses in the team. It is, however, difficult to accept that the team was as poor as the results suggest, and that we could not have done better. A large number of players started the season with first team experience and for the first time in many years there was genuine competition for places in the first XV. Furthermore, there was a hard core of really talented players who promised to provide the flair so vital for the success of any side. In the light of these facts, it was justifiable that supporters generally anticipated a successful season. What, then, went wrong'
After the first few games it was apparent that we were going to struggle for first phase possession since the side was surprisingly short of power and drive among the tight forwards. A lot of reshuffling, the emergence of several promising younger players, and a great deal of sweat and toil all contributed to a partial solution of the problem. Unfortunately, at no time did we have a pack which could really stamp its authority on a match. This is not to say that we did not see flashes of potential. Indeed, there were isolated moments when the whole senior group threatened to come good with a vengeance. But, if there is one characteristic absolutely vital to both the team and the individual at first team level, it is consistency, and here the 1976 Gifford side was sadly lacking. The number of players who earned places in the first XV and maintained those places through consistent performances, can be counted on the fingers of one hand. This is especially disturbing in the light of the fact that consistency in anything is the fruit not of natual ability, but of hard work and dedication. It is not without justification that one feels the results after the fixture against Falcon should have been better than was the case.
The inconsistency of individual performances was underlined by the successful challenges for first XV berths made by several under-16 players. By the end of the season, three of these players had established themselves firmly in their positions and their determination and tenacity had set a valuable example for their fellows.
The selection of G. Ashby and I. Fraser for the Rhodesian Schools' team to play in the Transvaal Craven Week Tournament was just reward for two players who seldom failed to produce the form expected of them. Fraser proved to be a veritable points-machine with his boot and his exciting running, while Ashby showed himself to be as accomplished a scrum-half as one is likely to see at schoolboy level. Ashby also captained the side with maturity and intelligence.
FIRST TEAM RUGBY RESULTS, 1930-1976
Rhodesian Schools First No. Greatest Greatest
Played Played Won Lost Drawn Victory Date Defeat Date
Allan Wilson 1944 23 14 7 2 36-0 1951/54 3-34 1975
C.B.C. 1970 5 5 - - 43-0 1972 - -
Chaplin 1933 36 17 16 3 32-0 1941 3-21 1949
Churchill 1954 14 4 9 1 18-5 1948 3-48 1965
Falcon 1960 19 7 12 48-0 1963 3-42 1975
Guinea Fowl 1952 24 17 5 2 40-0 1954 14-40 1975
Hamilton 1963 26 12 14 34-3 1971 13-33 1976
Milton 1930 72 26 39 4 33-3 1950 3-33 1930
Mount Pleasant 1973 1 1 - - 59-14 1973 - -
Northlea 1960 27 19 8 38-0 1972 0-39 1976
Plumtree 1933 69 28 37 4 28-0 1940 0-63 1936
Prince Edward 1937 24 8 14 2 27-6 1953 0-39 1960
St Georges 1938 14 7 7 18-0 1940 12-24 1975
St Stephens* 1966 4 4 - - 44-3 1968 - -
Sixth Form College* 1967 2 2 - - 42-3 1967 - -
Thornhill 1961 8 4 2 2 44-0 1968 3-11 1965
Umtali Boys High 1950 7 3 3 1 12-3 1957 18-37 1973
*St. Stephen's and Sixth Form College are both now defunct.
OTHER LOCAL MATCHES
Army Under 19 1965 2 2 140 1965 - -
Induna 1943 1 1 2715 1943 - -
Initial Training Wing 1943 2 1 1 280 1944 6-11 1943
Old Miltonians 1930 7 3 3 1 120 1937 3-17 1930
Old Technicians 1933 10 6 4 313 1935 0-25 1934
Postals 1936 1 1 63 1936 - -
Queens 1930 3 1 2 120 1930 0-8 1933
R.A.F. Heany 1944 3 3 213 1953 - -
R.A.F. Kumalo 1941 7 5 2 293 1952 3-7 1944
Raylton 1930 9 8 1 200 1953 - -
Salisbury Composite Side 1976 1 1 - 166 1976 - -
Technmcal College 1963 1 1 173 1963 - -
Since 1939 the School's First XV has played no fewer than 88 matches against 53
different South African schools. Of these matches 25 have been won, 59 lost, and
4 drawn. The earliest recorded match was in 1937 against St. Andrew's of Bloemfontein,
which the School lost 313. Other early games before the commencement of our rugby
tours, are tabulated as follows:
Bishops 1948 2 2 - - 031 1948
Hilton College 1939 3 - 3 031 1952
Michaelhouse 1946 1 - 1 - - - 3-18 1946
Rondebosch 1949 1 - 1 - - - 0-5 1949
St. Andrew's 1937 4 1 2 1 163 1973 313 1937
St.John's 1947 3 3 - - 320 1965
Also, in Federal days, matches agamnst two Northern Rhodesian schools, namely
The Gilbert Rennie High School of Lusaka and the Kitwe Boys High were played in 1963.
We lost to the former 11-13, but beat the latter 23-0 having drawn one game 6-6.
RHODESIAN SCHOOLS PLAYERS
1950 E. F. Hartman, K C. Ziehl, E. R. van Schalkwyk, H. MacKenzie-Fraser
1951 A. A. Hill, E. R. van Schalkwyk, H. Mackenzie-Fraser
1952 M. Lukan
1953 M. Lukan, D. W. Dewy, T. P. Drummond
1964 B. P. Edwards
1966 J. T. Neser
1967 A. R. Dempster
1968 F. N. Wilson
1969 P. C. Semple, J. P. Paterson
1970 P. C. Semple, R. D. Seton-Rogers
1972 M. Falconer, A. P. Roberts
1973 S. A. Oborne, K. G. Schlaghter, A. P. Roberts
1974 G. R. Herbert
1975 C. Hughes
1976 G. W. Ashby, I. G. Fraser
RUGBY 1976
FIRST TEAM RESULTS
Tour Matches:
Lost to Settlers 11-13
Lost to Drostdy 10-29
Lost to HottentotsHolland 7-41
Beat St. Joseph's 19-13
Lost to Boland 0-33
Home Matches:
Lost to Hamilton 13-33 and 9-11
Beat Plumtree 15-13
Lost to Milton 6-18 and 15-28
Lost to Northlea 0-39 and 10-14
Lost to Guinea Fowl 8-34
Lost to Allan Wilson 6-14
Lost to St George's 14-21
Beat Falcon 15-11
Umtali Festival (Rhodes and Founders):
Beat Salisbury invitation 16-6; Beat Army Under 19 22-20
SECOND TEAM RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 3-19 and 12-16
Lost to Plumtree 9-30
Lost to Milton 4-18 and 4-16
Lost to Guinea Fowl 4-24
Lost to Allan Wilson 0-26
Beat Northlea 34-6 and lost 6-10
Beat C.B.C. first team 22-4
THIRD TEAM RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 0-45 and 7-24
Beat Milton 22-6, and lost 0-30 and 4-8
Lost to Guinea Fowl 4-36
Lost to Plumtree 0-34
Lost to Allan Wilson 6-32
FOURTH TEAM RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 0-23 and 9-32
Beat Milton 44-13 and 18-4
Lost to Guinea Fowl 10-20
Beat Northlea 3rd XV 32-7 and 16-4
Beat C.B.C. 2nd XV 31-0
Lost to Plumtree 9-40
FIFTH TEAM RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 3-32 and 0-22
Beat Milton 26-4, 11-4, and lost 6-9
Lost to Guinea Fowl 0-42
Lost to Plumtree 6-46
UNDER I5 'A' RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 0-45 and 3-54
Lost to Milton 10-14 and 10-12, and won 15-7
Lost to Guinea Fowl 4-22
Lost to Plumtree 0-40
Beat Allan Wilson 22-10
Beat Northlea 78-0
UNDER 15 'B' RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 8-14 and 0-46
Lost to Plumtree 4-36
Lost to Milton 6-26 and 4-15
Beat Northlea U 15 'A' 24-7
Lost to Guinea Fowl 0-16
Lost to C.B.C. U15 'A' 0-43
UNDER 14'A' RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 8-12, and won 22-8
Beat Falcon 11-8
Beat Plumtree 28-4
Beat Northlea 19-0, and 44-10
Lost to Guinea Fowl 4-24
Drew with Allan Wilson 14-14
Lost to Milton 10-15,0-17,and 23-0
UNDER 14 'B' RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 4-26, and 0-3
Lost to Plumtree 4-6
Beat Milton 8-0, and lost 0-42
Lost to Guinea Fowl 0-16
Lost to Milton U13 'A' 4-34
Beat Northlea 8-0, and 34-0
Lost to C.B.C. U14'A' 12-44
UNDER 13 'A' RESULTS
Beat Hamilton 14-7, 10-8, and 12-6
Beat Falcon 36-4
Drew with Plumtree 8-8
Beat Guinea Fowl 16-0
Beat Northlea 52-0
Beat Allan Wilson 10-4
Lost to Milton 8-10, and won 12-6 and 20-0
UNDER 13 'B' RESULTS
Drew with Hamilton 0-0, lost 4-16
Beat Plumtree 18-10
Beat Northlea 32-0
Beat Northlea U13 'A' 16-10
Beat Guinea Fowl 50-0
Lost to Milton 4-14, and won 10-0 and 14-0
UNDER 13 'C' RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 4-11, and 8-24
Beat Northlea U13 'B' 40-0
Drew with Milton 8-8 and 4-4, lost 0-8, and won 7-0
GIFFORD ATHLETICS, 1930-1977
The earliest record of Gifford athletics dates back to 1930 when F. Viljoen won the 880 yards and the 100 yards in an inter-schools' event. The first annual inter-house sports were held on the B.A.C. ground on a Wednesday afternoon, 22 April 1931, under far from favourable
conditions there being a 'bitingly cold wind' cutting across the ground 'to the
discomfort of competitors and spectators alike' and this 'militated
against good times being put up in any of the track events'. These times,
however, were inaugural times and stand as records in their own right.
There were only three houses competing as Davy House did not appear on
the scene till 1939; Faraday and Whitworth shared first place. There
were only fifteen events in both the senior and junior (under fifteen)
age-groups, yet in the same year the School won its first major
inter-schools' tournament and the Administrator's Shield that went with it.
The 1931 sports were held at the B.A.C. field, the first of numerous
venues which, over the years, have been as follows:
1931-1933: B.A.C.
1934-1938: Twelfth Avenue field of the Technical School
1939-1956: Russell House Field.
1958-1960: O.M.'s field.
1961-1974: Russell House Field, now the Cowan field.
1975: Farrell Field.
1977: Jubilee cinder-track around the Farrell Field.
In 1933 the sports were disrupted by a mumps epidemic as a result of
which performances were poor although R. Capon must have escaped the
disease since he won most of the senior events. 'Standard' times were
first awarded in 1933, a system which earned the approval of Mr. George
Johnson, later Sir George, who presented the cups. Commenting on the
system; he said it was 'designed to include the lesser lights among the
runners, and to encourage them to earn marks for their Houses by
finishing the course or achieving a certain standard in time or distance'.
Since then 'standards' have been a feature of the School's athletics. In 1934 the sports were dominated in both senior and junior sections by the
brothers A. and J. Tsirindanis, but it was in 1935 that the first real
stars in the Gifford athletic endeavours emerged in the names of G.
Hart and
D. McKenzie, both of whom later represented Rhodesia in the Empire
games. In those early days, as a matter of interest, competitors vied for
the Robertson Inter-house Shield.
After two quiet years which saw the introduction of new age-groups
divisions and the expansion of the programme, the year 1938 was notable
in that the name of Noel Cumming appears for the first time. Although
the athletics programme still had only twenty-six events, 1940 was one
of the School's prime athletic seasons:
Whitworth won the inter-house sports by a large margin, timing in
tenths of a second was first introduced, and N. Cumming ran the first ever
School 100 yards in 10,0 secs. This record was at the time of
international standard and was to stand for 23 years.
The war years produced no athletics of great significance although
Faraday took most of the honours. In 1946 after some sixteen years of
Gifford athletics, the first compilation of records was done and for the
next ten years fewer than three records per year were broken on average,
mainly, the next magazine notes, owing to the odd-length tracks, rain,
and poorly prepared fields.
In 1948 the School colours blazer for sports was introduced and the
first athletic awards went to D. Kets (a middle distance runner), and A.
Jenkinson (a sprinter). That year also saw the first triangular sports
meeting with Milton and Plumtree: Gifford took third place. In this immediate post-war period
the number of events, notably field events, had gradually expanded and
in 1949 the first two-day sports were held with some forty-five events
on the programme in five age-groups.
In 1953 Roy Collins, who, to the present day is still a force in
Rhodesian and Matabeleland athletics, jumped further than twenty feet, the
first school athlete to do so since 1939. The
following year showed the entrance of yet another famous Rhodesian
sporting name into the record-books, namely D. Judge who broke the under
thirteen 440 yards record.
Between 1930 and 1977 there are only two years without a record of an
athletic sports, namely 1957 and 1976; both meetings were washed out
by rain. During the period 1958-1960 the sports were held on the Old
Miltonian's cinder track; during these three meetings, no fewer than
twenty-one records were broken on a good track with good facilities.
The following four years were amongst the best in Gifford's athletics
history, and although the Russell House/Cowan Field had a good slope to it, and events were run around the track in the wrong directions to
take advantage of this; the standards were high, and no fewer than forty
records were broken.
In 1964 Davy won the inter-house competition for the first time in 25
years, and in the following twelve years proceeded to repeat this
achievement no fewer than ten times, a remarkable run of success which may
not have ended yet.
Over the past five years there has been a steady procession of new
records being established, mainly in track events. This denotes a change
over to metric distances, and not, unfortunately, a tremendous boost in
athletic performance. It may be said that athletics in recent years at
Gifford have been very much in the doldrums, both in achievement and
attitude. The blame can be attributed variously to poor equipment, worse
facilities, and little athletic tradition or enthusiasm. Remember, too,
that in recent times sports have been held on 220 yards,. 330 yards and
440 yards tracks as well as the metric distance of 400 metres. Athletics
has to be a large extent been a Cinderella sport and until very
recently remained so. Most of our successful athletes owe their success to
the activities of the Bulawayo clubs rather than to the efforts of the
School. We have the talent, but at the present time we have very little
inclination amongst our athletes to work hard. Similarly, except in a
few instances, notably Mr. J Finlayson and Mr. W. McQuade, the School has
lacked skilled and enthusiastic coaches. Also for many years all the
athletes could look forward m were two or three meetings, but-now there
are no fewer than eight separate meetings on the calendar, and even more
for the highly skilled; Surely this incentive for competition and the
magnificent facilities we now have are sufficientto ensure that Gifford athletics will flourish in the coming year.
This page sponsored by: . . Mr. and Mrs. N. Koufopoulos, R. H. Batty,
Mrs. M. Smillie.
SOME STATISTICS:
Inter-house Tug-o'-war
trophy wins wins
Davy 11 11
Dalton/Newton 9 11
Faraday 10 11
Whitworth 13 8
INTER-HOUSE SPORTS, 1931-1976
Dn Dalton (until 1972)
Dy Davy (from 1939)
N Newton (from 1973 to 1976)
F Faraday
W Whitworth
No sports meetings were held in 1957 and 1976 owing to unfavourable weather conditions. There are a few gaps: we would be grateful to hear from anyone having the missing information.
First Second Third Fourth
1931 F&W Dn
1932 W Dn F
1933 On W F
1934 W F On
1935 W On F
1936 On W F
1937 W F On
1938 F W On
1939 F W Dn Dy
1940 W On F Dy
1941 On Dy F W
1942 Dn W F Dy
1943 W Dy On F
1944 F W On Dy
1945 F On W Dy
1946 F On W Dy
1947 F On W Dy
1948 F On
1949 On F Dy W
1950 On W Dy F
1951 On Dy W F
1952 W Dn
1953 W Dn Dy F
1954 Dn Dy F W
1955 F On
1956 F
1957 Cancelled
1958 On F W Dy
1959 F On W Dy
1960 Dn Dy F W
1961 Dn Dy F W
1962 On W F Dy
1963 On Dy F W
1964 Dy W Dn F
1965 On Dy W F
1966 Dy On W F
1967 Dy W F On
1968 Dy W F On
1969 Dy F W Dn
1970 Dy F W On
1971 Dy F W Dn
1972 F Dy W Dn
1973 Dy W F N
1974 Dy W F N
1975 Dy W F N
1976 Cancelled
R.T.M.
ATHLETICS, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. D. J. Gray
Captain: A. F. S. Parker
Early in February a group of fourteen competitors went to Messina for what has become an annual event. The heat was extreme which caused us a number of minor medical problems, yet we managed to gain fourteen places out of the thirty-six events entered. A. Parker, S. Luff, C. Hodder and A. Erasmus did particularly well, the latter equalling the current Rhodesian record for the under 19 hurdles.
The School team thereafter participated in a number of meetings, beginning with a triangular in which we just lost to Milton 'A' in what turned out to be a very close contest. At that stage our under 13, 15, and 17 age-groups looked very powerful, and we hopefully anticipated a first-class season.
The Bulawayo Harriers' meeting was poorly supported by our athletes, there being only twenty entries, yet Hodder, Parker and Luff again performed well as did B. Devine. In the next meeting, the Matabeleland Championships, we gained seven firsts. Parker, Erasmus, Devine, Luff, Hodder and C. Lowenthal were selected for the provincial junior team; A. Konson and I. Barnard were selected as reserves. The last meeting before our own sports was a pentagonal at Plumtree in which we were pushed into fourth place after Milton as a result of the outcome of the last two events of the day. Our weakness again was, with the exception of the under fifteens, in the relays.
At that stage our own field was inundated by rain which eventually forced the cancellation of the inter-house sports for only the second time in the School's history. The effect of this cancellation was that all the edge of our competitors was lost, and so we entered the inter-schools meeting the next weekend in anything but a state of peak fitness. We were eventually placed a fairly creditable fifth after a much improved Founders team. Once again the lack of success in the relays cost us dearly, and only the under 13 and 15 teams were placed, respectively first and second.
Overall we gained eleven first places, four seconds, eight thirds, and ten fourth places.
THE JUBILEE ATHLETICS TRACK
The possibility of constructing a cinder athletics track was inherited
by the 1975/1976 P.T.A.'s as a suitable major jubilee project; the
transfer of Mr. D. S. Gray to Gifford provided a suitably willing
supervisor. The final decision to proceed with the project was taken in February
1976.
The first problem to be surmounted was drainage, a problem of
formidable proportions, but an excellent survey done by Conex, notably Mr.J.
Piggott, assisted greatly in the early planning. The Farrell Field had
during the 1975 rainy season provided a haven for water-fowl, so severe
was the flooding. The concept of building the running surface above the
field level and using large eighteen-inch kerb-stones as a negative dam
to keep the water off the field made the construction a reality. The
1975-6 rainy season was so bad that the field for two months had water
standing continuously, and it was this that caused the cancellation of
the sports in 1976. Early in May the initial excavation of some 900 cubic
metres was begun by Mr. Ian Farrell from Messrs. Playford and Farrell
(Pvt.) Ltd.; Mr. Farrell is the son of the former deputy headmaster
after whom the field is named. The excavation was filled with hard core,
largely the spoil from the McLachlan Swimming Pool.
After the backfilling and rolling of the hard core had been completed, the kerb-stones some 2 000 in all which had been previously made at the School were laid as an inner and outer ring. These rings totalled a length of some 900 metres. During this period an extensive drain of some 600 metres in length was dug on the west and north sides of the field.
For the previous six months we had been stockpiling and sieving cinders, largely supplied by Messrs. Ward's Transport (Pvt.) Ltd. using a fine rotary trommel made in the School's workshops by Mr. T. M. Brine. This was powered initially by a motor loaned by Mr. J. Young of the firm of Copthall's; later the workshops modified this arrangement with a reduction gear-box to improve the efficiency of the motor. The second layer in the biscuit was a course under-layer six to eight inches deep after which the preliminary levelling was done. In addition to the seemingly vast quantity stored at the School, the Railways gave us no fewer than 190 lorry-loads of coarse cinders.
The next step was to dig up a lot of the carefully laid cinder on the east side of the track and lay across it sixteen french drains connected to sumps inside the track. For the materials for this job, we are very grateful to Mr. Dring of Turnall (Pvt.) Ltd. for a gift of 1 000 feet of six-inch diameter asbestos piping.
Further considerable assistance about this time came in the form of $325 from the Beit Trustees, to enable us to construct a store-room for athletics equipment. Mr. R. A. Gray, father of Mr. B. S. Gray, did the drawings and quantities for the building.
Prior to the start of the laying of the fine topping-layer (a three-to-one mix of fine cinder and decomposed granite), Mr. Roussot of the Surveyor General's office undertook a survey of the track for registration purposes. This turned out to be a nerve-racking process, but eventually the calculations revealed a most satisfactory 400,06' metres circumference which is well within the error tolerances permitted. During the Christmas holidays some 200 lorry loads of topping were laid, and eventually some 240 loads were used altogether. It seemed unimaginable in August that our enormous stock-pile of Power Station cinder, would ever be used, yet early in February this year we were running short and needed more. The moving of this mixture was greatly facilitated by the use of a C.M.E.D. lorry for which we are extremely grateful.
In December work on the internal track fittings was started, namely a long-jump pit, high jump
areas, shot-put rings, discus rings, and a javelin run-up. The first week in February saw the weather turn against us and the area outside the track began to resemble the Battle of the Somme, and for nearly three weeks little was achieved. Mr. Berry of Tarmacadam Services (Pvt.) Ltd. had kindly given a large quantity of concrete edging and flagstones as well as 200 litres of bitumen to seal the track surface. Mr. Du Plessis made us a first-class discuss safety net, which was erected in February.
At the time of writing we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a grader to level and finish the top layer; effectively we are now in mid-February, some two to three working days from finishing the track, although the addition of markers and final titivation means that there is still a lot of work to be done.
Mr. Gray at this stage is allowed a few personal comments. (Editor)
Firstly, without the whole-hearted support of Mr. Cyril Hart, Chairman of the P.T.A., the job would have beaten me before I was well started on it. Secondly, I am a firm believer in one-man committees, yet the 1976 P.T.A. Committee excelled in allowing me to get on with the job alone, and yet at the same time provided all imaginable help upon being asked for it. Finally, after having been away from Bulawayo, the city of my youth, for some fifteen years, I have been totally amazed at the resources of the City and willingness of friends of the School and total strangers to offer me time, help and advice when asked.
My only background in track-construction at the start of the project was to have witnessed another track being constructed some seven years ago. I also had a total willingness to ask questions. The names of the people to whom the School owes, and I in particular owe, a debt of gratitude, are sufficient to fill a small telephone directory. And so Gifford High School should in early March have an athletics track that ranks with the best in the country and a facility which the School can be justly proud of.
D. S. GRAY
At this point the Headmaster also is allowed a few comments. (Editor)
Firstly, he would like to add to Mr. Gray's his own thanks to all the many good people who helped so notably with this project. Next, he would like to pay tribute to the king-pin, in this giant operation Mr. Gray himself.
Mr. Gray's total involvement in this project, on which he spent many hundreds of hours particularly during the last School holidays, has yielded
the School a cornucopia of benefits, chief of which is the track itself. This major facility will serve the School (and indeed the sport of athletics generally) for many years. It is a monument to the fund-raising efforts of the P.T.A., the generosity of our many friends and the dedication of this one man, Derek Gray.
D. FINCHAM
Headmaster
ATHLETICS RECORDS, 1931-76
This compilation of records is the first in the School's athletics history and has been produced to co-incide with the opening of the Jubilee Track. It serves many purposes, but chief among these is the fact that it is a definitive record of achievement over the past forty-four inter-house sports meetings.
The source has been the magazines, and in so far as they offer an accurate record of times and distances then is this accurate. In numerous instances the lack of a record-book has led to various 'records' being 'established' when, in fact, there was an earlier and better record which had been forgotten. In this connection the record for the 4 x 110 yards relay in the under 15 age group set in 1934 was never bettered, despite several "records" to the contrary.
Also, the first entry under an event tells when an event was held for the first time. It is worth noting that records in English measurements are all-time records as far as we are concerned, and that all times for metric distances at the 1969 sports are considered as inaugural records.
This is because it is unfair to convert the records because equivalent distances vary so much, and so times where a distance in metric measurements is greater than the English measurement must be fractionally slower than a mathematical, conversion would allow: for example 100 metres is over 9 yards longer than 100 yards. Conversely, all metric distances from the 200 metres event up are shorter than the equivalent in English measurements: for example, the 1500 metre event is over 119 yards shorter than the one-mile event which it replaces. Obviously records would be quicker than a simple mathematical conversion which ignores the human factor.
Records for field events have been converted. Where a record has not yet been bettered, the metric equivalent is given in brackets.
The compilation also shows how athletics has grown over the years: from the modest fourteen events of 1931, there were sixty-seven at the last meeting. Moreover there were in 1975 more events in each of the open and under sixteen age-groups than there were for the whole of that first historic meeting forty-seven years ago.
Also the improvement in achievement has been impressive, particularly in the field events: for example, the under 13 long-jump record standing now at 17'O3/4" (5,20 metres) was once a modest 13'6". The one I like most is the open-high jump record that I remember being broken by R. Seton- Rogers in 1969 after having defied successive high-jumpers for thirty-two years. It was a memorable performance, too, for conditions underfoot were slippery on that historic day.
R. T. McGEOCH
OPEN
100 yards
1931 G. Hartwell (Dn) 11,0 secs.
1937 P. Pike (Dn) 11,0 secs.
1938 P.Rix(F) 11,O secs.
1939 W. Kok (F) 10.8 secs.
1940 N. Cumming (W) 10,0 secs.
1949 R. Smith (Dn) 10,0 secs.
1968 R. Pitchford (Dn) 10,O secs.
22Oyards
1946 L. Bligh-Wall (Dn) 23,6 Secs.
1947 A. Jenkinson (F) 23,4 secs.
1949 R. Smith (Dn) 23,0 secs.
1951 E. R. van Schalkwyk (Dy) 22,8 secs.
440 yards
1931 H. Dickinson (F) 59,O secs.
1933 F. Capon (W) 58.8 secs.
1936 P. Pike (On) 56,6 secs.
1937 P. Pike (On) 56,2 secs.
1938 W. Kok (F) 55,2 secs.
1945 D. Morrison (W) 54,2 secs.
1953 M. Lukan (W) 53,9 secs.
1960 P. Lishman (F) 53,6 secs.
1961 B. Marler (Dy) 53,6 secs.
1962 R. Sudding (F) 53.5 secs.
1967 C. Coetzee (W) 52.9 secs.
1,968 R. Pitchford (On) 52.3 secs.
880 yards
1931 H. Dickinson (F) 2 mins. 29,0 secs.
1932 K. Attwell 2 mins. 22,2 secs.
1933 F. Capon (W) 2 mins. 18,0 secs.
1946 G. Young (F) 2 mins. 16.8 secs.
1948 D. Kets (F) 2 mins. 7,2 secs.
1954 A. Pool (Dy) 2 mins. 6,7 secs.
1961 B. Marler (Dy) 2 mins. 5,7 secs.
One mile
1931 H. Dickinson (F) 5 mins. 13,O secs.
1945 N. Peacocke (Dy) 5 mins.5,2 secs.
1947 D. Kets.(F) 5 mins. 2.2 secs.
1948 B. Turner (F) 4 mins. 53,6 secs.
Hurdles (125 yards)
1934 D. Smith (W) 19,4 secs.
1935 J. Tsirindanis (Dn) 19,0 secs.
1936 P. Pike (Dn) 17,8 secs.
1937 P. Pike (Dn) 17,2 secs.
1938 P. Pix(F) 17,2 secs.
1939 P. Aix (F) 16,6 secs.
1941 B. Mullon (On) 16,6 secs.
1942 B.Mullon (Dn) 16,2 secs.
1947 T. Lange (F) 15,9 secs.
1953 M. Lukan 15,6 secs.
Hurdles (120 yards)
1960 G.duToit(Dn) 16.8 secs.
1961 G.duToit(Dn) 16.4 secs.
1962 G.duToit(Dn) 16,3 secs.
1967 R. Pitchford (Dn) 15,9 secs.
1968 R. Pitchford (Dn) 15,2 secs.
4 x 100 yards relay
1939 Faraday 1 mm. 49,6 secs.
4 x 110 yards relay
1938 Faraday 49,6 secs.
1940 Faraday 44,2 secs.
1967 Dalton 44,0 secs.
4 x 220 yards relay
1931 Faraday 3 mins. 2,4 secs.
1932 Whitworth 2 mins. 56,6 secs.
1934 Whitworth 1 mm. 46.0 secs.
1936 Whitworth 1 mm. 45,4 secs.
1937 Whitworth 1 mm. 44,6 secs.
1938 Faraday 1 mm. 42,6 secs.
1939 Faraday 1 mm. 40.4 secs.
1948 Faraday 1 mm. 39,1 secs.
1953 Dalton 1 mm. 38,4 secs.
1960 Dalton 1 mm. 38,6 secs.
100 METRES
1969 R. Pitchford (Dn) 11,5 secs.
1970 P. Semple (F) 11,4 secs.
1972 L Toblas (F) 11,4 secs.
1973 G. Herbert (Dy) 11,4 secs.
1974 G. Herbert (Dy) 11,1 secs.
200 METRES
1969 R. Pitchford (Dn) 23,4 secs.
1973 G. Herbert (Dy) 23,1 secs.
1975 G. Herbert (Dy) 22,9 secs.
400 METRES
1969 R. Pitchford (F) 53,1 secs.
1970 C. Eley (F) 52,9 secs.
1972 L Toblas (F) 52,4 secs.
800 METRES
1969 R. Croll (Dn) 2 mins. 5,8 secs.
1970 C. Eley (F) 2 mins. 4,9 secs.
1970 J. Penny (W) 2 mins. 4,9 secs.
1 500 METRES
1969 R. Croll (Dn) 4 mins. 35.1 secs.
1972 C. van Wyk (F) 4 mins. 31,7 secs.
3000 METRES
1970 J. Penny (W) (no time available)
1971 K. Fagan (F) 10 mins. 56,7 secs.
1972 C.vanWyk(F) 10 mins. 37,6 secs.
1973 A. Bekker (F) 10 mins. 3,9 secs.
HURDLES (110 METRES)
1969 R. Pitchford (Dn) (no time available)
1970 R. Seton-Rogers (Dy) 17,5 secs.
1971 C. Eley (F) 17,0 secs.
1972 C. Eley (F) 16,9 secs.
1974 M. Robinson (Dy) 16,7 secs.
4 x 100 METRES RELAY
1969 Whitworth 47,6 secs.
1970 Davy 47,1 secs.
1974 Davy 46,4 secs.
4*100 METRES RELAY
1969 Whitworth 47,6 secs.
1970 Davy 47,1 secs.
1974 Davy 46,4 secs.
LONG JUMP
1931 G. Hartwell (Dn) 19' 1"
1939 E. Hadingham (W) 20' 8.5"
1953 R. Collins (F) 20' 9"
1962 R.Sudding (F) 21' l.75"
1967 R. Clayton (W) 21' 2.5"
1969 G. McLoughlin (W) 21' 8.5" (6,62 m.)
HIGH JUMP
1931 W. Brebner (W) 4' 9.5"
1932 W. Albertson 5' 0"
1933 0. Smith (W) 5' 0"
1934 W. Dixon 5' 2"
1936 0. Authers (Dn) 5' 2.5"
1936 P. Wiley (W) 5' 2.5"
1937 A. Johnson (W) 5' 8"
1955 R. Goosen (W) 5' 8"
1969 R. Sewn-Rogers (Dy) 5' 8.5"
1973 S. Osborne (Dy) 1,75 m.
TRIPLE JUMP
1960 G.duToit(Dn) 41' 3"
1961 D. Androuliakos (W) 41' 8"
1962 G.duloit(Dn) 41' 8.5"
1963 0. Androuliakos (W) 42' 11"
1964 0. Androuliakos (W) 43' 2"
1974 G. Herbert (Dy) 13,53 m.
SHOT PUT
1931 W. Brebner (W) 26' 3"
1932 D. Smith (W) 28' 10"
1934 D. Smith (W) 34' 11"
1937 A Johnson (W) 34' 11.5"
1938 C. Fawcett (F) 37' 2"
1939 E. Hadingham (F) 37' 6"
1945 0. Poole (On) 38' 9.5"
1946 V. Devine (Dy) 40' 6.5"
1948 R. Jenkinson (F) 40' 7"
1955 R. Goosan (W) 42' 3.5"
1970 R. Seton-Rogers (Dy) 45' 0" (13,72 m.)
JAVELIN
1958 M. Wyndham (Dn) 157' 4"
1959 K. Parkes (F) 169' 0.5"
1960 P. Lishman (F) 179' 0"
1961 P. Lishman (F) 194' 4.5" (59,245 m.)
DISCUS
1949 R. van Schalkwyk (Dy) 105' 4"
1951 W. Palmer (Dn) 113' 7"
1953 R. Gooser~ (W) 124' 4"
1969 P. Bate (Dy) 124' 4"
1970 G. M. Devine (Dy) 130' 6" (39,776 m.)
UNDER 16
100 yards
1935 P. Theodosiou 11,6 secs.
1938 G. Rademann (F) 11,4 secs.
1939 N. Cumming (W) 10,6 secs.
1965 R. Petzer (F) 10,4 secs.
220 yards
1948 E. Hartman (Dn) 24,8 secs.
1951 J. B. Rance (F) 24,4 secs.
1962 B. Petzer (Dn) 24,0 secs.
1966 R. Pitchard 23,6 secs.
440 yards
1961 K. Nicholson (Dn) 56,6 secs,
1962 B. Petzer (Dn) 54,5 secs.
580 yards
1961 M. Campbell (Dy) 2 mins. 22,3 secs.
1967 G. McLoughlin (W) 2 mins. 20,7 secs.
1968 0. Yates (Dy) 2 mine. 19,1 secs.
One mile
1968 D. Yates (Dy) 5 mins. 20,3 secs.
Hurdles (125 yards)
1935 0. Authers (Dn) 19,4 secs.
1936 A. Armstrong (W) 19,0 secs.
1938 G. Rademann (F) 17,0 secs.
Hurdles (110 yards)
1941 A. Klelnenburg (Dn)15,8 secs.
Page 127
Hurdles (100 yards)
1960 C. Smith (Dn) 16,0 secs.
1967 0. Morrison (F) 16.0 secs.
4 x 100 yards relay
1964 Faraday 52,0 secs.
1967 Whitworth 49.8 secs.
1968 Davy 49,7 secs.
100 METRES
1969 G. M. Devine (Dy) 12,3 secs.
1970 G. D. Devine (Dy) 11.5 secs.
1972 J. Mallet (Dy) 11.5 secs.
1973 R. Archer (Dy) 11.5 secs.
200 METRES
1969 G. M Devine (Dy) 25,5 secs.
1970 G. D Devine (Dy) 24,0 secs.
1972 G. Herbert (Dy) 23,4 secs.
400 METRES
1969 A. Phillips (Dy) 58,1 secs.
1970 G. D. Devine (Dy) 53,5 secs.
1972 G. Herbert (Dy) 52,9 secs.
800 METRES
1969 G. M. Devine (Dy) 2 mins. 23.9 secs.
1970 D. Kennerley (F) 2 mins. 15.2 secs
1972 G. Archer (Dy) 2 mins. 9,7 secs.
1 500 METRES
1969 K. Fagan (F) 5 mine. 7.1 secs.
1970 D. Kennarley (F) 4 mins. 41,1 secs.
3000 METRES
1972 A. Bakker (F) 10 mins. 30,7 secs.
1973 D. Armstrong (W) 10 mins. 29,9 secs.
100 METRES HURDLES
1969 F. Grobler (Dy) 17,0 secs.
1970 C. Eley (F) 15,9 secs.
1971 M. Robinson (Dy) 15,8 secs.
1972 G. Herbert (Dy) 14,7 secs
4 x 100 METRES RELAY
1969 Davy 49.9 secs.
1970 Davy 48,7 secs.
1972 Davy 47,5 secs.
LONG JUMP
1935 P. Theodosiou 16' 8.25"
1959 K. Parkes (F) 18' 6"
1961 K. L. Nicholson (Dn) 18' 11"
1963 R. Meiring (F) 19' 6.25"
1967 G. McLoughlin (W) 20' 4.5"
1972 G. Herbert (Dy) 6,33 m.
TRIPLE JUMP
1969 C. Williams (W) 36' O.75"
1970 K. Doyle (Dn) 38' 4.5'
1971 D. Bowman (F) 40' 6"
1972 G. Herbert (Dy) 13,00 m.
HIGH JUMP
1935 0. Authers (Dn) 4' 11"
1958 J. Jankinson (Dy) 5, 1.75"
1962 P. Spiller 5' 2.25"
1963 I. Jordan (Dy) 5' 2.25"
1967 D. Uoyd (W) 5' 3"
1968 B. van Rensburg 5' 5"
1974 L Kreidla (Dy) 1,70 m.
1975 I. Fraser (F) 1,76 m.
SHOT PUT
1960 Fauche (Dn) 37' 4"
1968 P. Bate (Dy) 45' 4" (13,82 m.)
DISCUS
1961 A. Cunliffe (F) 107' 11.5"
1962 W. Welman 116' 0"
1967 N. Jooste (Dn) 126' 11"
1968 P Bate (Dy) 144' 3"
1969 G. M. Davine (Dy) 149' 2" (45, 47m.)
JAVELIN
1961 R. Landman (Dn) 141' 3.5"
1967 G. McLoughlin (W) 166' 3" (50,67 m.)
UNDER 15
100 yards
1931 R. Ward (F) 12,5 secs.
1935 J. Davison (F) 12,5 secs.
1936 P. Jones (Dn) 12,0 secs.
1937 R. Ott (W) 12,0 secs.
1939 W. Viljoan (F) 12,0 secs.
1940 A. Kleinenburg (Dn)11,4 secs.
1949 G. Smith (W) 11,2 secs.
1950 J. Melloy (Dn) 11,2 secs.
1951 R. E. Brassington (F) 11,2 secs.
1964 M. Sherwood (Dn) 11,2 secs.
220 yards
1931 C. Mann (W) 32,0 secs.
1932 S. Todd 30,6 secs.
1933 D. McKenzie (Dn) 26,2 secs.
1942 L Conradie (Dn) 25,4 secs.
1951 R. E. Brassington (F) 24,8 secs.
1967 P. Bate (Dy) 23,3 secs.
440 yards
1931 J. Griffiths (F) 1 mm. 17,2 secs.
1932 A. Tsirindanis 1 mm. 12,2 secs.
1933 D. McKenzie (Dn) 1 mm 6,8 secs.
1948 R. Howes (Dy) 1 mm. 2,8 secs.
1949 G. Smith (W) 1 mm. 1,6 secs.
1950 J. Malloy (Dn) 59,7 secs.
1956 M. Wyndham (Dn) 58,2 secs.
880 yards
1934 H. Smith (F) 2 mins. 45,4 secs.
1935 J. Davison (F) 2 mins. 39,4 secs.
1942 P. Killin (Dn) 2 mlns. 33,2 secs.
1943 J. Erasmus (W) 2 mins. 25,8 secs.
1962 B. Petzer (F) 2 mins. 22,8 secs.
One mile
1948 R. Howes (Dy) 5 mm, 34,4 secs.
Hurdles (90 yards)
1934 G. Nicholl (F) 20,2 secs.
1935 A. Booth 19,2 secs.
1936 G. Chalmers (W) 19,0 secs.
1937 G. Chalmers (W) 13.8 secs.
1949 J. Davies (Dn) 12,4 secs.
1950 J. Melloy (Dn) 11,9 secs.
Hurdles (100 yards)
1960 B. Godley (F) 13.6 secs.
1968 A. Phillips (Dy) 13,3 secs.
4 x 110 yards relay
1934 Faraday 50,4 secs.
4 x 220 yards relay
1931 Faraday 2 mins. 13.8 secs.
1932 Dalton 2 mins. 6,2 secs.
1933 Dalton 1 mins. 58,0 secs.
1939 Dalton 1 mins. 56.4 secs.
1940 Dalton 1 mins. 51,8 secs.
1947 Dalton 1 mins. 48,2 secs.
100 METRES
1969 G. M Davina (Dy) 12,0 secs.
1970 G. Smith (Dy) 12,0 secs.
1971 J. Mallet (Dy) 11,7 secs.
200 METRES
1969 G. M Devina (Dy) 25,1 secs.
1970 G. Smith (Dy) 25,0 secs.
1971 G. Herbert (Dy) 24,4 secs.
1972 S. Fitzgerald (F) 24,4 secs.
Page 128
400 METRES
1969 G. M Devine (Dy) 56,6 secs.
1970 G. Smith (Dy) 56,4 secs.
1971 G. Herbert (Dy) 55,4 secs.
800 METRES
1969 D. Kennerley (F) 2 mins. 26,2 secs.
1970 G. Smith (Dy) 2 mins. 25,0 secs.
1971 D. James (W) 2 mins. 18.7 secs.
1 500 METRES
1972 R. Archer (Dy) 5 mins. 42,0 secs.
1973 A. Bekker (F) 5 mins. 42,0 secs.
1975 S. Holmes (F) 5 mins. 0,4 secs.
3000 METRES
1972 B. Welensky (Dn) 11 mins. 18,1 secs.
1975 S. Holmes (F) 11 mins. 3,0 secs.
100 METRES HURDLES
1969 G. M. Devine (Dy) 14,8 secs.
1971 G. Herbert (Dy) 12,8 secs.
1974 K. Williams (W) 12,7 secs.
1975 B. Devine (Dy) 12,4 secs.
4 x 100 METRES RELAY
1969 Faraday 51,2 secs.
1971 Davy 50,1 secs.
1973 Davy 50,1 secs.
LONG JUMP
1931 C. Mann (W) 12' 1"
1932 J. Picken 13' 7"
1934 H. Smith (F) 14' 8"
1937 E. Hachngham (W) 15' 2.5"
1938 B. Haworth (F) 16' 2"
1939 J. Viljoen (F) 16' 11.5"
1940 A. Kleinenburg (Dn) 18' 0"
1942 P. Conradie (Dn) 18' 3"
1956 M. Wyndham (Dn) 18' 9"
1961 R. Petzer (Dn) 18' 10"
1971 J. Mellet (Dy) 19' 3" (5,866 rn.)
TRIPLE JUMP
1969 A. van Rensburg (F) 36' 7"
1970 G. Smith (Dy) 38' 3"
1972 D. Armstrong (F) 11,73m.
1973 P. Badenhorst (F) 11,74m.
HIGH JUMP
1931 A. Tait (F) 4' 0"
1934 J. Hooper (W) 4' 5"
1937 G. Chalmers (W) 4' 9"
1941 P. McCallum (Dn) 4' 9"
1942 I. Morrison 4' 9"
1946 H. Barnard (Dn) 5' 1.5"
1954 J. Goosen (W) 5' 1.75"
1956 R. Rhodes (Dy) 5' 2.25" (1,58m.)
1972 A. Erasmus (W) 1,58 m.
1975 B. Devine (Dy) 1,67 m.
SHOT PUT
1959 J. Davie (W) 38' 45"
1967 P. Bate (Dy) 44' 8" (13,5m.)
DISCUS
1958 K. Parkes (F) 122'.9"
1961 R. Dobson (Dy) 122' 9"
1967 P. Bate (Dy) 126' 0" (38,4m.)
JAVELIN
1958 K. Parkes (F) 132' 10'
1960 P. Hilton (W) 186' 5.5'
1964 0. de Klerk (Dn) 145' 1"
1967 G. McLaughlin (W) 44,50 m.
UNDER 14
100 yards
1936 G. Nicholl (Dn) 13,4 secs.
1937 B. Haworth (F) 12,8 secs.
1939 A. Markides (W) 12,3 secs.
1940 0. Conradie 12,2 secs.
1941 L. Conradie (Dn) 12,0 secs.
1945 J. Badham (F) 11,8 secs.
1959 R. Petzer (F) 11,7 secs.
1963 I. Ansel(Dn) 11,7 secs.
1968 G. M. Devine (Dy) 11,6 secs.
220 yards
1961 R. Petzer (Dy) 26,7 secs.
1968 G.M. Devine (Dy) 25,7 secs.
880 yards
1948 D. Watkins (W) 2 min. 29,8 secs.
Hurdles (80 yards)
1950 P. Spiller (Dn) 13,4 secs.
1960 F. Potgieter (F) 12,7 secs.
1963 M. McNeill (Dn) 12,5 secs.
1967 K. Mulvey (F) 12,3 secs.
4 x 110 yards relay
1964 Dalton 54,9 secs.
1967 Faraday. 54,4 secs.
1968 Davy 53,2 secs.
100 METRES
1969 G. Smith (Dy) 12,9 secs.
1970 J. Mellet (Dy) 12,6 secs.
1975 S. Luff (W) 12,5 secs.
200 METRES
1969 G. Smith (Dy) 27,0 secs.
1970 G. Herbert (Dy) 26,0 secs.
1975 M. Spinks (F) 25,6 secs.
400 METRES TEAM EVENT
1973 Whitworth 1 mm. 1,3 secs.
800 METRES TEAM EVENT
1974 Davy 2 mins. 34,4 secs.
1975 Whitworth 2 mins. 2,8 secs.
HURDLES (80 METRES)
1969 P. Queale (F) 15,0 secs.
1970 G. Herbert (Dy) 12,7 secs.
4 x 100 METRES RELAY
1969 Davy 54,3 secs.
1970 Davy 52,6 secs.
LONG JUMP
1958 D. Smith (Dn) 14' 2.75"
1960 P. Edwards (Dn) 15' 5"
1961 R. Meiring (Dn) 16' 3.5"
1964 P. Conje (Dv) 16' 5"
1968 T. Staples (Dy) 17' 3"
1969 G. D. Devine (Dy) 5,39 m.
TRIPLE JUMP
1969 G. Smith (Dy) 34' 3.5"
1970 G. Herbert (Dy) 35' 6.75" (10.838 m.)
1973 C. Botha (F) 10,87 m.
HIGH JUMP
1958 R. Scott (Dy) 4' 4.75"
1959 D. Dewar (W) 4' 6.5"
1960 M. Desfontaine (Dn) 4' 8.5"
1963 A. Dempster (Dy) 4' 8.5"
1968 L. Tobias (F) 4' 11.5"
1973 A. Parker (Dy) 1,53 m.
1974 B. Oavine (Dy) 1,58 m.
SHOT PUT
1961 C. Stidworthy (Dy) 35' 6.5"
1967 G. M. Devine (Dy) 41' 3" (12,57m.)
DISCUS
1969 K. Schlachter (Dy) 96' 2" (29,31m.)
Page 129
UNDER 13
100 yards
1938 R. Howell (W) 13,6 secs.
1939 A. Jenkinson (Dy) 13,2 secs.
1940 0. Conradia (Dn) 13,2 secs.
1949 C. Armstrong (Dn) 12,7 secs.
1950 C. van den Heaver 12,4 secs.
1962 R. Clayton 12,3 secs.
1963 P. Viljoen (Dn) 12,1 secs.
1969 G. D. Devine (Dy) 11,4 secs.
220 yards
1942 C. Enslin (Dn) 32,4 secs.
1944 J. Badham (F) 28,0 secs.
1967 G. M. Davine (Dy) 26.3 secs.
440 yards
1948 B. Melloy (Dn) 1 mm. 49,0 secs.
1949 C. Armstrong (Dn) 1 mm. 12,8 secs.
1950 C. van den Heever (Dn) 1 mm. 9,2 secs.
1954 0. Judge (Dn) 1 mm. 7.9 secs.
1955 W. Naude (W) 1 mm. 5,3 secs.
Hurdles (90 yards)
1942 C. Enslin (Dn) 16,6 secs.
1944 J. Badham (F) 15,4 secs.
Hurdles (75 yards)
1947 J. Ferns 11,5 secs.
4 x 110 yards relay
1942 Davy 59,6 secs.
1944 Faraday 58,0 secs.
1959 Faraday 57,5 secs.
1963 Dalton 56,6 secs.
1965 Whitworth 56,6 secs.
1967 Davy 55,8 secs.
100 METRES
1969 G. Herbert (Dy) 13,6 secs.
1970 B. Tobias (F) 13,6 secs.
1971 0. Kleinanburg (F) 13,1 secs.
200 METRES
1969 G. Herbert (Dy) 27,8 secs.
1971 0. Klainenburg (F) 27,6 secs.
HURDLES (80 METRES)
1969 G.Herbert(Dy) 16,2 secs.
1970 B. Tobias (F) 15,1 secs.
1971 D. Kleinanburg (F) 13,7 secs.
4 x 100 METRES RELAY
1969 Davy 55,7 secs.
LONG JUMP
1942 G. Ziehl (Dy) 13' 6"
1946 F. Hatfield (Dn) 13' 8.5"
1958 M. Scott (Dy) 14' 0.5"
1960 R. Meiring (Dn) 14' 7.25"
1962 R. Clayton 15' 0.75"
1963 P. Viljoen (Dn) 15' 5.5"
1964 G. McLoughlin (W) 15' 9"
1967 G. M. Devine (Dy) 17' 0.75" (5,20 m.)
TRIPLE JUMP
1972 C. Botha (F) 9,37 m.
1973 G. Bruce (W) 9,56 m.
1974 J. Gallagher (W) 9,87 m.
1975 B. Brinkley (Dy) 10,43 m.
HIGH JUMP
1942 J. Lange (F) 4, 1.5"
1944 H. Barnard (Dn) 4' 5.5"
1963 T. Maidwell (F) 4' 8"
1964 A. Parry-Hughes 4' 8.75"
1968 M. Robinson (Dy) 4' 10" (1,47 m.)
SHOT PUT
1969 M. Bernet (W) 29' 3"
1972 K. Williams (W) 9,57 m.
1975 I. du Plassis (Dy) 9,97 m.
SOCCER, 1931-1976
Although soccer is no longer an official sport at Gifford, it started early in the School's history and had a long and honourable run. In 1931 there were three teams formed, two in the under 16 age group and one under 14 team. The under
16A played three matches and won them all, and in the process scored 24 goals and conceded only
2.
Even at that early stage there was opposition to soccer vis-ΰ-vis rugby: Mr. Gifford was definitely opposed to it largely because there were not enough boys in the school to play both games without weakening the rugby teams: rugby was always Mr. Gifford's first love in sport. Later he was under pressure from the parents of day scholars, and as a result he gave soccer a tacit and reluctant tolerance. Certainly soccer was being played under the aegis of Mr. W. S. Penfold who had joined the staff in 1935. As Mr. Sutherby recollects, 'it was probably he who knitted together the random strands of soccer interest which existed chiefly among junior boys, mainly day scholars, and quietly edged the game on to the map, so to speak'.
In 1937 Mr. S. Perkins took over, and the under sixteens promptly won the league in the following year. As a matter of interest Mr. J. McBean of the contracting firm, Burger and McBean (Pvt.) Ltd. which built the newest buildings at the School, played right-half in that team. Further successes followed in 1942 when the under sixteens won the Neill Cup and were runners-up in the league; the under fifteens won the Morgan Cup in 1943, which was the last year that Mr. Perkins coached soccer.
Assisted for part of the time by Mr. J. Falloon, Mr. Stan McDougall supervised for the period 1944-1947. The under thirteens, under fourteens, and under sixteens all won their leagues in this time, and the under sixteens won the Neill Cup again. Although no one obtained Rhodesian honours at school level, J. Robb went on to represent Rhodesia in the senior game.
In 1948 Mr. 'Jock' Ness and Mr. Jack Sandham took over soccer and for more than a decade soccer thrived at the School. Excellent results were obtained at all levels. Many players represented Matabeleland and several gained Rhodesian Honours. A measure of the School's prestige is indicated by Mr. Sandham's positions as both National and Matabeleland Junior selector. 1951 was a vintage year for, in addition to the four representatives in the Rhodesian and Matabeleland teams, the School provided eight
members of the Matabeleland under 14 1/2 team against Mashonaland.
In the early years, Queens, Callies and 'Tech' provided the bulk of the soccer at under 16 level while the primary schools gave opposition to the under thirteens. 1960 saw the start of the fully inter-school competition with Milton and Northlea entering teams. This stimulus did not seem to help the game: in 1961 all under thirteen pupils had to play rugby, and so it is not surprising that it became difficult to raise teams.
In 1966 a schools' soccer league was revived and an under 15 side was entered by Mr. E. R. Lafrentz. The only pitch available was at Municipals' Sports Club. Unfortunately the revival was short-lived. Lack of a pitch plus active official discouragement boys chosen for rugby had to play rugby in preference to soccer finally removed soccer from Gifford's activity list.
Today soccer is popular, but has to be played at clubs outside the School. In recent years, N. Watson, I. Frazer, and A. Konson have all played for the Rhodesian under 17 side, while Watson, in addition, has played for the senior side. But, there is little chance of soccer again becoming a major school sport for, while there is no opposition now to soccer, there are just not sufficient men staff available to coach soccer in addition to all the other sports that have to be catered for.
E. M. CAREW
WATER POLO, 1935-1976
The Early Days of the Game
The first ever recorded water-polo result was when the School in 1935 beat a Milton team by three goals to one. The magazine of that year called the result 'creditable' and went on to say that the match was 'one of the few occasions when we can measure ourselves against other schools in this sport'. We of today tend to forget that in 1935 the only other local boys' schools that the Technical could compete against were Milton and Plumtree. School matches were few and far between, the next recorded one being in 1939 when the Technical team again beat Milton by eight goals to nil.
The only way to improve the players' skill was to enter the senior league, for the Payne Shield, which was done. In those far off days of 1936 the polo team played well in the league where, it is recorded, they were top of the log. The leading player was one D.Balsdon by name. The team also enjoyed regular coaching by players from this senior league.
As time passed and an R.A.F. training establishment came to Bulawayo,
so the School played the R.A.F. at Kumalo. That team was described as
being probably the strongest in Rhodesia at the time, but the "Tech"
team, though beaten, managed to put up a good showing in good company. In
1942 the team finished third out of five teams in the Challenge Water
Polo Shield, and the captain, W. V. Barnes played for Matabeleland
against Mashonaland and Midlands, and in a Bulawayo team against an army team
from Salisbury. The teams in that league were:
Bulawayo Town, R.A.F. Kumalo, R.A.F. Hillside (l.T.W.), and R.A.F.
Induna.
The era of the Crusaders' Shield
The School first entered the Crusaders' Shield Competition in 1947.
This is a Shield which was donated by the Crusaders' Swimming Club to be
competed for on a national basis by all schools in Rhodesia. In 1951 the
team won four out of the five local league matches although it was not
as successful in matches for the Crusaders' Shield. For the first time
ever in 1 952 the School were runners-up in the competition; prominent
members of that team included I. Goldberg, C. Waterworth, M. Lukan, J.
Haggart, and D. Ogilvie. In 1953 the School once again came close to
winning the Crusaders' Shield: the team had to beat Milton to win the
trophy. At half time we were 2-0 ahead, but in the second period Milton
scored three goals without reply. We were thus runners-up for the Shield
for the second time.
In 1955 not many matches were played because of the polio scare. We
were, however, for the third time, runners-up for the Crusaders' Shield,
having lost the final to Plumtree. Believe it or not, we were, in 1956
runners-up yet again, this time being narrowly beaten by three goals to
five by Prince Edward.
During the next decade, water-polo in the School seemed to decline
somewhat owing to the demands of cricket and the dearth of good players. We
were not as successful as in former years, but we did continue to enter
the leagues. Not all, however, was gloomy for in 1961 at an
inter-school tournament in Salisbury, the team of that year did well by winning
two of its three matches. N. Cooke and R. Francis played in the
Matabeleland Schools' team against the Mashonaland schools' team.
A decade of triumph
Gradually standards improved and suddenly in 1966 the School came back
with a vengeance and in that year lost only one game of the twenty six
played. In fact, the analysis at the end shows
what an accomplished decade we have just enjoyed. In 1966 the School
won the coveted Crusaders' Shield for the first time in twenty-two years,
having been runners-up four times.
P. Horrocks played for the Matabeleland Men's 'A' team whilst O. Haigh,
and A. Dempster played in the Men's 'B' team. Other players in the
School team were L. L. Abrams, M. McNeiIl,
A. Caidwell, J. Neser and R. Warren. Another notable achievement of
this year was the beating of the Old Miltonians' Club who were then
considered to be the strongest club side in Rhodesia.
Although 1966 was a notable year in the history of water polo at
Gifford as far as results were concerned, it is my personal feeling that the
1967 team was the best in the history of the School. Not only did they
win the Crusaders' Shield for a second year running, but three boys,
namely R. Horrocks, J. Neser, and A. Dempster were chosen to represent
the Rhodesian national team which took part in the Currie Cup competition
which was held in Bloemfontein. With nineteen goals J. Neser was the
highest goal scorer, while A. Dempster had an excellent tournament, so
much so that a visiting Dutch coach mentioned that he was the best
seventeen-year old goalkeeper he had ever seen. P. Semple was also awarded a
trophy for the most improved goalie in Matabeleland.
In 1968 we did not lose a game in the Crusaders' Shield competition,
but we did draw two matches with Plumtree and Prince Edward, and thus had
to be contented with second place. Four of our boys were selected as
being amongst the best eleven players in Rhodesian Schools, namely,
A. Caldwell, B. Abrams, P. Semple and R. Horrocks. The run of successes
continued, and in 1969 we lost two matches, both to Prince Edward; P.
Semple and R. Horrocks were both selected for the Rhodesian under 19
team.
The School had by comparison only mediocre success for the next few
years until 1973; this was mainly a team-building period, although K.
Schlachter was selected for the Rhodesian under 19 side in 1972. In 1973
only five out of the twenty-seven matches were lost, and four boys were
selected for the Rhodesian under 19 team, namely P. Martin, M. Robinson,
K. Schlachter and A. Weston. In the Crusaders' Shield tournament we
came joint second with Plumtree. The high light of the 1974 season was the
nomination of M. Collington to play in the Rhodesian National team,
while in 1975 we undertook a tour to the Northern Transvaal where the boys
acquitted themselves very well.
GIFFORD PUPILS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED
NATIONAL HONOURS:
1967 R. Horrocks, A. R. Oempster, J. T. Neser, L. L. Abrams (National Team).
1968 A. B. Caldwell.
1969 P. C. Semple, R. Horrocks (Under 20).
1970 P. C. Semple, M. Sykes, A.J.van Rensburg (Under 20).
1971 M. Sykes (Under 20).
1972 K. Schlaehter (Under 20).
1973 K. Schlachter, G. P. Martin, A. R. Weston, M.F.Robinson (Under 19).
1974 M. J. Collington (national team), M.F. Robinson (under 19).
1976 C. M. Botha, E. I. G. Trouw (Rhodesian Schools).
ANALYSIS OF GAMES, 1965-1976
Played Won Lost Drawn For Against
1965 25 6 15 4 124 157
1966 26 24 1 1 269 73
1967 30 29 1 0 313 85
1968 26 18 1 7 205 81
1969 22 16 2 4 218 90
1970 35 23 10 2 250 157
1971 30 11 17 2 169 190
1972 27 13 13 1 202 190
1973 39 28 8 3 367 158
1974 34 19 13 2 223 185
1975 39 16 21 2 206 263
1976 30 18 10 2 255 182
WATER POLO, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. F. Wilson
Captain: C. M. Botha
Strenuous training before the first tournament, held at Plumtree, paid off as the three games against Plumtree, Falcon and Milton were all comfortably won. We lost, however, to Falcon in the second triangular tournament as the team took time to adjust to the very small Falcon pool.
The third tournament of the first term was, in fact, the zonal finals for the Crusaders' Shield, and this was held at Gifford. We drew with our rivals, Falcon, and lost one other match. Nonetheless we had accumulated five points and so travelled to Salisbury for the finals at the Allan Wilson Pool. The team acquitted itself reasonably well against strong competition: we beat Oriel and Allan Wilson, but lost the other three matches to end up fifth overall in the competition.
As a result of the zonal finals, C. Botha, E. Trouw, B. Beaumont, and D. Viljoen were selected for a Matabeleland 'A' team, and M. Hart represented Gifford in the 'B' team. Further,
C. Botha and E. Trouw were selected at the conclusion of the Crusaders' Shield to represent Rhodesia in a schools' team.
In the third term the team travelled to Gwelo to participate in a competition with the Midlands
schools. The team played excellent water polo, the result being that we won all three matches against Guinea Fowl, Chaplin, and a combined Midlands team.
FIRST TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Lost to Hamilton 7-8, and 6-10
Beat Plumtree 5-4, drew 6-6, and lost 6-10 and 9.10
Beat Milton 9-1, and 9-4
Beat Falcon 12-2 and 6-2, and lost 8-9
Third term:
Beat Plumtree 9-6, and 11-7
Beat Milton 14-6, and 11-5
Beat Falcon 8-5, and lost 3-5
Beat Guinea Fowl 14-4
Beat Chaplin 12-3
Beat Midlands Schools 13-6
Zonal finals of the Crusaders' Shield:
Beat Hamilton 5-3
Beat Chaplin 11-7
Beat Milton 11-7
Drew with Falcon 8-8
Lost to Plumtree 5-7
Finals of the Crusaders' Shield:
Beat Oriel 7-5
Lost to Prince Edward 5-12
Lost to Mount Pleasant 7-10
Lost to Churchill 5.7
Beat Allan Wilson 9-4
(Gifford came fifth in overall position in the tournament).
SECOND TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Beat Milton 7-2
Beat Hamilton 5-2
Third Term
Beat Milton 11-1
Beat Hamilton 7.5
Lost to Plumtree 1 -8, and 3-9
Beat Falcon 7-3, and 8-5
UNDER 15 RESULTS
First term:
Lost to Hamilton 8-10, and 4-6
Beat Plumtree 5-4
Beat Milton 6-4
Third term:
Lost to Hamilton 4-5, and won 7-4 and 6-1
Beat Milton 9-1, and 10-2
Drew with Falcon 6-6
Beat Chaplin 9-1
Lost to Plumtree 1-6
FIRST TEAM WATER POLO RESULTS, 1938-1976
RHODESIAN SCHOOLS First No. Greatest Gratest
Played Played Won Lost Drawn Victory Date Defeat Date
Allan Wilson 1955 21 12 7 1 19-0 1969 612 1972
Chaplin 1973 7 7 - - 30-2 1977 - -
Churchill 1961 11 9 2 - 21-0 1968 5-7 1976
Cranborne 1966 2 2 - - 21-0 1966 - -
Ellis Robins 1965 4 4 - - 23-0 1966 - -
Falcon 1961 66 43 14 4 20-1 1966 0-8 1970
Guinea Fowl 1973 6 6 - - 24-0 1973 - -
Hamilton 1965 67 45 18 4 26-9 1977 0-12 1975
Milton 1947 93 68 29 6 29-5 1977 0-7 1957
Mount Pleasant 1970 8 4 3 1 15-2 1970 2-7 1975
Northlea 1963 3 3 - - 22-1 1971 - -
Oriel 1975 2 2 - - 7-5 1976 - -
Plumtree 1938 86 39 43 4 21-0 1967 3-16 1975
Prince Edward 1947 31 12 18 1 16-1 1966 5-12 1976
Sinoia 1968 9 8 1 - 18-1 1968 2-6 1972
OTHER LOCAL MATCHES
Army 1968 1 - - 1 - - - -
Combined Services 1974 1 - 1 - - - 6-7 1974
Crusaders 1965 2 - 2 - - - 6-8 1965
Midlands Schools 1976 1 1 - - 13-6 1975 - -
Northern Traansvaal Schools 1974 1 - 1 - - - 1-6 1974
Old Miltonians 1965 4 1 3 - 6-5 1966 3-13 1973
R.A.F. Kumalo 1957 4 4 - - 7-0 1957 - -
T.T.C. 1965 1 - - 1 - - - -
R.T.M/A.L.L.F
TENNIS, 1938-1975
The history of tennis in this School has, unfortunately, not been one of outstanding success. In the 1938 School magazine mention was made, in passing, of tennis: 'The only interschool match played was against Milton on the B.A.C. courts, in the first round of the Du Toit Cup competition. The result was a decisive win for the Milton team.' Since that time the School has suffered numerous decisive losses against Milton in the early rounds of the Mim du Toit inter-schools competition. The next match played by the School was not until 1942 when the Magazine reports that the School won, 'by a large number of games', a friendly match played against the Convent School.
The small flame of interest shown by early pupils was barely kept alive until the School started playing regular inter-school fixtures in
1967, a span of some twenty-five years! At that stage it was obvious that there was some interest though the School was at the disadvantage of having far too few tennis courts to cater for the interest.
The earliest record of courts being built was in 1946 when two courts were built at Johnson House. In 1954 a grass court was laid at the Russell House site, which lasted until 1958. Another court was built at Russell House in 1956. These courts have long since disappeared, and in fact were on the site where our present courts are now situated. Newman House, in 1961 , built its own tennis court; this court is still in existence and is, at this time, being renovated.
It was not until 1970 that we acquired four ant-heap courts, and tennis coaching could really get under way. Since that time it has become increasingly obvious that even more courts are needed if the interest shown by an increasing number of boys is to be catered for, and, just as important, if the standard of tennis is to be improved. At the time of publication, a start has already been made on levelling ground for three new courts adjacent to the existing courts. The completion of these will do much to alleviate congestion, which results in lack of practice and a low standard of tennis.
D. A. JACK
RESULTS OF INTER-SCHOOL TENNIS MATCHES
Year First Number
Played Played Won Lost Drawn
C.B.C. 1967 16 6 10
Falcon 1967 10 10
Founders 1970 4 2 2 -
Guinea Fowl 1967 2 1 1
Hamilton 1969 25 4 20 1
Milton 1938 25 4 18 3
Northlea 1967 15 12 2 1
Plumtree 1969 11 2 2
Sixth Form college 1968 2 2
TENNIS, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. D. A. Jack
Captain: G. W. Ashby
On the whole this has been a disappointing year for the first team: we have in this School a number of talented players, but they are not prepared really to get down to work on their tennis and try to achieve some consistency in their game. Too often, regrettably, promising
players lose heart during the course of the year and give the game up. One other fact that affects the performance of the team throughout the year is that a number of players do not play for the whole year: a number play other sports during the second term, and this has the effect of weakening the team during the term and leads to some discouragement when the team is consistently beaten. On the other hand, there appear to be some very good and dedicated junior players making their presence felt in the lower levels. This augurs well for the future if they continue to be dedicated and determined.
The recurring problem of too many players and not enough courts is still with us, but the situation should ease in the coming year with the adition of more courts, work on which has already started. This could have a very beneficial effect on the standard of tennis at this School in that the players will be able to practise more frequently - too often we have lost matches because players have not had sufficient practice, particularly in singles play.
On the whole, I feel a certain amount of optimism as far as the future of tennis in this School is concerned.
FIRST TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Lost to Milton 0-16; Beat Northlea 9-7
Beat Plumtree 11-5; Beat Founders 10-6
Lost to Hamilton 1-15
Second term:
Lost to Milton 0-16; Lost to Falcon 5-10
Lost to Hamilton 4-12; Lost to Grey High School 0-9
Beat Northlea 9-7
Third term:
Lost to C.B.C. 3-13; Lost to Hamilton 4-12
Lostto Plumtree 2-14; Lost to Milton 1-15
Drew with Northlea 8-8
SECOND TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Lost to Plumtree 4-12; Drew with Hamilton 8-8
Lost to Milton 0-16; Beat C.B.C. 9-7
Second term:
Lost to Milton 2-14; Lost to Hamilton 5-11
Third term:
Lost to Plumtree 1-15; Lost to Hamilton 1-15
Lost to C.B.C. 5-11
UNDER 15 RESULTS
First term:
Lost to Founders 4-12; Lost to Milton 4-12
Lost to Hamilton 5-11; Drew with Northlea 8-8
Second term:
Lost to Hamilton 4-12; Lost to Milton 6-10
Lost to Northlea 2-7
Third term:
Lost to Hamilton 6-10; Lost to Milton 4-12
Drew with Northlea 8-8 Lost to Falcon 7-9
This page sponsored by: . . . Mr. and Mrs. G. McAtier, D. de Jager, Mrs. B. A. Miller
UNDER 14 RESULTS
First term:
Lost to C.B.C. 5-11; Lost to Milton 4-12
Beat Founders 13-3; Beat Hamilton 11 -5
Second term:
Lost to Milton 5-11; Drew with Hamilton 8-8
Third term:
Beat Hamilton 9-7; Beat Milton 4-3
Drew with C.B.C. 8-8
UNDER 13 RESULTS
First term:
Lost to Milton 4-12; Beat Hamilton 9-7
Second term:
Lost to Hamilton 2-14; Lost to Milton 0-16
Third term:
Lost to Milton 0-16, and 0-16
TABLE-TENNIS SINCE 1937
Two 'small-ball' sports which have been played at the School for varying periods are table-tennis and badminton.
At the beginning of the third term 1937 table-tennis equipment including a full-size table was given to Heyman House by the Lottery Trustees, and a table-tennis committee was set
up consisting of Douglas Hawkins, Ian Ballantyne and W. S. Goulding; two old boys, Stanley
Anderson and Ronald Scott-Roger, helped to coach those boarders who were interested in the game. The following year interest ran high for the first term, but then abated somewhat a fate which this sport has suffered over the years.
In 1950 mention is made of a Heyman House table-tennis tournament, the senior section being won by John Martin and the junior by Maxwell Tink.
In 1951 after many Heyman boys had moved across to Johnson House (on the closing of the former), table-tennis moved with them and a tournament was held, with James winning the junior and Gittleson the senior titles. This was followed by a match between Johnson House and Charter House of Milton School, which Johnson House won by seventeen games to ten, but once again the sport faded to resurge once more in 1953 when Lawrence James and Clive Currin won the senior and junior titles respectively in the tournament held in the first term. The annual tournament was won in 1955 by Mr. E. C. de Wet (housemaster) in the senior final and D. Pugh-Roberts won the junior title.
In 1956 a table-tennis championship was organised in Newman House and the senior title went to M. du Preez while P. Edwards won the junior competition.
Not to be outdone, in 1958 Russell House acquired a table-tennis table from house funds and a hope was expressed in the magazine of that year that inter-house (hostel) competitions might be held. In 1959 the School team entered the Matabeleland League with C. Warburton (Captain), J. Petzer and A. Harris comprising the team. They won all their matches in the Third League and individually did well in the Matabeleland Open Handicap Championship.
During the next four or five years we must assume that the game continued to be played although no mention appears in old magazines, but in 1964 P. Hulland writes that 'although table-tennis has been rather slack during the last two years, keen interest was shown in the game throughout the year, so it was decided to hold table-tennis singles championships within the School.' These were played on a knock-out basis and P. Hulland beat R. Dobson in the finals. During the same year the School was invited to participate in the Matabeleland Inter-Schools Championships. Despite lack of practice and preparation, M. McNeill reached the quarterfinals in the boys' singles and P. Hulland and R. Dobson reached the semi-finals in the boys' doubles. Although a hope was expressed that a table-tennis club might be formed in 1965, nothing came of it and the sport has been in mothballs since then.
BADMINTON SINCE 1965
In 1965 owing to Mr. F. Gardner's efforts badminton was introduced late in the second term and gained a keen following. The enthusiasm brought to the sport was rewarded when the School beat Northlea, a team which had been top dog for many years.
In 1966 Greg Gardner, who the previous year had been selected to tour Natal and Transvaal with the combined Bulawayo juniors and Northlea School badminton team, became the Matabeleland 'B' League champion, then played in a triangular tournament between Mashonaland, Matabeleland and Manicaland, and crowned his success by being awarded his School badminton colours.
The next two years saw a decline in the sport, but in 1969 the badminton club was revived. The faint lines on the gymnasium floor were repainted, but unfortunately no fixtures were arranged because so few schools have such a club, and regrettably the club fell back into oblivion.
A. L. L. FURBER
Overheard in Classroom:
'Hands up the boys who are absent.'
Now squash is a school sport, not merely a handful of enthusiasts calling themselves a club, and so the game must go from strength to strength in all age groups, and soon the squash team perhaps will be travelling to schools out of Bulawayo for inter-schools' matches.
R.T. McGEOCH
SQUASH, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. T. M. Brine
Captain: H. N. Bolton
1976 was a very successful year for squash. Initially squash was confined to sixth formers and was held at Queens Sports Club each Friday afternoon from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. The School is indebted to them for this sporting gesture.
In the second term the old squash courts of yesteryear were restored and were officially opened on 11 June by Mr. C. 0. Benson, the Regional Education Officer, whereafter exhibition matches were played by boys and staff, namely Mr. D. W. R. Wakefield and Mr. R. T. McGeoch. Membership was now opened to all age groups and interest increased as matches were organised. We were able to field two senior teams which did surprisingly well considering the lack of experience and training, and an under 15 team which shows great potential. The School has been included in the Matabeleland schools' squash league, and so we can look forward to increased competition.
K.Bernet was chosen to play for the Matabeleland Schools' team in the first term, and was also the first pupil to earn an award, namely halfcolours, for this sport.
This report would not be complete without mention being made of the existence of a squash club for parents and Old Boys of the School.
FIRST TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Lost to Northlea 9-16; Lost to Milton 7-11
Second term:
Lost to Milton 12-18 and 1-9
SECOND TEAM RESULTS
First term only:
Lost to Milton 3-13
UNDER 15 RESULTS
Second term:
Beat Mount Pleasant 3-2
Third term:
Beat Milton 3-2 and 5-0
Overheard in a classroom:
'You appear to be making as much progress in Maths as a blind man groping in a dark room for a black cat that isn't there'
(From HINC ORIOR in the 1930'sEditor).
HOCKEY, 1954-1976
Hockey was introduced at Gifford by Mr. W. A. Ainsworthy in 1954. Since then it has become a very popular and well-established sport with many well-known national players having begun their hockey at the School: a glance at the tabulation at the end of this article substantiates this.
Hockey in its initial stages was played on the Matabeleland Hockey Board's grounds, now known as Queens. The sport soon attracted enthusiasm, and the prestige of the sport was further enhanced when Gifford first played Plumtree, in 1954, losing 0-2. The Magazine of that year records that 'although there are more defeats than victories to record, the margin of defeat has never been large'. Seven games were played: one was won, and two were drawn.
The years 1955 and 1956 saw the introduction of a second team, and teams in the under fifteen, fourteen and thirteen age groups. Pedagogues, a schoolmasters' team, was also founded, and the match played against Gifford proved to be our team's best that season.
In 1957 although play was hampered by the scare of a polio epidemic and by a number of serious injuries, the first team managed to win seven of the ten games played. D. Tyrer (the captain), R. Gadd and D. Pugh-Roberts were the first to receive colours for the sport.
The Old Miltonians' ground was used for practices in 1958, with our own rugby field being used the following year. This did not prove to be very successful, and so in 1960 two hockey fields were built near Russell House. Unfortunately, the next year hockey and soccer were compelled to use only one field.
Great interest and enthusiasm was shown for the sport until 1964 when hockey experienced many up's and down's owing to the attractions of rugby. As a result no senior teams at all were fielded the following year; in 1966, however, Mr. Ogden managed to raise a team which initially struggled because of a lack of experience and very little grounding. Yet, Mr. Ogden proved to be a tremendous inspiration for the team, and of the ten games played that season, Gifford won six.
Disaster struck in 1967 when bad fields hampered play and therefore practices were transferred to Old Techs. The standard of hockey gradually rose through the season and there was a change of attitude towards the game. It was also during that year that half-colours were introduced for the first time.
A choice at the open level between rugby and
hockey was instituted in 1969, therefore giving each team more practices. Unlike the previous year, practices were taken a little more seriously although the players still had the attitude of 'we don't win so why play'.
The following few years proved how wrong the attitude of 1969 had been: very good seasons followed with only slight difficulties encountered. Successive teams developed excellent defence systems, but little penetration was produced by the forwards. The hockey team embarked on its first South African tour in 1970 with the next being two years later. Since then a team has travelled to South Africa every year. As the tours are made every April holidays, the teams are always provided with good pre-season experience.
1975 was the first time that the Matabeleland selection board had held a tournament, at Hamilton, as a prelude to the trials our team did very well by winning two and drawing two of the games they played.
Although hockey at Gifford has experienced numerous awkward periods, the players have fared very well and the sport has become firmly established at the School. Hockey has now taken its place as one of the two major winter sports at Gifford, and in recent years has come to challenge rugby for pride of place in achievement.
In conclusion, a special word of thanks must be given to Mr. J. Sandham who, throughout the twenty-six years of hockey at Gifford, has played a vital part in its development. Congratulations go to C. Trautman who is the only player to have played one hundred matches for the first team. He also managed to become vice-captain of the Rhodesian Schools' hockey team in 1975 and then captained the side in 1976, the first Giffordian to do so.
D.W. A. WAKEFIELD
Provincial and National representatuon:
(Names in italics indicate which players, in addition to playing in the Matabeleland 'A' team, also were selected for the Rhodesian schools' team)
1959 H. Edwards
1960 R.Q. Moodie
1963 B.Davison, B. Lund
1964 B.Davison, B. Lund
1970 D. Boynton, B. H. K. Fraser, I. McGibbon, R.0. Rayner
1971 R.0. Rayner, G. Smith
1972 D.V. Fraser, M. Wyness
1973 G.Inness, K. A. Meth
1974 C.Bolton, M. Fuzzey, G. Inness, K. A. Meth
1975 I.R. Hayes-Hill, C. J. Trautman
1976 H.N. Bolton, C. J. Trautman
HOCKEY, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. R. T. McGeoch
Coach: Mr. D. W. R. Wakefield
Captain: C. J. Trautman
Once again the first team has turned in a set of good results. The team's strength lay in its ability to play as a team, although this asset was not always used to advantage. This, together with a good team-spirit plus considerable depth of ability among the open group as a whole, meant that the Gifford team was a powerful force in school's hockey in Matabeleland.
For most of the season a system of hockey was played involving four forwards, two links, three halves and a sweeper, and was based largely on the lessons learned as a result of the tour to Pietermaritzburg and Durban during the April/May vacation. These tactics were most successful, and had advantages both in attack and defence.
If there was a weakness in the team, it was in the forward line where the forwards lacked penetration and so wasted many opportunities,
RHODESIAN SCHOOLS First No. Greatest Greatest
Played Played Won Lost Drawn Victory Date Defeat Date
Allan Wilson 1972 5 2 2 1 4-0 1973 1-4 1975
C.B.C. 1957 6 5 - 1 9-0 1974 - -
Chaplin 1969 6 5 - 1 12-0 1972 - -
Churchill 1970 3 - 1 2 - - 0-3 1971
Falcon 1955 28 4 20 4 7-2 1955 0-10 1968
Fort Victoria 1975 1 - - 1 - - - -
Founders 1963 12 7 5 - 8-0 1976 0-1 1969
Guinea Fowl 1969 7 5 1 1 6-1 1974 0-3 1969
Hamilton 1963 26 10 10 6 4-0 1975 0-3 1969
Milton 1955 32 16 11 5 9-0 1959 4-10 1968
Northlea 1955 30 18 5 7 15-0 1973 0-8 1964
Plumtree 1954 26 3 10 13 4-1 1971 0-8 1968
Prince Edward 1970 4 1 2 1 2-1 1971 0-3 1970
St. Stephen's 1964 17 10 7 - 7-0 1974 1-3 1968
Sixth Form College 1968 4 1 - 3 2-0 1968 - -
*St. Stephen's and Sixth Form College are both defunct.
OTHER LOCAL MATCHES
Army 1963 1 1 - - 1-0 1963 - -
B.A.C. 1955 3 2 1 - 6-1 1963 1-3 1955
Old Prunitians 1955 4 2 2 - 2-0 1955 1-2 1955
Old Techs 1963 1 1 - - 5-0 1963 - -
Queens 1959 2 1 - - 4-0 1959 - -
T.T.C. 1956 6 1 4 1 2-1 1974 2-4 1956
and so while the team scored 54 goals, this tally could have been much
higher. Various forward line-ups were tried, none of which was really
successful, though the emergence of D. Sahli as a powerful hitter and
good positional player holds promise for the future season or two. Sahli
with 9 goals scored was second only to Chris Trautman who scored 14
goals.
In defence Gifford again proved to be a strong team, as the record of
only 33 goals conceded indicates. J. Hunt as sweeper was always reliable
and steady, as were B. Fitzgerald and T. van Rooyen, while the
goal-keeping of G. Rudnick improved constantly as each game passed.
The team had its ups and downs, but un doubtedly the highlight of the
season was the defeat of Falcon on their home ground. The strength of
the team is indicated in that seven players were selected for the
Matabeleland trials. Of these, C. Trautman captained the Matabeleland 'A' team
while H. Bolton and B. van Blerk were also selected for the 'A' team;
J. Hunt and T. van Rooyen earned selection to the 'B' team. In addition,
Trautman had the honour of captaining the Rhodesian School's team which
he did very ably. Trautman is also reputedly the first person to have
played over a hundred games for the first team. As captain, he set an
excellent example for the other players to follow, and never faltered in
his efforts to encourage his team.
FIRST TEAM RESULTS
Tour Matches:
Lost to Alexandra 0-2; Beat Westville 5-0
Lost to Maritzburg College 2-4; Lost to Northlands 2-3
Home Matches:
Beat Hamilton 1-0, and 2-1; Beat C.B.C. 2-0, and drew 3-3
Beat Milton 2-0, and drew 0-0; Beat Founders 8-2, and 8-0
Drew with Plumtree 2-2, and 1-1; Drew with Churchill 1-1
Beat Falcon 2-1, and lost 3-5; Drew with Allan Wilson 3-3
Beat Northlea 4-0, and 3-2; Lost to Grey High School 0-3
SECOND TEAM RESULTS
Drew with Hamilton 1-1, and lost 1-2; Beat C.B.C. 4-3, and 2-1
Lost to Falcon 3-4, and won 2-1; Lost to Plumtree 0-3, and 0-1
Beat Milton 5-0, and 3-0; Beat Northlea 3-1
THIRD TEAM RESULTS
Lost to Hamilton 0-2, and 1-2; Beat Milton 3-1
Drew with Falcon 4th XI 1-1, and lost 1-2
UNDER 15 'A' RESULTS
Drew with Hamilton 1-1 and 0-0; Beat Founders 11-1, and 3-1
Drew with Falcon 2-2, and 2-2; Beat Milton 6-0, and 4-2
Lost to C.B.C. 1-3, and 0-1; Lost to Plumtree 1-2, and won 5-4
Drew with Northlea 1-1, and won 2-0
UNDER 15 'B' RESULTS
Beat Hamilton 3-0, and 3-1; Drew with Milton 1-1, and 0-0
Drew with Falcon 1-1, and lost 0-1
UNDER 14 'A' RESULTS
Beat Hamilton 3-0, and 3-2; Drew with Milton 2-2, and 2-2
Beat Northlea 3-2, and 8-1; Beat Founders 7-2, and 8-1
Beat Plumtree 3-0, and drew 1-1; Beat C.B.C. 6-1, and 6-1
Lost to Falcon 3-8, and 0-4
UNDER 14 'B' RESULTS
Beat Hamilton 10-0, and 2-0; Drew with Milton 2-2, and won 1-0
Lost to Falcon 2-3, and 0-3
UNDER 13 'A' RESULTS
Drew with Hamilton 1-1, and won 1-0; Beat Founders 8-0, and 6-1
Beat Northlea 4-0, and and 5-0; Beat Whitestones 3-2
Beat Falcon 3-1, and and lost 0-3; Beat C.B.C. 3-1, and lost 1-2
Beat Milton 3-0, and 3-0
UNDER 13 'B' RESULTS
Beat Hamilton 1 -0, and Lost 2-4; Lost to Whitestones 1-4
Drew with Falcon 1-1, and lost 1-2
BASKETBALL, 1957-1976
Basketball started at this school in 1957 although no competitive games
were played until 1959 in which season the team fared well:
although only three games were played, all against Milton, the School
won each game convincingly.
In 1960 the School entered the newly formed Basketball League. The team
played five games against town teams, won three, and finished third in
the log. The beginning of 1961 saw the team in the second league, but
after winning all its games it was duly promoted to the first league
where in the remainder of the season the team lost only one game, so
justifying its place in the first league.
During the 1962 season the team continued to play in the first league
where it established an
impressive record, but the next year it was decided to withdraw from the first league. During 1963 two macadamised courts were brought into operation, and are still very much in service to this day. These are the ones adjacent to Sixteenth Avenue.
The 1964 season in the second league proved to be most successful as the team lost only one game throughout the season. At the end of the season the team was rewarded by the presentation to it of the League Cup and also the Knockout Cup.
The following year saw many team changes, mainly because of school leavers, thus weakening the team, and so the 1965 season was not very impressive. Once more a team had to be built for the future, and with experience and practice the 1966 team was once again fairly strong. This team managed to beat Milton and to gain for the first time a place in the Layland Shield competition. The team fared fairly well and finished in third place. At that time the team was playing in the third
league, which they won when they beat the McDonald's Club team, and consequently were awarded the floating trophy.
The 1968 season saw an end to league fixtures and the start henceforth of the playing of games against other schools only. At the end of 1969 Mr. D. K. Broster relinquished the position of the first-team coach. He had coached first-team basketball since its inception twelve years previously, and it is without a doubt mainly through his efforts that basketball became a major sport at the School.
In 1970 Mr. A. W. Loxton took over the coaching of the first team, having had several years of experience in the coaching of junior teams. That year at the Layland Shield competition, the team lost its first game, but went on to win the Plate competition.
Two new courts came into operation during 1974 giving the School four in all. The baskets were jointly made and erected by those tireless personalities Messrs. T. M. Brine, E. R. Lafrentz and A. W. Pate. In 1976 a score-board was made by Mr. B. M. Stone for these courts which, by virtue of their siting behind the Hall, became the matchcourts of the School.
Mr. Stone took over as coach in 1975 and inherited a young and inexperienced team, which managed to win only three games during the season. With practice and experience, however, the little-changed 1976 team proved very strong losing only three games out of the sixteen played. At the Layland Shield competition the team were the favourites from the Matabeleland/Midlands areas, but the Salisbury schools once again proved too strong for us and we were narrowly beaten in the first round.
The best teams on record must be the 1964,
1974 and 1976 sides, but it is impossible to single any one out as being better than the others. Seen in perspective, the sport of basketball has had a chequered career at Gifford, but it is nevertheless a very popular sport and can only continue as such. There is still one goal that the School must aim for and that is the winning of the major Layland Shield. Various teams have come close on occasions and I wish future teams success in this endeavour.
B. M. STONE
The following pupils have represented Gifford in the national schools' teams:
1969 B. Lloyd, G. M. McLoughlin, R. D. Seton-Rogers
1970 P. C. Semple
BASKETBALL, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. B. M. Stone
Captain: J. B. McTaggart
The year 1 976 proved to be a highly successful one of the first team; in fact, it was the most
successful season on record, although it only narrowly bettered the record set by the 1974 team. Sixteen matches were played: only three were lost. A particular pleasing aspect was the teamwork that existed among the players, even when a game was especially tough; another was the able captaincy of J. McTaggart throughout the year. Practices were hard and strenuous, and pressure from all sides became very great as the season progressed, but good spirit was evident
at all times. Factors such as these in no small measure contributed to that excellent season.
During the first term Rhodesian trials were held: J. McTaggart played for the Matabeleland team, and was chosen as the non-travelling reserve for the Rhodesian Schools' team. B. Boyd and L. van der Merwe played in a combined Matabeleland-Midlands team.
The highlight of the season was the Layland Shield competition which was held at Gifford. The four top Matabeleland-Midlands teams played against the four top Mashonaland-Manicaland teams; although Gifford was seeded number one in our area, we lost, albeit narrowly, to Morgan in the first round, and so were knocked out of the competition.
FIRST TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Beat Plumtree 52-16; Beat Founders 103-22
Beat Milton 34-27; Beat Chaplin 64-42
Lost to Hamilton 25-29; Beat Northlea 38-23
Lost to Milton 18-33
Third term:
Beat Founders 63-48; Beat Northlea 61-47
Beat Chaplin 36-28; Beat Plumtree 59-40
Beat Hamilton 46-30, and 57-49; Beat Milton 42-26
Beat Guinea Fowl 57-23; Lost to Morgan 39-41
SECOND TEAM RESULTS
First term:
Beat Plumtree 24-18; Beat Founders 22-8
Beat Hamilton 22-20; Beat Chaplin 38 22
Lost to Hamilton 12-22; Beat Northlea 14-12
Third term:
Beat Chaplin 38-26; Beat Northlea 40-22
Lost to Founders 30-36; Beat Plumtree 36-22
Beat Guinea Fowl 44-24; Beat Milton 26-17
Lost to Milton 12-25
INTER-SCHOOL BASKETBALL RESULTS, 1959-1976
First Greatest Greatest
Played Played Won Lost Victry D3te Defeat Date
Allan Wilson 1971 1 1 - 49-40 1971
Chaplin 1967 20 10 10 61-35 1970 21-16 1975
Churchill 1967 8 2 6 46-40 1974 16-70 1975
Cranborne 1962 2 2 - 50-40 1962
Ellis Robins 1971 2 1 1 60-26 1971 22-17 1975
Fort Victoria 1970 1 1 - 73-18 1970
Founders 1968 19 14 5 103-22 1976 30-52 1975
Guinea Fowl 1968 18 7 11 62-20 1969 21-68 1975
Hamilton 1968 23 14 9 60-2 1968 34-76 1971
Lord Malvern 1970 1 1 - 68-39 1970
Milton 1959 28 19 9 66-12 1961 69-40 1969
Mount Pleasant 1970 4 3 1 70-39 1970 45-61 1972
Northlea 1968 26 18 8 73-31 1970 44-63 1972
Peterhouse 1966 1 1 - 70-22 1966
Pietermaritzburg Tech. 1975 1 1 - 51-27 1975
Plumtree 1972 9 8 1 73-19 1972 28-30 1975
Prince Edward 1964 9 2 7 38-20 1966 26-49 1975
St. Georg&s 1973 1 1 - 46-32 1973
T.T.C. 1972 3 2 1 84-64 1974 36-63 1972
Thornhill 1970 1 1 - 49-27 1970
Umtali Boys' High 1972 3 - 3 - - 53-24 1972
A.T.M ./A. L. L. F.
UNDER I5 'A' RESULTS
First term:
Lost to Founders 10-28, and 20-42; Lost to Milton 15-28
Lost to Northlea 29-34
Third term:
Lost to Hamilton 8-50; Lost to Milton 39-74, and 34-44
Lost to Founders 18-52, and 24-82; Lost to Northlea 10-26
UNDER 15 'B' RESULTS
First term:
Beat Founders 34-12, and 30-8; Beat Milton 26-19
Third term:
Lost to Hamilton 4-8; Beat Milton 32-28, and lost 20-28
Beat Founders 18-12, and 30-20
UNDER 14 'A' RESULTS
First term:
Beat Northlea 22-12; Beat Hamilton 16-12
Lost to Milton 8-12
Third term:
Beat Milton 18-12, and 25-14; Beat Milton(') 42-14
UNDER 14 'B' RESULTS
First term:
Beat Northlea 20-4; Beat Hamilton 16-2
Beat Milton 26-6
Third term:
Beat Milton 20-16, and 16-12; Beat Hamilton 38-10
UNDER 13 'A' RESULTS
First term:
Beat Hamilton 16-14, and 16-14; Lost to Milton 6-18 and 12-14
Third term:
Beat Milton 16-8, and lost 14-12; Lost to Hamilton 16-14
UNDER 13 'B' RESULTS
First term:
Beat Hamilton 10-4, and 8-2; Beat Milton 8-2, and 16-4
Third term:
Beat Milton 8-4, and 12.8; Beat Hamilton 16-8
JUDO, 1961-1968
The judo club had a somewhat short-lived appearance, though in those five years from 1961 to 1965 much was achieved. Its success depended largely on its chief instructor, a Mr. Dan van der Byl. He even presented a cup, which bears his name, to be competed for at inter-school level.
In the second term of 1961 judo became a full school activity; previously there had been an association with the Judokai Institute, though for how long is not recorded. Under Mr. van der Byl's tutelage, the School won the cup for three years in a row, from 1962, and ultimately lost it to Milton in 1965. These contests were against Falcon, Hamilton, and Milton.
In 1962 the School's team gave a display at the City Hall as part of a display of physical education, and later a tour to South Africa was undertaken. In 1964 seven of the juniors got into the Matabeleland Schools' team to compete against Mashonaland, while Arnold Kotze was adjudged the best senior school boy judokai in Matabeleland.
In 1965 Michael Wolhuter travelled to South Africa with the Rhodesian National team. In October, in the national judo championships, E. Holl became the Rhodesian champion in the under 90 lb. group, while Neil White was runnerup in the junior over 130 lb. group. But, in that year, Mr. van der Byl left Rhodesia for Japan to further his skill. With his departure, interest in judo declined as there was no one else to step into his shoes as instructor. The last award of Colours was in 1968 to A. Edkins who, with W. A. Booyse and R. Shadbolt, achieved selection for the National team. Others to achieve this were M. J. Wolhuter in 1965, and J. de Wet and B. Booyse in 1967.
Although no school club existed, several pupils maintained an interest in the sport and entered the inter-schools' competitions: in 1970, A. Edkins for the second year in a row won the title of the best senior judoka, while at the 1971 competition the following all won bouts: W. Steyn, J. Mellet, J. Oborne, G. Archer. The following year A. Schwin represented Matabeleland in the national championships while C. Clarke got provincial colours.
GYMNASTICS, 1939-1976
Gymnastics displays began for the first time in 1939 when an exhibition was staged as part of the annual sports held on 15 April on the Russell House Ground, now the Cowan Field. The following year a similar display was mounted and again the agility of the participants was a credit to the instructor, Capt. F. A. Bailey. After the war, in 1946, a further display was given.
In 1957 the newly appointed physical education instructor, Mr. Ken Broster, organised the first gymnastic championships at the School. The evening began with mat-work and moved on to apparatus. A. Whitfield won the senior individual championship while T. Donachie won the junior. Davy House won both House Championships.
A gymnastic club was apparently started in 1964, and later in the year staged two night displays in front of an audience of over 300 persons. As a just reward for those achieving high standards of proficiency, Colours were awarded for the first time: A. Simmonds and P. Watson were the first recipients.
Gymnastic displays have since then been a regular feature. For example, in 1965 a display by form one pupils was staged in the second term; later in the year two evening performances by the senior and junior teams were held in the Small City Hall. In 1968 the team appeared over seven successive Mondays on R.T.V. As a result of this, the Gifford team was invited to appear at the Agricultural Show. The leader of this most successful team was Vincent Staples, possibly the best gymnast the School has so far produced.
In 1970 the club gave a demonstration at the open-day held for the parents of the following year's form one pupils. As a result of this the club was invited to appear on television again. Since 1970 the annual display has been associated with the open-day.
More recently inter-school gymnastics have again taken place, and in each of the four triangular competitions in 1975 the team did very well by winning three times and gaining a second place.
F. WILSON
GYMNASTIC CLUB, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. F. Wilson
Captain: C. W. Griffin
There were three competitions scheduled for the first term and the boys had a lot of work to cover to prepare for the first, against Milton and
Hamilton, in which our two junior teams came first and second whilst the two senior teams came second and third, thus helping us to an overall victory by a margin of more than 250 points.
The second competition saw our juniors completely overwhelm the opposition; the seniors, however, were beaten by Thornhill: nevertheless, we still managed to win the competition overall. This encouraging situation was repeated in the third and last competition of the first term.
In the second term C. Griffin, the team's captain, and B. van Blerk travelled to Salisbury with Mr. Wilson to see the inter-schools competition at the new Sports Centre. This is an innovation, and it is to be hoped that we shall be able to take part in 1977. It will mean, however, a tremendous amount of preparation as these competitions involve work on some new apparatus such as the horizontal bar, rings, pommel horse, parallel bars, and a ground sequence. One thing that reassured us was the fact that the floor work of the Salisbury schools was not at all superior to ours.
For the annual display in the third term, we had for the first time two girl gymnasts from Townsend School who attended our Gym Club, namely Christine Tucker and Joy Jardine. The display, although perhaps not quite as spectacular as those in previous years, showed the importance of timing and team-work.
LIFE-SAVING, 1976
Master-in-charge. Mr. D. W. R. Wakefield
A large number of boys attended life-saving classes during the year and enthusiasm grew for this particular activity. The boys were very keen and progressed well, some reaching very high standards. Most boys, upon gaining a certain medal, stayed on to strive for more advanced medals. In the first term the following boys managed to achieve the standard set by the Royal Life Saving Society to earn the Society's Bronze Medallion: D. Garriock, H. Garriock, P. Richards, H. van Zeeventer, B. Johnson, H. Halsted, S. de Clerq, M. Brassington. The Bronze Cross was awarded to F. de Clerq, S. Evans, W. Berry and P. Wedlake.
The third term results were even more pleasing:
H. van Zeeventer, P. Richards, and F. de Clerq gained the Award of Merit. This examination requires considerable stamina and detailed firstaid knowledge. Other awards made during the
third term were: the Intermediate Award D. Neyland, C. Edy; the Bronze Medallion D. Evans, L. Meal, R. Perrett, M. Trevenan; The Bronze Cross P. Richards, H. van Zeeventer. Furthermore F. de Clerq instructed the Bronze Medallion pupils and, as a result, was awarded an Instructor's Certificate.
Finally, I would like to thank Mr. Meal, the attendant at Borrow Street Swimming Pool, for
all his help during the year.
BOY SCOUTS, 1929-1963
The 4th Bulawayo (Technical) Troop, the first school troop in Bulawayo, was registered on 1 December 1929. The Registration Certificate was signed by R. E. Robins, and it is still in the possession of the School. There are very many gaps in the early records of the Troop, but it would appear that the first scoutmaster was Mr. A. R. Innes and that the Troop met in the B.A.C. Pavilion. In 1931 while Mr. Innes was on leave, Mr. Zacharias, who was assistant scoutmaster of the 2nd Bulawayo (Raylton) Troop, took over. In 1935 Mr. C. Sweetman was the scoutmaster, and he took the troop on a camp to the Victoria Falls.
In the immediate post-war era, the Troop was the holder of the Barnet Trophy which was awarded for rifle-shooting. At the end of 1949 Mr. F. le Roux left to start a troop at Queens Park, and Mr. Franklin took over. By 1950 the troop had forty-two boys, and in that year they won the scouts' gala. That was the year that the Chief Scout, Lord Rowallan, visited Rhodesia, a memorable event for the boys as the Troop joined in a parade held at the Drill Hall to meet their Chief. Also at this time, Patrol-leader P. Piggot led a patrol in the Assegai Competition for all-round out-door scouting and the Troop gained fourth place.
In 1956 after a lapse of about four years, scouts were re-started at the School by Mr. A. Sandwith, but he did not stay long, and, rather than see some thirty-two boys having to give up scouting, Mr. E. R. Lafrentz took over the Troop. After two years the School had the biggest troop in Bulawayo, and Mr. Mike George and Mr. F. Butler, both Old Technicians, joined as assistant scoutmasters, and so the Troop went from strength to strength.
In 1959 five boys, patrol leaders E. Arnott,M. Algeo, and P. McGaw, with scouts B.
Marshall and M. Solberg, represented the Troop at the Central African Jamboree held in Salisbury.
In that year the Troop again won the scouts' gala.
burnt offering to a bloody sacrifice, but to the boys it was always a better meal than they would have had in the hostel. The cook matrons, I am sure, would have had other ideas.
In 1961 the Troop won the Assegai Competition; the patrol consisted of Patrol Leaders J. Ralph, and H. Solberg, R. Ralph, T. Coulson, K. Parsons and R. Kissack. But, numbers in the Troop began to fall because of fewer boarders in the hostels. 1962 saw the Troop with its first Queen' Scout, Mike Alego, though numbers continued to fall till the end of 1963 when, because of the lack of boys wishing to become scouts owing to all the counter attractions being offered at the School, the Troop went into recess.
E. R. LAFRENZ
RED CROSS, 1972-1977
Red Cross was started at Gifford in 1972 after a request from the Headmaster, Mr. I. J. Maclachlan that a group should be trained in the School and C. Heuer, N. Binns-Ward, G. Rudnick and D. Garriock were among the first to be trained. Since the formation of the group, the Gifford contingent of the Red Cross has been, and still remains, one of the strongest in Matabeleland. C. Heuer and D. Mouat, both Gifford pupils, have each held the position of chairman of the Junior Red Cross Committee, and have been representatives on the Executive Council. D. Garriock was
elected honorary treasurer in 1977.
Since 1973, the contingent has provided first-aid help at all rugby
matches, no matter what the age-group, as well as at athletics meetings
and the swimming galas. In 1976, over 250 hours of duty during the rugby
season alone were worked. With the present situation prevailing, the
Gifford Red Cross has made ample preparation for any emergency: the
group, consisting of about thirty cadets, has a room, or base, in which
there is sufficient equipment to help deal with any emergency.
Moreover, there are fully-equipped first-aid kits at various points in
the School, while the cadets are well-practised in drill and rescue.
For the past two years, the cadets have been trained by C. Heuer, and the
results of examinations have been extremely pleasing. C. Heuer, D.
Garriock, N. Binns-Ward and H. Garriock, have received a bar to their Grand
Proficiency Medals, whilst D. Mouat and G. Rudnick have received
proficiency certificates in first-aid, nursing, drill, rescue, health and
hygiene. The School has recognised the services that these boys have
rendered to Gifford, and awards have been, and will continue to be, made:
the first pupils to get a Merit Award specifically for Red Cross were C. L. Heuer
and N. Binns-Ward, while Heuer was the first to be awarded with a
Merit-with-Honours.
C. L. HEUER
CADETS, 1927-1968
The cadet corps of the School started in the same year as the School
was founded. The instructor of the unit of junior cadets was
Sergeant-Major Dyer who soon had the unit ready for its first cadet camp at which a
very creditable standard of drill was achieved. The cadets also did
well in the bisley, boxing and athletics competitions, and the unit ended
up being placed eighty-ninth out of the best one hundred units in the
Imperial Challenge Shield, a creditable first performance.
The unit was reclassified as senior cadets as a result. In 1928 two
sergeants from England arrived and soon had the unit on its toes to
provide the Gu2rd of Honour of fifty c~adotc~ for the official opening of the
Rhodes Street school buildings on 4 August 1930 by Sir Cecil Rodwell,
the Governor of Southern Rhodesia. (See page
18).
The years up to the Second World War were years of growth and
consolidation during which the unit turned out on several ceremonial occa sions,
notably in 1931 when the unit paraded at the Cenotaph on the arrival of
the Grenadier Guards in Bulawayo, and in 1934 when G-platoon and the
band were present on the occasion of the visit of H.R.H. Prince George.
As the size of the school increased, so the cadet strength was
increased, and in 1936 application was made to increase the muster from 135
to 175 cadets. That same year the bisley team won four of the six
trophies competed for, while the years 1938 and 1939 were also very success
ful as there were some outstanding performances at the cadet camps. At
that stage the 0/C was Capt. A. E. Farrell and, quaint as it may seem
to the reader of the moment, the magazine records his 'exciting
privilege' while on an instructor's course in Salisbury of flying with a
squadron of Hawker Hart biplane aircraft (considered then to be the last word
in bombers) performing acrobatics in formation. The Magazine added:
'The roaring sweep of these powerful machines across leagues of sky,
wing-tip to wing-tip, must have been a wonderful experience.'
The war years saw the formation of an air cadet unit with a restricted
number of 30 cadets under the command of Flying Officer S. Pearson.
DRAMATICS, 1929-76
The first dramatic performances at the Bulawayo Technical School formed part of what for many years was known as 'The School Concert and Prize-giving.' These occasions, which were attended by invited guests, parents and friends of the School, were held annually in November initially in what was called 'the School Theatre at the Hostel.' As the evenings consisted of a report by the Headmaster and the presentation of prizes and awards to pupils, time was limited, so the plays performed were always one-act plays. It is of interest to note that on several occasions the actors in the play were drawn from outside the school: on other instances, members of staff took leading parts in plays, with the supporting roles being played by pupils.
In 1931, the building of the Beit Hall at the Rhodes Street School began, a project which was greeted with much excitement. In 1933 the hall was completed and officially opened. The occasion was marked by a School concert. Indeed, in the early years of the School, these concerts which featured solo items by local singers and musicians were popular, and periodically they took place of dramatic performances.
In the years 1934-1937, Mr. N. Levitzky took charge of dramatics and, with the help of Mr. Peel Nelson, undertook some ambitious work, which included Shakespearian drama, satire and a portion of a Spanish play by Ivan Minshev. The local critic, who was invited to these performances, was very complimentary about Mr. Levitzky's productions.
1938 saw the start of a short-lived tradition whereby two one-act plays were performed at the concerts by the junior and senior hostels respectively. This arrangement continued into the 1940's, when Mrs. Hart began to direct the School's productions. A triumph was scored in 1945 when The Dumb Wife of Cheapside, a comedy, was so well received that it was performed again in the Barbour Hall before members of the Bulawayo Theatre Club.
A dramatic society was, however, formed only in 1947, and Mr. H. J. Sutherby, the Headmaster, became its president. The Dramatic Society met regularly for play readings and, a year after its inception, a Junior Dramatic Society was also started. As a result of this, two one-act plays again were performed each speech night, the one being presented by the Senior Dramatic Society and the other by the Junior. The two
societies were a great success, as evidenced by the fact that, in 1951, two hundred members attended the annual general meeting.
In April 1948, Mrs. Sutherby directed the school's first full-length play Laburnum Grove by J. B. Priestley. Girls who had connections with the school took the female roles in the play. Laburnum Grove was well received by the audiences, and Mrs. Sutherby continued to direct the major productions of 1951 and 1952, In 1953, D. Hagemann, a pupil who had played a valuable part in the Dramatic Society and in school productions, left school, after having been awarded a School Council Prize for his portrayal of Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor.
In 1955, an inter-hostel one-act play competition was held for the first time. It was won by Johnson House, with Russell House taking second place. The following year, the School's production of Pygmalion, in which D. W. Lapham played Eliza Doolittle and J. H. Jackson played Professor Higgins, won a second class award (over 75%) at the eisteddfod.
For some years after 1958, no major plays were staged at the School, largely owing to the fact that, since the Beit Hall no longer belonged to the School, facilities were limited. At this stage, plays were being performed in the gymnasium. In 1962, however, Ivanhoe was produced, the properties being made by Mr. R. Pate, whose work in the making of stage sets and properties has since proved invaluable. Mr. H. Knowles produced H.M.S. Pinafore in 1963, and the 1964 speech night production was directed by the boys themselves. The following year, dramatic colours were awarded to T. Skeenkamp and I. Murphy. Nowadays, achievement on the stage is rewarded and recognised by the presenting of Merit or Honours awards.
By 1969 a hall had been built at the School, and it was officially opened in July by the Minister of Education, the Hon. A. P. Smith. The availability of a suitable stage and auditorium made a great difference for the scope of drama at Gifford. For the first time, the School had a full-scale lighting system, storage space for dramatic equipment, a properly designed stage and, most important, the prospect of staging future productions without being hampered by a lack of facilities. Initially, however, equipment, especially sophisticated lights, was hard to come by and had to be acquired piecemeal. We literally started from scratch; a box set was design-
ed by Mr. R. T. McGeoch and built by Mr. T. M. Brine.
The new hall was first used for dramatic purposes in 1970, when the junior dramatic society staged A Message from Mars. For the first time, Eveline girls took the female parts in the play, and Alan Rutherfoord-Jones and Keith McConnell made the first of their many appearances on stage at Gifford.
In 1971 the hall was used extensively. The major production Arms and the Man, was directed by Mr. R. T. McGeoch and received favourable criticism from Bulawayo's critic, Martin Lee. The same year, Mr. R. D. Furber produced Morning Departure, cast entirely from form three pupils, with the constructive intent of building an actors' 'bank' for future productions. A new idea was the staging of a staff play, held on the same evening as a junior one-act play. An inter-house one-act play competition was also held for the first time and was won in 1971 by Dalton House's production of The Stroke of Twelve. Since then this competition has been an annual event, and it is of importance to note that everything is done by the boys themselves.
Since 1971, dramatics have become firmly established at Gifford. Every year a major production takes place, with Eveline girls taking the female roles. So far it has been possible to produce a play one year and a musical the following year. New talent is continually being brought to the fore by the inter-house competition, while a Theatre Workshop, under the direction of Mrs. S. Jordaan, started in 1975 and serves successfully to maintain interest in drama on a high note.
Highlights since 1971 have been Oklahoma, where the entire proceeds of the first night went to The terrorist Victims' Relief Fund, and The Trial of Mary Dugan, which achieved the grand feat of winning the Rhodesian Schools' Drama Festival in 1 976: both of these productions were directed by Mr. Furber. Individual awards for their parts in The Trial of Mary Dugan were won by S. Rowley and M. Ainscough. Other names which have often been associated with school productions since 1971 are N. Hayes-Hill, L.Tobias, I. Howard, N. Rutherfoord-Jones, M.Nichols, K. McConnell, M. Robinson, and D.Hutchinson.
Any survey of dramatics at the School since 1929 must show that there has always been an interest in, and a keen awarness of, dramatics amongst the staff and pupils; the success, therefore, of The Trial of Mary Dugan provides a grand finale to the first fifty years of enthusiasm and hard work.
S. JORDAAN.
DRAMATIC PRODUCTIONS
(The titles in bold type indicate full-length play as distinct from one-act plays, or extracts from plays.)
1929 The Dear Departed.
1930 The Monkey's Paw; The Grand Cham's Diamond.
1934 Two scenes from A Midsummer Nights Dream.
1935 Scenes from The World We Live In.
1938 Rory Aforesaid; On Dartmoor.
1939 Shivering Shocks; Something to Talk About.
1940 The Bishop's Candlesticks; A King's Hard Bargain.
1941 Augustus in Search of a Father; Birds of a Feather.
1942 In Port.
1945 The Dumb Wife of Cheapside.
1946 Old Boyhood.
1947 Banquo's Chair.
1948 The Dickens of Gray's Inn; The Kitchen Knight; LABURNUM GROVE.
1949 Elegant Edward; The Murder of Duncan
1950 The Mock Doctor; The Little Man; GAPTAIN BRASSHOUND'S CONVERSION.
1951 ANDROCLES AND THE LION; Fortunes of Falstaff; Rory Aforesaid.
1952 Shivering Shocks; Two Gentlemen of Soho; Treasure Island.
1953 THE GHOST TRAIN; A Night at an Inn, from 'The Merry Wives of Windsor".
1954 A Gentleman of Verona Comes A-Wooing from 'The Taming of the Shrew'
1955 False Colours; The Spartan Girl; The Crimson Coconut; The Goalbird.
1956 The Invisible Duke; Birds of a Feather; The Middle Watch.
1957 An Unusual Lunch from 'Charley's Aunt'.
1958 The Creel of Trout; PYGMALION.
1959 Davey Jones's Dinner.
1961 The Dark.
1962 IVANHOE.
1963 H.M.S. PINAFORE.
1964 The Ghost of Terry Bundler.
1965 THE NAKED ISLAND.
1966 TWELVE ANGRY MEN.
1970 A Message from Mars.
1971 ARMS AND THE MAN; MORNING DEPARTURE; Augustus Does His Bit; The Mock Doctor; The Stroke of Twelve.
1972 BOTH ENDS MEET; Passion, Poison and Petrifaction; Something to Talk About;
The Hut.
1973 OKLAHOMA; The Bridegroom Rose Early; Daniel and Bel; The Man
Upstairs; Two Blindmen and a Donkey.
1974 TEN LITTLE NIGGERS; Make Your Way.
1975 SHOWBOAT; Rules.
1976 THE TRIAL OF MARY DUGAN.
DRAMATICS
'The Trial of Mary Dugan'
Polished, enthralling, a thoroughly worthwhile evening's
entertainment, the best yet, is how I would describe The Trial of Mary Dugan. Let me
go further and say that anyone at the School who did not see this show
will never know how much he missed.
The show promised to be good from the onset:
the set was magnificent; from the simple rail separating the public
galleries from the courtroom floor to the judge's superb bench, reality
was there, while the fluted columns and ornate door handles added just
that final touch. The production owes much to Mr. Pate's craftmanship and
Mr. Stone's fine artwork.
I did not like the mime, which is my only real criticism of the
production; it was too protracted, and I was left wondering why the courtroom
charwomen had uttered their 'good mornings'. But, having got the cast
into the courtroom, what a shattering experience lay in wait: Judge
Nash's pronouncement of the death penalty on Italian-
speaking Paulige Aguerro was gripping enough, but the terrifying
necessity of translating to her that sentence sent chilling waves through the
audience. Then the numbing shock of Pauline's hysteria followed.
The scene was set for a further murder trial, and with the ring of
Pauline Aguerro's screams ever in the mind and with the case against Mary
apparently so overwhelming, reinforced particularly by the Public
Prosecutor's attitude, I was never so glad as when Mary Dugan was acquitted.
In an average school production, one can reasonably expect to find a
number of goodish actors in a cast as large as that in The Trial of Mary
Dugan. What commended the production to me above all was not so much
the leading players, who gave exceptional performances, but the
supporting roles. Each in his or her way belonged in that court room I
hesitate to call it a stage for the audience soon willingly suspended its
disbelief as one by one each member of the cast gave life to that drama.
Rosanna di Palma as Pauline Aguerro was superb: her penetrating screams
of sheer unbelief horrified me beyond saying, and I consider her role to
have been vital in providing that essential realism upon which so much
of the atmosphere of the drama depended, not to mention the existence
of her fate as a chilling reminder as Mary's trial seemed to be drawing
to its foregone conclusion of guilty-ascharged.
Others among the supporting cast who drew my attention because of
their poise and self-possession included Judge Nash played by L. Starkey
who fitted my picture of a ponderous, unshakable upholder of the Law.
Here let me comment on the director's eye for detail: at one stage in the
proceedings Judge Nash had to have recourse to his knowledge of the law
when confronted by a tricky point. One was impressed by his momentary
search for precedent before overruling an objection by the prosecution
to a question of the defence. Details such as the stenographer's
continual miming at his stenotype, all lent an air of reality, while other
lesser roles such as those by M. Ainscough as the self-assured Dr. Welcome
(his make-up was excellent), by G. Hogan as Inspector Hunt and K.
Fitzgerald as the suave tailor named Henry Plaisted, and by K. Griffin as
James Madison, the elevator attendant, each contributed to the overall
success of this drama. In fact, each of the minor roles was well cast and
directed to allow the players to give quite impresssive performances.
I think Debbie Peters as Mary Dugan was superb. She gave a more than
convincing display of controlled emotion under circumstances which would
have tried to extremes any normal person, any normal actress, and she
did this on one occasion for well over thirty minutes: indeed a
remarkable performance which got the audience to sympathise with her. She lived
her role, even when not on the witness-stand. Her agony of mind, her
sobbing, her deep despair deserve the highest applause. In fact,
paradoxically let it be said that her greatest applause was no applause at all:
the audience was too absorbed, too moved by her portrayal to clap for
fear of breaking the atmosphere she, by her performance, created. The
play, as I saw it, really revolved around her; good as the other
characters were, imagine what this drama would have been without Debbie Peters.
There were three cameo roles, each of which was a fine performance.
We saw Barbara Wilmot portray the character of an essentially
unsophisticated follies-girl determined to adopt an air of psuedo
sophistication and take it to its illogical extreme. Perhaps there was a tendency to
over-act, but in a courtroom drama on stage one ought to have at least
one character who does not conform to commonly accepted norms in order
to create a foil for the other characters. Barbara did just that.
Certainly her use of facial expression and gesticulation was excellent: they
fitted her role as did her costume, which I felt was the best of all if
only because
the costume had to suit the character, which it did to perfection.
Michelle Beaumont, as May Harris, and Roxane Bales-Smith as Ferne
Arthur, other not-too bright follies girls, with muddled evidence, did not
have roles quite as attention-drawing as the other girl, but it must be
remembered that each was equally important by way of the contrast each
offered. Their determination to say what they thought they were
expected to say under cross-examination was neatly done. Finally, Clare
Robertson, as Marie Ducrot, was particularly successful in providing humour at
critical points. Agreed the playwright created the dramatic relief, but
it nonetheless requires a competent actress to make that relief felt. I
loved her reply of 'Oui Monsieur' to the reprimand that 'You must
always speak to me in English'. She was also very good in conveying the
playwright's sense of dramatic irony, and as her appearance is in the third
act, she was in no small way responsible, as the French-speaking maid,
for prolonging the dramatic suspense by dragging attention away from
the critically bleak situation confronting Mary. Particularly was I
impressed by her ability to hold her accent.
Shayne Garde showed what could be done as Mrs. Edgar Rice: her
overbearing, haughty and hypocritical demeanour convinced me, and I was not in
the least surprised to find she had perjured herself. I could
understand why her deceased husband had deserted her, and as such her rOte,
unattractive as it was in its nature, was very well interpreted.
Of the leading male characters, Daryl Sahli, as the defence council,
gave the impression, as he was meant to do, of defending Mary merely for
the sake of defending her: he was technically correct, but rather
heartless, which was not surprising as he was ultimately trapped into
revealing he was Edgar Rice's murderer and Mrs. Rices lover.
Spencer Rowley as Jimmy Dugan improved as he went along. I did not
find him quite as convincing as Donald Hutchinson, the District Attorney.
Yet, his was probably the more demanding role in which he could have
made the mistake of being too impassioned: after all, his sister was on
trial for murder. Fortunately he gave the impression of being able to
temper personal feeling with the need to be clearly rational. It was a
pleasure to hear him speaking so clearly, and to see him being so quick
with his cues. He was the prime manipulator in maintaining the pace of
the drama, and that in itself was no mean achievement.
The role of District Attorney was a mammoth one, and who better to have played it than the experienced Donald Hutchinson. He is fortunate in having a mature, resonant voice, but it takes acting ability to produce the right blend of subtlety in his sarcasm in questioning the accused, Mary Dugan. The clash of temperament with the defence attorneys, firstly D. Sahli and then S.
Rowley, was well handled, and lent human interest in a realistic situation. In fact, as he cross-examined Mary, one came to dislike the Public Prosecutor more and more even while accepting him as a very necessary extension of the justice of the people.
Lastly, this drama could have been performed on stage, yet by having the audience Elizabethan-style surrounding the players, we became not spectators but participants. That the audience became so acutely involved is a tribute to the set and skill of the actors, but above all, and it is the chief factor often forgotten when a play is a resounding success, the director must be congratulated. And so I am of the opinion that, considering the recent history of excellent Gifford theatre, Mr. Furber has set an incomparable standard. That this was so was revealed later when the A.R.T.S. adjudicator selected The Trial of Mary Dugan as being the best school's production of 1976.
R.T.McGEOCH
THE INTER-HOUSE ONE-ACT PLAY
COMPETITION, 1976
The inter-house one-act play competition was held on 2 July and was adjudicated by Mr. N. Bisby. Traditionally, a producer was nominated from each house and the plays were staged entirely without staff assistance.
The programme for the evening was: The
Chinese Mask, directed by M. Ainscough of
Davy House; The Unexpected, directed by S.
Rowley of Newton House; There's a Man in
that Tree, directed by N. Rutherfoord-Jones of
Whitworth House; The Ghost of Jerry
Bundler, directed by D, Hutchinson of Faraday
House.
Mr. Bisby awarded a joint first-place to Faraday's production of The Ghost of Jerry Bundler a play which takes place in an atmosphere of suspense and anticipation and to Whitworth's production of There's a Man in that Tree, the casting of which was no mean task for the producer, who had to make a bevy of beauties out of a group of bumbling boys. Third and fourth places were filled by Davy House and Newton House respectively.
S. JORDAAN
THEATRE WORKSHOP
Teacher-in-charge: Mrs. S. Jordaan
1976 was the first full year of the Theatre Workshop's existence and, although membership was small, the enthusiasm and energy of the partipants made the meetings worthwhile and enjoyable.
During the year, the group tackled a variety of aspects of drama. Individual efforts involved the learning and reciting of poems and extracts from plays which required emotional response and interpretation. On some occasions, a taperecorder was used to give each performer an idea of the effectiveness of his presentations. Work on characterisation continued, and impromptu scenes such as The Airport Terminal, The Dinner Party and A Crowded Lift were presented, with realistic and often amusing results. The group also experimented with creating situations wherein individuals were required to show emotions, such as happiness, distress, anger, or horror.
In the second term the group rehearsed and presented scenes from plays, which included Richard of Bordeaux, Charley's Aunt, Androcles and the Lion, and The Importance of Being Ernest. This was a valuable exercise as it provided scope for improving dramatic techniques and for developing stage awareness.
Throughout the year the members of Workshop were willing to attempt new aspects of drama and they were forthcoming in suggesting constructive ideas for improving and varying the Workshop's activities. This resulted in a successful and rewarding year.
CAROL CONCERTS, 1951-1975
Properly the annual carol concerts started in 1970, though there are references to Christmas and carol services as early as 1950. These were joint services among the Technical School, Eveline, and Milton, and were held in the Beit Hall in Rhodes Street. In 1951 an 'impressive Carol Service' was held at the end of the year:
the organist was Mrs. A. Hart, wife of the then deputy headmaster, while there was some 'excellent singing' from the Eveline choir. Prayers and Lessons were read by the Heads of the three schools, while the scholars, also from the three schools, filled the hall to capacity and made the occasion a 'memorable one'. In fact there was for a number of years a tradition of School services, with the service at the end of the year naturally being devoted to carols and the Christmas story.
Ever since he had arrived at the School in 1967, Mr. I. J. McLachlan the Headmaster, had
hoped for a carol concert to become an annual feature of the School's calendar. Mr. R. T. McGeoch in 1970 produced a script in which the traditional story was retained, but as far as possible the format aimed at variety without being shallow or inapt. Mr. D. G. Stephens trained a choir, mainly of form 1 pupils, who with 'great enthusiasm and commendable success' gave 'a surprisingly pleasing rendering of the well-known carols'. The Hall was lit by candles from hastily constructed wooden candelabra, while the properties such as the crib were equally rapidly made at the last moment. The stage, too, was candlelit. Much was improvised, but the impression created was considerable. The Magazine records the 'the evening proved to be an inspiration to many'.
Since then the carol concert has indeed become an annual feature in the third term. A permanent set depicting the Bethlehem stable has been made by Mr. R. W. Pate; Eveline girls took part for the first time in 1972, and have done so since; the re-introduction of music in the School in 1973 considerably helped Mr. D. M. Davis, who took over from Mr. McGeoch in directing the concerts, as a school choir naturally played a considerable role. And so the Christmas story is, with a few minor alterations each year, presented in a series of readings, tableaux and carols.
R. T. McGEOCH
CAROL CONCERT, 1976
Director: N. K. Hughes
For the first time, the Gifford musicians and readers presented a complete Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, in the tradition of England's best, King's College, Cambridge. The processional carol heralded the entrance of the choir, bearing their lighted candles. An innovation was the choristers' uniforms: their new maroon gowns with over-lying white surplices were very smart.
Once the choir had taken its place, the auditorium lights were raised, as were also the congregation's voices as they joined the singing. The congregation played its full part in the proceedings, and it was most gratifying when a parent remarked afterwards: 'We felt we really belonged, and were part of everything.'
P. Harrold was our treble soloist, with R. Geddes accompanying him on the guitar. An Eveline girl, Hilary Jones, sang a beautiful solo, while S. Rowley, T. Wiggill, M. Stopforth and A. Connor were worthy Gifford soli.
The readers appeared in ascending order of seniority, starting with a form one pupil, and ending with the Headmaster.
Our band of instrumentalists has become quite a fine little orchestra, which besides accompanying most of the carols and Christmas hymns, contributed its own solo item, in the form of an excerpt from the Christmas Concerto, by Corelli. D. Richardson was the leader.
We are deeply grateful to the Headmistress of Eveline School for permitting some of her girls to sing for us. This was a highly necessary procedure: our treble boys' voices had dwindled to only four at that time of the year, as the boys had started to mature. Thanks are also due to Mrs. Barbara Thomas as the School continues to enjoy the benefit of her expert accompaniment on both piano and organ.
THE LIBRARY, 1930-1977
'A good school library is the most important room a young reader passes through on his way to growing up' (Mrs. M. Sharp at the Rhodesia Library Association conference, 6 March 1976).
Notes on the Library in the November 1930 magazine echo the cry made by all librarians through the ages: 'If we'd had the room, we should have had a room full of books, if we'd had the books.' In the early years of the School the library benefited from donations from such prominent people as Col. C. F. Birney, who, on his retirement from the General Managership of the Rhodesia Railways in 1930, presented the School Library with a large number of valuable scientific and technical books of reference. Parents also made donations and a sum of money, raised at the School concert in 1930, was spent on others, but it was in 1942 that Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Friggens (he joined the staff in 1940) collected together 450 books as a nucleus of a school Library. The collection was temporarily housed next to the workshops in a room which also served as a reading-room.
The various houses (Main School Hostel, Heyman House, and Russell House) had built up fairly respectable libraries by 1942, and many of these ultimately found their way into the School Library when the hostel libraries ceased to exist. Donations and gifts of money for the library continued to arrive, and a library was developed in Johnson House with the funds bequeathed by Sir George Johnson. After its foundation in 1951 Newman House also built up a House Library.
In 1967 Gifford was most fortunate in the appointment of Mr. R. T. McGeoch to the post of Head of the English Department as he revolutionised the Library. Order emerged from chaos, the books were covered in plastic and
tidied into serried ranks, classified according to the Dewey System of classification, and catalogued (with the invaluable help of many parents), and opened during the afternoons. The Library was also refurbished with funds made available by the P.T.A.; P.T.A. members also made and erected the pelmets, new curtains were hung, and the library was painted out for the first time in
years.
The next stage of development began on 1 July, 1970 when the Minister of Education made provision for a permanent library-assistant in all Rhodesian high schools, to develop the full resources of the school-library and to assist pupils in making better use of books and material both for study and recreational reading.
Once again the Fates smiled on Gifford and the School was incredibly lucky in their first full-time librarian. Mrs. D. Kutchen was not only a fully trained librarian, but she was very enthusiastic in her work. The classification begun in 1967 was expanded, and the marked increase in the borrowing of books over the succeeding years was a tribute to, and a reflection of, the excellence of her choice of new books. In 1973 Mrs. Kutchen left and her place was taken by Mrs. A. L. Furber who continued her work of encouraging youthful minds in their pursuit of knowledge and enjoyment.
The number of volumes borrowed from the Library each year continues to grow and a considerable number of volumes was added to the shelves this year, that is 1976. Our grateful thanks must go to parents and pupils who have donated books, and no report would be complete without a heartfelt thanks to the Beit Trustees and the Ministry of Education both of which make grants to the School for the Library. I am also indebted to the Headmaster for an allocation from the General Purpose Fund. Our funds were, this year, further enhanced by the sum of money donated by Messrs. Textbook Sales for the prize-winning entry in the Schools' Drama Festival.
The Library is now also a form of Archives for the School as old magazines, volumes of The Bee Hive and The Honeycomb, photographs, records of addresses of Old Boys, records of sporting achievements, and so on, are being kept there so that the writing of reports for future magazines may be facilitated for all those who wish to make use of them.
Any person who has not developed the habit of reading is imprisoned in his own immediate world. His life falls into a set routine: he is limited to contact with friends and acquaintances, and can see only what happens in his immediate
vicinity. From this prison there is no real escape until he learns to read and enjoy books. Once learnt it is a lesson never forgotten and never relinquished, even after those formative school years are left far behind and new interests and tastes are developed. It is a truism to say that if one uses the library wisely while at school, one will have learnt a greater lesson than any which may be taught in a classroom. A.L.L.F.
It should be added that our Librarian, Mrs. A.
L. L. Furber, who wrote this report, has, perhaps understandably, omitted any mention of her own splendid contribution to the Library's development. In addition to that, she has established herself as the School's archivist and historian and has spent a great many additional hours bringing into existence and keeping up to date our records of Old Boys. A large proportion of the historical material reflected in this Magazine is derived from
her research.
HEADMASTER
LIBRARY REPORT, 1976
Librarian: Mrs. A. L. L. Furber, B.Sc.
During 1976 only the Upper 6th were permitted to occupy the library during their study periods; the M-Level pupils were allocated classrooms for their use, and each had to obtain permission from his individual teacher and the librarian before the library could be used during study periods. This immediately meant that a more meaningful use of the library was made, by those pupils who felt the need for additional information.
The library grants (from the Government, a sum of $429,75 allocated in November 1975, and the Beit Trust a total of $340,00 sent to us in October 1975) have been augmented by additional sums during the year. The Headmaster kindly agreed to make up the difference from the General Purpose Fund to $1 000,00 while the $100,00 prize won by the School in the Schools' Drama Festival provided a further injection of funds.
Although there has been a fairly constant enrolment of pupils in the School over the past few years, the following table shows that there has been a steady increase in the borrowing of books:
Year Volumes borrowed
1971 4672
1972 4702
1973 5324
1974 5862
1975 6524
1976 6701
At the end of 1975 St. Stephens's College closed and the books which had been in their library were divided among the Bulawayo Schools
We were lucky to get 152 volumes from this source. A further 244 volumes were donated during the year by boys, parents and friends of the School (notably two very welcome volumes from Mr. H. J. Sutherby Other Men's Flowers and The Ascent of Man) and we purchased 249 volumes with another 67 still on order.
The History section of the library has been augmented to the stage where it can be said that it is of general and genuine use to the pupils in the School.
While I have laid an emphasis on the buying of paperbacks where possible (reinforced and covered in plastic they stand up to considerable wear and tear), it seems to me that the following year should perhaps see an increase in the stocking of the fiction shelves, and the encouragement of reading for pleasure and not just for education.
DEBATING SOCIETY, 1928-1976
Traditionally debating is an integral part of School life in Rhodesia, and in this Gifford is no exception, though one thing above all else stands out: debating societies at the School have had a chequered existence, often falling into abeyance and just as often being reformed. The one consolation is that many changes do not reflect disorganisation or absence of interest: changes and innovations are bound to occur where there is interest shown and where ideas are generated by those who have, over the last fifty years, been involved with debating at this School.
The first mention of a debating society is to be found in the very first magazine where mention was made of successful debating in 1928. The motion for the first recorded debate, held on the 27 April 1929 was that 'there is no commercial future for aircraft.' Speakers for the motion were F. D. Wickwar and J. B. McLeod, opposed by G. S. Perry and M. Taute. The motion was defeated by 35 votes to 7. This article concluded with these words: 'The proposers found some solace in their defeat by reflecting that the House had not listened to the voice of reason' a familiar cry from defeated debaters!
The following year the name was changed to the Literary and Debating Society, but only two debates were held, the first being on the motion that ' it is better to be the eldest rather than the youngest of the family.' Where the Literary section came in, history does not relate; perhaps this came under topics such as Mr. A. C. Vaughan's talk on his trip to Mount Kilimanjaro, or the Headmaster's: talk on 'Health through rational dieting.' In 1931 there was only one debate on
the motion that 'schools should be self-governing'. Thankfully, the motion was defeated.
In debating circles all could not have been well because there follows a dearth of debating news until 1935, and again until 1941. Debating societies come and go the world over, and those at 'Tech' were no exception, so it was not surprising that another debating society was inaugurated in June 1941. A committee was formed: in the Chair (not at the same time, we hope!) were Mr. A. Hart and Mr. H. Friggens; the vice-president was Andley; A. Banks was the secretary and B. J. Geldart was his assistant, while M. P. Piers and E. 0. Wilson were committee members. The motion for the first debate was 'Competition is harmful in schools', which was defeated 40-29.
Once again there is a gap in the records till 1946 and we must assume that debating was out of favour during those years. What helps to confuse the history of this society even more is the reference in the 1948 magazine to the effect that the debating society had been reconstituted in February. An interesting historical note was that Mrs. Sutherby, the wife of the Headmaster, took over the Chair during Mr. A. Hart's leave. Moreover in 1948 an association developed
between the School's and Eveline's debating societies. In the words of the secretary at the time, 'Hopes were expressed on both sides that this might be only the first of a number of such joint debates.' This association has been continued right through to the present day.
During 1949 the debating society again suffered from poor attendances, and recorded in this magazine is the wish that '1950 will bring a revival of interest in the Society. It can be of immense value to the School, and to individual members if it is not left to the select few to do everything.' This appeal was obviously heeded because there was a slight improvement: three debates were held. In 1951 the chairman was Mr. I. H. Grant, the present Secretary for Education, and mention is made of the first debate against the staff, the motion being 'Further nationalisation would be detrimental to the progress of the Colony'.
Again there is a gap in the records, till 1955 when a decision was taken to create a junior debating society as well. One of the topics debated must have encouraged overwhelming support for the proposers, namely that 'schools should close until the end of the polio epidemic'! In 1956 the separate societies continued, with a present member of staff, Mr. B. P. Webb, in charge of the juniors. Once again the senior society appeared to be almost dormant. Mention is, however, made of a debate against Townsend, at Townsend.
In 1957 the senior debating society was reconstituted yet again, presumably in an effort to whip up support, but it would appear to have had no immediate effect as there is no report on debating between 1958 and 1960. It was in 1960 that the 'Sixth Form Club' was started as a form of social studies. This was the forerunner of our present-day Sixth Form Forum.
There is another gap in the records from this time until 1964 when the School entered speakers in the Lions' International Public-Speaking Contest for the first time. Gifford was well represented on 3 March by T. Steenekamp and W. Green who spoke respectively on 'Columbus went too far' and 'The new countries of Africa are not free.' During 1965 the first round of the Inter-Schools' Debating Contest was held in the School's gymnasium. This was also a new venture sponsored by the Bulawayo Speakers' Circle, and T. Steenekamp was specially commended for his efforts. During 1966 C.Green, G.Seale, and N.White represented the School in the Interschool Debating Competition.
In 1967 edition of the magazine records how once again a debating society was formed in March, its first, and only, debate being on the motion that 'the School cadet corps is a complete waste of time'. Thereafter debating lapsed once again till 1968, when the senior debating society was revived at the instigation of Mr. R. T. McGeoch. The highlight of this year was the School's victory over C.B.C. in the Bulawayo Speakers' Circle Debating Contest: P. Hastings, R. Wright and I. Mcintyre represented the School, with Hastings and McIntyre taking part in the Lions' Public-Speaking Contest.
1968 was also noteworthy as there was also a revival of the junior debating society.
At that stage it was felt that a debating society was rather limited, and that there was scope for associated activities of an intellectual nature in order to provide sixth form pupils with intellectual and cultural stimulation necessary to their development. So, in 1969 Mr. McGeoch founded the Sixth Form Forum.
The Sixth Form Forum was obviously successful as the standard of public-speaking improved to the extent that in 1971 D. Rademeyer reached the semi-finals in the Lions' Public-Speaking contest, and the School won two out of five trophies awarded by the Bulawayo Speakers' Circle in the Inter-Schools' competition. Standards continued to rise, for in 1973 J. Nash-Webber was a semi-finalist in the Lions' Public Speaking, and the following year Gifford achieved a first in that we had three semi-finalists, the first School ever to achieve that feat: they were J. Nash-Webber, K. McConnell and J. Howard. K. McConnell was eventually the runner-up with his topic: 'The Art of Communication'.
For the first time, too, the School's nominees for the Junior Council were elected by the Forum, those for 1969 being B. Marais and K. Ashcroft. This procedure has been followed since then.
1973 was a most significant year for the Forum, for it was in this year that the forum was properly constituted, and on 17 August, a formal, inaugural meeting was held with Sir Hugh Beadle Chief Justice of Rhodesia, as the guest of honour. Sir Hugh witnessed the adoption of the constitution; the illuminated Motion recording this event now hangs in the School Hall. There were in addition 150 guests, and Mr. I. J. MacLachlan, the Headmaster, gave his Presidential Address. At this time Mr. R. Reeve-Johnson was in charge of the Forum, and it was he who organised the Sixth Form Forum along the lines of the present.
During 1975 the inaugural Sixth Form Forum Dinner was held at Grey's Inn. Since then Forum has continued to play a valuable part in the extra-
mural activities of the School. The Forum, in fact, has given rise to the Toastmaster's Society, formed in 1976 by Mr. A. L. van Heerden, and this selective society has proved very popular.
All this activity among the seniors does not mean that the Junior Debating Society has disappeared: to the contrary, it still proves to be a popular activity with boys in forms one and two.
D. A. JACK
SIXTH FORM FORUM, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. A. L. van Heerden
Chairman: D. G. Hutchinson
Secretary: N. B. Binns-ward
Committee: G. A. Biffen, A. M. Croll, S. D. Muldoon, B. K. Payne
1976 proved to be a most successful year for the Gifford Sixth Form Forum. A determined and dedicated committee organised a wide programme which drew a very pleasing response from the general body of sixth formers. If one of the major aims of the society is to encourage greater participation by individuals in the activities of the Forum, major progress has been made and we can look forward to 1977 with confidence. The lively question-and-answer sessions which invariably followed general studies talks, were evidence of the development which had taken place in individuals largely as a result of their association with the Sixth Form Forum. In addition, in the Lions' public-speaking contest, A. Konson reached the finals.
Several controversial films were screened during the course of the year and in every case long and interesting discussions followed. Over the course of the year the growing maturity of these discussions could be readily perceived. Various speakers addressed the Forum during the year and our debt to these people is far greater than they appreciate. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable evenings was that on which the members themselves set up a committee to 'roast' three well-known schoolboy personalities.
JUNIOR DEBATING SOCIETY, 1976
Teacher-in-charge: Mrs. D. Tod
As the 1976 Debating Society was rather small in numbers, it was difficult to hold fully-fledged debates, but the smallness of the group did, however, enable everyone to have his say. Boys explained about their hobbies, pets, how to make money during the holidays (some incredible ideas here!) and whether pocket money should be earned or not. Certain discussions required a sound proof room, such as the one where an imaginary $12 000,00 was to be distributed to charities each of which had to stake its claim. This latter led to the boys visiting 'Abilities'. We also held a mock council meeting to suggest improvements to Bulawayo's facilities.
TOASTMASTERS, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. A. L. van Heerden
1976 saw the founding of the Toastmasters' Society at Gifford. The Society was made up of fourteen first-year sixth-form pupils under the chairmanship of Mr. A. L. van Heerden. The aims are to improve the standard of public-speaking at the School, to afford individuals the opportunity to develop self-confidence and ability in this field and further to promote, in a society which is complementary in many ways to the Sixth Form Forum, an interest in social and cultural endeavour.
Meetings took the form of dinners held in the foyer of the halt, after which toasts were made and critiques offered. Guests, chosen from staff, old boys and friends of the School, added greater vitality to the meetings and never failed to pass to the budding toastmasters valuable advice.
Individual development over the course of the year was in some cases spectacular and in all cases most pleasing. Those of the 1976 Toastmasters who return for a second year in the sixth form at Gifford will almost certainly make a valuable contribution to sixth form activities in 1977, while a new group of toastmasters will again meet once a month to carry on the tradition already established.
The final meeting of the year was held at the Holiday Inn and among the guests were a number of fathers who enjoyed themselves in the proceedings with a relish which probably stunned their sons. One felt sure at that last meeting of 1976 that the Toastmasters' Society had established itself firmly in the life of the School.
CHESS
The Chess Club was formed by Mr. A. Hart in the second term of 1946. The club had a secretary, namely T. Lange, and two committee members, K. M. Peacock and W. R. Rogers. Meetings were held weekly at Johnson House during which time members were introduced to the finer points of the game by means of a demonstration board borrowed from the Bulawayo Chess Club.
Initially membership was restricted to those pupils in form 3A and above, The first-ever competition, a knock-out tournament, was held in June, and was won by G. Slater. Thereafter
matches were played according to the laddersytem in preparation for the first club championships: C. J. C. Visagie won the A-division and G. L. Ziehl won the B-division.
In 1951 the first inter-school competition was held, while in 1952 meetings were regularly held at Newman House, so enabling pupils from forms one and two to join. Until 1955 the direction of the club had been in the hands of Mr. J. G. Burke, and when he left Mr. B. P. Webb took over. Right from the start his enthusiastic approach was felt, and a year of very successful matches against Plumtree, Milton and Falcon followed, as did something new, a novices tournament against Milton.
The club has always been singularly lucky in the support it has received from members of staff. Mr. Degenhardt took over from Mr. Webb in 1958 and proved himself to be an untiring instructor and organiser. In 1962 the new Headmaster, Mr. D. White, took over chess, and a new period dawned for the enthusiasts. Pressure of work unfortunately compelled him to inveigle a newcomer to the staff to lend a hand, a newcomer who in fact knew nothing of chess then, and who knows little more now. That was in 1963, and that newcomer was Mrs. L. du Preez. Since then one of the valued features of the club has been the service put into it by the older boys and the better players in coaching, explaining moves, and so forth. Players such as D. Wesson (1963) and
T. Quirk (1965) were among the first to give invaluable help to the club and to Mrs. du Preez; more recently names such as P. Whitehead who served the club so well as secretary in 1972-1974 and who made a demonstration board to enable senior players to explain moves to large groups, R. P. du Preez who made the chess ladders, and
J. Howard, G. Urquhart, N. Nortje, D. Geddes G. van den Heever all come to mind. It has been the enthusiasm of boys of their calibre that has maintained the interest in chess in the School at such a high level: the School team has had a fine record in inter-school matches, but more important social chess played on an inter-house basis has a large following, so much so that there are often enough players to fill two classrooms.
Consequently of recent years since the inception of Merit Awards, not a year has passed without an award being made.
Over the years some outstanding players have emerged, and in 1957 S. Reynolds became the Matabeleland schoolboy chess champion in a competition arranged by the Bulawayo Chess Club. He was the first pupil of this School to hold the title; S. Herbert in 1976 became the second.
In 1972 boys from Gifford for the first time entered the Rhodesian Senior Schools' Chess Tournament, and annually since then our players have travelled to Salisbury to participate. In that first tournament, G. Urquhart came fifteenth,J. Howard was nineteenth, W. Nortje and P.
Whitehead were twenty-first and thirty-second respectively out of 45 participants. The following year, 1973, the results were even better: N. Biffen was fifth, G. Urquhart eighteenth, and P. Whitehead and J. Howard both twentieth out of 58 players. In 1974 J. Howard came close to winning and ended fourth. His team-mate, P. Whitehead, came eleventh. The best result in 1975 was turned in by G. van den Heever who came ninth out of 61 players.
Other competitions have also been entered, such as the Midlands Open Championships where N. Biffen and P. Whitehead were second and third among the schoolboys. In 1975 four players, namely S. Herbert, D. Geddes, R. Urquhart and G. van den Heever, entered the Matabeleland Open Championships for the first time. Also for the first time starting in 1972 the School entered a team in The Chronicle senior chess league, coming fourth out of twelve teams. The same feat was achieved in the A-division the next year. Since then Gifford has had three teams entered each year.
Coupled with this surge of interest in chess and achievement by the Club's players goes a superlative inter-schools record in recent years: for the years 1971 to 1976 the team has been unbeaten except once, and the honour for that signal achievement goes to C.B.C. in 1974. The first ever inter-school competition was apparently held in 1951 against Plumtree, a match which 'Tech' won. Since then Plumtree School has always proved to be our willing opponents. During the successive years since 1951 matches have regularly been played, won and lost, against schools such as Milton, Plumtree and Falcon in the first instance, then in addition against Northlea and Hamilton in the years 1957 to 1961, and
since then against Eveline and Townsend, C.B.C., Convent and Founders.
All of this adds up to a fine record of progress and achievement, which is reflected additionally in the report for 1976.
L. DU PREEZ
Boys who have earned awards for chess from 1971:
|
1971Merit 1972Honours Merit 1973Honours 1974Honours - 1975Honours Merit 1975Honours - |
J.Howard, G.Urquhart G.Urquhart J.Howard* W.Nortje P.Whitehead N.Biffen J.Howard G.Urquhart* P.Whitehead J.Howard* P.Whitehead* N.Nortje C.Walker G.van den Heerver C.Christensen D.Rousseau G.van den Heever* S.Herbert |
CHESS CLUB, 1976
Teacher-in-charge: Mrs. L. du Preez
The School team enjoyed an unbeaten local record, and we appreciated the challenge from Churchill High School, a match which was played and won at Gifford. Further individual practice was achieved by six players who entered the Rhodesian Senior School's Chess Championship held once again in Salisbury: S. Herbert came fourth, G. van den Heever came twelfth, D. Geddes was twentieth, V. Sohaili was twentysixth and N. Griffin was twenty-ninth out of over forty contestants. In the intermediate section R. Urquhart was eleventh out of fifty-five players. During the 1976 Matabeleland Open Championships, S. Herbert became the second pupil from Gifford to hold the title of Matabeleland Schoolboy Champion.
In The Chronicle chess league our 'A' team ended fourth in the second league, while the 'B' and 'C' teams were respectively sixth and seventh in the third league.
The inter-house social competition was won by Newton. Demonstrations by G. van den Heever, A. Urquhart, D. Geddes and G. Taentzer rendered much appreciated service to the club as the organiser to this day still does not know one move from another.
L. DU PREEZ
RESULTS OF INTER-SCHOOLS MATCHES, 1974-1976:
Year First Number
School Played Played Won Lost Drawn
Milton 1947* 15 4 10 1
Plumtree 1951 14 11 3
Falcon 1956 4 4
Northlea 1957 4 2 2
Hamilton 1971 4 3 1
Townsend 1972 2 2
C.B.C. 1972 6 4 1 1
Eveline 1973 3 3
Convent 1973 2 2 -
Founders 1974 6 6
THE BEE HIVE, 1967-1977
The Bee Hive, the official newsletter of Gifford High School, which is a weekly publication during term time, was the inspiration of Mr. I. J. McLachlan, who began the whole project in 1967, shortly after he took over as the School's fifth Headmaster. The 1977 Jubilee Year sees Volume 11 of the newsletter, and we like to think that The Bee Hive has reached a high standard of presentation and maturity since its inception.
The present format of the newsletter has developed over the years, from the 'Viewpoint' which is the leading article, to 'The Drone', who first began his weekly observations early in 1969, to 'De Temporibus Antiquis', which first appeared in May 1974. Weekly results and forthcoming fixtures and events appear when appropriate, and 'Letters to the Editor' are always a welcome feature.
The 'Viewpoint' is always written by a sixthformer, often from the prefect body, and the editor (currently the Deputy Headmaster) selects articles which have a reasonable degree of literary merit, and which are preferably controversial and topical. 'The Drone' nowadays is also one of the pupils though it was Mr. A. T. McGeoch who was the first of a succession of arm-chair critics on School life. Identity is kept a closely guarded secret, since the element of satire tinged with thinly veiled mockery of pupils and Staff alike which appears in his 'observations' could result in our anonymous friend being pilloried.
Any reports on School first team matches or on expeditions or educational and sporting tours are invariably written by pupils, as are the vast majority of letters and literary articles. 'De Temporibus Antiquis' is the title of a series of articles concerning former times at the school and is an attempt to establish a greater awareness of the history and traditions of Gifford. Extracts from the School archives are the main sources from
which material is obtained, and references to World War II exploits of Old Boys, the opening of new buildings and facilities are among the topics which have appeared.
The Bee Hive is also used as a valuable means of publicising various functions, including those organised by the P.T.A., and any fund-raising efforts by the latter body are prompted and reported on as dramatically as possible. The editor's most rewarding task is to extend congratulations to pupils, and indeed Old Boys, who have attained academic, cultural or sporting honours, which always reflect well on the School as well.
Every pupil currently enrolled at Gifford receives his copy of The Bee Hive each Thursday morning. Pupils are required to take their copies home to their parents, or in the case of boarders, to post their copies home. We also have a considerable mailing list, on which are included other schools, Ministry of Education officials, Old Boys, former staff, and friends of the School. Each week at the present time, approximately 750 copies of our weekly newsletter roll off the duplicating machine. As a source of information, current events and a record of the achievements (and sorrows) of Gifford High School, we intend to go right on buzzing away merrily in the weekly Bee Hive.
REPORT ON 'THE BEE HIVE', 1976
Editor: Mrs. S. Jordaan
The Bee Hive has continued to serve both as a newsletter and as a mouthpiece through which contributors can express their views on matters pertaining to the School, or on subjects of general interest.
The Viewpoint, which is written each week by a different member of the Sixth Form, is the opening article of The Bee Hive. There was an impressive variety and range of Viewpoints printed during 1976, and it has been encouraging to see how much research and mature thought has gone into many of them.
The Viewpoint is followed by The Drone Observes . . . a column wherein the Drone, Gifford's anonymous arm-chair critic, makes his cryptic assessment of the week's goings-on. Although the accuracy of the Drone's reports are questionable and exaggerated, he delights a following of avid readers.
Apart from the regular features, The Bee Hive provides a list of forthcoming fixtures and events, as well as results and reports of the previous week's activities. News of people connected with the School is given in The Bee Hive and pupils often supply articles or information that they think will be of interest or amusement.
As a result, during the year, The Bee Hive's weekly survey of events at Gifford has played a valuable part in keeping those who are interested in the School in touch with its activities.
REPORT ON 'THE HONEYCOMB'
Editor: Mr. R. T. McGeoch
As we already have The Bee Hive, The Honeycomb seemed the automatic choice of a title for the henceforth annual publication of the best literary efforts of Gifford pupils. The need for this has been evident for some time, particularly as the available space in the annual School's magazine has progressively grown less and less as printing costs have risen until the last two years when no contributions have been printed.
Hence The Honeycomb.
The aim is to include at least one contribution from every form in the School, an aim which has not yet been achieved in the first two numbers published in June and October. Reception of the publication has been good, and most favourable comments have been received from sources outside the School. Within the School interest has been generated, and with the awarding of small prizes we hope to reward literary effort and achievement. Above all The Honeycomb has, I believe, given a sense of kudos to the contributors and considerable pleasure to those who have read the stories and articles. This is the justification for the continued existence of The Honeycomb.
PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. D. A. Jack
The club was fairly active in 1976: it met regularly on Monday afternoons and was well supported by a few loyal and enthusiastic members. During the first term, a fair amount of time was spent on re-organising the dark room, and over the course of the year an attempt was made to repair three of the old enlargers; this was, however, unsuccessful as they are missing a number of important components. More items of equipment, in the form of another drier, a new enlarger base-plate and small necessities such as tongs, were acquired.
During the second term an attempt was made to improve the standard of black-and-white printing with a view to entering photographs in the annual inter-schools exhibition held in Salisbury. Unfortunately nothing came of this as the members did not make enough of an effort
to go out and experiment with their cameras in the hope of producing worthwhile prints.
During the course of the year the club has been quite active in a number of spheres around the the school: photographs were taken of various projects including the new buildings, stages in the development of the new athletics track, the new name-pillars on the fields, and even some aerial shots of the School, one of which appears in this magazine. This has been a particularly valuable exercise in that the photographs will provide a permanent record of activities at the School, and proved to be particularly useful for the display mounted in the foyer of the Regional Education Office during the course of 1977. Now that the club has become a well-known activity at the School, I hope that it will continue to prosper, and continue to provide a useful facility to pupils. We have got to the stage now that we can produce driving-licence and passport photographs; if members of the School support us in this field, they will be helping us to raise funds that we can use to improve the club facilities.
SCIENCE CLUB, 1976
Teacher-in-charge: Mrs. C. M. Moss
1976 was a fairly quiet year for the Science Club compared with its activities over the previous three years. During the first term members of the club visited the Matopos together with members of the Wild Life Society: there was a talk and demonstration on the darting and translocation of animals; this was followed in the afternoon by a lecture on the breeding of black bass.
The remainder of the year was spent working on projects for the next Young Scientists' Exhibition. Also, the science department's rock collection was catalogued and labelled, and may now be described as quite comprehensive.
ART CLUB, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. B. M. Stone
Art Club was attended by only a relatively small number of boys in 1976, but some very pleasing work was produced by members. Printing and batik proved the most popular activities, though screen-printing attracted a growing number of enthusiasts. The quality of batiks improved tremendously during the year, helped no doubt by the addition of a new range of dyes.
Unfortunately many boys did not attend as pottery was again not offered. This was due to the fact that the kiln is still out of operation and finished work cannot, therefore, be glazed and fired. The pottery section is otherwise very well-equipped and the installation of power points suspended from the centre of the ceiling in the second art-room has meant that the four electric wheels are now fully operational and very conveniently placed.
Art Club provides a useful function in that it enables boys to experiment in media that may not be available to them during class periods, and it is to be hoped that more boys will in future come and take advantage of the very good facilities offered.
PRINTING CLUB, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. B. M. Stone
With the acquisition of an old but still Serviceable printing press, printing started at the beginning of the year. Type, and other necessary equipment, was purchased and a small group of willing printers were recruited. From small beginnings the club now produces some very presentable work.
Much trial and error was necessary to begin with as we were all complete novices in the art of printing. I would like to express my thanks to Mr. C. H. Marais and Rhodesian Commercial Printers for the kind help and assistance given to the club during the year.
The members were T. McTaggart, A. Atkinson, K. Fitzgerald, G. Thurbon, and P. Edmond. It is because of their enthusiasm that the club progressed and achieved the high standard it now boasts. Projects undertaken during the year included the printing of programmes and tickets for the award-winning play, The Trial of Mary Dugan, over 1 000 report-book covers, menus for several dinners, and tickets for various School functions. A continuing project is the printing of names and headings and the ultimate re-framing of all the School team photographs covering the
years from 1928.
B. M. STONE
MUSIC, 1976
Teacher-in-charge: Miss N. K. Hughes
It was a busy year musically in 1976, but the achievements far outweighed the difficulties experienced. First of all the subject improved significantly in status when it was made examinable in the school curriculum.
During the year the School participated in the instrumental and vocal Eisteddfodau, with satisfactory results; the choir performed at the variety concert in the first term, the music teachers' concert in the second term, and, with girls from Eveline, at the carol concert in the third term. Also a recorder-guitar duet represented Gifford
at the Matabeleland schools' band concert in the first term.
During the year instruments of the orchestra were studied, and, where possible, were demonstrated. The loan of equipment from various sources made it possible for pupils to be familiarised with no fewer than twenty-three instruments.
A bugle class was started, and three tunes were learned; the addition of two trumpets has opened up interesting prospects. A very satisfactory instrumental ensemble has been gathered as well: four guitar-players, a recorder, a violinist-cum-flautist, and a modest percussion player have comprised a delightful musical combination.
Lastly, we have always been encouraged. and assisted by the generous accompaniments and help of Mrs. Barbara Thomas.
SCRIPTURE UNION, 1960-1975
The Scripture Union, also called the Christian Union, was started in Gifford in 1960 by Mr. W. A. Anderson on the request of a number of boys. For the next eleven years S.U. was run by Mr. Anderson until he left Gifford at the end of 1970. Since then the S.U. has been organised by senior boys with the help and advice of the member-of staff in charge. Mrs. D. Kutchen was adviser after Mr. Anderson had left, but then she, too, left Gifford and in 1974 Mr. G. Claydon then became S.U. Adviser. When he left to take up a lectureship at the Teachers' College, Mr. H. A. Griessel stepped in and helped S.U. in 1975 and the first term of 1976. Mr. D. M. Davis has been adviser since then.
Meetings were originally held on Friday evenings to enable many boarders to attend; when, in 1969, the time was changed to Friday afternoons, there was a noticeable drop in attendance. The highest numbers were in 1973 when up to 70 would attend an average meeting.
Gifford has been represented at inter-schools camps and S.U. conferences since 1961. The S.U. has also maintained the traditional association with Eveline, as well as meeting with the S.U.groups from other schools.
B. K. PAYNE
SCRIPTURE UNION, 1976
Master-in-charge: Mr. D. M. Davis
Leader: B. Payne
Although membership of the Scripture Union was relatively small, I have rejoiced in the fact that God is not so much interested in quantity as quality, and I am convinced we had the latter as sincerity and brotherly love were particularly evident. Moreover, those who joined Scripture Union during the year remained and gave their full support.
Our aim, as always, was to glorify Christ, and perhaps some of the most profitable times Scripture Union had were the times of fellowship together with God in prayer, particularly the prayer-meetings held for our beloved country.
During the year there were several meetings with Scripture Union groups from other schools, namely Eveline, Townsend, Hamilton, Montrose, and Northlea. In addition, Mr. Al Spence, the Scripture Union director for Matabeleland, came to speak on two occasions, while we had several games afternoons which led us to conclude that these were more effective even than cricket in inducing rain!
Lastly, the help and support given to the Scripture Union by Mr. D. M. Davis and Mr. H. A. Griessel was most sincerely appreciated.
BOYS AT GIFFORD
The tabulation below shows at a glance the growth of a school:
1927 56 pupils
1937 - 225 pupils
1947 287 pupils
1957 584 pupils
1967 539 pupils
1977 693 pupils
BOYS AT GIFFORD,
FIRST TERM 1977
(Names in italics indicate which pupils are the sons of Old Boys of the School).
FORM U6
N. P. Binns-Ward, L. F. Booyse, G. A. Bulpitt, K. M. Burford,
P. B. Caddick, K. I. Darbaz. B. K. Fitzgerald, C. P. Grieve, C. L.
Heuer, T. 0. L. Jones, A. G. Konson, D. A. C. Lake, J. A. K.
MacKay, C. D. MacLean, J. C. McMillan, D. J. Muller, R. L.
Nunn, I. A. Paterson, D. J. Pissas, N. Rutherfoord-Jones, D. D.
Sones, G. W. Wegener, G. J. Westermann, T. A. Winter.
FORM 6M1
M. M. Ainscough, M. V. Almy, H.R. Bebbington, J. T. Berdou,
M. Botha, A. J. Bowman, K. E. Brinkley, W. G. Bufι, A. M.
Croll, J. H. Evans, M. W. Fuller, 0. A. Geddes, B. Greetham,
N. Griffin, M. R. Hart, S. C. Herbert, M. P. Hoffman, G. R,
Hogan, S. P. Holmes, A. K. Jeans, P. A. Jordan, D. Koufopoulos.
G. Y. P. Magowan, J. H. Montgomery, C. S. Newlands,
H. B. R. Potts, C. D. Riskowitz, S. R. Rowley, J. G. Rudnick,
V. M. Russell-Smith, D. D. Sahli, A. W. A. Smith, F.M. Stephens,
W. G. Tink, G. A. Thurbon, M. J. van Blerk, T. R, van Rooyen,
T. D. Ward, D. L. Watts, D. N. Winson.
FORM 6M2
D. E. Barrett, C. S. Beale, W. N. Berry, G. C. Bruce, G. R. Dodd,
C. J. Durand, M. A. Harrold, C. H. Hodder, B. Hughes, R. E.
Jackson, M. P. Jansen, G. P. Jones, E. M. Karasellos, S. Kitshoff,
S. G. Lambert, M. A. MacGregor, D. J. McCulloch, D. G. Mouat,
A. F. S. Parker, C. J. Parnell, B. G. S. Payet, B. G. Rowland,
A. G. Rumney, N. C. Stack, R. Z. Swanepoel, E. J. G. Trouw,
F. W. M. Urquhart, D. M. Viljoen, M. A. Wilde, G. R. Wynn.
FORM 6R
A.J.Atkinson, I. H. Barnard, M. D. Brown, D. Demetriou,
P.J.Dwyer, G. W. A. Elbers, S. N. G. Evans, I. G. Fraser,
B.R.Garde, V. Gilbert, A. F. Lodolo, A. D. Manning, S. E.
Mullins, A. D. Palmer-Jones, C. F. Pool, D. D. Proctor-Golding,
M.T.Rousseau, D. W. Waywell, P. D. A. Wedlake, K. B. F.
Wood.
FORM 5B1
D.W.A. Aingworth, D. 0. Ayliff, C. 0. Basson, B. J. Beeumont,
L.J.Blackbeard, R. P. Bowen, D. D. C. Brown, J. Charters, H.J. Coertz, F. V. J. de Clerq, B. J. Devine, M. Fanucci, G. C. E.Finniss, J. R. Fowler, G. H. Fry, N. W. Gaylard, C. J. Halgreen, V.Hattingh, J. A. Hunt, W. F. J. Kogler, L. G. Meal, N. R. Oakley, R. H. Perrett, S. M. Reid, F. W. E. Tintinger, M. V. Trevenen
FORM 5B2
R.M. Arpino, G.R. Biffen, G. E. Collington, G. M. Dex, D.B. Evans, R.
P. Follet-Smith, E. R. Freestone, K. T. Gaibraith, D. Garriock, S. Godfrey, R.V.Hayler, D.L.O'Neill,
T.J.Pomfret, B.R.Rowley, M.Stopforth, T.W.Wiggill, T.V.Whitmore
FORM 4A1
M.C. Boulter, B. G. Brinkley, A. Bryer, D.I. Clark, D. A. Connolly,
D.C. de Ceglie, G. A. Dorman, K. J. F. Dornan, K. R. Ellerman,
R.M. Francis, C. A. Hitz, T. C. Kaatze, G. T. Miller,
W.H. Moore, C. Myers, M. S. O'Connor, G. L. Parnell, D.A. Payne, D. A. Ramsay, D. A. Richardson, G. J. Stevenage, C. R. Taentzer, A. L. S. Thomas, R. M. Urquhart.
FORM 4A2
W.H.Clark, C. J. Collingwood, C. H. Cowgill, T. W. Craven, B.G. Duguid, P. Feuilherade, J. S. Gallagher, T. R. Hallward, D.C. Hoile, I. D. Ireland, A. J. Johnson, D. C. Jordan, A. C.Mcllwrick, D. T. Moore, N. I. Munday, A. N. Pankhurst, C. A. Poupado, D. C. Whiting, R. Young.
FORM 4B1
M.A. Aalders, M. E. Aalders, R. D. Alcock, R. V. Bennett,
G.K. Blanchard, R. T. Burgess, C. R. Burke, A. W. A. Clarke,
J.R. Davidson, K. B. du Plooy, A. G. B. Edy, S. F. Ellis, H. S.
Garriock, W. F. Grant, P. A. Griffin, C. G. Hardie, D. E. Hargrove, M.Hickman, C. L. Hunt, D. M. Jackson, N. G. B. King, B. G. Lacey, C. A. Lowenthal, C. A. McCleery, C. E. Schlachter,
M.G. Souter, P. A. van Rooyen, A. C. van Zyl, L. E. Watridge, R.J. Watt, B. A. Williams.
FORM 4B2
J.R.Boulter, K. J. Boshoff, A. J. Boyle, W. G. Brummer, A.Burger, A. Callan, B. Chalmers, B. Clarke, A. V. Coetzee, A.T. Connor, D. N. de Villiers, I. G. Dickenson, R. C. Dryburgh, G.C. Edmond, G. Glover, L. M. Herschel, G. M. Joubert, W.Macadam, M. J. Murdoch, D. J. Naude, R. M. C. Oatridge,D. F. M. Olivier, W. A. L. Phillips, F. J. Poupado, T. J. Pring, G.van Blerk, J. W. A. Janse van Vuren.
FORM 4B3
L.M.E.Banet, C. J. Benade, S. E. Blundell, V. C. Brown
L.F. de Villiers, K. M. Dickinson, J. E. Edwards, P.Gibbons, J.B. Hawkins, M. S. Kee, L. E. Kunz, D. C. McGibbon, W. K. Murray, A. J. Robbins, I. G. Saunders, G. G. Skinner, M. A. Spinks, R. G. Tarr.
FORM 3A1
D.P. Andraos, G. A. Armstrong, M. A. J. Brown, R.D. Cockerton,
N.R. Eames, R. N. Geddes, D. M. Keith, E. Linarakis, P. J. Linnevelt, D. Lyon, P. A. Martin-Turner, H. P. McCay, E. L.Nel, D. A. Norman, J. D. Pagden, K. L. Paxton, S. J. Randall, C.D.Smith, K.C.Westermann
FORM 3A2
D.R. Adamson, C. G. G. Andre, B. B. Berry, S. J. Brown, R. C. Bruce, G. L. Collingwood, P. B. Daly, L. J. C. Edwards, E. Ginnetakis, W. S. Hannigan, N. M. Kiddie, A. J. B. King, B.J. McCulloch, G. A. Norton, P. W. Richardson, S.J. Schlachter, L.H. Smith, J. A. Swanepoel, P. A. Wilde, S. P. A. Wilson,
FORM 3B1
R.J.Ahtom, G. C. Beck, A. F. Bester, B. S. Bews, M. R. Champion,
J.A. Corder, G. J. Costigan, M. J. Craven, R. J. Curries, M.
R.S. da Silva, I. P. du Plessis, P. J. C. Engall, N. G. Goosen,
G.A. Grant, M. Hughes, B. G. Johnson, H. J. Krauze, P. S.
Lambert, G. B. Linden, C. A. Martins, J. R. Mee, D. J. Rees,
G.W.S. Rimmer, R. H. Roussot, K. L. Savin, W. D. van Blerk,
T.S. White, N. Whittaker, T. B. Williams.
FORM 3B2
M.Adams, G. K. Balloch, G. Barnes, R. Barry, N. A. Basset,
D.S. Brannigan, B. M. Cain, R. J. Coertz, M. P. Coetzee,
J.P. da Fonte, B. P. Dickinson, C. W. Durand, W. C. Edy,
J.P. G. Goddard, R. E. Goodwin, J. Hatgilias, P. G. Hope,
J.B. Lapage, D. Lundt, S. Manolakis, M. Marriot, R. McKinney, R.Muir, M. Nel, A. A. Norris, G. Nosenzo, T. J. O'Connor,P.Pavli, P.J.Rumney, T.Smith, E.B.A.Swanepoel, K.L.Tomlinson, A.Weyers.
FORM 3C
F. E. A. Basto, M. C. H. Bothma, L. F. Cristina, 0. J. N. G. Crosby,
C. D. 0. Dos Santos, C, W. Frohlich, J. J. Helberg, L. P. Janjetich,
M. J. Lourens, 0. B. Lundt, A. C. Lyon, A. Madeira, L. M.
Meyer, G. J. Querl, G. W. Rudman, I. G. C. Scott, G. J. Shaw,
A. J. S. Sinclair, A. E. Slater, V. Tamagnone, A. D. Turner,
R. J. van Bi/jon, G. Weyers, D. A. Williams.
FORM 2A
S. H. Badenhorst, W. Badenhorst, G. Barbaressos, A. J. C.
Buchan, C. D. Bufι, A. W. Burford, D. M. Burrows. J. G.
Burrows, J. D. Connell, L. 0. de Jager, A. Dirlis, S. J. Dorman,
A. A. Dring, D. P. S. Evans, J. B. Freitas, R. A. Griffin, M. G.
Cunning, G. L. Hannigan, G. J. Howard, J. A. L. Jones, C. N.
Moore, W. U. Neumann, M. P. Newlands, 1. 5. fludnkk,
M. H. Seymour, W. E. Shell, D. M. Steyn, G. H. Tarr, C. S.
Wallace, C. W. White, N. P. Williams, C. M. Woollacott.
FORM 2B1
M. B. A. Beale, A. Bosman, L. P. D. S. Christodoulo, D. da
Costa Alpoim, C. A. Edwards, J. D. Elkington, M. Feuilherade,
W. H. Frier, J. Gibbons, A. Godfrey, D. J. Griffin, P. Harrold,
T. H. Henegan, R. E. Jones, E. Kandora, A. T. Kinsella, R. C.
Maclean, B. Marais, P. J. Niemand, T. J. Oldridge, R. N.
Palmer-Jones, C. A. 0. N. Pereira, A. R. P. Rosa, S. P. Sanderson,
G. D. Skews, W. C. Skews, A. C. Sutherland, K. R. Vance,
D. A. Wegener, M. A. J. White.
FORM 2B2
P. G. Amos, W. L. Austin, W. N. Bezuidenhout, K. J. Brummer,
P. J. Cloete, D. M. Coates, R. J. Connell, N. J. Crisp, S. T.
de Clercq, A. A. R. de Sousa, N. J. Dixon, S. L. Dunford,
A. F. Felton, D. Forster-Jones, E. Hadjiconstantinou, S. A.
Henderson, K. F. Higgs, W. W. Jardine, K. J. Jordan, A. J.
Lang, J. M. Moreira, S. Muir, S. L. Munday, M. D. Pederson,
D. H. Reilly, S. T. Robbins, R. A. Russell, G. R. Smith, L. W.
Trim, G. C. Vine, B. J. H. Warr, A. B. Wienand.
FORM 2C1
S. A. Alexander, M. S. Biccard, D. S. Coutts, C. D. Craven,
T. C. Drummond, D. J. Enraght-Moony, L. P. Ferreira, A. G.
Foulkes, R. A. Geldenhuys, I. D. Jones, G. N. Kotzen, S. L.
Lo Guidice, K. McAtier, S. McGlead, R. Park, J. C. Periera,
0. Poupado, 0. H. Pritchard, A. D. Sinclair, M. Stott, W. G.
Tarr, C. S. Thomson, G. S. Williams, D. A. Woodward, B. R.
Wordsworth, S. P. Williams.
FORM 2C2
M.V. C. Barbosa, L. M. G. Carneiro, J. B. da Silva, G. du
Plessis, D. M. du Plooy, F. Fernandes, N. Giannakakis,
N. Hoile, W. A. Hume, D. Kaplan, P. A. Lambert, A. C. Machado,
A. McCoy, D. J, Owen, M. G. D. S. Rocha, M. J. Sauerman,
T. D. Skelton, R. Tetley, G. F. Thurtell, M. P.van der Westhuizen,
N. C. Whitmore, H. S. Wood.
FORM 1A
G. P. Accorsi, M. P. Andraos, M. J. Andrews, L. Boshoff,
A. A. Boyley, V. M. T. Bravo, S. P. Burke, E. W. Carr, M. G.
Causton, L. C. Connor, G. P. Davis, S. M. Eames, A. P. H.
Fenner, A. Geary, P. C. Hamilton, C. W. Hardie, S. A. Harris,
D. R. Jeans, M. H. B. Miller, M. J. E. Neumann, I. M. Olivier,
R. H. Pluke, K. 0. Porritt, C. L. Rutherfoord-Jones, F. St. J.
Seymour, K. C. Skews, M. J. Spurrier, A. G. Watson, D. R.
Whitcombe.
FORM 1B1
E. G. Alejandre, T. E. Beukes, D. I. Burger, G. D. Cockerton,
R. W. Coetzee. G. D. Clegg, P. J. Collingwood, T. J. Cutts,
M. C. Davel, A. R. Dias, C. Fouche, V. P. Griffin, S. M. Johnson,
D. H. Jordan, K. J, Kiley, S. G. Lombard, P. A. Norton, B. S.
Oliver, C. D. Palmer, J. F. Pereira, L. E. Parkin, B. K. Roberts,
N. P. Roy, D. J. Saint, C. J. Shell, C. D. Smillie, D. M. Snuggs,
D. B. Strydom, C. van den Berg, G. I. Waldeck.
FORM 1B2
D. G. Alcock, F. E. Armstrong, T. T. Batty, R.R. Clarence, A. D.
S. Cooper, L. F. C. da Costa, P. A. B. de Sousa, T. A. du Toit,
R. M. Elias, R. D. Finaughty, A. B. Freitas, W. A. Harris, M. A.
Hopps, A. H. Jordan, D. Judd, M. J. Lyon, W. A. Matthews,
A. H. Mead, L. C. Pessina, S. R. Pyper, G. R. Robinson, G. M.
Russell-Smith, S. V. Shaw, G. S. Smith, A. D. Snyman, N. A.
R. Tsiridanis, J. A. C. West, S. R. Whalley, G. A. J. White,
C. D. Whitmore, P. G. Wilkinson.
FORM IC1
V. A. Bassett, A. S. Benbow, S. Boshoff, H. Botha,
A. P. Carroll, M. W. Charnock, R. L. A. Conway,
C. da Fonte, A. N. Fourie, M. J. Griffin, J. M. Hearne, D. C.
Kotzen, R. V.Lilford, K. A. Markham, D. P. Marsberg, R. M.
McGuire, B. M. O'Grady, C. A. O'Neill, L. W. J. Robinson, S. D.
Rogers, S. P. Rowley, K. V. Short, D. M. Willows, G. C.
Winterboer, C. G. Yoko.
FORM 1C2
D.K. Arthur, F. A. Camacho, M. M. Cha Cha, A. J. Coetzee,
L. M. B. da Silva, A. dos Santos, J. B. Felton, J. A. Fernandes,
G.J. Gallagher, G. M. Glen, A. W. Hapgood-Strickland,
C.M. Kinsella, J. 0. McFerrie,', A. V. Mcintosh, D. W. Miller,
K.Oberholster, W. 0. Maker, D. J. Peacock, W. C. Roberts,
W.Sawyer, S. F. Smith, A. Venter, C. E. Watridge.
THE PIONEERS1927 ADMISSIONS
The following is a complete list of all boys who attended the Bulawayo Technical School in the first year of its existence.
Date
26 Jan.
27 Jan.
30 Jan.
1 Feb.
29 Jan.
31 Jan.
1 Feb.
5 Feb.
7 Feb.
8 Feb.
10 Feb.
14 Feb.
7 Mar.
18 Apr.
19 Apr.
18th July
19 July
6 Sept.
3 Oct.
4 Oct.
10 Oct.
Number Name
1 Barbour, Robert W.
2 Brooks, William Gregory
3 Christie, Alexander
4 Colfman, Edmund Ernest
5 Hendry, Lionel Rhodes
6 Millar, Reginald Rankin
7 Van Heerden, James Pieters Daniel
8 Rademeyer, Godfrey Ferderick
9 Sheasby, Maxted Flude
10 Scott-Rodger, John William
11 Schafer, Lionel
12 Stidolph, Harry Allan Nesbitt
13 Buttress, Edward Alfred
14 Dawes, Aubrey William
15 Galvin, Robert Charles
16 Kabot, Stanley David
17 Mills, Frederick William George
18 Mellet, Peter James Douglas
19 Myers, Benson Claude
20 Oelofse, Albert
21 Perry, George Stanley
22 Rubenstein, Israel
23 Stevenson, Hew Russell
24 White, David
25 Doman, Jack J.
26 Rabbetts, William
27 Hadden, George
28 Dates, Charles
29 Woods, B. Meredith
30 Mulvey, James
31 Thackwray, Norman J.
32 Thompson, Douglas
33 Shone, Dennis E.
34 Jermyn, Henry
35 Chesworth, Norman
36 Rayner, Kenneth
37 Goosen, Peter Z.
38 Skelton, Arthur Donald
39 Comaroff, Edward I.
40 Lang, Frank, M.
41 Matthew, Douglas, Gordon
42 Vernon, Albert Edwin
43 Donald, lan J. M.
44 Darch, Leonard Allan
45 Watkins, William Henry
46 Rastall, Alexander George D.
47 Haikett, Arthur
48 Cassall, Edward Francis
49 Taute, Milton
50 Young, Stanley
51 Booth, Bertram
52 Berger, Robert Cecil
53 Hayler, Lester Stanley
54 Myers, John King
55 Weale, Ronald Allan
56 Parratt, Ernest Alfred
OLD TECHS' ASSOCIATION
Few schools can have brought into existence an old boys' association so swiftly after its own inception as ours. The Association was formed in June 1931, fewer than five years after the opening of the School itself, It sprang from the loyalty to the School felt by a handful of former students who found themselves embarked on technical careers as a result of their education and training there. They wanted also to perpetuate their prowess in games, particularly rugby, and to continue their link with one another and with the School.
With these ends in view the Association was
voted into existence at a meeting of Old Boys, given a constitution and a committee and the blessing of the Headmaster. It was also given a member of the staff as its first vice-president, and it is he who, 45 years later, is writing this brief note.
To augment our members we were happy to invite into membership members of the Evening Department, particularly if they were rugby players! Before long an Old Technicians' rugby team came into being, a field was borrowed, and practices began. Many years later that field was the site of Bulawayo Technical College.
Of the earliest members one remembers Robert Barbour, Tim Conolly, Norman Chesworth, Victor Gray, Norman Thackwray, Maxsted Sheasby, Victor Hayward, Stanley Muir, Edward Vernon. Gradually the members grew and the range of activities widened. Every year a re-union was held, to coincide with the annual-general-meeting and a dance in the Beit Hall. Then, emboldened by success, the first annual dinner was launched. This involved speeehes and in his own speech the Headmaster took full opportunity to extol the particular merits of his School.
The Association grew in prestige and in members. It has had some ups and downs in its long life, but has always had its handful of loyal stalwarts who have carried it on through thick and thin. The name of J. F. Davison and Keith Pinchen come readily to mind as leading figures, but one could fill a page with others who have made contributions to the life and work of the Old Technicians' Association, but here I must leave them to tell their own story.
The inaugural committee comprised the following:
President: Mr. P. H. Gifford
Vice-President: Mr. H. J. Sutherby
General Secretary: V. H. Gray
Committee: N. Chesworth (Chairman), R. Barbour, E. Vernon, E. Coleman and E. Stevenson
REMINISCENCES ON THE OLD TECHNICIANS' ASSOCIATION
It is very difficult to write a history of an old boys' association such as ours after fifty years of growth without turning it into a full length book. During these fifty years there are highlights that are worth remembering. As mentioned elsewhere Mr. Sutherby, better known to most of us as 'H. J.' or 'Ghazza', was on the original committee formed in 1931, a mere four years after the start of the School. He continued to be a leading figure in the Association for many years. In 1931 a group of Old Boys led by R. Barbour decided it was proper and fitting that Old Boys should try and keep contact with each other and the School: 'H. J.' and 'Konk' eagerly assisted and guided them.
Up to 1937 the committee arranged dinner/dances, and even gramophone-record evenings which were regularly attended by about twenty members. On the sporting scene, teams participated in soccer, rugby, hockey, athletics and boxing, using as their home-ground the St. George's sports field situated next to the Catholic Cathedral, as well as King's Ground, Raylton, and a field where the Technical College stands to-day. Names that spring to mind are those of Stan Muir, Jack Wright, Dick and Alex Thomas, Eric Tiernan, Vuney Gordon, John Lyon, Bob Kincaid-Smith, Winky Dickenson, Norman Chesworth, Harry Evans, Sonny Buttress, John Tsirindanis, Clary Adams, John Nichol and Alan Willis. In 1937 there was a great upsurge of interest and participation in all sections, particularly rugby, for in 1939 the main team won the Fryer Cup for the second time.
Then came the war so chaps were dispersed all over the world. 'H. J.' and Mrs. Sutherby did a magnificent job in maintaining contact with the Old Boys in the services, keeping a comprehensive set of records. The first Rhodesian killed in action was Alex Thomas, in Eritrea. The highest award for gallantry to a Rhodesian, the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, was awarded to Humphrey Cowham.
These were both well-known Old Boys. Soon after the return of the forces, a great Re-union Dinner, attended by approximately 140 people, was held. From this dinner stemmed the idea of the Commemorative Plaque to record the names of fifty-four Old Boys who gave their lives during the war. The organising committee comprised 'H.J.',Stan Perry (chairman),Stan Muir, Vic Watkins and Jack Davison (secretary! treasurer). The greatest success in this venture was the official unveiling ceremony performed by Field Marshal Lord Wavel who passed through Bulawayo on his way to India where he was to be Governor. Nothing could have been more appropriate to this occasion, and the Beit Hall was packed.
On the sporting scene, rugby continued to be popular and our team dominated in Matabeleland. The Matabeleland team, in fact, consisted almost entirely of 0. T. players, with eight or nine players
in the national side. Mention must be made especially of Denny Taylor, Dave Garde, Gerry
Buitendagh, 'Split-pin' Heine, Doug Rowland,
'Jugler' Jones, Gerry Chalmers, Ernie Brian, John Pavlich, Alick Dickenson, Donnie Mcintyre, and Mark Blumberg. It must be mentioned that during the war the masters played an important and active part in our sport and on the committee. Names that spring to mind are J. M. Smith, Harry
Friggens, 'Bucky' Buchanan, Harry Beak, Syd
Higham and Russ Stein. Others whose services were invaluable and who were granted Honorary
Life Membership, were Donnie Mcintyre, Mark
Blumberg and Ted Weldon.
Moving to later years, in 1952, on the School's Twenty-fifth Anniversary, the Association presented two trophies, for the winners of junior and senior athletics relays. The Old Boys' Prizes were already an established part of Speech Night. A cricket bat for outstanding performances was presented by Piet Moris.
By 1950 the problem of the lack of a homeground arose. Eventually, the present site was selected and after much levelling-work, the Association had a field for all sports. Fund-raising
continued with the car-raffle which raised just under $4 000. A fκte in the combined City Halls raised approximately $2 000; other events included raffles, disco's, and even a rock-band contest. The final result was the erection of buildings on the site to replace the caravan
DO YOU KNOW'
The following are five cameo reminiscences by
Mr. H. J. Sutherby, a founder member of staff of
this School and its second Headmaster from 1947
to 1952.
DO YOU KNOW that an Old Boy of the School took up motor-cycle racing as a career and won the tourist Trophy in the Isle of Man races' He was world champion in the 350 c.c. and 500 c.c.
classes and achieved fame and distinction of a high order in Britain and on the Continent.
His name was Gary Hocking. He was a Rhodesia Railways apprentice, but his heart was not wholly in his job. He came to me one day for advice, saying that he wanted to be a racing motorcyclist and thought he might make world class. Should he go on with it or should he settle down to study and one day become a draughtsman'
I remember pausing, in the face of such a tremendous decision. He was very much in earnest, modestly aware of his ability, no mock valour, no swagger. 'I know the risks', he said. 'I know you get very near the edge when you're pushing it fast.'
I lost touch with him after that. Some years later I saw a big headline on the sports page of a newspaper. It said: 'Gary does a ton', and I realised that my young friend had reached fame. He had indeed won world fame and world acclaim. The people of Britain and of many other countries took him to their hearts. He was 'Gary'.
He turned over to four-wheel racing and was killed in 1962 while practising on the track for the South African Grand Prix. I remember so well his quiet, smiling, school-boy face. He saw his star more clearly than most of us do and he followed it. Who am I that I should have advised him not to'
DO YOU KNOW that the School for many years stood high in public esteem as a result of the excellence of its Cadet Corps and the prowess of its athlete and boxers in inter-school competition' The two factors may fairly be bracketed together. It was the practice to hold an annual camp of all cadet corps, at which athletic and boxing tournaments were held, and this School more than held its own over many years.
For this we had to thank the Cadet Officers, led by Captain A. E. Farrell (see page 154) and a number of civilian gentlemen who found time to coach the teams and organise the boxing. In particular we have to remember with affectionate appreciation Mr. R. S. Perry whose son was a talented scholar and an accomplished boxer. In the sixth year of its existence the School team won the Strong Cup, a very fine trophy presented on the results of the cadet camp competitions.
Enthusiasm for boxing spilled over, so to speak and there were many Technical School representatives at tournaments arranged by local associations. We remember the names of W. Fulton, John and Andrew Tsirindanis, Stanley Perry, E. Karasselos as some of the finest boxers in the very early years and two Smith brothers from Gatooma, among many others, in later times. Of Staff coaches we remember Captain F. A. Bailey and Mr. D. B. Dysell, to name only two.
Further details on cadets and boxing will be found elsewhere Editor
DO YOU KNOW that an Old Boy of this School became a professional actor on the London stage'
His name was Arthur Nimr. The year was 1949. Arthur had always been interested in show business and had become a competent amateur conjuror while at school. During the War he joined a group of South African artists who gave concert-party entertainments to troops and airmen in the lines.
In time he found his way to London and achieved a small part in a play called Daphne Laureola by James Bridie. The leading lady was a very famous actress named Edith Evans. I was in London on leave at the time and with unusual luck happened to pass the theatre (it was Wyndham's) on the opening day. I sent him a short note of encouragement and good cheer and later attended a performance with my wife.
It was a fine play, and lo! and behold there was young Arthur to whom I had once taught engineering-drawing in Bulawayo!
He was just beginning to be known in London theatrical circles when his unexpected death occurred a few years later.
DO YOU KNOW that the School had a brief contact nearly 40 years ago with a lady who later became a very famous writer' She was Mrs. Muriel Spark, whose husband, Mr. S. 0. Spark, M.A., taught at the School for one term in 1938. Mrs. Spark was then on the threshold of a literary career that has since brought her to a place among writers of the highest distinction in the world. Alas, she and her husband came and went within a term and she had few contacts with the School.
Mrs. Spark, as she has since confessed in some of her writings, was never really at home in Rhodesia, but the country and the native people gave her the material for a short story which was the starting point of her fame. It won first prize in a competition arranged by the great London newspaper, The Observer, where it was printed in a place of honour and widely acclaimed.
I am not sure that we at the School were ever conscious of the fact that we had entertained a literary angel unawares!
DO YOU KNOW that Mr. A. C. 'Daddy' Vaughan, for many years English and Geography master, and founder member of the staff, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro during the summer holidays of 1928/9' Well, he did, and in the process earned my undying admiration.
Mr. Vaughan was not a devotee of strenuous activities. He played golf for pleasure and relaxation, no more. I do not think he had ever climbed anything higher than a hill in the Matopos. Even so he reached the top of Kilimanjaro and signed his name in the Bible that used to be kept there.
To climb the highest mountain in Africa it is 20 000 feet high is not a major mountaineering feat. People nowadays are said to do it casually, for a week-end's exercise, just to stretch their legs. The big peaks of the Himalayas are the real job, they say, the only thing worth tackling. No doubt that is so; but it does not detract from the fact that my friend showed true grit and adorned his name, for me, with a wreath of glory.
BULAWAYO TECHNICAL SCHOOL FOUR DECADES AGO
It might surprise some present students of Gifford Technical School to learn that there are foundation members of their School who are not only alive and kicking but who maintain a keen interest in the School and the Old Boys' Association to this day.
Like the proverbial snail, I crawled somewhat reluctantly to the Bulawayo Technical School some forty years ago and took my place with about seventy-five other boys in the building still known as St. George's. This building was familiar to me, as I had been a St. George's pupil there during the previous few years. The small building to the left of the photograph reproduced here was originally the chapel and was converted for use as the dining room by the Technical boys. The dormitories were on the first floor, classrooms on the ground floor, while the building on the right was the carpentry shop. This housed woodwork nachinery which would appear antiquated today but which served us adequately.
The Headmaster, after whom the School was subsequently named, was Mr. Gifford, universally and affectionately known as 'Conk'. Many Old Boys will recall his disconcerting habit of thumping one soundly and saying, 'You are a dolt', and then suddenlv demanding that one repeat what he had
said. A stammering reply of 'You are a dolt, Sir' would bring forth another thump and the stern rejoinder, 'Repeat what I said, boy!' A thoroughly aprehensive pupil would then whisper, 'You are dolt,' and the result is easily imagined!
There was a staff of five in addition to the Headmaster when I joined the School'Daddy' Vaughan, whose task it was to drum English and Civics into our thick heads; 'Tim' Shand, the woodwork master, who maintained his post at the School for many years (and his interest in pupils, past and present, until his death), and many an Old Boy owes his handiness in carpentry to Mr. Shand; 'Tinkie' Farrell taught maths and science, while Mr. Sutherby battled to expound the mysteries of engineering drawing to us; and we had an enthusiastic and inspiring engineering teacher in Mr. Miller, whose sense of humour appealed to us and made him a most popular member of the staff. I recall one occasion when a battle royal, with lumps of oil-soaked cotton waste as ammunition, was interrupted by Mr. Miller, who admonished us to 'Cut it out, chaps, otherwise I will send you to 'Conk'!'
My disappointment at being left behind when most of my friends went to Cadet Camp, because I was too young, turned to amusement when I arrived at school one morning to find the corner of the machine shop in a sorry state of repair. Mr. Miller may have been a competent engineering master, but his knowledge of automobiles was obviously limited, for he had crashed into the building while practising driving. Several of us spent the morning helping to repair the damage.
One morning Mr. Gifford caught sight of peculiar undulations in a boy's shirt and, on investigation, discovered a night ape, which had been brought to school as a welcome diversion. He placed the little creature under a waste-paper basket on his desk and spent the rest of the lesson in fascinated study of it.
I was still a pupil when Technical School moved to Rhodes Street, and was present at the ceremony when it was named 'Gifford Technical School' in Mr. Gifford's honour. Much water as flowed down the Matsheumhlope since I attended 'Tech', but my interest and regard for it continues.
STAN MUIR (who was there).
OLD BOYS WHO HAVE REPRESENTED RHODESIA
AT SPORT
The dates within brackets indicate when the individual was at the
School.
The list is by no means complete, and the Editor would be
glad to learn of personal achievements to add to this record.
Athletics Representation N. Cumming (19381940) C.D. Eley (19671972) 1970 B.E. Mullon (19381942) 1947 R.Pitchford (19631969) 1970 A.L. Sudding (19561962) 19561 966 Baseball B.C. Barnard (19491953) 1968 G.Gower (19371941) 1948 R.J. Mckinley (19511953) 19621971 C.J. Petzer (19481951) 19531961 Basketball A.D. Harris (19591960) 1965, 1971 Bisley A.A.G.Cracknell (19361 938) 1955 G.E. Denyer (1941 1 942) 1955 D.S. MacKenzie (1928) 19501955 S.J. G. Muir (19281929) 19501955 Bowls D.C. Smith (1948-1951) 19751976 Boxing A.J. Bekker (19491951) B.A. Chappell (19491952) A.G. Drummond (19521955) W.A. Fulton (19301933) 1934, 1938 G.F. Gardner (19611967) 1965-1966 G.J.W.Hartwell (1931) 1934 K.G. Kendall (19521957) 1958 D.H.B.Mackenzie (19291930) 1934 (Capt.) W.Powys (19621967) W.A.Pretorious (19541957) 1958 J.M. Scallon (19421947) 1952 A.Tsirindanis (19321937) 1938 J.Tsirindanis (19321935) Cycling R. B. Evans (1971-1974) J. H. C. Finch (19421944) 19511954 P. Fourie (19721976) 1976 Cricket A. S. Carew (19401943) 19461952 B. J. Carew (19391941) 19471949 D.C. Candler (19361941) 1944 B. F. Davison (19591964) 19671977 H. K. S. Evans (1933) 1939 T. Lange (19421947) T. J. Townshend (19641970) 1976 G.L.Ziehl (19421947) Hockey B. J. Carew (19391941) P. Carew (19431945) B. F. Davison (19591964) 1967 B. H. K. Fraser (19651970) 1974. 1976 D. V. Fraser (19671972) F. G. Harvey (19401943) R. 0. Rayner (19661971) 19721973 Motor Cycling G. S. Hocking (19491954) 1961-1962 World Champion Motor Racing J. M. L. Love (19381940) 19621969 Pistol Shooting D. C. MacLean (19441948) 19621975 Power Boats R. H. Batty (19371939) 1961, 1965, 1968,1971 Rugby R. A. Armstrong (19491954) 19571958 C. A. Biffen (19461948) 1968 A. H. Birken (19361940) 1947 V. Capt.) W. A. Booyse (19391941) I. W. Clark (19421945) 1947 L. Corbi (19571958) B. J. Carew (19391941) 1947 M.N.Desfontaine (19601965) 1967 T. P. Drummond (19501953) P. J. Edwards (19551959) 1967 S. W. Erasmus (19421945) M. Falconer (19671972) 1975 H. C. Finaughty (19481950) D. H. Garde (1941) 1947 R. A. Hill (19471951) 1956. 19601961,1963 M. Lukan (19501953) B. E. Mullon (19381942) 1947 J. T. Nesser (19611966) 1976 G. A. Poole (19441945) 1947, 19521953 G. M. Parker (19461947) 1956 D. J. Rowland (19421943) 1953 P. C. Semple (19651970) 1975 D. M. Simmonds (19541961) 1963, 1965 R. 0. Swart (19571961) 1976 R.J.Varkevisser (19551959) 1963 F. N. Wilson (19621967) 1974 Soccer W. H. Haskins (19471950) 19551956 R. J. McKinley (19511953) 1958 C. J. Petzer (19481951) 19601961 L. T. Paxton (19461948) 19531964 Swimming P. E. K. Broster (19691975) 19721974 W. S. L. Jones (19711976) 1975 Water Polo M. J. Collington (19691974) 1974 A. A. Dempster (19621967) P. J. Horrocks (19641969) R. Horrocks (19621967) J. T. Neser (19611966) 19671972 M. F. Robinson (19681974) 19731974 P. C. Semple (19651970) 19691976
Overheard in a classroom:
'And now boys, keep your eyes on the board while I go through it
again.' This was definitely not uttered by a teacher of Eng
lish Editor).
FIRST-TEAM CAPTAINS OF SPORTS PRESENTLY PLAYED AT GIFFORD
FROM 1951
ATHLETICS CRICKET HOCKEY RUGBY SWIMMING
1961 R. L. Sudding P. J. S. Lishman M. A. Watson G. J. du Toit N. S. Cooke
1962 R. L. Sudding P. J. S. Lishman M. A. Watson M. A. Watson M. J. N. Smales
1963 R. Petzer B. P. Edwards D. Smith D. Smith M. J. N. Smales
1964 M. G. Mienie B. Davison B. Lund B. P. Edwards P. A. Watson
1965 P. A. Watson I. K. Jordan, 1st Term M.N.Desfontaine P. A. Watson
R. E. Warren. 3rd Term
1966 A. R. Dempster A. I. Warren J. Bryan J. T. Neser 0. D. Haigh
1967 C. W. Coetzee A. S. Hardy A. R. Dempster R. Horrocks R. Horrocks
1968 C. W. Coetzee R. S. Hardy, 1st Term T.K. Broadbent N. Jooste A. B. Caldwell
T. K. Broadbent, 3rd Term
1969 H. M. Eley T. J. Townshend B. H. K. Fraser B. Lloyd L. L. Abrams
1970 H. M. Eley R. 0. Rayner B. H. K. Fraser P. C. Semple J. Bluett
1971 H. M. Eley R. 0. Rayner R. 0. Rayner M. Falconer A. C. McCoy
1972 H. M. Eley M. Falconer 0. V. Fraser M. Falconer A. C. McCoy
1973 G. R. Herbert E. S. Rudnick P. D. Baum K. G. Schlachter M. F. Robinson
1974 G. R. Herbert N. B. Ferriman D. M. Fuzzey M. J. Collington M. F. Robinson
1975 D. Armstrong C. J. Trautman C. J. Trautman G. W. Ashby P. E. Broster
1976 A. Parker C. J. Trautman C. J. Trautman G. W. Ashby W. S. L. Jones
BASKETBALL GYMNASTICS TENNIS WATER POLO SQUASH
1961 M. A. Watson N. S. Cooke
1962 M. A. Watson N. S. Cooke
1963 D. Smith M. J. N. Smales
1964 B. K. Marshall H. S. Briel B. K. Marshall
1965 M. N. Desfontaine P. A. Watson J. T. Neser
1966 R. B. Brown J. C. Kotze D. A. Wilson J. T. Neser
1967 R. B. Brown V. W. Staples D. A. Wilson R. Horrocks
1968 W. H. J. Gay V. W. Staples B. Glass A. B. Caldwell
1969 B. Lloyd K. van Staden P. C. Semple
1970 P. C. Semple C. M. Purnell P. C. Semple
1971 G. G. Johnson C. M. Purnell M. G. Sykes
1972 G. Powel-Rees W. J. Toughey M. K. Ray G. P. Martin
1973 G. Powel-Rees K. G. Schlachter M. K. Ray K. G. Schlachter
1974 0. Bowman G. W. Ashby M. J. Collington
1975 J. Tucker D. I. Armstrong G. W. Ashby C. Hughes
1976 J. B. McTaggart C. Griffin G. W. Ashby C. M. Botha K. A. Bernet
A.L.L.F.
RHODESIAN SCHOOLS RUGBY PLAYERS (see page 111)
1950 E. F. Hartman K. C. Ziehl 1968 F. N. Wilson
E. R. van Schalkwyk H. Mackenzie-Fraser 1969 P. C. Semple J. P. Paterson
1951 R.A.Hill E. R. van Schalkwyk 1970 P. C. Semple R. D. Seton-Rogers
H. Mackenzie-Fraser 1972 M. Falconer A. P. Roberts
1952 M. Lukan 1973 S. A. Oborne K. G. Schlachter
1953 M. Lukan D. W. Dewy A. P. Roberts
T. P. Drummond 1974 G. R. Herbert
1964 B. P. Edwards 1975 C. Hughes
1966 J. T. Neser 1976 G.W.Ashby I. G. Fraser
1967 A. R. Dempster
SOCCER STATISTICS (see page 130)
Competition Winners Runners-up
U16 League 1938 1942
1946 1947
1948 1951
1959 1952
1960 1956
U16 Neill Cup 1942 1951
1947 1956
1948
1955
U15 League 1944
U15 Morgan Cup 1943
U14.5 League 1950 1952/53
U14.5 Gordon Cup 1950
U14.5 Evans Cup 1952 1953
U13 League Joint 1954
1955
SOCCER REPRESENTATION
Where italicized, this indicates that player was selected for a
Rhodesian age-group team and an equivalent Matabeleland team.
1947 Under 16 A. Meyer
J. Robb
D. Wood
1948 Under 16 D. Edwards
A. James
A. Meyer
L. Paxton
J. Robb
D. Wood
1949 Under 16 A. James
C. Theodosiou
D. Muil
T. W. Robinson
1951 Underl6 B. W.Reid
J. C. Woollacott
R. H. Barbour
D. R. Palmer
Under 14.5 R. F. Collins
A. N. Fletcher
G. Galley
M. G.Hubner
N. Lodge
R. E. McGee
R. J. Mckinley
G. van der Wat
1952 Under 16 R. Collins
A. Evans
A. N. Fletcher
A. E. McGee
1954 Under 16 W. Streak
1956 Under 16 G. Permain
D. Hutchings
Under 14.5 N. van As
D. Clarke
P. Cormack
1957 Under 16 D. Clarke
G. Permain
A. Whitefield
N. van As
1958 Under l6 N. vanAs
1959 Under 16 K. Parkes
D. Beck
1972 Under 17 D. Manse-James
1973 Under 17 R. Nob e
M. Watson
Under 15 K. Brinkey
I. Fraser
W. Watson
Under 13 B. Fitzgerald
A. Konson
1975 Under 17 N. Watson
I. G. Fraser
1976 Under 17 D. Demetriou
A. Konson
N. Watson
