Head Boy's Valedictory Address

Throughout this year I have been encouraged to be myself and to trust my own decisions. So, when thinking about this address, the one thing that kept popping up in my head was the lyrics from the song “Lose Somebody”, by Kygo and One Republic, “I guess you don't know what you got till it's gone.”

And these lyrics could not be more true. With our time coming to an end at Rondebosch, it has made me realise how much we took for granted the opportunities that we have had. Only now, looking back on our journey, which has ranged from 1 year for some, to 13 or even 14 years for others, do all the memories and good times come flooding back.

I asked the matrics to do some reminiscing on their time at Bosch and some words that they used to describe it were rewarding, fulfilling, my home and humbling. Rondebosch has taught all of us so much and moulded us into who we are today. Think back to the boy who walked into these massive hallways on the first day of Grade 8 in 2019, and then compare him to the man who will walk out of this hall today, being able confidently to say that they can take on any challenge that the world throws at them. If you had told me in Grade 8 that Nic Swier would be double his size in matric, I would have laughed it off because there is no way a school boy can get that big. Not only have all of us physically changed significantly, but emotionally and mentally we have also grown and changed.

I would not have been able to make it through this year without the help of a lot of people, and those people need to be recognised.

Henry, you have always been on hand to help with keeping everyone in check and making sure that the discipline throughout the school is enforced. Executives, you have been amazing. Whenever Mr Domingo came to me with something new needing to be done or sorted out, I could always count on you. Although we had some ups and downs, you always stood by me and backed me up whenever I needed it. I will always remember those RCL meetings and the countless table tennis games that Mats will claim he won. Thank you all for your work this year.

After this year, I can very confidently say that I do not want to become a principal. Mr Simpson, I do not envy your job at all. The amount of work you do often goes unnoticed and my respect for you has increased tenfold. Thank you for being so open to having ideas bounced around and giving advice when needed. You have taught me so much when it comes to dealing with problems and dealing with people. Thank you, Sir.

To Mr Domingo, apart from being the number one history teacher in the country, you are also an incredible role model. You have taught me so much more than what is in the history syllabus - very important things, such as where to get the best takeaway pizza in Cape Town and the origins of the Gatsby. But all jokes aside, you have embodied the saying that real education takes place outside of the classroom. You have always been on hand to offer advice and guidance when I have needed it.

You genuinely care about each of your students and that is what makes you such an amazing teacher. I will forever remember Friday afternoon Kings matches and the numerous catching practices for steri stumpis. Thank you, Sir.

We thought we had lost you as our Grade Head halfway through the year when you were fed up with our grade’s nonsense, but Mr Appalraju, I can confidently speak on behalf of the whole grade when I say that everybody is extremely happy you persevered with us. You always had our backs, even during silly season when we made it much harder for you to do that. We are all very grateful for the work that you have done for us, which ranges from helping to organise our Matric Dance and co-ordinating silly season, to chasing us to fill out a Google form or make sure our details are correct for finals. You are a legend, Sir. That is the only way I can correctly describe you. We owe a lot of our matric year to you, so thank you very much. We could not have asked for a better Grade Head.

And to all the teachers: thank you. Every one of you has made a significant impact on each and every one of us. We are all extremely grateful for all the extra work you have done for us and all the extra lessons and hours you have sacrificed for the benefit of us. Thank you to my parents. You have always been there for me when I have had a long day. You have made this year as easy as it possibly could have been. Thank you for the countless lifts to and from meetings and sports practices, and the early mornings to travel all the way out to Paarl. Thank you for your constant support. And to all the parents who have sacrificed a lot for their children to be here at the end of their school careers - thank you on behalf of them and I hope that they will thank you themselves later.

And finally, to E’23, you have not made my year easy, but I would not change a thing. From Grade 8 with Mats dancing in front of the whole school at Quadrangular, to Grade 9, which was ripped from us by Covid. Then to Grade 10, when we could finally get back to some sense of normality, to Grade 11, when we started the year on the Journey in 40 degree weather and ended it with a bang at Cabaret. And then finally to Grade 12, when there are too many memories to just pick out one to mention. From Day Night Cricket, Paarl Athletics, Night Series Water Polo, Quadrangular, Friday Night Lights, Saturday Mornings, SNL and so many other things. Through all these things our grade has grown into a unit. I can confidently call every single one of you my brother. So, thank you to every single one of you, because everybody played an integral role in making E’23 as special as it is.

One piece of advice that has helped me tremendously throughout this year is to remember where you came from and remember where you are going. Do not forget what Rondebosch has taught you, the lessons you learnt here, and the memories you made. Cherish those for as long as you can remember them. But do not forget where you are going. Using the wise words of the masterful tactician, Rassie Erasmus, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” Stay focused on the goals you have set for yourself and I have no doubt that everyone here can and will be successful in their own way. Our journey was always going to come to an end, but it is not today. Only a chapter has concluded today. I cannot wait to see you all in the Old Boys stands at sports events and at reunions and other Old Boy functions. Today is not a goodbye but merely just an ‘until I see you again.’

Altius et Latius

Thomas van Wyk

Head Boy 2023