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5 December 2023

e C n t n e i n w d i r P NEWSLETTERary

Dear Pridwin Community As Pridwin's 100th year draws to a close, it is with great pleasure and appreciation that we share our centenary publication—a reflection on the remarkable journey of the past year. Founded in 1923, Pridwin's century-long legacy is a story of excellence, tradition, innovation and progress. This publication serves as a time capsule, capturing the essence of the last 12 months, a period filled with events, achievements and moments that have defined this significant chapter in our history. Our centenary theme, 'Future Fit', has been the guiding star throughout this celebratory year. It's not just a retrospective glance at the past; it's an exploration of how our rich history propels us into a future of endless possibilities. 'Future Fit' encapsulates a world view where both people and the planet are at the forefront of our considerations, where innovation and progress continue to shape our identity and where our collective impact leaves a positive mark on the world. Thank you, our Pridwin Community, for being an integral part of this incredible journey. Here's to the past, present, and boundless future that awaits Pridwin! Ross Grimley, Executive Headmaster

Pridwin Centenary Video

Table of contents Back to school Centenary Knight Run Independent schools Cricket Festival Ladies Centenary Lunch Centenary Rugby 7s Snow Day India Cricket Tour Centenary Community Picnic Centenary Golf Day Old Boys Chapel Centenary Gala Evening Centenary Fun Day Centenary Christmas celebration Centenary Concerts World Cup Fever Pridwin academy Future Fit Theme Future Fit Centre Circles of Giving

CENTENARY EVENTS Back to School! We enthusiastically welcomed boys and parents back for the first day of our centenary year with festive bunting, banners and balloons. To mark this auspicious year, each boy received a unique centenary Lego keyring featuring a Golden Knight displaying 100 across it’s chest. The celebration continued with a memorable birthday assembly in the auditorium, including a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' and the blowing out of candles on our centenary cake. The cake was jointly blown out by a teacher, a junior boy, and a senior Pridwin boy, whose combined ages added up to 100. The day concluded with a lively cocktail party, leaving everyone excited for the year ahead.

As Pridwin looks to the future, we must ensure that we are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We must continue to innovate, push the boundaries of what is possible, strive for excellence in all that we do, and engage ourselves in inclusive processes of change. -Ross Grimley Executive Headmaster

BACK TO SCHOOL!

CENTENARY KNIGHT RUN Pridwin’s annual Knight Run took place in March this year, and in keeping with our centenary theme of 'Future Fit', we decided to make it a 'Back to the Future' Knight Run. Eighties gym wear was mandatory, and our community embraced it, turning our beautiful Melrose streets into a vibrant, energetic spectacle! The event's sole purpose was to raise much-needed funds for the Baragwanath Burns unit in Soweto; the fun we had along the way was an added bonus. We were delighted that the funds raised helped the Baragwanath Paediatric Burns Unit to build a children's common area and provided much-needed medication. We couldn't have done it without the continued support of our remarkable Pridwin Community - thank you!

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CRICKET FESTIVAL Pridwin was proud to host this year's Independent School Cricket Festival (ISCF) in it’s centenary year. The ISCF, a highly anticipated sporting event, has taken place for over 30 years at different venues throughout South Africa, with an emphasis on touring teams participating rather than the local teams that schools play regularly. The ten teams that participated at the February festival were Clifton Prep, Nottingham Road; WHPS; St Charles College; Woodridge Prep; St John's, Harare; Cowan House; Whitestone School, Zimbabwe; Musikili Primary, Zambia; Beaulieu Prep and Pridwin. The cricket matches took place at Simelane Oval (Venus Street), Wanderers and Old Eds, with all games broadcast live by Supersport Schools. The interaction, rivalry and camaraderie between schools at this exciting sports event, plus the fantastic support of visiting school parents, all made for a successful festival.

LADIES CENTENARY LUNCH We hosted a special ladies' lunch in May to celebrate the women who have supported Pridwin over the past 100 years. We appreciate the unwavering dedication of our Pridwin Ladies to our school and for helping us to shape the incredible community that we have today. The lunch took place at the magnificent Beechwood Gardens, where our past and present Pridwin ladies enjoyed a scrumptious feast by Susan Greig in the beauty of the Beechwood Gardens oasis. Filled with heartfelt moments, precious friendships, and recalling happy memories, the afternoon was the perfect celebration of Pridwin's 100-year birthday. We are so grateful for everyone who attended and celebrated our centenary with us and look forward to this becoming an annual event!

KNIGHT RUN RUN CENTENARY KNIGHT

PRIDWIN’S CENTENARY INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CRICKET FESTIVAL

PRIDWIN’S CENTENARY ISCF

CENTENARY LADIES LUNCH

Pridwin Centenary Rugby 7s We celebrated 100 years of Pridwin in June at our Centenary Rugby 7s Festival. Ten schools participated in two days of non-stop 7s action at our Simelane Oval Sports Field. Participating teams were St John's Prep, St Stithians Boys Prep, St Peter's Prep, St Benedict's Prep, Waterkloof House Preparatory School (WHPS), The Ridge, Heron Bridge Prep, Orchards Primary School/Laerskool Dirkie Uys and St David's Marist Inanda. The rugby action was fast-paced and intense, with some incredible team performances. The crowds came out to support and soak up the atmosphere, enjoying great activities and vendors. St Stithians won this year's festival. Two players were awarded ‘Outstanding Players of the Festival’, Thoriso Miya from St Stithians and Paul Tebeila from Pridwin.

Pridwin Centenary Rugby 7s

SNOW DAY Snow in Johannesburg is a rare occurrence, so when it snowed in July this year, it was a magical and memorable event to add to our centenary year highlights. The joy, laughter, and unanimous "Best day ever!" declarations of our boys perfectly captured this unforgettable day.

INDIA CRICKET Pridwin was proud to host this year's TOUR Independent School Cricket Festival in February ourfor Centenary Year. August(ISCF) was an exciting of time Pridwin's India Touring Cricket Team. Pridwin players had the opportunity to play against

The ISCF has taken place for over 30 years at different venues academy sides in Hyderabad, fostering cultural exchange throughout South Africa, withIndia, an emphasis on touring teams opportunities and international sportsmanship. participating rather than the local teams that schools play regularly. The ten teams that participated at this year's festival were Clifton Prep, Our boys arrived in India embarked on a fantastic journey Nottingham Road; WHPS; St and Charles College; Woodridge Prep; St John's, at the Coaching Beyond Cricket Academy. The Academy, Harare; Cowan House; Whitestone School, Zimbabwe; Musikili started Primary, Zambia; Beaulieu and Team Pridwin. The cricket matches took place is at by former IndianPrep Cricket Captain and coach Ravi Shastri, Simelane Street), Wanderers Eds, with all games a centre Oval(Venus for emerging talents from all and overOld India, committed to broadcast live by Supersport Schools. The interaction, rivalry and nurturing young cricketers from 'Potential to Performance' using camaraderie between schools at this exciting sports event, plus the top-notch coaching and sports science techniques. fantastic support of visiting school parents, all made for a great festival.

PRIDWIN CENTENARY COMMUNITY PICNIC Pridwin's Centenary Community Picnic was an incredible community affair, bringing together our boys, staff and their families after a busy term. At events like these, we're reminded of our immense gratitude for the strong bonds that tie us all together. Smilemakers were on hand to entertain the children, while the incredible Steve Umculo, a Pridwin Old Boy, kept parents grooving with his tunes. Thanks to our ever supportive community, the picnic was a resounding success.

SNOW DAY

PRIDWIN INDIA TOUR

KNIGHT RUN PICNIC CENTENARY COMMUNITY

KNIGHT RUN

CENTENARY WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS The much anticipated Centenary Weekend took place from 28 September and included the Centenary Golf Day, Old Boys Chapel Service and Centenary Gala Evening

OLD BOYS CHAPEL Our Pridwin hearts were full as we welcomed old boys and their families to a special Centenary Old Boys Chapel that marked the historic occasion of our 100th Anniversary. A warm welcome was extended to our Class of 2018, now in matric at schools across the country. It was a joy to witness them reconnect with each other, their teachers and their Pridwin little brothers, who are now in Grade 5. It was a privilege to welcome guest speaker Rev Nick Kerr, who gave an inspirational Chapel sermon. Rev Kerr is Pridwin Founder, Captain Claude Janion’s oldest living relative and we were fascinated by his stories about Captain Janion. Parents and boys tucked into a delicious celebratory breakfast followed by a tour of the school, but what our class of 2018 enjoyed the most was getting back on to Janion Field and playing touch rugby with present Pridwin boys. It was indeed a day to remember, and the happiness felt by all those present was a testament to the enduring spirit of Pridwin.

CENTENARY GOLF DAY What an incredible day we had at the Pridwin Centenary Golf Day, held at Parkview Golf Course. It was a great day of golf and a memorable celebration honouring Pridwin’s 100 year milestone. Generous sponsors, donors, dedicated staff, and helpful volunteers all contributed to the success of the day. Thank you to our golfers; teams were made up of a fantastic mix of old boys, current parents and our alumni community. Your enthusiastic participation and support was greatly appreciated.

CENTENARY GALA EVENING Pridwin's Centenary Gala Evening was a night to remember, a ONCE-IN-ACENTURY opportunity for our Pridwin Community to unite with the special friends whom they had created special Pridwin memories with over the years. It was a gathering of the entire Pridwin Community with a fantastic lineup of entertainment, which included the popular band Mean Mr Mustard, who had us dancing all night, and the incredible singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Khaya Mthethwa, who gave an unforgettable musical performance.

‘Thank you to our wonderful community for sharing this auspicious night with us.’

CENTENARY GOLF DAY

OLD BOYS CHAPEL

Past Pridwin Headmasters’ Centenary Message

Nic Kerr Video

William Rattray Speaks To Captain Janion’s Oldest Living Relative, Rev Nick Kerr

CENTENARY GALA EVENING

CENTENARY GALA EVENING VIDEO

PRIDWIN CENTENARY FUN DAY Pridwin's Centenary Fun Day was a vibrant celebration that took the form of a Colour Carnaval Fun Day in November this year. The annual attractions of the Soapbox Derby, Tug-of-War and Teacher's Dunking Tank were, once again, the time-old favourites that occur yearly at the Pridwin Fun Day. The boys of Bedevere, Tristrim, Galahad, and Launcelot gave a high-speed battle on the race track, and the Grade 7 boys gave it their all as they competed for the sought-after Tug of War Trophy. Pridwin teachers showed their good-natured, fun temperaments as the Grade 7 boys auctioned their ‘dunkings’ to the highest bidder! Our fabulously colourful community came together in true Pridwin style, filling the day with laughter, fun, and connection. We cannot thank our incredible community enough; you always rise to every occasion, creating unforgettable moments for our boys and school. It was a joy to witness our boys revelling in good old-fashioned fun and our parents' enthusiastic support of Pridwin.

PRIDWIN CENTENARY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Decked in green and red, Pridwin looked appropriately festive for our yearly Christmas Celebration, which marked the official end of our centenary year. This magical event was a memorable, feel-good evening filled with joy and community spirit. From the heartwarming Christmas sing-along led by conducting maestro Richard Cock and members of the Chanticleer Chamber Choir to the brilliant Junior Nativity Concert and, finally, a moving performance by our senior boys at the Pridwin Carol Service, every moment was pure magic! Thank you to our incredible community for making this celebration a fitting end to an unforgettable year.

CENTENARY FUN DAY

KNIGHTFUN RUN CENTENARY DAY

RUN CENTENARYKNIGHT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

CENTENARY CONCERTS Pridwin's annual productions are always a highlight of the year, but this year our incredible teachers and talented boys went all out to present sensational ‘Future Fit’ centenary-themed concerts.

The Grade 0 and 1 concert set sail to great fanfare with the production, ‘Captain Janion and his favourite companions’. The story starts at sea, where our famous founder, Captain Janion, is whiling away the hours on his ship. Captain Janion turns to Julia Donaldson’s much-loved books, where he learns the values that ignite his future. Setting sail in a new direction, he endeavours to build a school where boys can live these values for hundreds of years and make a difference in the world.

Pridwin's Grade 2 and 3 Concert took us on a magical Disney journey of ‘100 Years of Wonder!’ Celebrating Pridwin’s 100th birthday alongside Disney, our talented teachers crafted a spectacular show featuring all the best Disney moments from the past century. The boys entertained their adoring fans with feet-tapping music, enthusiastic dance, and endless wonder!

We all buckled up for a thrilling ride at the Grade 4 and 5 concert, Back to the Future, as our boys transported us back in time to the different decades of the past 100 years. The concert was a time-travel extravaganza as our boys showcased their singing, dancing and acting skills from the roaring twenties to the trenches of France, through the swinging sixties to the dawning of the digital age in the 90s, all the way to current-day innovations, with a whole lot of fun in between.

Everyone loves a good musical, so we were in for a treat when our Grade 6 and 7 boys took to the stage to deliver knockout performances at the Pridwin School Musical which included hits from musicals of the past 100 years. By showcasing popular musicals of past decades and searching for the magical key ingredient that makes for a hit musical, they took their delighted audience on an energetic, heart-thumping musical journey.

CAPTAIN JANION AND HIS FAVOURITE COMPANIONS

100 YEARS OF WONDER

BACK TO THE FUTURE

KNIGHT RUN PRIDWIN SCHOOL MUSICAL

PRIDWIN SCHOOL MUSICAL

World Cup Fever

Just when we thought Pridwin's Centenary Year couldn't get any better, World Cup fever swept through South Africa. Fridays turned into Bok Fridays, then Proteas Fridays, as our boys came to school in green jerseys, buzzing with excitement for South Africa's matches. Of course, the highlight was the Springboks winning the World Cup, making our Centenary celebrations truly legendary!

The Pridwin Academy The Pridwin Academy opened its doors in July and is Pridwin’s latest Community Partnership project. The Academy is an academic enrichment programme that provides an educational advancement opportunity for children from Schools in the Alexandra Community. The 16 boys were chosen from three Alexandra schools, Ikage, Iputheng and Emfundesweni, after assessments covering various areas, including Literacy, Numeracy, General Knowledge and Conversational Skills. The Academy boys attend lessons on the Pridwin Campus three afternoons a week and participate in a tailored academic programme. The Pridwin Academy provides uniforms, books, stationery, transport, and a hot lunch each day before lessons start. Pridwin is intentional about becoming Future Fit and showing our commitment to educational empowerment and social responsibility. We are delighted with all that has been achieved at The Academy this year and look forward to doubling the number of boys who attend next year to include Grade 4 and 5 boys. We believe this project will enrich the lives of not only the academy boys but also our Pridwin boys as we embark on this transformative journey together. We thank our CSI donars who have made this possible.

Future Fit centenary theme As the year draws to a close, we reflect on Pridwin's Centenary theme of 100 Years Future Fit and all the massive learnings the boys have undergone as they strive to become future fit global citizens. Being future fit doesn't happen by chance; it happens by choice. Pridwin is intentional about developing the skills and knowledge our boys need to thrive in the rapidly changing world. Termly themes of 'Invent the Future', 'Impact the Future' and 'Ignite the Future' helped our boys discover the power they hold to make a difference. Through projects, initiatives, and community engagement, they learned that even small actions can have a ripple effect, shaping a brighter future for all. We are proud to be shaping the next generation of young leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. So, together, let's nurture future fit boys who are not just academically proficient but resilient, innovative, and compassionate individuals ready to impact the world positively.

Future Fit Centre We are excited to share the plans for the next phase of our Centenary Growth Plan, the building of a Future Fit Centre. These facilities play a vital role in providing a learning environment that is truly world-class with innovative teaching methods and cutting-edge technology to ensure our boys excel in high school and beyond. This centre will provide modern, state-of-the-art learning spaces that foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration to ensure that the boys are equipped with the skills and resources needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. During our Centenary Year, we embarked on an ambitious and intentional fundraising campaign and we invite every member of our community to join us in this collective effort. Through our committed alumni and current parents, spanning across generations, we ensure the sustained success and growth of Pridwin for the next century. Please click here to view drawings and additional information on the Future Fit Centre. Should you wish to contribute towards the Future Fit Centre please click here.

Circles of Giving

Our Centenary provides an unique opportunity for our Pridwin Community to pledge their commitment to Pridwin's second century of growth through our Circles of Giving Campaign, and we invite every member of our community to join us in this collective effort. Our Circles of Giving symbolise the power of community and individual contributions, regardless of their size. Every donation, no matter how big or small, holds immense significance towards ensuring an inspiring future for Pridwin. In recognition of your contribution, we are pleased to offer the option, should you wish, of having your name represented on our donor giving boards. Our donations are recognised in the following categories (with no specific amounts shown) Founder, Bronze, Silver and Legacy. Every donation received contributes towards the sustainability and continued excellence of Pridwin. Over the next century, we wish to build a future where the impact of Pridwin extends far beyond the walls of our campus, making a significant difference in the wider world. We encourage you to share this opportunity with fellow alumni, parents, friends, anyone who understands the importance of investing in our boys' future and continue this initiative into our second century. Click here for more information