Boksburg High School yearbook 2017

A word from the editor...







To say that 2017 has been an intense year for us all would be an understatement. It is, however, from our most
difficult times that we grow and become who we are meant to be. That is why we have chosen “The
Journey” as the theme for our yearbook this year. We are all on a journey to discovering who we are. Some of
us are leaving to seek our own path in the world - to our matrics, we wish you the brightest of futures.

I’d like to thank everyone who had a part in this yearbook - it is a monumental task and so many people
contributed, from coaches and co-ordinators, to students, and the management of the school. I would like to
thank Mr van Tonder and Ms Miranda in particular, for their gorgeous photographs, as well as the students
who assisted them. Thank you to Keagan Keyser for our wonderful cover art. Special thanks to Mrs Boshoff, our
principal, for her support and encouragement. It has been a real privilege to put together a taste of what
Boksburg High School is all about.

Some of us know exactly where we want to go. Many of us are terrified of the future and have no idea where
we are headed. I’ll tell you a secret - very few people REALLY know what they want to do with their lives. And
that is okay. Not everyone blooms at the same time. We differ in talent, in privilege and in opportunity, but we
have all been given the gift of being part of this very special school. In the words of Max Ehrmann, author of
the Desiderata, a text that is close to our hearts here at BHS - “Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the
universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to
you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

I hope that the pages that follow put a smile on your faces today, and tug at your hearts in years to come.
- Mrs CA Doubell, Editor

Contents






1 Editors Note and Index 36 Maths Department & Olympiad 71 Golf
2 Governing Body's Report 37 Public Speaking 71 Mountain Biking
3 Principal's Report 38 Blankets 72 Equestrians
4 Our Beautiful School 39 Grade 8 Revue 72 Consumers' Department
5 Farewell, Mr du Plessis 40-41 Outdoor Hockey 73 Mr and Miss BHS
6-13 Celts 42-43 Indoor Hockey 74 Art & Design Retro Gr12
14 Cross Country 44 Choir 75 8-11 Art & Design
14 Blood Donation 44 Interact 76-77 Netball
15 Science Department 45 Junior Awards 78-79 Soccer
15 Science Practicals 46 Senior Awards 80 Afrikaans Department
16 Eisteddfod 47 Matric Awards 80-81 Afrikaans Texts
17 LO and CAT Department 48 Valedictorian's Message 82-83 Cultural Day
17 CAT Olympiad 49 GRADE 12 A and 12 B 84 EGD & Technology Department
18 Band 50 GRADE 12 C and 12 D 84 Teachers Awards 2016
18 First Aid 51 RCL 2016/2017 85 English Department
19 History, Geography, SS & Tourism 52-53 Matric Dance 86-87 English Texts
19 Media Centre 54 RCL Camp 88-95 Scots
20 Book Club 55 GRADE 12 E and 12 F 96 Staff Fun
20 World Book Day 56 GRADE 12 G and 12 H 97 Finance Department
21 Cooking Practicals 57 GRADE 12 I and 12 J 97 Admin Department
22 Green Blood Camp 58 Colour Run 98 Writing Competition Winners
23 Cricket 59 Athletics 99 Long Service
24 Fashion Show 60 Art, Design and Creative Arts 100 Cover Design Finalists
25 EMS Department, MPC Challenge Department 101 Fun on the Corridors
26 Slipper Day 61 Security Team, Sound and 101 School Achievements
Lighting
26 Gym 102 Congratulations and Farewell
62-69 Picts
27 Swimming 103 Viking Cup
70 Grounds Staff
28-35 Gauls 104 Autographs
70 Support Staff
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Governing Body








































Mr A. Vorster, Chairman of the School Governing Body




2017 can only be described as a year of change, aimed at new heights for Boksburg High School. History
was made this year as we appointed our very first female principal, Mrs H. Boshoff, after the retirement of
Mr J. du Plessis, who served our fine school tirelessly for the past 24 years.

This transition was incredibly efficient and smooth, to the benefit of our learners, and it is evident that the
success of our school can be attributed to our ability to continually identify and respond to the changing
demands of the education sector and the needs of the learners.

Boksburg High's objective continues to be to provide the values and environment that will successfully see
our children through their formative years, to help them define a future not only for themselves, but for the
world too. The investment we put into our children today will help them achieve greater heights and create
the unimaginable.

This year we managed to work within the constraints of a tight budget and escalating running costs, and
retain our top-class educators as well as continually improve our facilities where necessary. The general
maintenance of our school has remained a priority as we ensure that we are able to provide our learners
with an enriching environment in which to thrive.

Our learners continue to produce outstanding results in all spheres of school life, and we continue to
receive accolades such as the Top Achieving School award, which was awarded to Boksburg High School
by the University of Johannesburg for the second year in a row.

My sincere thanks must go to Mrs Boshoff, Mr Wrigley, Ms Hopkins, Mrs Haahjem, and their remarkable team
of educators and support staff, as well as my fellow SGB members, without whom this year would not have
been half as successful and productive as it was.

I look forward to what 2018 has to offer and know that I, as Chairman, as well as my fellow governors, am
proud and privileged to represent this fine school, and we believe that whatever we do is always in the
best interest of both our learners and staff.

Mr Andre Vorster
Chairman of the School Governing Body

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Principal’s Report








I refer to the yearbook of 2012 where Mr J. du Plessis started of his foreword with the words of John Denver:
“Some days are diamonds and some days are stones.” That, indeed, is the life of a principal, summed up in
one sentence.

This edition of our yearbook is dedicated to Mr du Plessis our principal of 25 years, who retired at the end of
February 2017.

Being a deputy at Boksburg High School, my office was next to Mr du Plessis’. I often listened to the
interaction he had with boys. During these conversations he fulfilled the roles of a father, a councillor, a
psychologist and a principal. What always stood out to me was that somewhere during all the conversations
he had, the lesson that a true man treats women (people) with the utmost respect came about. This respect,
he clearly stated, should be learned at home, starting with the mother. Not once did I overhear a
conversation in which this message was not communicated very clearly to the learners.

He often apologized to the staff (which consists mainly of women) about the way in which boys and parents
were disrespectful towards them. In my opinion, “respect for people” was the armour Mr du Plessis wore
during his 25 years at Boksburg High School. He respected every person he came in contact with.

I think the character of Mr du Plessis is summarized by the words of Michelle Obama: “Strong men - men who
are truly role models - don't need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful. People who are
truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.”

Boksburg High School thanks Mr du Plessis for the 25 years he spent here. May the Lord bless him with a well-
deserved retirement - one that exists only of diamonds, because the stones he dealt with as the principal of
Boksburg High School, are now behind him.

Thanks to Mrs Doubell for her time and hard work putting this yearbook together. She has done a fantastic
job and on behalf all senior staff we want to say how proud we are of the finished article. We really hope
every person who touches it, enjoys it for many years to come.
- Mrs H. Boshoff, Principal

































Mr G. Wrigley (Deputy Principal), Mrs H. Boshoff (Principal), Ms J. Hopkins (Acting Deputy Principal),
and Mrs E. Haahjem (Acting Deputy Principal).






Boksburg High - The Journey 2017
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Our beautiful school...































































































Boksburg High - The Journey 2017
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Farewell, Mr du Plessis...








Desiderata - by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons
than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection. To work with so many women every day takes
Neither be cynical about love; true talent. You have always been a fantastic
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment listener and have spoken many, many, many
it is as perennial as the grass. wise words. You have taught us to remember
what peace there may be in silence.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth. You have encouraged us to remember the
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden importance of family. Family is forever, an school
misfortune. is for now! You have shown us that we are
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. children of the universe and have a right to be
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. here.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself. You have been a true gentleman and ever so
humble in accepting the accolades given to the
You are a child of the universe, school. But you have always insisted that these
no less than the trees and the stars; accolades are because of us and never
you have a right to be here. you...but that is not true. Those accolades are
And whether or not it is clear to you, because of you as you created, developed and
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. led us in the same direction in order to achieve
such an awesome school.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be, You epitomise the fact that life is full of heroism.
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your “The times, they are a changin’.” We wish you
soul. tons of cheerful people, not just in the morning
but throughout the rest of your life. Our prayer for
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, you is to be at peace with God, keep peace
it is still a beautiful world. with your soul and always Be cheerful and strive
Be cheerful. to be happy, and have a wonderful retirement.
Strive to be happy. - Ms J. Hopkins
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