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FORTHCOMING REUNIONS

1952 60th Reunion on 14 September 2012. Contact Valmai Schoeman (van der Hoven) (ajschoem@mweb.co.za) on 021 531 3701 or 083 594 6858, alternatively Natalie le Roux (Tait) (natleroux@telkomsa.net) and Luann Waller (Starke) (luann@xsinet.co.za)

1964 50th Reunion for the class in 2014. Contact pamfield@mweb.co.za

1974 40th Reunion on 31 Jan 2014. Contact Karin Evans
karinevans@gmail.com

1972 40th Reunion in November 2012. Contact Gretta Melck at 083 645 6425,
021 689 2036 or gtapscott@iafrica.com

1983 30th Reunion in 2013. Contact Linda Austin (MacGregor) at lindajean@yebo.co.za ; cell 083 265 7737

1993 20th Reunion in 2013. Contact Belinda Danks (Crisp) at bdanks@ptrust.co.za or Janice Probyn (Abernethy) at Janice@tomandbella.co.za

1997 15th Reunion. Contact Alex Davidge (Brooke) form more details: cell 084 487 6634 or adavidge@telkomsa.net

2011 1st Reunion in September 2012. Contact junewatson@gmail.com

2000 REUNION

Click here to view the class of 2000's 10 year reunion.

1964 REUNION

Reunion photo of the 1964 Matrics. ( RGHS ) 12th March. 2009

Maiden names :-

Back Row
Linda Kent, Carol Duncan, Pat Walton, Elaine Atkins, Diana Sleep, Zephne Van der Spuy, Disa Zoutendijk, Linda Young, Bev Walker.

Middle Row
Carol Anderson, Mary Muller, Lindsay Plimsoll, Gill Atkinson.

Front Row
Barbara Rendle, Louise Miles, Sheila Paterson, Penny Nash, Lynne Bam, Meryl Wells, Margie Briggs.

E86 REUNION

E66 REUNION

32 of us met at the Harbour House at Kalk Bay harbour for a long lunch on Saturday 21 October. The weather was glorious, the whales put on a show for us, the food was excellent and there was lots of catching up done. We were eventually thrown out at 5.30pm so that the restaurant could be reorganised for dinner ! Rose Salt (Horne) came from London, Rose Passmore (Plimsoll) and Marie Roshold (Olivier) from JHB , Penny Schultz (Albertyn) from East London and Jean de Jager (Mitchell) and Hilary Steven- Jennings (Etherton) from Beaufort West while most of the rest were local as far as Tulbach (Mary Krone (Ledingham). Colleen de Villiers (Jacobson) did a stirling job decorating the venue with a model doll dressed in Rustenburg uniform , old photos and magazines as well as carrying through the sea theme with blues and shells and "happy 40th " helium balloons. It was a really good time.

ERINVILLE REUNION

History was probably made at Rustenburg on Saturday, 15th October 2005, when a group of ex-boarders gathered at Charlie's Hope to be reunited after sixty years or more. This wasn't a reunion of certain Matrics but were all those who had boarded at Erinville between the years 1945 and 1952 so covered several years - and what a joyful gathering it was! It made us realise what a tightly knit group boarders are and what a vast number of memories are stored up during the years of living together. 

We only started about three months before to hunt down the Old Boarders but by word of mouth and a bit of sleuth work we managed to contact about 40 of them, 26 of whom were able to attend. Several others we found were overseas or had passed away but some travelled quite a distance to join us, e.g. Joan Bothma (Basson 1947) from Port Edward in Natal and Noreen Boltman (Jackson 1949) from East London. Noreen and SCB Smit (Redelinghuys 1949) had been suggesting this reunion for some time.

We had a Bring and Share Finger Lunch so that everybody could move around freely and chat and were pleased that Dr. Fullard was able to join us for this and to tell us a bit about what a boarder's life is like nowadays - very different from that which we experienced. No early morning walks in crocodile, no compulsory school uniform out of school nor attendance at church, far greater freedom - and when we were later taken around the hostel and saw how the cubicles could be decorated we couldn't believe our eyes!

There was much laughter over the various memories of such things as midnight feasts and the never-to-be-forgotten "Slippery Jim" who managed to find his way into the boarding-house one night but definitely soon regretted his foolhardiness. A song was composed about him at the time and with combined help from all present the words of this were remembered and sung!

It was a really great day, enjoyed to such an extent that all agreed it should be done again soon, perhaps next year, and the main organisers Muriel Housdon (Meintjes 1948) and Sybil A'Bear (Andrews 1949) were heartily thanked for their work in bringing everybody together.

1974 YEAR REUNION

Dear Karin

I have been meaning to write to you since the recent Rustenburg Founders Day service and luncheon followed by the Saturday morning breakfast for the 1974 Year at Suikerbossie. 

This is to thank Averil and you for your much hard work and sterling commitment in orchestrating a reunion for us 'les girls'. I applaud, as no doubt did all those present, your mammoth task in tracking down Rustybugs the world over and making the event happen in spite of reticence on the part of many given unhappy associations with the school, both junior and high. It was encouraging to read the good wishes and entertaining messages/emails from those in far distant lands or those who simply couldn't make it with crowded schedules.

On the Friday, it was interesting to revisit the establishment where we spent so much time and energy and to meet up with former headmistresses and teachers. I enjoyed the address by the current headmistress, Dr Elizabeth Fullard; her concern with education and its role and future gave me cause for reflection. (I am currently consulting to the Department of Education, Western Cape; no such thing as co-incidence!). Also, interesting to note changes and developments, especially the library and high-tec section (computers at school unheard and unimaginable three decades ago, that ages us!) and yet in other aspects it has not changed at all. In the Assembly presentation, hearing the history behind the property on which the school is located gave insight into the history of the school inter-twined with that of the Cape. The girls orchestra too was a step forward... diversification is a not able positive move in embracing the challenges faced by - and requirements of - girls in the 21st Century. 

Changes in the school uniform was another facet update ... I personally felt that at age of 15, I was well past uniform stage, although the inherent discipline factor is still key with uniformity of dress and a code-standard can be maintained. I admire Pam being in charge of the boarding house with you helping her; the girls of today at Rustenburg Boarding House clearly have two women who can operate on multi-levels, providing much needed understanding and care especially for those far from home. And to cope successfully with the pressures that our modern society and worldwide domain exerts.

I, alongside many others I am sure, enjoyed the luncheon on the Friday; considerable catchups and 'how are you's' .... and .... not much ageing in the group! Compliments all round. Why not? It is noticeable and commendable to evaluate the collective achievements of our Year ... we were and are a pretty dynamic bunch.

Following on with the breakfast at Suikerbossie: this was a truly happy occasion, fun filled, bags of photographs being taken and address / card swapping. It was gratifying that of the circa 25 attendees, Lillian was present from NZ; Robin, Jenny and Karen from Gauteng; Cecile from the Eastern Cape; and Jill from George, among others who had travelled quite a distance. I understand that over the two events a total of 33 gals were present, some of us attended both days. That is a tremendous accomplishment for the organising committee. 

It was heartening that the ladies present wanted to encourage a follow-up reunion and not wait another 30 years to do so! ... in fact, the scheduled date is 2009 with informal get-togethers in the interim. Given the length of the breakfast - about four hours methinks - I would heartily recommend to our Year that they attempt to attend if families, work and other commitments permit; for those further afield, perhaps they could diarise now for four years hence. The warmth and good spirit engendered by the occasion and the company was easily evident; for those like myself who did not enjoy our schooling, as one person succinctly remarked, "the ghost of Rustenburg (unhappy times) had been laid to rest".

May I congratulate Averil and you for providing such a well organised platform. To my fellow Year-members, I say congratulations on your success too. It was great to see you.

Warmest best wishes

Sincerely

ANNE THOMSON