Maritzburg College School Magazine Maritzburg College Magazine 2016 electronic | Page 99

BOARDING
Clark House
Housemaster: Mr R Barbour
Boarder Masters:
Messrs D Hoffman, R Lombard, M Ngcobo,
L Shezi, S Stickells
Head of House: L Johnson
Prefects: C Hope, T Drummond, N Odendaal, M King
There is always a period of adjustment when there are new hands on the
tiller, and that was certainly the case at the start of the year. I believe that
we have struck an understanding and know what we can expect from each
other. Together, the staff and boys drew up a Clark House Code of Honour,
which we will strive to uphold.
We kicked off the year with a number of inter-house competitions in which
the boys fully immersed themselves - including two of our braver prefects
volunteering their dramatic talents on the stage in Theatre Sports. Well
done Messrs King and Odendaal. We had the inaugural boarder run, a
three kilometre jaunt around the school grounds. This was at the break of
day at 5:30am, and looked to be thoroughly enjoyed by the boys and
staff who were also encouraged to run. Our boys showed their fitness and
strength by tackling the obstacle course challenge in the early stages of the
year’s inter-house competition.
Clark House has many multi-talented and gifted young men who are highly
competitive. Many of our boys excelled academically, in the cultural sphere
and on the sports fields (awards are listed elsewhere in the magazine).
Congratulations to all our boys who received awards in their respective
fields – they can justifiably have a great sense of pride in themselves.
A national monument and original home of this great school, affectionately
referred to as the ‘Old Lady’, Clark House played host to the sacred Friday
night tradition of boot polishing and shouting practice on a number of
occasions during the second term. The much anticipated ‘touch up’ job
of the house was also completed. The June exam time was conducive to
learning, with study venues being established in the classrooms closest
to the staffroom and with regular monitoring by staff and Clark House
prefects. There was a feeling of purpose amongst the boys as they swatted
away, demonstrating praiseworthy amounts of self-discipline, and industry.
In the last term of 2016, referred to as the ‘silly season’, the Clark House
boys were generally very well behaved. The boys saw out their summer
sports commitments and then knuckled down to some swatting.
The house was very proud to have played a part in producing the 2017
Head Prefect, R Williamson, a fine young man, with great values, morals
and principles, not to mention a delightful sense of humour. All of the
aforementioned have made him a very popular boy with boys and staff
alike. We also look forward to seeing the managerial style and leadership
impression that M Squires will make on the house next year as the Head of
House, also a quality young man with a great sense of purpose.
I am also very proud of the Fifth Form boys, who set a very good tone for
the house, being the responsible older brothers of the house. The Third
Formers took a while to adjust to the different senior house, but in time
became a vital part of the Clark House family. Our Fourth Formers were
outstanding at toeing the line this year and I believe they will continue this
trend next year as the ‘big brothers’.
This year has flown past and was personally one of the most rewarding of
my career at College. My heartfelt thanks to all the parents, families and
lift clubs. They have all made the running of the House very smooth and
have contributed to a very pleasant atmosphere. Correspondence was
timeous and informative and very helpful in ensuring their son’s safety and
well-being.
I was, on a daily basis, reminded of how privileged I was to be working
amongst this group of staff, prefects and boys. It was a delight to be able
to acquaint myself with their families and I look forward to these continuing
friendships. It has always been my dream to run Clark House and my
family and I feel at home and at peace here. It is my great pleasure to serve
the boys, the House, and my old school.
During the third term I had the privilege of attending the Boarding Schools
Association (BSA) conference at Michaelhouse. I came away feeling
encouraged and inspired and have implemented some of the ideas. As a
result, communication within Clark House has become very efficient and I
have regular and direct contact with the boys individually and in groups.
Overall, Clark House enjoyed another successful year and we look forward
to a positive 2017.
Mr R Barbour
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