PETERHOUSE NOSTALGIA

... MEMORIES ...

FROM THE 1979 MAGAZINE

1979 was the last of the "lean years" during the uncertainties of the "guerrilla" war. With the departure of the 100 or more Zambian students in the mid-'70s and the general uncertainty, numbers in the school reached their lowest point since the founding years - 180. Ably led by the Rector, Bruce Fieldsend, with the support of the Board of Governors which raised considerable financial support from industry and sacrifices by both staff and students, the school survived until enrolments once again rose to more acceptable levels after 1980. But in Dickens' immortal words "They were the best of times and the worst of times." The boys and staff were probably more involved and committed than ever before or since.

The security situation

A security fence made of gumpoles and barbed wire was stretched for 3km around the outside of all playing fields, Monkey Hill, and staff housing. Unsuccessful attempts were made to grow Mauritius Thorn along it. The Dining Room windows were also coated with a plastic film to prevent flying glass should there be a rocket or mortar attack. Happily there never was one. The nearest attack to the school property came on 9 November 1979 when Kingsley Harris, a member of the Marandellas High School staff, was ambushed and killed in his car on the Council Road close to the south-east corner of the estate. This was mid-afternoon during games and the explosions and firing sounded all too near. Members of the staff went down the road, in the armoured "Batmobile" which the school Police Reserve Section had acquired, to react to the situation and had the shock of finding the car and identifying the body inside.

The school buses had to be off the roads by four in the afternoon and this seriously affected many aspects of the life of the school.

Magazine Editorial

Now that a return to normality in 1980 seems at least likely it may be interesting to recall what "normality" means to Peterhouse.

To begin with, the staff will enjoy being able to travel with teams and the like unencumbered with weapons and their holidays without going off as policemen. But for the boys in particular many of the present necessary restrictions will fall away.

The annual expeditions to the Chimanimanis, which every junior went on, were discontinued for security reasons in 1975, so that there are no boys here now who can remember the excitement and pleasure (besides the discomfort and sometimes despair!) of exploring that most specularly beautiful part of Rhodesia. Again, the natural History Society will be able to resume its expeditions to the Kalahari desert instead of, as now, being forced to be content with the relatively tamer parts of Southern Africa.

It will no longer be necessary for school buses to be off the roads by four in the afternoon, so that games will be played at more congenial times than at present and Salisbury schools will be able to visit us and the necessary but inconvenient juggling with Saturday's time-table will cease. Visits to Salisbury for activities other than games will become far easier to arrange without the necessity of finding over-night accommodation.

But more important from the boys' point of view will be the relaxing of the present rule which keeps them confined within the perimeter fence in their free time: they will be able to enjoy what used to be called "free bounds" and wander at will over the countryside around us.

No one expects these things to happen at once, and the future is still clouded by uncertainty, but the light of true freedom is shining behind the clouds. Let us pray that it will not be eclipsed.

School Notes

• Petreans Michael Chance, William Perkins and Gray Maguire were killed in action.
• Paul Brodsky retired after 17 years at Peterhouse.
• Mr Pratt left in August to pursue art without having to teach it and Archie Kennedy returned after two years' teaching at Milton Abbey in the UK.
• Miss Wilson was succeeded by Mrs Haarhoff as the Rector's secretary.
• A considerable amount of redecoration of boarding houses and class rooms was well as of buildings in the central part of the school was undertaken.
• The fields were again attacked by herbivorous grubs and some were out of action.
• 40 new trees were planted around the grounds.
• A security fence some three kilometres long was erected, including most staff houses and all the playing fields. Three gates, including one manned at night, were let into it.
• A very fine bus seating 37 passengers was acquired, the surviving Leyland having finally died.
• The Peterhouse Bank was set up by John Greenacre.
• Two indoor and one outdoor plays were staged. Men without Shadows was a most impressive first "all boy" production, Mr Coates and Mr Etheridge produced Simple Spymen and Mr Etheridge produced The Merchant of Venice in the amphitheatre.
• A successful expedition was made by the Natural History Society to Barberton and Peter Ginn organised a most ambitous expedition to Langjan.
• The rugby team had a successful tour to Cape Town

Peterhaven

The school cottage had suffered, like other properties in the Inyanga area, from the attentions of gangs of thieves and some losses have been sustained. In the circumstances no one has stayed there this year, but we are grateful to Mr and Mrs Snell for the way they have kept an eye on the property when they have been able to get there.

It is sad to report that Timothy, the caretaker, has retired after 25 years' good service. Many boys and staff will remember his cheerful grin when a party arrived for a stay.

The staff

Rector
B R Fieldsend

Senior Master
J M W Davidson

Assistant Masters
M N Carter
J M Coates
G J Dock
D H F Etheridge
R G Exelby
P J Ginn
J W Greenacre
A M Hammond
T Haskins
J C Hodgson
D I S Jacklin
C S E Johnson
E S Katso
A Kennedy
G Martin
D F Shaw
A P Singleton
P E Ward

C R C Owtram - Bursar
Mrs P E S Haarhoff - Rector's Secretary
A E Benzies - Accountant
Sister W Upshon - Sister in charge of Sanatorium
Sister D Lowe - Assistant Sister
Mrs D Bekker - Caterer
Miss A Butterworth - Matron

School Prefects

Ellis : P T R Rose
Paget : M J Aitkens
Grinham : J R Forrest (Head of School)
Malvern : C G Pickering
Founders : C M van Rooyen (Second Prefect)