Highbury Old Boys

Nothing brings back Highbury memories quite like the unmistakable smell of the dining hall and thoughts of your favourite (and perhaps not-so-favourite!) meals. For many Old Boys, mealtimes weren't just about the food – they were about the laughter, friendships and the wonderfully creative combinations that probably shouldn't have worked... but somehow did!

While the classics will always hold a special place in Highbury history, today's boys have a new favourite – ribs and chips! Messy, delicious, and guaranteed to leave plenty of sticky fingers, full stomachs and smiling faces.

Celebrating Two Outstanding Highbury Old Boys

From Grade 2 classmates at Highbury Preparatory School to teammates representing South Africa on the world stage, Cristiano Sandri and Casey Marks have both been selected for the South African U16 Men’s Water Polo Team, currently competing at the World Aquatics Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

Their journey is a testament to years of friendship, commitment, perseverance and hard work, reflecting the Highbury spirit of Jamais Arrière – Never Behind.

We wish Cristiano, Casey and the entire South African team every success as they proudly represent South Africa. Your Highbury family is incredibly proud of you all.

From the classrooms of Highbury to mentoring the next generation, Richard Gorven (Class of 2004) has dedicated his life to investing in young people.

Richard is Creative Director of Trulife, a non-profit organisation that helps students make brave choices that lead to better futures. He also works with the Global Leadership Network International, sharing stories of impact from around the world, and serves on the GLS Next Gen Leadership Team.

Over the past two decades, Richard has mentored young people through church ministry, Bible college lecturing, youth leadership, creative projects, music, and work with a range of corporates and non-profit organisations. At the heart of everything he does is a passion for helping others grow into the people they were created to be. Richard is also the author of Before You Call Yourself a Mentor - offering practical wisdom and encouragement for anyone who wants to make a meaningful difference in another person's life.

Looking back at his Highbury days, Richard shares: I have the most incredible memories from Highbury. From long afternoons spent reading the works of Brian Jacques and J.R.R. Tolkien in the library (shoutout to Mrs Bowen and Mr Gumede), to running around the grounds with my friends in a world of our own. At Highbury, I was encouraged to be myself, to take the road less travelled, and to explore who I was beyond the surface level. Teachers like Mrs Scott (my piano teacher) allowed me to explore my passion for music in a way that differed from everyone else’s, unlocking something within me. It was moments and encounters like those that made Highbury special and instilled in me the importance of always seeing the individual, embracing a “one size fits one” mentality. These are themes that have stayed with me and have found a home in my writing as well.

Congratulations, Richard, on using your gifts to make a lasting impact on the lives of so many young people. We are proud to celebrate another Highbury Old Boy who is living out the Highbury values of service, leadership and integrity.

Before You Call Yourself a Mentor is available online: https://beforeyoumentor.com/

Did you catch the Highbury Old Boys Q2 Newsletter?
If you missed it, now's your chance to catch up on the latest news from Highbury Old Boys around the world. From reunion highlights and alumni achievements to Foundation updates and upcoming events, there's plenty to enjoy.

Click the link below to read the newsletter and stay connected
https://hps.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Q2-HOB-Newsletter-2026-2.pdf

On Friday, we had the privilege of welcoming home the Highbury Class of 2021 for their 5-Year Reunion.

It was wonderful to reconnect before they begin one of the biggest milestones of their school journey – their matric prelims and final examinations. We were delighted to welcome boys from Kearsney College, Hilton College, Curro Hillcrest Waterfall College and Thomas More College together with their Grade 7 teachers, Mrs Lynette Watkinson and Mr Rory Wood while Mr WP de Reuck sent a heartfelt message of encouragement.

The reunion brought back many special memories as the boys enjoyed a traditional Highbury lunch, caught up with old friends, visited former teachers and even spent time with younger siblings now walking the same halls they once did. Each Old Boy received a Highbury gift, a copy of the handprint they made in Grade 1 as a reminder of just how far they have come, and a good luck message from our current Grade 7 boys.

To the Class of 2021 – Your final year at Highbury was unlike any other. COVID-19 changed the way you learnt, played sport and celebrated your last year, yet your class showed resilience, adaptability and character throughout. As you prepare for your prelims and final examinations, remember that success is measured by far more than marks. It is measured by your integrity, courage, faith and the positive impact you have on those around you. As one Grade 7 boy simply wrote, "You've got this!"

We wish every member of the Class of 2021, including those who couldn't join us on Friday, every success for the months ahead. Wherever life takes you, know that Highbury will always be your home, and you will always be part of the Highbury Old Boys association.

Jamais Arrière – Never Behind.

Celebrating Highbury Old Boys achieving Kearsney College

Congratulations to Asher Hollister on winning the Kearsney Strokeplay Championships at and on being named the Dolphins Cricket U15 Boys Blue Player of the Season at the annual Dolphins Franchise Cricket Awards 2025/2026.

Well done to Timothy Moroney on making Cotswold Downs Club history with his first official Hole-in-One during the Alfred County Junior Tournament played at .

Congratulations also to the boys who achieved a remarkable 100% in specific subjects in Term 2, inclusive of June examinations:
• Joshua Scheeman - EMS
• Mithra Seery – Design & Technology and Life Skills
• Thomas Waldburger – Mathematics

We are incredibly proud of these young men for their dedication, hard work and pursuit of excellence in the classroom, on the sports field and beyond. We wish them continued success as they build on these remarkable achievements.

For generations, the Highbury Library has sparked curiosity, inspired imagination and nurtured a lifelong love of reading. It is fitting that so many Highbury Old Boys have gone on to become published authors, sharing their stories and ideas with readers around the world.

• Richard McCarthy (Class of 1958) – When We Were Young and Rich and Going to the Moon. A heartfelt letter to his grandchildren, reflecting on growing up and his memorable Highbury years in the 1950s.

• Ari Seirlis (Class of 1975) – Wheels of Fire. An inspiring autobiography of resilience, courage and his lifelong advocacy for people with disabilities.

• Walter Addison (Class of 1940) – The Addison Diaries. A fascinating collection of memories and reflections from a remarkable life.

• Ronald Thackwell (Former Head of Music) – Nyaminyami: The Zambezi River God. A thrilling young adult adventure inspired by the legends and landscapes of the Zambezi.

• Imraan Coovadia (Class of 1983) – A Spy in Time. The latest novel from one of South Africa's most acclaimed writers, academics and public intellectuals.

• Anthony Akerman (Class of 1962) – Lucky Bastard. A moving memoir exploring adoption, identity and the search for belonging.

To help ensure future generations of boys discover that same love of reading we invite you to contribute to the Highbury Library Legacy Appeal :
https://hps.devman.co.za/Devman/librarylegacy/giving/

Have you written a book, or do you know of another Highbury Old Boy who has? We'd love to add it to our Highbury Authors Collection. Please get in touch at [email protected].

Well done to Asher Hollister!

Congratulations to Asher Hollister for winning the Kearsney Strokeplay Championships at Cotswold Downs on Monday. Asher was in control throughout the 36 holes and is in good form heading into the KZN Schools Championships this coming weekend at Victoria Country Club.🏌️‍♂️

Celebrating Highbury Old Boys achieving at Hilton College

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of several Highbury Old Boys who have recently been recognised at Hilton College for their commitment, talent, leadership and sporting excellence.

Tito Chonco (Grade 12) – Awarded a Service Tie

Ben Mann (Grade 12) – Awarded a Cultural Tie for Visual Arts

Ntsika Kleinbooi (Grade 11) – Awarded Half Colours for Debating and a Cultural Tie for Debating

Luke Goodenough (Grade 10) – Achieved Grade 3 Guitar with Distinction through Trinity College London and received a Rowing Merit Award

Wanga Zulu (Grade 12) – Selected for the KZN Inland U18A Hockey Team

Oyena Zulu (Grade 12) – Selected for the KZN Inland U18A Hockey Team

Blake Beaumont (Grade 10) – Selected for the KZN Inland U16C Hockey Team

Luke Barendse (Grade 9) – Selected for the Sharks Schools Youth Week U15 AFGRI Week Squad

It is wonderful to see these young men embracing every opportunity, pursuing their passions and representing their school and province with distinction. Congratulations to each of you. Your Highbury family is immensely proud of all you are achieving.

During the July holidays, our 1st XV rugby team proudly represented Highbury at the Independent Schools Rugby Festival hosted by St David's in Johannesburg.

One of the highlights of the tour was a special visit from Highbury Old Boy Sydney Barlow (Class of 1961), who was attending the festival to watch his grandson play. Sydney took time to visit the Highbury boys, share stories of his own school days, and wish the team well. In return, Mr Brandon Harvey presented him with a Highbury 1st XV rugby cap, a gesture that clearly meant a great deal to him.

Following the festival, Sydney shared this heartfelt message: "Thank you so much for making it such an incredible experience. It was really a mark of the Highbury ethos that you gentlemen went out of your way to make it a truly memorable one."

Sydney began his Highbury journey in 1958 at Threave House and reflected on the lasting impact the school had on his life. He recalled arriving at his next school, where a teacher remarked, "I knew you were different from these boys." Sydney explained that he never saw this as a compliment to himself, but rather as a testament to the values Highbury instilled in its boys.

He fondly remembered the spirit of brotherhood that defined his time at Highbury— from welcoming homesick boys into their friendship groups and creating their own cricket matches, to afternoons spent listening to classical music in P.G. Bryant's study before ending each session with an Elvis Presley record.

Sydney concluded his message with words that perfectly capture the enduring Highbury spirit: "Gentlemen, I thank you for what you did today, not because you had to, but because that's what Highbury does."