The making of a great college
Leadership structures and a proud tradition have made Kearsney College what it is today, writes Colleen Dardagan
A T KEARSNEY College little has changed in the leadership structure over the past 91 years. Matrics are top of the pile and the little guys have to work their way up the leadership ladder.
But it is a system that builds respect and those who have had the privilege of going through it, or are now part of it, have come to appreciate this about Kearsney College.
Jono Deighton, one of the leaders of the school’s international awardwinning choir, first team rugby captain and head of Hayley House, where all the Grade 8s spend their first year settling in, said: “When I first came to boarding school I was so homesick, but that first year at Hayley House helped me to settle in. I know it sounds silly to outsiders that only matrics can walk on the grass and Grade 8s must learn to greet senior boys, but tradition is close to our hearts. Boys who come here have to learn manners – that is very important as well.”
Jono says the success of the school is a credit to the leadership structures. “I look back on the decision my parents made to send me to boarding school. It was a good thing and now I can have empathy for those who are just starting out. I know how it feels.”
The 1st XV rugby prop forward says spending the first year at the school apart from the more senior boys was, in his opinion, ideal.
“The boys are sheltered for the first year and it is nerve-racking to go into the senior houses when you are in Grade 9, but at least you have already spent a year getting to know the school and the older boys. Boys who strive to be a part of the college thrive and it makes the whole experience worthwhile.
The leadership system here is a credit to the success of the school,” he says.
Sharks rugby coach John Plumtree’s son, Reece, agrees that boarding school is “much better” than primary school despite being tough in the beginning.
“Deighton [Reece’s ‘senior’] helps me,” he says. The youngster, who is a carbon copy of his famous dad and “loves” rugby, says he “does” (sorts and lists) Jono’s laundry on a Monday night and makes his bed in the mornings, and the rugby boots get their weekly shine on a Friday night. “But if I need any advice I can just go to him and ask,” he says.
On cleaning his senior’s shoes, Reece says it’s all part of the fun.
“They’re size 12, so I get help from another boy,” the be-freckled youngster smiles shyly.
Old boy Graham Shuker, who started at Kearnsey in 1941, said the school was not only his alma mater, but it taught him how to deal with people and the importance of friendship.
“In life you can only do things through people,” says the 82-year-old who has dedicated his entire life to serving both Kearsney College and Pietermaritzburg’s Epworth School.
“Everything you see at Kearsney College is there because of a benefactor. Every building has a name attached to it, of someone who was prepared to donate and give back to the school they once attended.”
Shuker, who was born near the hamlet of Kearsney, near KwaDukuza (Stanger), says while he first attended a farm school near Amatikulu, he knew by Standard 5 (Grade 7) he would go to boarding school.
“I never thought about not doing it. Everyone would get on the train at eight in the morning to Durban. We would then go to movies and at 5pm catch the train to Botha’s Hill. My father only ever came to Kearsney twice. He never set foot on the premises. Very different from today.”
Shuker remembers a friend, Duncan McDonald, whose parents sent him to boarding school at the age of six.
“He was put on the train. We were told we must see the guard to make sure Duncan carried on to Pietermaritzburg where he was to attend Merchiston Prep. We were given two shillings to give to Duncan for the taxi which would take him from the station to the school. But when he got to Merchiston the taxi driver wouldn’t take the money. You know in those days we would get a tickey to buy sweets for the whole term. Duncan was rich!”
As he leans back into the easy chair overlooking the golf course on the Hillcrest housing estate where he now lives, Shuker smiles as he remembers how the boys dug the school’s first swimming pool in 1942.
Shuker, now a trustee of the school, served as chairman of the board and chairman of the executive committee, as well as on the joint Kearsney College and Epworth Board for a good number of years.
Looking back he says individual people making brave decisions made the school what it is today.
“Firstly, Sir James Liege Hulett. He was a hugely successful industrialist and politician here in KwaZuluNatal. But his greatest legacy is that he founded Kearsney College.
“Thousands of boys have been educated there. When Epworth and Kearsney were facing bankruptcy and closure in 1938, the Methodist Church handed the problem to WJ “Bouncer” Williams.
“He was a powerful businessman, but his bravest decision was to move the school from the North Coast to its current site on Botha’s Hill to allow for expansion. At that time the depression was on and World War II was imminent. But he left that incredible legacy.”
Shuker believes his own legacy will be the decision he, together with the chairman of the Kearsney College board in the early 1970s, Victor Breedenkamp, took to buy the school and Epworth in Pietermaritzburg for the princely sum of R800 000 from the Methodist Church.
“In hindsight that was a decision which changed the outlook of both schools.”
And the best headmasters he has known? Shuker says all seven since the founding of the school were “right for their time”.
“I have had a hand in the appointment of the last three. Colin Silcock – he was a disciplinarian and the school ran perfectly, which was something we needed at that time.
“Then, Owen Roberts – he brought the school into the computer age, he was the one who employed Angela Stevens who established our world-renowned choir. Owen was also completely passionate about academic achievement, which is exactly what Kearsney needed then – we were always seen as second to Hilton College and Michaelhouse academically – well, not any more. And now Elwyn van den Aardweg – there is a buzz and a great attitude at the school. He has employed quality and highly motivated staff. A truly outstanding headmaster.”