20 July 2010

Dear OKs

 We can hardly believe that K-Day 2010(14 August) is just around the corner already.  I am sure that many of you are already making plans for your annual pilgrimage to Grahamstown to support our boys and girls and to touch base with fellow Old Kingswoodians and contemporaries from DSG / St Andrews. This event is so much more than just the sports results. The rivalry will always be there and we know that our Kingswoodians will play every game with passion and commitment with a massive will to win. The K-Day weekend belongs to the pupils and we as past pupils add to the amazing spirit and camaraderie that exists, not only amongst us Kingswoodians but also with the many OA/DSG friends that we have. This is absolutely crucial to the success of the weekend. We as OKs need to play our role in insuring that this great rivalry remains a healthy one and that we do not become party to any action that could tarnish the image of Kingswood or K-Day. I would appeal to those that attend K-Day to have as much fun as possible, to enjoy every minute of it and to support our pupils with the same passion that they exude on the field of play but at the same time to understand that we are in the company of pupils on the Kingswood campus and that we need to set an example at all times. The K-Day programme will be available on the website – www.kingswoodcollege.com as soon as the times and fixtures have been finalized. Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries. We are the hosts this year and we would love to see as many of you on the campus on 14 August as possible. Let us make it a K-Day to remember.

The following OK events are scheduled to take place in the second half of 2010 (the details of these events can be found in the OK Club section of the KC website under “Old Kingswoodian Diary”)

1. The newly formed Southern Cape Branch has arranged an informal get-together at Tappas, Thiessen Island in Knysna for Friday 23 July commencing at 17h00. We have a large number of OKs living on the Garden Route and I look forward to seeing you all at Tappas.  Enquiries : Joan Lombaard   083 677 7108.

2. The Gauteng Branch AGM will be held on Thursday 29 July at the Country Club, Woodmead commencing at 18h30. Please support this meeting – your committee has done a great job this year.

3. The 20-year reunion (Class of 1990) will take place from 30 July – 01 August which coincides with the Graeme Derby Day. Contact Chris Hobson on 082-3349583.

4. The annual Midlands Branch AGM / Dinner will be held at the Bedford Club on Friday 06 August. The AGM will commence at 17h30 and the Dinner at 19h00. For more details please contact Andries van Niekerk on 082-4458953

5. The 10-year reunion (Class of 2000) will take place from 13 August – 15 August which coincides with K-Day. Contact Sarah Skelton on 082-5701217.

6. K-Day – 14 August – Kingswood are the hosts.

7. The KZN Golf Day is scheduled to take place on 10 October. Those keen to take part or offer sponsorship, please contact Chris Hobson on 082-3349583.

8. Two UK Branch OK functions will take place in London on 1 and 2 October. The venues are still being sorted out so all of you in the UK please take note of these dates. Contact Margie Thomas on 01273 339 394 (home) or 0794 996 4140 (mobile) for more details.

9. The Western Cape Branch annual OK Golf Day will take place on Friday 8 October. Please contact Elana Thal on elana@aliwalroad.co.za for details.

10. The Gauteng Branch Annual Dinner will take place on Thursday 29 October.   Enquiries : Kim Williams 082 3714676

11. The annual Border/Kei Branch fishing weekend will once again take place at Haga Haga during November this year. Keep an eye on the website for final arrangements. This is a very popular outing so please join in – the more the merrier.

I am sure you have all heard about the Legends Fund Raffle which was launched earlier this year. The draw for the Legends Raffle will take place on K-Day weekend. Ticket sales have gone well but we still need to sell a number of tickets to reach our target of 900 sales. You stand a 1-in-900 chance of winning a prime property on the exclusive Kenton Eco Estate.  If you haven’t yet bought a ticket, please hurry and do so before the draw date.  You can log on to our website for the details – click here to download the brochure where you will find payment details.  If you have any questions, you can contact Debbie Smuts on d.smuts@kingswoodcollege.com.  All proceeds will go towards the Legends Fund to assist deserving youngsters to attend Kingswood.  May I take this opportunity to urge all OKs out there to support this initiative. Your contribution will benefit Kingswood hugely and will help to ensure that we continue to go from strength to strength.  Thank you to the Class of 1979 and their supporters who have done so much to make the Legends Fund a success.

The annual OK vs OA /DSG rugby and hockey (men and ladies) fixtures will be played on the afternoon of Friday 13 August. The times have not yet been finalized so please watch the website. All the games will be played at St Andrews and DSG this year. It is important to note that these games have to be played in the right sprit –so that alumni from all three schools can get together on the sports fields and have fun, renew old acquaintances and socialize afterwards... Anybody interested in playing must please contact me on okclub@kingswoodcollege.com. TIP : It is not worth trying to re-live the past if you are not fit!!

In closing, I would like to assure OKs that their alma mater is still in great shape and going from strength to strength. The College Head, Jon Trafford, has identified a strong and supportive OK Club as being key to Kingswood’s future success and in the light of this I would urge OKs to support Kingswood, support the OK Club (especially the functions in your areas) and above all to continue promoting this great school at all times.

Yizani Madoda!

Carey Hobson
(OK Club Hon Secretary & Administrator)