Old Stithian Association Dinner & Reunions 2024

October 07, 2024 | Campus, Boys’ College, Girls’ College | Author: Caitlyn Loneon, OSA Secretary

September Reunion season at St Stithians College

Reunions are a very special part of our calendar in the Advancement Office and for the Old Stithian Association. The reconnecting with alumni and bringing them back to the campus is very special to the school and the Alumni themselves, as they reminisce in stories and sharing the connections. The Advancement Office, in conjunction with the Old Stithian Association, assists in bringing back the alumni to the school by keeping the alumni database up to date and having the relevant class lists accessible to the alumni for arranging their reunions.

Old Stithian Association Reunion Dinner

The Old Stithian Dinner took place at Higher Ground Restaurant on Friday, 13 September 2024. We hosted 150 Old Stithians, along with the Heads of Schools.

This event takes place on the second Friday in September every year. All Old Stithians are invited to attend, and this year marked the 66th OSA Dinner. Most reunion groups book their reunion dates to coincide with this dinner. In attendance at the dinner were the Classes of 1984, 1994 and 2004, along with other Old Stithians.

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Jackson Gondo, Class of 2015, was our MC for the evening and did an amazing job. We also auctioned off a few items of the evening to raise money for the St Stithians College Endowment fund. We are thankful to Old Stithian Chris Mullineux, Class of 1994, for sponsoring some of his amazing Mullineux Wines for the auction.  Chris is an award-winning wine maker and his wines speak for themselves- they are delicious!

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It was great to have more Old Girls join us this year at the Annual reunion dinner.

We invited Khangiwe Cele, who is currently in Grade 11, to open the dinner with a song, and it was just beautiful. The Old Stithians really enjoyed her powerful voice and rendition of ‘I’d rather go blind’ by Etta James.

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Classes of 1984 and 1994

The Old Boys had a tour around the Boys’ College and then were treated to a war cry by the students. The Class of 1994 wrote the words to the song ‘Oh, One and All’, and previous Head Boy, Craig Lewis, explained the meaning and how the year group came up with the song. However, the Old Boys quickly learnt that the current version has changed significantly but the basics were still there. Thando Bili, Head of Operations, also presented on the solar PV plant and the water treatment facility. The Old Boys really enjoyed it and seeing the sustainability the College has in place.

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The Class of ’84 enjoyed having the day at their leisure and, after the tour by David du Toit, a few went to the boarding houses to reminisce where they spent most of their years at St Stithians. They also enjoyed seeing the upgrades the school has done to the boarding house.

Girls’ College Class of 2004

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The Old Girls met on the Friday morning, and had a wonderful interactive tour around the Girls’ College and Girls’ Prep. Former Deputy Head Girl, Lisa Heyns, addressed the Girls’ College students on their time at Saints 20 years ago.

The Girls’ College students then sang war cries for the Old Girls and included them in the ‘Members’ song, which has been tradition for over 25 years. The Old Girls thoroughly enjoyed the assembly and tour of the Girls’ College, especially as so much has changed and grown. Thomas Hagspihl, Boys’ College Maths teacher, also joined the 2004 Old Girls on their tour, as he was their teacher and remembers this group so fondly, as they were the last group that won the Maths Olympiad challenge. The ladies then went to Higher Ground and were joined by more former classmates to celebrate their 20th school reunion.

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The value of reunions

Class reunions can hold significant importance for many reasons:

1. Reconnection

Reunions provide a unique opportunity to reconnect with old friends and classmates, allowing individuals to rekindle relationships that may have faded over time and heal the ones that weren’t so great at school.

2. Nostalgia

They evoke fond memories, bringing back shared experiences from school days. This nostalgia can create a sense of comfort and belonging.

3. Reflection

Reunions offer a chance to reflect on personal growth and achievements since graduation. Many attendees take pride in their journeys, both personally and professionally.

4. Networking

They can serve as valuable networking opportunities.

5. Closure

For some, reunions can provide closure on unresolved issues or relationships from the past, allowing for healing and moving forward.

6. Diversity of Experiences

Attending a reunion showcases the diverse paths classmates have taken, broadening perspectives and inspiring individuals to embrace their own journeys.

7. Building Community

Reunions help strengthen a sense of community, fostering connections that may lead to lifelong friendships.

8. Celebration of Milestones

They can be a celebration of significant life events, such as marriages, births, and career successes, creating a shared sense of joy and achievement.

9. Legacy

Reunions contribute to the legacy of a class, preserving stories and memories that can be passed down to future generations.

10. Encouragement for Future Gatherings

A successful reunion can inspire more frequent gatherings, keeping the spirit of camaraderie alive beyond just one event.