St John's College looks forward to you joining us on Saturday 13 July 2019 for Gaudy Day.
The first gathering, known as the Gaudy, fell on Ascension Day in 1912. The programme for the day has since then continued throughout the years, apparently with very little change. Gaudy Day is an opportunity for Old Johannians to gather together in celebration of a shared loved for St John's. It is also a time to reminisce on days gone by.
This year Gaudy Day will start with the traditional Old Johannian Mass at 08h45 featuring the Old Johannian and College Choirs. The Golden Eagle Award will also be presented to Professor Revil Mason, the renowned archaeologist whose most significant legacy is the unearthing of the history of Johannesburg, long before the discovery of gold, and making it easily accessible to those outside academia.
Mass will be followed by High Tea in Pelican Quad at 10h15 where the St John’s College Jazz Band will be performing throughout the morning.
There will be two special naming ceremonies at Gaudy Day this year. St John’s College will be naming the terraces above Burger Field The Owen Nkumane Terraces at 11h00. Owen Nkumane was the first black African player to captain the St John’s College First XV and the first black African player to be selected to play for the Springboks, an inspiring role model to subsequent generations of young black South Africans.
We will also be thanking and recognising Mr Dru Gnodde as a benefactor and past Chairman of Council, and the Gnodde Family for their generous contribution into St John’s College over the years with the naming of The Gnodde Cricket Centre at 11h45 on Mitchell Field.
The day will be filled with the usual Old Johannian vs St John’s College sports and cultural festivities throughout the day. The Nick Rowe Inter-House Sevens Finals will be taking place on Burger Field at 10h30 followed by the Old Johannians vs Old Ed's Tens competing for the OJA Floating Trophy at 11h15 and the First XV Leavers vs Stayers competing for the Peter Raney Trophy at 12h15. There will be inter-house rowing in the gymnasium, the Prep boys will be playing football against the OJs on Mitchell Field, the staff and OJs will be taking on the College hockey gents on the Astro from 10h30, there will be Chess competitions in David Quad, Squash in the Barrow Squash Complex and Basketball and Tennis.
The College drama production “SJC: The Journey” will be screened throughout the morning in Big School, the College Art will be exhibited in the cloisters and surrounds and an Old Johannian vs College debate will take place in the Amphitheatre at 11h15.
A historical tour of the school with Dr Daniel Pretorius, Chairman of the Heritage Committee, will be departing from Pelican Quad at 11h30 and the newly revamped Museum will also be open from 10h00 to 12h00.
Refreshments will be on sale throughout the day on Burger Field. The Johannian Club will be open from 07h00 and The Boar’s Head from 12h00.
A copy of the programme for the day is attached for your easy reference. This promises to be a wonderful celebration of good fellowship, a re-connection with peers and good old-fashioned fun on the sports field.
We look forward to seeing you there.
