We look forward to welcoming our Old Johannian community back to St John's College for Gaudy Day on Saturday, 7 June, to reminisce, reconnect, and celebrate a shared love for St John’s.
The first Gaudy Day, then known as the Old Boys’ Gaudy, was held on Ascension Day, 16 May 1912. Fr Nash proposed the name “Gaudy”, taken from the Latin gaudeo, meaning “rejoice”, and used traditionally at Oxford college commemorations.
The day's programme has continued with little change for over a century, with Gaudy Day being reimagined this year for the first time since 1912.
We invite our Old Johannian community to return to the College to celebrate our heritage and the spirit of St John’s today, with a traditional derby against St Alban’s College and Prep fixtures against Clifton Durban.
Programme
07h30 — Welcome Coffee and Rusks
Venue: David Quadrangle
Enjoy a warm welcome with musical accompaniment.
08h00 – 09h15 — Old Johannian Mass
Venue: The Memorial Chapel
A special service featuring the Old Johannian and College Choirs, as well as the presentation of the Golden Eagle Award.
09h30 — Old Johannian Tea
Venue: David Quad
All Old Johannians are invited to gather in David Quad for tea after the OJ Mass.
09h30 — Adsum Tea
Venue: Common Room
A special invitation to Old Johannians who matriculated in 1980 or before.
09h45 & 10h45— Historical Tours
Venue: Departing from the Pelican Quadrangle
An informative walk through the College.
The College Museum will be open from 10h00 to 12h00.
From 11h00 — Old Johannian Lunch
Venue: Long Walk, overlooking Burger Field
Mr Stuart West, Executive Headmaster and President of the Old Johannian Association, invites you and your partner to a light lunch and refreshments in the Old Johannian Marquee.
Join him from 11h00, as we watch our boys take on St Alban's on Burger Field. Booking is essential for catering purposes via https://sjc.co.za/OJLunch. Regret, no children in the Old Johannian Marquee.
Sports fixtures
The day's hockey and rugby fixture times are still to be finalised - this will be provided as soon as its confirmed.
Additional highlights
Tea will be served from 09h00 at the Henry Bennett Pavilion on Burger Field.
Traditional Derby Day refreshments catered by the Parents' Entertainment Committee will be on sale on Burger Field throughout the day.
School Shop Pop-Up will be open on Long Walk from 09h00, selling a superb range of St John's College and Old Johannian memorabilia.
A Visual Art and Media Club Exhibition by College and Sixth Form students will be on display in the Cloisters.
The Boar's Head Bar at The Johannian Club will be open from 12h00 for pre- and post-match gatherings — all welcome!
Parking will be available on campus and in the streets around St John's, with additional security patrolling the area. Old Johannians requiring assistance will be able to park on Endean Field (entrance on St Patrick Road), and a shuttle service will be available to Long Walk.