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.
In 1955, Noel Iverson introduced the tradition of Old Johannian Choir participation at the Gaudy Day Sung Eucharist, a cherished practice that continues to this day. In 2025, seventy years on, we are once again privileged to celebrate the living tradition of the St John’s Chapel music heritage at the OJ Mass.
It is worth remembering that Gaudy Day was once celebrated on Ascension Day. This year, on 7 June, we will still be in Ascensiontide. James Gordon, who served the music of the Chapel for many years, is fittingly honoured with the inclusion of his Ascension antiphon, O Rex Gloriae. Ben Oosthuizen, former Director of Music, in his decades of service, further developed the prominence of the school’s choral tradition, introducing many significant works to the repertoire. Among these is Widor’s Messe, Op. 36, beloved by the choir, the Kyrie and Sanctus of which will feature this year.
The psalm of the liturgy is a setting of Psalm 116 by the current Head of Chapel Music, Cameron Upchurch. Sidumo Nyamezele, Head of African Music, will direct hymns from our now firmly established African tradition, and will also conduct the choir in other works.
Old and new will cohabit harmoniously, with the first hearing of the Agnus Dei from James Geldenhuys’ (Fleming 2019) Missa S. Ioannis, composed specially for our community. Marking the 60th year since the dedication of the Chapel organ, members of the College Brass Ensemble will join the organ in supporting the congregational singing.
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.
11h30 — 1st XI vs St Alban's College
Venue: St John's College Astro
12h45 — 1st XV vs St Alban's College
Venue: Burger Field
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.)\
Sports fixtures
Hockey
09h00 U16A vs St Alban's College | Main School
10h00 3rd XI vs St Alban's College | Roedean Astro
10h00 6th vs St John's College 7th | Mitchell Field
10h00 7th XI vs St John's College 6th | Mitchell Field
10h15 2nd XI vs St Alban's College | St John's College Astro
11:00 4th XI vs St Alban's College | Roedean Astro
11h00 U14D vs St John's College U14E | Mitchell Field
11h00 U14E vs St John's College U14D | Mitchell Field
11h30 1st XI vs St Alban's College | St John's College Astro
12h00 5th XI vs St Alban's College | Roedean Astro
12h00 U16E vs St John's College U16F | Mitchell Field
12h00 U16F vs St John's College U16E | Mitchell Field
12h30 U15A vs St Alban's College U16B | Main School
13h00 U15D vs St John's College U15E | Mitchell Field
13h00 U15E vs St John's College U15D | Mitchell Field
Rugby
08h00 U16B vs St Alban's College | Burger Field
09h00 U16A vs St Alban's College | Burger Field
09h45 U15B vs St Alban's College | C Rugby
09h45 U14A vs St Alban's College | D Rugby
10h20 3rd XV vs St Alban's College | Burger Field
10h20 5th XV vs St Alban's College | Mitchell Field
10h45 U15A vs St Alban's College | C Rugby
10h45 U14B vs St Alban's College | D Rugby
11h20 4th XV vs St Alban's College | Mitchell Field
11h30 2nd XV vs St Alban's College | Burger Field
11h45 U14C vs St Alban's College | D Rugby
12h45 1st XV vs St Alban's College | Burger Field