Talyaard Carter -East Wing Plans - Project No 2536
- ZA ZAR STDS 20200515
- Stuk
- 09/06/1997
5 Architectural Plans for the East Wing in a folder. Project No 2536
St David's Marist College
Talyaard Carter -East Wing Plans - Project No 2536
5 Architectural Plans for the East Wing in a folder. Project No 2536
St David's Marist College
9 Architectural Plans for the Electrical Installation in the Hall and Auditorium and plan for workshop
St David's Marist College
Interview with Paul Edey 1995 - 2006 Staff
Interview with Paul Edey 1995 – 2006
Paul Edey was appointed as college headmaster during 1994 to start in January 1995. He had
previously taught at St John’s College and King Edward VII School, where he was a viceprincipal.
The search for a new head to take over from P Davies was led by Tony Frost, head of
human resources at Lonhro,and a colleague of the chairman of the board,Terence Wilkinson.
1994 had been a difficult year for the school with the board conducting a survey which had
resulted in the headmaster, Paul Davies, stepping down. The deputy head, Gary Norton, acted
as head for eight months with Paul Davies continuing to live at Mary Knoll for 7 months and only
moving out in the December of 1994. The school was battling financially and had endured a
succession of lay headmasters in the college following the last Marist Brother, Brother Timothy
Mc Krindle ( (1967-81) South Africa was in a state of flux with the first free and democratic
elections resulting in Nelson Mandela coming to power in April 1994. The relationship between
the prep school , which was thriving and successful and the college which was battling for
numbers was poor
Paul’s biggest challenges were to win the confidence of the prep school and the parents to
encourage them to send their sons to the high school rather than local rivals St Stithians and St
John’s College. In 1995 sixty four boys were admitted into grade 8 and split into three classes.
Some of the top prep boys had been awarded scholarships to rival senior schools, but for the
first time in many years the numbers were up in the college. The school wrote the Transvaal
education department matriculation examination (TED) and the results were generally
undistinguished. There were 267 boys in the High School in 1995 with Michael von
Guilleaume,head boy and Jeremy Wickens, deputy, leading a small but very talented matric
group.
Although Anglican, Paul made doubly sure that the Catholic ethos remained and strengthened.
The numbers picked up from 1996 with a small but stable staff of 18 with some very strong
teachers such as Lesley Henning (HOD Maths), Belinda Marais (HOD Afrikaans), Richard
Girdwood (English and senior housemaster) and Rod Smith, former headmaster of Sandown
High School. We were very fortunate to have a very successful rugby team in 1995 with the side
winning 18 out of 19 matches and going on a very rewarding tour of Australia to round off the
season. Of interest was the fact that the touring squad had 5 boys in it from Jabulani Technical
High School in Soweto whose tour was paid for through the fundraising efforts of the St David’s
community. 1996 was a very weak year academically but the numbers were increasing and
things were looking up.
Rick Wilson was appointed head of the prep at the beginning of 1996. He took over from the
very successful and charismatic Greg Royce, who had left in the middle of 1995 to become
headmaster of St Peter’s Preparatory. The senior school suffered a blow at the end of 1996
when the loyal and hardworking deputy headmaster Gary Norton left to take up the headship of
Oakhill School in Knysna. Pete Geldenhuys, Andrew Brownlee, Greg Lamb and Richard
Girdwood, all four housemasters left during the course of 1996. In one year the entire college
management team apart from the head and bursar had left. Malcolm Williams, an old friend and
colleague of Paul’s from Wits and King Edward’s, was appointed as the deputy head during
Egenrieder, Julie
Interview with Kevin Brewer Board of Governors 1984 - 1990; 1992 - 2000
Interview with Kevin Brewer – Chairman of the board 1984 -90
Kevin went to school, at St Aidan’s in Grahamstown, a Jesuit school together with Br Aidan,
hence the involvement with St David’s. Kevin’s sons were pupils, Paul and Rowan
matriculated in1992, went to Europe with Jeetesh Katawaroo and Craig from standard 8 until
he matriculated in 1984.
Kevin got involved with Br Aidan fund raising, the school fete, organising the cash. He was
then invited to join the board of governors.
The land that was sold, as part of a commercial deal when Mr Marnewick was on the board
was before Kevin’s time as the Brothers needed the money.
Kevin’s experience of the first lay headmaster, Mr Murphy was that he had some attributes,
made decisions and knew what he wanted until unfortunately it was discovered he was a
wrestler in his spare time and was unmasked during a bout which was televised.
The school needed someone on the board who could deal with the financial planning. The
school went downhill losing teachers and pupils. The boys didn’t compete against other
schools, classrooms needed revamping and the school lacked facilities. There was no plan
but Kevin and his board put together a financial plan. Doug Wickens was also a member of
the board and although he and Kevin had different ideas they did make some changes.
There were a number of headmasters, Murphy, 1982 followed by Frielick 1983 – 4, Boswell
1985 - 88, Davies 1989 – 94. When Frielick left, Trudy Elliott became acting head and truly
embodied the spirit of St David’s. Br Brendan was Brother Provincial some of the time, he
was a diehard of the old school. Br Jude, to his credit had the most foresight and has made
a difference beneficial to the Marist schools.
Kevin stayed on the board until 1990 having completed his 6 years service, Brian Steele
took over as chairman and Terence Wilkinson, CEO of Lonmin, a dynamic person came
onto the board and continued the work Kevin had initiated.
Eventually a new stream was introduced into the high school. There was at one time, a
possibility of St David’s and St Teresa’s combining with two schools on the same campus
with Sister Barbara being the driving force. The Brothers were very short of money and had
to appoint a new headmaster and Paul Davies was recruited coming with a good record and
ability. Kevin organised the conversion of Maryknoll for the headmaster.
In 1992, Terence Wilkinson asked if Kevin would assist with a development plan for the
school. They called in Talyard Carter (TC Design) with Gerrit Wessels and Bill Carter and
drew up a plan for the whole property with ideas on how it could be developed. (Prints of the
plans are available in the archives).There was an initial need for extra classrooms to
accommodate the new stream in the high school. The quad was tacky with the toilet blocks
in the middle and a decision was taken to employ a landscaper who was expensive but
made a huge difference to the quad together with the amphitheatre. To raise finance the
board had to generate more income.
The first to be built was the class and toilet block to the left (north) of the Champagnat Hall
which followed and was completed in 1998. Kevin was then back on the board and Terence
Wilkinson had moved to London. Kevin retired in 2000 but was much occupied with the
school. Anthony Reilly took over from him as chairman in 2001, followed by Eric Annegaarn,
Anthony Chappell then Robin Smith came in from 2008 until 2010 .
The high school pavilion was built 1998 and the prep school pavilion extended. The aftercare
area was upgraded. Joe Stravino Park was the prep playground and the former paddocks
became the mini marists. Planning was done together with Br Jude, the board, provincial
council and then Rome. This was a juggling act while trying to increase the number of pupils.
There were negotiations with the council when Rivonia Road was widened. The council
made some compensation and agreed to put up the wall from Boundary Road to the main
entrance. The parking area and the entrance were done at the same time.
The space for mini marists was extended providing space for the therapists. Kevin was also
involved with the site of the chapel but not in the building. The D& T and Art and Music
centre were built but Kevin was not directly involved.
Kevin’s brother Father Brewer was the school’s chaplain from 1986. He was very popular
with the boys and involved with school activities until he resigned due to ill health in 1998.
He died the following year aged 64. He was at St George’s in Zimbabwe before he came to
St David’s. Kevin spoke to Monsignor Plesters a Jesuit Superior and old boy from St Aidan’s
and his brother was appointed by the school. He had had an extremely traumatic time in
Zimbabwe during the years of the bush war.
JLE July 2013
Egenrieder, Julie
6 A1 Architectural Drawings relating to the Champagnat Hall
St David's Marist College