Term 2 was a very difficult term in terms of the workload, shuffling sports practices and being injured.
The work was new and a bit of a challenge. Everything was taught so quickly and you had to listen very carefully. Projects were handed out in each subject and the exams started. I couldn’t write my exams due to my injury and got class aggregate for every subject except Math, Geography and Xhosa, so during exams, I would sit down and catch up on work or read a novel. Term 2 brought me closer to my peers and I started feeling comfortable in my surroundings. I quickly adapted to the timetable and tradition of the school. I learnt about every teacher and their personality, what to do and the what not’s.
We started off rugby season with a match against Boland Landbou and Paarl Gym and lost by a mere point or two. After those fixtures, we had to play Bishops, our arch rivals in the Southern Suburbs. We scored three tries in the first half and missed all our conversions to make it 15-0. We were determined we would win, coming into the second already looking too far out of their reach. Bishops came back with three tries and one conversion to make it 15-17 to them. Next, we had to play Rondebosch and beat them in a close fixture 27-5. Paul Roos were our next opposition and we suffered a 20-7 loss. I got injured in that match and fractured my humerus and was out for 6 weeks. I luckily, only missed the Wynberg and St Stithians fixture and was lucky enough to go to Johannesburg.
I had never been on a plane before and had never been to Joburg so on my way to the airport I was shivering and nervous. I boarded the plane and the jet engines rumbled and was told to chew gum so that my ears wouldn’t pop, but to my disappointment, this was a failed attempt. We landed at about 10am and took a Gautrain to our destination, Sandton. We stayed at the City Lodge for the first day and got separated and sent to our hosts. All of our hosts were from St Stithians and they were kind and obviously rich. We had a braai the next day at my host’s friend’s house and I got the opportunity to go on a helicopter. It was filled with a lot of adrenaline rush and made my whole journey to a new province enjoyable.
The hostel was another adventure and a new chapter in my life. At first, it was hard making friends and getting used to the different and somewhat foreign cuisine but I quickly adapted and started enjoying hostel. The bond it formed with you and your peers was extraordinary and you felt safe when laying down to watch the setting sun. Hostel life is still an adventure and making new friends and being together makes me feel part of the school. I had a few arguments about the rules and regulations but quickly came to the realisation of why they were set.
It’s a privilege being part of the SACS family and I’m enjoying every moment of it.
I thank you SACS 1969 Trust for putting me in this position and a better atmosphere for me to further my education. As for my arm, it’s completely healed and I’m back to the starting hooker for the U14A’s.