Founders' Day 2022
Founders' Day 2022
Selborne College Founders’ Day Address 2022
Headmaster Dewar, Custodians, Cadets and Bandsmen of the Cadet Corps, Gentlemen of Selborne College, fellow Old Selbornians, Staff of the College, Parents & Guardians, Guests and Friends of this great school here today and joining via the magic of the internet.
The Guest of Honour in 1961, WS Robertson (class of 1931), observed that the greatest honour to receive whilst at this school is to be elected as Custodian by your class. For an Old Selbornian it is to be invited to deliver this Founder’s Day address. In this the 150th or Sesquicentenary Year it is for me indeed a great honour which I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Seeing this amazing turnout of Old Boys is a measure of the affection and respect we have for this school, and the affection and respect we have for each other.
I will speak briefly on two subjects which bind us as Selbornians – this ceremony and memorial and our school motto.
Half a century ago, our class, the Centenary Matric’s of 1972, provided the Old Guards & Sentries at this ceremony, even wearing the same uniforms. Our Head Boy and outgoing Custodian, Rodney Boy, handed over the key to the Incoming Custodian and Head Boy for 1973 – John Reid. Rod and many former Custodians are with us here.
Today we witness the same ceremony with few changes. Fifty years prior to the Centenary Ceremony, back in 1922, the school buildings behind me were under construction and the Memorial had not yet been built nor consecrated. Both have their centenaries over the next two years.
In the fifty years up to 1972, the memorial was consecrated, and 122 names were added to it from both World Wars, the youngest being only sixteen. They are on the roll which is read out and 48 Custodians were added during that time.
The memorial was and remains a place where family and friends can seek solace in the knowledge that their loved ones are remembered.
During the past fifty years another fifty Custodians have been added to the Roll, however sadly, and thankfully only six additional names to those of the fallen. This is in spite of the fact that more Old Selbornians served in the military between 1968 and 1992 than during both World Wars.
For many, the names read out are just that – names. They all represent very real young men. Their portraits are on the walls of this school. The classmates of the fallen from the two great wars are now largely gone, however their names resonate with some of us. My two uncles, relatives of my friends and those known to and family of Old Boys here today.
For the names added since 1972, they are very real to us who knew them. They were class- and team-mates, close personal friends; and but for their sacrifice could have joined their various class reunion groups. To paraphrase the poem by Laurence Binyon, “They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old – we do remember them.”
This ceremony is a key tradition of the school, and one which binds us all as Selbornians, for it is highly likely that we have been participants during our time here. It is my hope that in 50 years at the Bicentennial, which you will no doubt attend, it will remain a key feature of the school calendar. The cadets will be volunteers as you all are, and I trust they will put on as professional a parade as you have. If so, fifty names will be added to the Roll of Custodians, and with God’s Grace, no new names will have been added to the fallen.
This is not a monument to war. It is a memorial of remembrance to the fallen Old Boys of this school. It represents the folly of war – which is a disgusting and bloody business with no victors, only survivors and no place in modern society.
It is quite incomprehensible that in the first quarter of the 21st Century so much conflict continues. That a major power and permanent member of the UN Security Council has been waging war on a smaller neighbour for the past eight months for the purposes of colonization and genocide is inconceivable. Just as bad are the countries which supported or remained silent on this action. The blood of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, including women & children on both side is on their hands. History will be the judge.
The Ceremony of the Key is the core traditional event, there are others, old and new which provide the foundation for the school. Something which we have all had close to our hearts during our time at the Selborne Schools is the blazer badge containing the school motto – Palma Virtuti – The Reward is to the Brave. This too binds us all as Selbornians.
The Reward will take on many forms. For some it will be monetary, for others sporting recognition, the advancement of medicine and science, class performances in art, literature, and drama, and lives well lived.
To achieve the rewards there is the need to be brave, bold and to go after the dreams which motivate you. Even though you and we have had a privileged start by being at Selborne, a successful outcome is not guaranteed. You may ask why privileged – I point out this superb campus, the world class educators, the sports, and other facilities which are second to none. Privilege does not confer superiority; it gives an advantageous start. And comes with obligations.
Whilst success is never guaranteed, the chances of achieving it are improved by the efforts that you make. The road to success is littered with the setbacks and failures you will encounter on the way. It is the way in which you deal with these that will determine the outcome. Greater character is built from overcoming setbacks than basking in success.
Respect is another part of what you will be taking from the school. Starting with self-respect and giving respect to your classmates, others at the school, and the public in general, irrespective of skin-tone, cultural, religious or political background, sexual orientation, or other human traits. For you can only command respect if you show it to your fellows.
As a Selbornian you have been given the tools with which to achieve success, it is up to you how you use them.
You will shortly be writing your final examinations; for those not in Matric’ it is to enable you to advance through the school grades. For those in Matric’ it is your passport out of here and into the big wide world. Success will come to the prepared. I do not wish you luck, for hope and luck are not strategies, reward will be to the brave. The world needs courageous and incorruptible leaders, and you are the future.
The Matric class will return for your Valedictory and will perform the new tradition of reverting to your Zebras and passing through the magnificent Jubilee Tower, you will ring the Jubilee Bell, and this will indicate the end of your time here at the College.
As you move on to tertiary education, starting a job and career or for the adventurous taking a gap year or two, you will meet many people. Whether it be in this city, this region, country or anywhere in the world, when asked what school you attended, you will be able to proudly say – I am a Selbornian.
Thank You
Mike Francis
21st October 2022