more pics...

How about that loftspace now! Brings back loads of choir memories and I've now got the Hallelujah chorus running through me brains! :)

Dad and I had a long discussion about the organ (to quote a colleague:
"very nice lovely smashing - except for the organ!") - apparently the pipe organ that the music director had his heart set on was sacrificed for the new technology (plasma screens and computer system). However, dad says this one sounds better than the one that was there in our time, even though it is electric!

Chapel renovations sent by Jenny van den Broek

Hello from Claire Douglas (nee Brodie-Smith)

Absolutely no excuse for not making the reunion but now seeing all the news and pics I really regret it! I will organise a JHB reunion in a couple of months - promise!

Attached are a couple of pics of my boys, Max is 3 and Sam is 4 months (Paula and Belinda are godmothers). They are too sweet, but the last few weeks has been trying with snot noses, pnemonia, bronchitis and tonsilitis they are competing at a young age!

We are very happy living in JHB, and have settled back after living in Hong Kong for 3 years which was fantastic.

Paula and I were chatting about St Annes the other day, and we both regret not going to the reunion so watch this space for a JHB catch up...

Lots of love
Claire

Reunion pics

Hello

Been a little slow in accessing mails, so here are some piccies from the reunion. It was such a great time, and so nice to catch up. I did feel old though when I saw a sign that said "only 1 cell phone allowed" and my natural response was "1 cell phone.. 1 cell phone... we all had to queue for the ticky box". It's quite something how the school has changed - the new facilities are great.

In the piccies, Lou is holding Kate Strachs little treasure, Ethan.
Sherri is holding Nix Clucas's little one Jess...

So, here are some photies...

Lots of love
Lisa

Reunion pics- part 2

Hello from Paula Chaplin

I came across some pics from our Std 7 (??) Geography Tour yesterday. I think to Golden Gate National Park? They made me wish I'd made the effort to go to the reunion. Glad you all seem to be so happy, and doing so well. Congrats on all the babies and husbands. I'll definitely make the next reunion.

Paula

Back in SA

Well hello all...

Isn't modern technology amazing - catching up like this bring back memories of the instant messanging we used to do in the computer room back at St Annes during prep time!

So my hubby and I just moved back to SA after far too long away. I went travelling shortly after my 21st birthday with the intention of only being in the UK for three months - well eleven years later we finally came to our senses. In between we got married (just celebrated our 9th anniversary) and spent a year travelling mostly in Central America, but also some time around Europe, New Zealand and Australia. The travel bug bit us badly and we have decided that our hobbies are far too expensive for us to afford kids. As a result our babies have been our various travel vehicles - a Unimog, a Land Rover, a Patrol, a Landcruiser and Transit Van... don't worry we didn't own them all at the same time just during various stages of our travels.

I was working in London as an HR Director for a Commercial Property company when we finally decided that it was long over due for us to return to the climate, lifestyle and family in SA. We got back in December, have bought a great place in Cape Town and are loving our lives - away every few weeks camping and doing 4x4 trails and hoping to get in some scuba diving next summer. Work wise both Chris (hubby) and I are setting up and running the Cape Town branch of a Finance Brokerage - so far so good and life in Africa is wonderful. As a result of the move and getting settled couldn't make the reunion, but would love to catch up with any based in Cape Town.

It's great to catch up - so keep the news coming.

Love
Juanita Dorrington (nee Waldron)

PS Photo attached is of Chris and our current 'baby' - our 4x4 - Jaws (The Great White) taken this weekend on a 4x4 trail - Krom Rivier

Hello from Deborah Kirsten

Hello darling girls

After MUCH deliberation I have decided that I am not going to try and swing the trip to Natal. With James only 5 weeks old, the two hour flight, the winter weather and having to leave Joshua here at home, I just think it is bad timing. Usually I would have attempted it but James has also developed a touch of colic and this is a ripe royal pain and although it is not bad at all, it is exhausting! (Joshua never had any colic so it is new to me).

The dynamics with the new baby and Joshua (who is now 3) are also a little tricky and I feel that it might not be the right time, with all that is going on in his little head, for me to up and leave with James - he's just a bit sensitive at the moment.
My folks also leave on the Monday for overseas and are crazy busy over that weekend so it would be tough for mom to be left with the small baby for most of the day - and night...(because I know you gals will party into the night...don't let the St. Annes side down).

So chics, I am going to be MISSING YOU ALL SO, SO MUCH and am just so sad not to be coming, but motherly duties are screaming at me in a big way and it is just one - ANOTHER ONE - of those sacrifices that a mother has to make :-(

The last reunion - for those who were there - was SUCH a special time and we just couldn't get enough time in to chat, chat and chat some more! It was so special and made me so appreciate all the wonderful friends that we made at St. Annes.

You girls are the greatest and I will be thinking of you SO much. Have a blast and YES I WILL BE AT THE NEXT REUNION FOR SURE!!!
Lot of love to you all and let me know how the weekend pans out - bet it will be magical to catch up!

All love
Debs xoxoxoxo

ps Here is a pic of my boys! Gotta love it!!

Hello from Robs Roques (Reilly)

Hi Guys,

Well, can you believe a whole 15 yrs has passed since matric - & we’re gunning for our 20 yr reunion soon. Geez, we’re getting on! I’m so sorry to have missed the dedicated few of you at the 15 yr get together on 2nd June. Was thinking of you all & I’m sure I’ll get to hear the juicy details from those that were there. (And that won’t be the edited version either thank you very much!)

In brief, after school I studied Soc Sci at PMB Varsity (more social than science!) & travelled on & off for a few yrs – to Aussie, New Zealand, Japan, UK. Had a ball to say the least! Felt the urge to settle back at home & have been in Swazi for a good 9 yrs now - or there abouts. I got together with my hubby (Kim) in Jan 2001, got married in April 2005 & we had our first child, Tristan on 28.10.06. We are both thriving off the new responsibility of parenthood & adore our little precious so much. We are besotted by him! Needless to say, I’m still completely, totally & utterly head over heels in love with my gorgeous hubby. Not only is he my partner & best friend, but my inspiration & sunshine. In summary it really feels like one of those “ …. & they lived happily ever after” fairy tales!

Most of my yrs back in Swazi I’ve been working as a computer consultant - installing, upgrading & setting up companies on payroll systems & Accpac. I thoroughly enjoyed it but was equally as happy to pull the plug at the end of September last yr, just before Tristan was born. Other than the demands of motherhood, I’m now working hand in hand with Kim on property development which we find far more rewarding & enjoyable - especially as it’s flexy time for me. (LOVING that!)

… And now … we’re expecting Roques Jnr number 2! Can’t believe it’s all happened so fast (clearly wasn’t planned that way, but it sure is brilliant oops to deal with). We’re due mid December which gives us a narrow gap of 13.5 months between the two. Hard work & challenges up ahead, but fully exciting nonetheless!

Finally for any of you who ever venture out to this neck of the woods, give me a buzz. (+ 268 6025772) Pop in, come stay – whatever! Would be awesome to catch up.

I’ve attached a few pics of my merry men & for those that are keen to share in the festivities of our farm wedding 2 yrs ago, my cuzzi put up a website for us -
http://www.dannysteyn.com/recent-wedding-photography/
robbie-kim-swaziland-wedding-photography-mlilwande-game-reserve.htm

Send some news guys – it’s magic to be in touch again!
Loads of love to you all,

Hugs & thoughts all round…

Robs Roques (Reilly)
xxx

"In Dad's hat"

"Tsotsi Smile"

"Kim & Tristan"

Hello from the Croucamp Family

Hi Guys

I know that most of you received pictures of the Croucamp Family, but I thought I'd include two in the blog anyway.

Caitlin will be 5 in August and Troy will be 3 in July. They are very successful at keeping me on my toes at all times! Marius and I have been together for 13 years, and married for almost 10.

Short summary - After school I studied a BCom Honours and worked in the marketing department of RMB Asset Management for 5 years. In between I married my hubby Marius. I left when I was preggie with Caitlin and was a home mum for just over 4 years. When Caitlin was 4 my father-in-law convinced me that I needed to use my brain again and start a business with him. I am now busy running a recruitment agency. Needless to say my life is that of a hectic working mum.

I am looking forward to hearing all your news!

Lots of love

Sherri

Nicki

I was also really sorry not to be able to join in the fun at the reunion. Hope to see some photos and news about it soon.

My husband Neil and I are living near Oxford in the UK and I recently started maternity leave - first baby due in three weeks-ish. It has been wonderful catching up with people slowly but surely over the past few months since Donree first emailed Kate and me about the reunion. A big thank you must go to Lou Black for trying to get everyone together.

I hope those who could make it had a great time and that the rest of us somehow manage to meet up or make contact at some stage in the not-too-distant future.

Keep well everyone and hope to hear from you soon.

Best wishes

Nicki

Nikki Rossato (nee Watt)

Oh my word, can’t believe it was this weekend just passed. We live overseas so I wouldn’t have been able to join you but I’ve been meaning to mail for ages to say have a great time and a drink for those of us that are absent. Would also love some pic’s from the weekend and everyone in general (to get the ball rolling, see attached). Don’t know much about these things but could we perhaps create a blog where everyone could post a pic and a few lines (if they want) about where they are currently at? Just a thought………..

Otherwise, best wishes to everyone wherever you are!

Love from sunny Switzerland

Nikki Rossato (nee Watt)

Kate Warner (Thompson)

Hi to you all

I hope this email finds you all well. I've just got back from maternity leave and see that the reunion was this last weekend. How bleak, as I would've loved to have joined you guys.
Hope you had an awesome catch up and maybe you could send us some pictures?

Cheers
Kate Warner (Thompson)