Wednesday, 19 November 25: Littlewood House held its annual year-end Christmas Dinner & Prize Giving, welcoming guest speaker, Littlewood Old Boy, Sebastian de Klerk as guest speaker.
Read more about the evening using the tabs below.
The Steven Trophy – Awarded to the best all round Grade 8
Andrich Krohn
This boarder played U14A Rugby and served as part of the team’s leadership group. He attained Western Province colours for athletics, all while maintaining an academic average of 80% and consistently displaying respect, kindness, and exemplary manners.
Littlewood Floating Trophy – Awarded to the boarder showing the greatest all round contribution
Daniel Okocha
Few live, eat, sleep, and breathe Littlewood the way this boarder does. He is constantly looking for ways to improve and promote the House. He is respected by all — not because he demands it, but because he earns it. He works tirelessly in service as a first aider, plays hard on the rugby field as a 1st XV player, trains with dedication as a discus thrower, and was recently announced as the Head Prefect of the Hostel.
Littlewood Achievement Award – Awarded to the boarder with the most significant achievement
Morné Noble and Paul James
The last few years have seen Wynberg produce several boys who have represented their country. Although this may feel familiar, it should never be taken lightly. Representing South Africa means you are the best of the best in your age group. For this reason, the award is shared between two exceptional boarders: one for representing his country at U18 Rugby level, and the other for representing his country at U19 Cricket level.
Superintendent’s Cup – Awarded to the boarder who is an example in every way
Tjeripo Karuhumba & Jaythen Orange
This award is shared by two Littlewood men who have lived what it means to be true Wynberg gentlemen. They are well-mannered, kind, respectful, friendly, hard-working, dependable, and men of honour and integrity. Few better examples could be sent into society of the type of young men we hope to develop at Littlewood and Wynberg.
Academic of the Year – Awarded to the boarder who has achieved outstanding academic grades
Paco Reynolds
Based on the Term 3 academic results, this boarder achieved four distinctions, an average of 81%, and no subject below 70%. He finished 16th overall in his Matric year.
Victor Ludorum – Awarded to the boarder who has displayed leadership and participated at the highest level
Joshua Gulle
This award is given to the boarder who has made the most significant individual contribution in terms of House Points for Littlewood in the Friedlander Shield Inter-House Competition.
1st in 800m athletics
1st in 1500m athletics
1st in 3000m athletics
2nd in cross country
And a top academic
Just over 10 years ago that I was a final year teaching student at North West University in Potchefstroom. I did all of my schooling and studies in Afrikaans, so naturally when I applied for jobs in the Western Cape, I applied to two Afrikaans schools in the Western Cape for a job in 2016. Thinking two was maybe not enough, I looked for a third option – as I went through all the available teaching jobs in my line of study, nothing really stood out to me. But I found the website of a school called Wynberg Boys’ High School, and I thought, let me just apply if my first and second choices fall through.
So I applied for these three teaching positions and waited. Eventually, Wynberg phoned and wanted to know if I would be available for an interview – that was unexpected, and I had not yet had any other phone calls from the first two schools. So I said yes, I would come for an interview, but my heart was still set on one of the other two schools. I probably had already started practicing how I would decline the job if Wynberg offered it to me, convinced I’d be snapped up by my first-language, first-choice schools..
No other phone calls came.
I was about a week away from driving down to Cape Town for my interview when I decided to phone those two schools. I phoned, just to make sure they had received my application, just to make sure they had not been trying to phone me the whole time to tell me they were offering me a job. But the feedback I got from them was that they had already filled those positions, without even inviting me for an interview. How dare they? I thought – I was offended that they did not even think it worth phoning me. I passed my degree with distinction, best in my class in one of my majors – I am Afrikaans and I have so much to offer….but they did not even consider me.
And then there was one. Wynberg Boys’ High School. The English school. The Boys’ School. The school I knew nothing about. My last choice, but now my only option.
The then headmaster, Mr Keith Richardson, contacted me via SMS. I told him that I would be driving down from Potchefstroom – about 14 hours, the day before my interview. He said I should join them for the meal that they would be having that night, and somehow, I got the impression it was a braai. A very informal event – so I packed my bags in Potch. Put on my visplakkies, shorts, and my Varsity Cup vest and drove down to Wynberg. It got quite cold as I passed Worcester, so I stopped and put on my jeans and long-sleeve button shirt to keep warm.
When I arrived at Wynberg, with no braai fires in sight, I walked down to the Fish Bowl and, to my shock and horror, saw a venue full of boys dressed in full school uniform and staff dressed in suits and ties.
I had arrived late to the 2015 Littlewood Christmas dinner, in my slipslops, jeans, and an untucked checkered red shirt without a tie. As I am sure you can imagine, I stood out amongst the crowd. I was quite embarrassed – but felt that at least I was there. I went for the interview the next day, and as they say, the rest is history. I started my teaching career at Wynberg in 2016 and also became a Littlewood master.
So why do I share this story? Well, this dinner has personal significance to me. It was my first introduction to Wynberg Boys’ High School, and it was a good one.
I am grateful that I can return to Littlewood, 10 years later and start a different chapter. I am so grateful to this school for the growth and opportunities it has given me.
I learned some valuable lessons from this, and I want to encourage our matrics, especially to take note:
You do not always know what is best for you. At 24 years old. I was convinced that I knew the school I should be at (just like many of you are confident that you have it all figured out) – I ended up at the school last on my list. 10 years later, I can say without a doubt that I ended up at the best school of the three, by far. Many may see this as luck; I see this as God directing my way. However you see this, it is an important lesson to learn.
Things will not always work out the way you want, think, or anticipate. And that is ok. Many times, you will look back and think, thank God I did not get to do what I thought was good for me at the time. Often, especially when we are younger, we will be prevented from doing things that we think are good for us at the time, only to look back and be grateful for that parent, teacher, or friend who counselled us.
If you can come to the realisation that you do not necessarily always know what is best for you, you will be more inclined to listen to people who offer advice. You will be more inclined to ask people for input, and you will learn to discern the best course of action. You will also be much more teachable and coachable in any situation you find yourself in.
Finally, I realised that where was not as important in the end as how I was. Whether you are an English guy ending up in an Afrikaans work environment or vice versa, it will not matter. What will matter is whether you take the opportunities given to you, whether you are willing to work hard, be on time, and keen to learn. This will matter. If you live the values that Wynberg and Littlewood have instilled in you, the little things, you will be successful.
I take this opportunity to thank our hostel staff for their exceptional work, our matrics for their leadership this year, and all of you for ensuring Littlewood House continues proudly to be the ‘backbone of the school’.
Firmamentum Ludi
Stefan Potgieter
Superintendent
I was in Littlewood from 2016 to 2020, and after leaving school, I studied at UCT, completed two degrees, and started working this year as a data analyst in Cape Town.
It’s a privilege to be back here tonight. Littlewood played a massive part in shaping who I am, and returning here reminds me just how important my years here were and the amazing opportunities offered to us at WBHS.
What lies ahead in the next five years, both here and after school?
To the Littlewood men still on their journey:
You have five years at Wynberg, hopefully not more! Five years where brotherhood, discipline, and opportunity all meet.
Make the most of it. Push yourselves academically, even on the days you feel lethargic and would rather be anywhere else but in the classroom. I know exactly what that feels like. I went from scraping 50s to finishing in the top 5 of the grade. That didn’t happen overnight. It happened because I started putting in consistent work.
Get involved. Sport, leadership, societies; these aren’t just extras on the side. They shape your confidence, your character, your people skills, and your strength. The more you put yourself out there, the more you discover what you’re capable of becoming.
Boarding school friendships are different. You see each other at your best and your worst, and that creates a bond that’s hard to find anywhere else. Invest in those friendships. Show up for each other. Those relationships age well if you take care of them.
Time Flies. When you’re in Grade 8, a single school day feels like an entire week. But somehow, without noticing, the years start speeding up. One day you’re asking a prefect where the dining hall is, and the next you’re sitting here in a blazer for the last time.
Don’t wish these years away. Because the truth is: when you leave, you’ll realise how special they were.
To the matrics preparing to step out:
You’re leaving the gates of Wynberg and entering the life beyond school, a world that’s freer, bigger, and far more unpredictable. Everyone experiences a different journey — full of twists, challenges, opportunities, and unexpected turns. Here are a few things I’ve learned while navigating mine.
Freedom is incredible, but it demands responsibility. Freedom exposes your habits.
- If you procrastinate, no one will chase you.
- If you fall behind, no one will call your parents.
- If you fail a test at university, nobody cares except you.
It’s the first time in your life where you realise: “My future is now entirely in my hands.” But that’s also the beauty of it. When you start mastering yourself, your routines, your priorities, and your discipline, you unlock a level of confidence and independence that school can’t teach you. Freedom is a gift, but discipline is how you keep it.
Working life hits hard at first, but it’s rewarding. Out in the real world, the stakes rise, as does the pressure. But so does your pride when you start building something of your own. Your career is what you choose to chase, and it is different for everyone.
As Snoop Dogg would say: “If it’s flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s, be the best hamburger flipper in the world.” Whatever it is you do, you must master your craft!
Your friendship circle becomes smaller — but deeper. You won’t stay close to everyone, and that’s okay. The real ones stay. New, meaningful friendships arrive when you least expect them. I am talking about relationships with women, too! Surround yourself with people who make you better & stay away from people that don’t.
School titles matter less than the habits you carry forward. No one cares what you were in matric. What matters is what lessons you learnt.
Well done if you were a prefect, came in the top 10 academically, and played first team sport. But what lessons did you learn when achieving these?
The greatest football player of all time, Leo Messi, said: “In football as in watchmaking, talent and elegance mean nothing without rigour and precision,” and “I start early and I stay late, day after day, year after year, it took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.”
Forgive me for predicting some football realities for the next five years:
- Arsenal fans: brace yourselves — you’re in for at least five more “this is our year” speeches… followed by the annual bottle.
- Chelsea fans: the trophies will keep rolling in, even if no one can name your starting XI anymore.
- Manchester United fans: you’ll keep saying “we’re rebuilding”… but no one will know exactly what you’re rebuilding.
- Tottenham fans: you’ll play beautiful football, score incredible goals … and still finish fourth.
- Messi will still be better than Ronaldo — and deep down, you all know it.
- And England … lads, it’s still not coming home.
The next five years will change you in ways you don’t expect. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll learn. You’ll grow. You’ll discover new passions and leave old ones behind.
But everything Littlewood taught you, resilience, loyalty, humility, discipline, all of these will carry you through.
Congratulations to the Matric Class of 2025. Step confidently into the next chapter — and make us all proud.
