Upper V Speech Day for the Class of 2025

Speech Day is our most cherished opportunity to celebrate the remarkable efforts and achievements of our students. While we honour the academic excellence that has defined their year of study, today is about so much more than results. We celebrate the leadership that inspires others, the tenacity that overcomes challenges, the strength of character that defines integrity, and the invaluable service our students have given to the school.

The Long Walk Award. Since its inception in 2008, the Long Walk Award has been bestowed only four times. It is a rare honour, reserved for a Head of School whose leadership has been exceptional and whose influence has extended well beyond the ordinary expectations of duty.

This award celebrates vision, initiative, and genuine leadership—the kind that uplifts others and embodies, in word and deed, the deepest values of St John's College.

Siza Kgositsile Kganya Gule becomes the fifth recipient of this prestigious award, in recognition of his extraordinary leadership and service as Head of School in 2025. His leadership has been marked by generosity of spirit, ethical strength, and an unwavering sense of responsibility for those he has led. In him, we recognise the virtues that the founding fathers of the Community of the Resurrection would both affirm and commend.

The Long Walk Award is not a prize. It is a symbolic gift that bridges past and present, the tangible and the spiritual. This brick, precious only to a Johannian, has been taken from our iconic Long Walk and bears the imprint of decades of memory. It carries the scars of thousands of rugby studs as the Blues marched down to Burger Field. It has witnessed generations of Johannians grow from children into adults, heard the Victory Bell ring out in joyous triumph and silently observed the faithful toll from the Bell Tower. It has resonated with the sounds of organ grandeur, the voices lifted together in Chapel, the resounding war cries, and it has borne the footsteps of Bishops and other great leaders.

Headmasters' Trophy

The highest honour, awarded to the matriculant who most embodies the spirit of Lux, Vita, Caritas.

Daniel Teeling-Smith

A young man of exceptional ability carried with quiet humility. Academically distinguished with a mature thought process and a tireless work ethic. A stalwart of the Music Department, enriching College life through Big Band, Brass Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Band. Twice a winner at the Roedean Music Competition and contracted to perform with the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra. Eight years of unbroken service to Chapel Choir. Excelled in sport with courage and perseverance, from rugby to a historic gold medal with the 1st Four in Rowing. Defined by character: honest, diligent, and unwavering in support of others.

Atlegang Seboni

A young man whose presence radiates joy and authenticity. Faced early academic challenges with courage, steadily turning obstacles into opportunities for growth. Flourished especially in English and Dramatic Arts with insight and creativity. As a House leader, he embodied servant leadership with humility, empathy, and quiet authority, reshaping House culture through daily acts of kindness and principled decisions. His participation in That's Life was a turning point, revealing his potential. Polite, thoughtful, humorous, and quietly determined, a true Johannian who leads with service, grows with resilience, and loves with authenticity.

Together, these two Johannians embody Lux, Vita, Caritas. Their journeys, one marked by excellence carried with humility, the other by resilience, transformed into joyful leadership, remind us that there are many ways to walk the St John's walk.

Le Sueur Cup

Most points accumulated across all inter-house events in 2025

1st - Clarke
2nd - Hill
3rd - Thomson
4th - Clayton
5th - Nash
6th - Fleming
Tied 7th - Alston and Hodgson

Allen Senior Cup

Inter-house trophy for seniors with the most points in 2025

1st - Clayton
2nd - Hill
3rd - Thomson
4th - Clarke
Tied 5th - Hodgson and Nash
7th - Fleming
8th - Alston
9th - Runge

OJs' OJ Award

Voted by Matrics for the student who exemplifies honesty, integrity, and "Lux, Vita, Caritas."

Menzi Bongwe

The St John Award

Awarded to a young man in each House who has shown significant growth and progress from Remove year, upholding the values of the school.

Nash: Alec Loveland
Hill: Leon de Kock
Clayton: Josh Busa
Thomson: Thomas van der Poel
Alston: Andrew Langman
Clarke: Sameer Kanjee
Hodgson: Jack Logan
Fleming: Daniel Catzevelos

Old Johannian Memorial Prize

For service to the school

Siza Gule

Peter Baker Prize

For the Dux Scholar of the Year

Luca van Tonder

The Alan & Gen Wilcock Medal

For Courage and Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Joshua House and St John Jacobs

Joshua House faced profound adversity, including being diagnosed as deaf in Upper UIV, surviving a fractured neck, and challenges from a concussion. His kindness, courtesy, diligence and perseverance stand as an inspiring example of strength and character.

St John Jacobs suffered a stroke at six weeks old. Despite predictions that he might never read, write, or play team sports, through enormous effort, commitment and determination, he is now matriculating from St John's College as a true example of resilience and courage.

Aquila Alta Award

For a student rooted in St John's from Pre-prep, showing consistent commitment, integrity, dedication, kindness, and upholding the values and traditions of the College.

Khumo Mapaya

The Walter Andrewes Prize

For excellence in cultural activities, sports and academics

Jason Aspoas, A true St John's College gentleman whose journey is a powerful testament to dedication, perseverance, and balance, embodying the values of Lux, Vita, Caritas—bringing light, life, and love to all that he undertakes.

Academically, he has maintained outstanding results in a rigorous curriculum, demonstrating remarkable focus and diligence despite immense sporting and cultural commitments. His teachers consistently commend his strong work ethic and impressive problem-solving abilities.

Culturally, his contribution to the Music Department is astonishing. As Head of the Choir and a Grade 8 Distinction musician, he participated in over eight ensembles, including playing first trumpet in the brass ensemble and professionally with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. His "superb" trumpet performances highlight his world-class talent.

In Rowing, he has been an invaluable member of the First 8 crew, consistently earning Colours and securing bronze and silver medals at the South African Schools Rowing Championships. His quiet leadership and resilience, particularly when navigating health challenges, inspire those around him.

Menzi Bongwe, a thoughtful, authentic leader who serves as a true cornerstone of the College community, embodies the highest ideals of humility and service.

Academically, his record is defined by outstanding results across a demanding curriculum. He demonstrated an exceptional ability to maintain this level of academic prowess and efficiency while balancing significant demands.

Culturally and in leadership, he has been a formidable presence. As Second Prefect, he led with care and humility, leaving a lasting impact on the school. He earned Honours in Public Speaking, winning the O'Dowd Competition, and his dedication to Dramatic Arts was evident in memorable, impactful performances praised for their emotional depth and authenticity.

In Sport, he consistently excelled, notably in Rugby, where he contributed to the Second Team and led Nash House to an Inter-House victory, and in Basketball, where his team won the AISJ Tournament.

His maturity, warmth, and integrity, together with his exceptional ability to balance high achievement with authentic service and dedication, will be remembered.

Siza Gule, whose career at St John's has been defined by his exceptional ability to maintain stellar academic performance while holding the highest office in the school. His record is one of an unflagging work ethic and an incisive understanding, consistently placing him at the top tier of his cohort. Teachers commend his mature approach and sublime results across all disciplines, including an "outstanding and nearly flawless" theoretical examination in Dramatic Arts and sophisticated solutions in Mathematics.

As Head of School, his tenure left a profound impact, characterised by exceptional maturity, humility, and service. He is a recipient of Drama Honours and earned Colours in both Public Speaking and Debating. His cultural vision extended to community building, spearheading initiatives like the 'Ignite Your Light' campaign and actively championing reading. He is lauded as a brave, compelling performer and an inspirational leader defined by inclusion and genuine care.

Despite his immense load, he remained a committed member of the sporting community, playing for the 2nd Basketball Team and being selected for the 1st Team Hockey squad.

John Airey Memorial Prize

For Extramural Contribution

Michael van Heerden. An outstanding student-athlete and a deeply respected leader whose impact is etched across the sporting, academic, and pastoral life of the College. He demonstrates excellence and inspires leadership across every sphere.

His legacy at St John’s is cemented by breaking 29 school records at inter-house galas. This record haul includes the 200m freestyle record, which had stood unbeaten since 1985, and both the 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke records, previously unbeaten since 1993. At the Eastern Gauteng Provincial Championships, he won 6 Gold medals and broke the age group Provincial Championship records for the 50m and 100m Backstroke.

National success came at the South African Junior Championship, where he won a Silver medal in the 200m Backstroke and Bronze medals in both the 50m and 100m Backstroke. He has competed in the SA National Senior Champs against the best swimmers in South Africa. He was awarded Honours for Swimming and Honours for Water Polo in 2025 as a 1st Team player.

His achievements in the pool are nationally distinguished, leading to his selection for the South African National Olympic Youth Training Squad. He secured a Bronze medal in the 4 x 100m men's freestyle relay at a national competition.

He demonstrated his broad commitment by also participating in the O'Dowd Public Speaking Competition. He leaves a powerful legacy not only of excellence but also of character, integrity, good humour, and empathy.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Fleming Prize

For Service to the School

Atli Chipu

Father Trevor Huddleston Award

For Service for Social Justice

Siza Gule

Luke Potter Award

For social justice and community engagement

Michael van Heerden

The Fargher Innovative Thinking Award

Leo Chen and Luca van Tonder

William Young Mathematics Prize

For significant improvement in Mathematics

Warona Sotia

The Marilyn Jardine Award

For best creative writing in Afrikaans

Luca van Tonder

The Muhammed-Ismail Bulbulia Prize

For best creative writing in English

Ruhan Gosai

Walter Webber Essay Prize

For best English essay

Menzi Bongwe

Wynand Pretorius Prize

For best History essay

David Hemphill

isiZulu Prize

For outstanding growth and commitment in IsiZulu since Remove

James Reed

Chapel Service Prize

For the UpperV student who has served in the Memorial Chapel with dedication, reverence and servant-hearted commitment, and through that service enriched the worship and rhythm of our Chapel life

Joshua House

Old Johannian Association Awards for Excellence

Basketball Yanda Peter

Chess William Jones

Coastal Rowing Willem Cronje

Golf Jayden Hoskins

Kayaking Bruno Cochrane

Rowing Liam Batley & Billy Cronje

Swimming Michael van Heerden

Water Polo Nicholas Searle

SCHOOL PRIZES

Music

Dr Ben Oosthuizen Prize

For best Senior Instrumentalist

Lebeko Mosunkutu

Walter Macfarlane Senior Chorister Award

Jason Aspoas

Most Improved Musician

Tom Dewar

Garvey Cup

For musical endeavour

Daniel Teeling-Smith

Visual Arts

R P Reynolds Trophy

For excellence in art practical and theory

Bruno Cochrane

Diedie Marais Trophy

For excellence in art practical

Davrin Gillot

Lesley van Bavel McKenzie Visual Culture Studies Award

For excellence in History of Art

Jamil Metz

Oratory

Public Speaking Trophy & Andrew O'Dowd Memorial Medal for Prepared Public Speaking

Menzi Bongwe

Chilvers Cup for Impromptu Speech

Cayde Bricknell

The Sonwabile Makaula Trophy for Debating

This inaugural award honours Sonwabile Makaula, a much-loved member of the Class of 2025, recognising a student who demonstrates sustained commitment and dedication to debating, serving as a role model within the College and broader debating community.

Boris Daley