January 2008
Wilhelm van der Walt writes:
After a holiday spent relaxing and spending time with loved ones, here we are at the start of a new year. The vibe in the school is one that is filled with energy. The boys in the house are cheerful with there fresh new haircuts and seem to be ready for very busy year.
The new boys arrived on Monday and have just started the Hilton induction program. Early on Tuesday morning the boys were woken up by their dorm cops and instructed to get changed into there number one uniform. Startled, they did as they were told and were led to the Gilfillan rugby field where a tunnel of matrics awaited them. They walked through the tunnel and sat bewildered on the stands. A short message was passed on to them by deputy head boy Bryce Perrett and they were then lead into a circle of matrics where the school song “O Boys of Hilton” was sung. This was the Matrics’ way of saying “Welcome to the Brotherhood”.
I feel that the attitude of how new boys are introduced to the school has come a long way from earlier years. As a matric body we strive to increase the passion for the school among the boys and the induction program, especially in Pearce House is very focused to getting the new boys to understand this pride and brotherhood that is at the core school. In Pearce this is done by myself (the Head-Of-House), Michael Wellbeloved (the Dorm-Cop), and Kuber Reddy (the Dorm-Mentor). Together we strive to help these boys find there place in the Hilton community.
As a Pearce House Matric body our mission is to make Pearce a more fun House for the boys. We think this is important because every boy should think of this House as a home away from home. Living here should not be a burden but an experience and I put full trust in my team to achieve this.
In front of the Boys of Pearce house lie paths ready to be ventured. Each one these routes different from the next but equally significant. Hilton has so much to offer and if all the boys can take head of these opportunities, then this will be a very successful year.