2 February 1897 |
First eight pupils admitted to Rondebosch Boys’ High School for Junior Boys in Glena Hall in Erin Road. The school moved to Rouwkoop Road in 1898. |
1900 |
First boarders accommodated in Canigou. |
1902 |
Fields near Canigou purchased
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| December 1904 |
First school magazine produced and is sent to Old Boys and other friends of Rondebosch. “Altius et Latius”, representing the lower and upper part of a tree becomes the school motto and the school colours are implemented. |
1905 |
The first Past v Present cricket match is played. |
1907 |
The first swimming bath funded by Old Boys and others is opened near what is now the front of the Memorial Hall. |
1908 |
The first Old Boys v School rugby match is played and the Past and Present Boys Debating and Literary Society started. |
20 November 1909 |
The RBHS Union is founded at a meeting in Canigou with headmaster Dad Mason as President. The members comprise of Old Boys’ and senior boys in the High School. |
1910 |
First Old Boys social gatherings are held. |
13 March 1913 |
The first official Foundation Day is celebrated with a cricket match between Old Boys and school boys. |
14 March 1913 |
First Old Boys’ Union annual dinner. |
1914 |
The school song is published. |
World War I |
Mr and Mrs Mason maintain contact throughout the war with Old Boys serving in Europe. |
1920s |
The Union starts assisting the school with projects such as library books and goal-posts. |
1926 |
Life membership is introduced and the Union’s name is changed to the RBHS Old Boys’ Union. |
1927 |
War Memorial Library opened by General Jan Smuts. |
World War II |
Mr Mason again maintain ties with over 1600 Old Boys on active service throughout the world. Thousands of food and clothing parcels were sent to Old Boys including those who were prisoners of war. The second swimming bath is opened below Mason House. |
1944 |
An Old Boys’ reunion dinner is held on the banks of the Nile in Cairo. |
1947 |
Establishment of Old Boys Union newsletter under editorship of Charlie Hallack and the “History of the Rondebosch Boys’ High School: The story of 50 Years of Constant Progress” is published. The Lilacs is purchased.
|
1948 |
Sub-union representative appointed to liaise with numerous sub-unions in South and Southern Africa and elsewhere. The Prep School and High School commence the process of exchanging premises with the High School being on its present site in Canigou Avenue and the Prep School on Campground Road. |
1951 |
The Memorial Hall is opened. Old Boys and others contribute £26 000 of the total cost of £40 000. |
1953 |
School obtains the use of the Mears Meadows fields. |
1954 |
Death of Dad Mason who served Rondebosch as headmaster for 23 years and was a friend and headmaster emeritus of the school for 27 years. Establishment of Rondebosch Overseas Scholarship with capital raised by Old Boys.
|
1955 |
New swimming pool opened which was designed and constructed by Old Boys at a cost of £25 000, the third since the establishment of the school. Wally Mears becomes President of the Union.
|
1963 |
Clent property is purchased. |
1970 |
Maisonettes built for staff housing. |
1975 |
Squash courts built and Prep Pavilion opened on Mears Meadow. On the death of Wally Mears Alec Clarke becomes President of the Union.
|
1979 |
The Mears Centre, which was built with finds raised by Old Boys, is opened. Alan Cormack (E41) jointly wins the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology for his work which led to the development of the CAT scan.
|
1982 |
Annual Walker Cup challenge starts between Rondebosch and Bishops Old Boys |
|
1983 |
Old Boys‘ Union Coat of Arms registered with the State Herald.
1989 Memorial Hall renovated with extensive financial assistance by Old Boys and other friends of Rondebosch. The War Memorial Library is renamed the Reeler Centre in honor of Mike Reeler, former RBHS headmaster and present President of the Union.
|
1990s |
With the advent of Model C schools, the Union takes on an even greater role in raising finance for the two Rondebosch schools. |
1992 |
The cricket scoreboard, which had been opened in 1960 by Old Boy Springbok cricketer Jack Nel, is refurbished thanks to the generosity of the Durban sub-union, Friends of the Lawly family and Carleton Lloyd (E29). |
1993 |
Death of Alec Clarke, President of the Union and former RBHS Headmaster. |
1995 |
Mike Reeler, former headmaster is elected President of the Old Boys’ Union. The Memorial Scoreboard next to the Rugby A is consecrated in memory of Keith Barnard (E1992) and his brother John. Following the service the First XV played an invitation match against players from Bishops, SACS and Wynberg. |
1996 |
Altius at Latius, the chronicle of 100 years of Rondebosch, written by Neil Veitch (E63) is published |
March 1997 |
Rondebosch celebrates its Centenary. Various functions are held with a highlight being the Old Boys’ dinner at Groot Constantia attended by 1652 Old Boys. A Centenary dinner is also held in Canigou. |
March 2000 |
The E1942 Centenary Pavilion and the Centenary Computer Centre are opened. Old Boys made generous donations to building and equipping of these impressive facilities. |
2001 |
The Prep School Hall is renovated and refurbished. |
2003 |
Establishment of the Carleton Lloyd Educational Trust on the death of Carleton Lloyd (E29) |
2004 |
Opening of the refurbished Reeler Centre and the Music and Arts Performing Centre. |
2006 |
The Tinkie Heyns Wing is opened in Mason House in honour of Prof Heyns. |
2007 |
The new Rondebosch Mews are occupied by school staff. The building of the Mews was funded by Old Boys and other donors. |
2008 |
The new swimming and water polo pool which was funded by the Carleton Lloyd Trust, Old Boys, parents and the schools is opened. |
2009 |
The Carleton Lloyd Stand is opened next to Rugby A and the Old Boys’ Union celebrates its Centenary. |
History of the Union 
