Milton High School

Selborne Avenue, Bulawayo

1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 20202021 | 2022 | 2023 |

2019


Joe Krige
Tue, Nov 26, 2019 5:31 am

Gerry Loxton. RIP.
I recently heard of the passing of Gerry Loxton, father of William (RIP), Stuart and Louise and husband of Wanda. It was certainly sad news. Gerry was much loved by all the boys he taught. He got the best out of me and my brother, Eugene, in science.

He leaves a legacy that spreads worldwide. We all share a part of him. You can see numerous photos of Gerry on this website but my favourite is the 1948 Athletics team. How lucky he was to teach at the school which made him.

On behalf of all OMs worldwide, Wanda, Will, Stuart and Louise, please accept our sincere condolences.

To Gerry, we say thank you for what you did for us. Rest in Peace.

Joe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joe Krige
Tue, Nov 26, 2019 5:31 am

Small Milton Reunion after 40 years.

On Sunday the 24th November a small group of Old Miltonians met up in a pub in Wimbledon (London SW19) for lunch. The mover and shaker was, most certainly, Australian based Steve McKenna (Head Boy 1979). Steve contacted me, Joe Krige (1972 to 78), Ron Cochrane (1974 to 79), Ian Cutler (1976 to 78), Glen Taute (1973 to79) suggesting a meeting in London. We all gathered with our partners who probably, secretly, feared that the day would be dominated by boring stories of by gone days. I can safely say that they were suitably entertained by the boys.

The dominant subject was undoubtedly ‘athletics.’ In 1978 and 1979, Milton totally dominated the Athletics scene. We were all part of that amazing time. Starting with Glen Taute. Glen eventually represented Zimbabwe in the 1982 Commonwealth games in the 400m and 800m. Glen holds the Milton 800m record; an achievement which, I doubt, will not be surpassed. Glen, along with his inherent talent, trained hard and with a professionalism which permeated through to all of us, both juniors and seniors.

Steve McKenna was an extremely talented sprinter, winning races in 200m and 400m. He reminded us of his epic battles with Brian Loxton (first class OP now living in New Zealand) of Plumtree. Steve beat Brian in the 400m final at the annual I/S event. Apparently, a book was opened by some of Brian’s mates as to who would be the victor; cases of beers at stake!

Ron Cochrane was one of the unsung heroes of the team. Ron trained with total commitment and I remember having so many laughs during and after our middle-distance training sessions. He won races in the 1500m and 3000m and representing Matabeleland in inter provincial events. Dave Husband (1974 to 1979, now living in New Zealand) and Ron usually took first and second place in the 800m. Myself, Joe Krige, was captain of athletics in 1978. It was a really special day when we won the Inter-schools event, beating Plumtree, Falcon, Hamilton and Gifford; honestly, we kicked butt that day winning most events. Chris Birtle (1972 to 78, the one and only and inimitable) took first and myself second place in the 800m, edging out Gary Loxton, (another first class OP) of Plumtree into 3rd place.

Ian Cutler, played 1st XI football for Milton ’76 to 78 so was not as involved in athletics. (Ian was my next-door neighbour in Matsheumhlope.)

Other names that came up in our lively discussions were: Johan ‘Boetjie’ Herbst, Graham Hawkes, Dave Husband, Stuart Loxton, Willie Loxton (never to be forgotten, our fallen brother) Chris Birtle, Andy Gerling, Wayne Spencer, Patrick Viljoen, Chris Hodder, Brian Carroll, Dave Wallace, Greg McKenna, Roy and Mark Slater, Jannie Steenkamp, Paul Cutler (brother of Ian), Darren Maughan, Ken Bain, Keith Swales and Barry Craxston.

We had not seen each other for 40 years yet the memories were clear and vivid and the friendship bonds strong. We all agreed that we were privileged to be part of that.

Steve and Melissa, Glen and Gill, Ian and Sharon, Ron and Leigh and my wife Frances, thank you for making this such a special day.

Finally, a massive thank you to Ron and Leigh who took on the role of hosts, by de fault, because our venue, The Rose and Crown of Wimbledon, is their local.

Joe Krige
Frome, Somerset.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Miltonians - Milton Lunch Friday 2 August 2019 Earth Cafe

With the economic situation hammering all of us... we still need to have a luncheon this year. I have decided to call this luncheon and make the effort.

Venue: Earth Cafe
Friday 1230 for 1245pm
Lunch

Thank you,
I.Kehayias

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ian Williams
4 June 2019

Passed in his sleep 30 May.
A good friend, and brilliant motor racer


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Come on all “old miltonians”, how about some news here instead of using Facebook, this connects with almost everyone around the world and has extensive history of may of our parents and in some cases grand-parents as the school magazines extracts go back to before WWI.

Let's have some news about those who you have caught up with recently. We don't have much from the Sixth Form girls, Townsend, St. Peters, Eveline and the Convent, would love to have some input, maybe reunion photos.

There must be plenty of stories as retold on facebook that are welcome on the common room and also any old photos.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Recently came across an article on facebook from 1968 at the ceremony in at Rhodes Grave in the Matopos where George Lambert-Porter as head boy read the poem "The Burial" by Rudyard Kipling. 1968 was the centenary of Mzilikazi's death.

george_lambert-porter_1968
george_lambert-porter_1968_representatives


Benny Leon 05-26-2019

It is seventy years ago that I went Milton Senior School as a thirteen year old junior boarder in Charter House 1949.  The place was vibrant with twenty boys in each of four dormitories. I visited Milton School recently and was shocked to discover the state of Charter House which appeared to be derelict. The furniture and bedding of the dormitories had been removed.  In Dorm One I found a solitary locker.  It was quite obvious that the building no longer functioned as a hostel.  A young lady unlocked a door opening into a once prefects study and explained that this is where she lived.  The dining hall roof was in need of  a coat of paint.  Half the furniture in the dining hall was missing. Two cooks were using the old coal burning stove in the kitchen.  This had not changed.
I recognised a few school mates in some of the photographic displays on the walls of the dinning hall dated 1951.


The only place which had not changed in seventy years were the corridors and class rooms of the main building.  I checked the board of head prefects at the entrance to the to the main assembly hall and saw I. W. MacDonald 1949 and Reg Furber 1952 both head prefects.  Milton Senior School was well run.  No problems with food at the grub hall - although we could eat more!  Of course one school master who had been there for ages was Mr. Putt Jackson.  Don't know how he got that nickname.


2019_charter_outside2019_dining_hall
2019_charter_dorm12019_charter_dorm1_beds
2019_charter_dorm32019_charter_dorm3_beds
2019_quadrangle2019_corridor_storeroom

We are always looking for old school magazines and photos please contact commonroom@oldmiltonians.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brian McIlvin

1956_milton_senior_speech_night
1956_milton_senior_speech_night_results
1956_milton_senior_speech_night_council

FORM 2A (1954) – MILTON SENIOR SCHOOL
1954_form_2a.png
Back row: Barry Peinke, Hugh Marais, Innes, ?, A Hussey, Dave Rix, ? , ? , Dave Crozier, M Booth , Brian McKelvin, Rupert Goosen.
Middle row: B Walker, Ken Goldhawk, Tony Law, Rob Brewer, Mrs Young (Form Teacher), ? , J Donen, C Viljoen, ? .
Bottom row: Maurice Ross, H Labandter, S Gerber, ? , Colin Gordon, R McCuaig, J Drowley, M Rigby, George McLean.

Notes:
1) I have managed to identify most of my class-mates. We remained together through to Forms 5 & 6.
2) Maurice Ross is uncle of Martin Ross. (Perth visa agent)
3) S Gerber is son of Gerbers Music Shop which was well known in Bulawayo.
4) Colin Gordon is son of Gordons, the grocery retail shop well known in those days.


Brian McKelvin (November 2018)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An old newspaper article from 1999 re school closure


1999_closure_threat_newsapaper