Gareth Oliver

Izimvo has the pleasure of introducing current Head Boy of Jeppe High School for Boys; Gareth Oliver.

Established in 1890, Jeppe High School for Boys is Johannesburg’s oldest public school and is considered one of South Africa’s Top 20 boys schools. Having an excellent sporting and academic reputation, Jeppe’s prominent old boys include Herman Charles Bosman, Jim Christy, Des Sinclair, Brian Mitchell, James Dalton and Jake White.

Website: http://jeppeboys.co.za
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeppe_High_School_for_Boys
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jeppeboys
Location: Johannesburg

Gareth was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: My name is Gareth Oliver, I am 18 years old and I go to Jeppe High School for Boys. I really enjoy playing sport with cricket being my top priority. In December 2009 I had the honour of playing in the Highveld Lions Cubs side at the National Cubs Week.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Haha, um this might sound a little strange but as sporty as I am, I cannot ride a bicycle!

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: When I want to escape I do 2 things, I either go for a run or I listen to music while lying on my bed. My favourite genre of music is Punk Rock and my favourite band is Yellowcard.

Q: How would you describe your ultimate matric holiday destination?

A: Anywhere at the coast where my friends and I can have a great time.

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Jeppe High School for Boys

Q: What do you most enjoy about being a student at Jeppe Boys?

A: The uniqueness of the school and its boys. It’s difficult to describe what gets instilled into a boy when he puts on his black and white blazer, it’s almost an instant sense of belonging, you feel at home.

The sport at Jeppe is rich in tradition and pride so whenever you are representing the school it just gives you a great sense of honour in knowing you are part of something special. The boys at particularly Jeppe are from a wide variety of backgrounds and making friends with such boys justs adds to the joys of being a part of Jeppe.

Q: As well as being the current head boy, you are also the first team cricket captain, play first team hockey, run in the athletics team and have been awarded full colours academics. How do you manage to find the time for everything and do you have any advice for fellow students struggling to keep up with their studies and participate in school sports?

A: Being the current Head Boy, First Team Cricket and Hockey captain, participating in athletics and being awarded half colours for academics has just been a bonus to being a Jeppe Boy. I wouldn’t say I have found the exact balance in terms of managing every aspect of my school life but I have found that once you have been given a specific task to do, focus on that task and everything that is not a necessity must take a back seat. Discipline, dedication and time management is the key to success.

Q: Jeppe is known for being a school steeped in tradition. What traditions are most proud of and is there a concerted effort to keep the traditions alive or is it something that comes naturally to the school?

A: The tradition I am most proud of is having to wear my blazer at all times with both my buttons buttoned up. I would like to think our traditions come naturally because if you have a look at our old boys, they love coming back to Jeppe to see the current boys in their blazers shouting their lungs out for the Black and White.

Q: What are you plans for once you have matriculated and where would you like to see yourself in the next five years?

A: My Dream is to play cricket for South Africa! But that dream has to go alongside with studying at university hopefully something in the medical profession.

Q: With the recent Jeppe – Kes derby being televised on national TV, what are your thoughts on the impact commercialisation has had on schoolboy rugby?

A: I think the increased exposure of schoolboy rugby to the nation can only benefit rugby as a whole for South Africa. My only concern is coaches and boys becoming obsessed with winning in such an exposed environment where illegal substances start to play a role in the sport.

Q: Tell us a little about what it is like being head boy of a school as well-known as Jeppe. What went through your mind when you first heard you had been given the honour?

A: I can only say it has been a huge honour to have been given the opportunity to lead such a well-known school. I can only hope I have done those who served before me proud. The only word to describe what I first felt is euphoria.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: A few members of my family have had a car or two stolen but I would still say I am a proud South African. We are definitely more aware as to what dangers might be present around us.

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president, what advice would you offer him regarding education in South Africa?

A: The education system needs a complete restructure. I feel increased funds should be made available for the development of Pre-Primary schools so that each and every child can have at least two years of Pre-school education.

Q: With the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup less than 50 days away, what advice would you give young visitors wanting the ultimate South African experience?

A: Visit everything that South Africa has to offer in terms of natural beauty. Personally I feel that’s the easiest way to really enjoy and experience South Africa is to visit it with an open mind and have some understanding of the diverse cultures evident in SA.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in the Johannesburg ?

A: The energetic vibe present where everything is constantly on the move and keeping you on your toes.

Q: Favorite weekend hangout with a group of friends?

A: Having a braai at one of my friends’ houses with good food and great music.

Q: If you were not a student at Jeppe, which other school in or around Johannesburg would you have wanted to attend?

A: Difficult to say because as my grandfather is a Jeppe old boy, no other school has ever crossed my mind.

General

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Power Of One – Bryce Courtney.

Q: Being online and having any information source at your finger tips is something we take for granted today. Tell us about the computer facilities at Jeppe and the extent to which technology is used in the curriculum?

A: Over the last few years Jeppe has been very fortunate in investing in numerous SMART boards which has offered many new teaching methods making the curriculum easier to understand and quicker to finish.

Q: If you could have any South African as your mentor, who would it be and why?

A: John Smit, his evident calmness in high pressure situations is something to be admired. He isn’t our most successful rugby captain for nothing.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you like to ask them?

A: Gary Kirsten. What would he attribute his cricket success to, both as a cricket player and coach.

We’d like to thank Gareth for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future.

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