Paul Roos Gymnasium’s 17th rector, Jannie de Villiers, recently sat down with Beyond the Roos for a wide-ranging conversation. In this final episode hosted by Nicholas Nieman and Adam Meintjes, viewers get a glimpse of the man behind the title—his journey from a farm near Ermelo to leading one of South Africa’s most storied schools.
De Villiers shares light-hearted insights in the quick-fire section: his favourite holiday spot is the Kruger National Park, his last impulsive buy was a pair of running shoes, and if a movie were made about his life, he’d want Robin Williams to play him. He also opens up about his love of music, theatre, and sport, and the importance of balance in life. He met his wife while studying at university, and regards them as a team; together they have two children who grew up mainly in Cape Town, which is why he wanted to return to the area where his support base of family and friends is strongest.
The interview traces his career path from Swellendam Hoërskool to Bishops, Oakhill in Knysna, and the Diocesan School for Girls, before arriving at PRG. He reflects on the demanding selection process, the high expectations of the PRG community, and his vision for education—especially the responsibility of schools to give boys both adventure and the heart to make a difference in society.
What stands out most is his humility: he tells learners he has come to serve, to learn, and to understand. With patience for his early blind spots, he promises to be fully present—body and mind. For anyone curious about the future of PRG and the man guiding it, this episode offers an engaging and inspiring introduction.
Die J.F. Marais Mediasentrum was in 2025 ’n lewende biblioteek en ’n spilpunt van idees vir Paul Roos Gimnasium. As verlengstuk van die klaskamer bied dit aan graad 8- en 9-leerders mediaklasse wat hul horisonne verbreeds, met temas soos woordeboeke, biografieë, mitologie, klassieke literatuur en selfs boeke geskryf deur PR- oudleerlinge. Hierdie programme, tesame met lesse oor plagiaat en internetgeloofwaardigheid, rus leerders toe met die vaardighede en integriteit wat nodig is vir toekomstige navorsing en akademiese sukses.
Met ’n boekdatabasis van 3 200 items, verhoogde uitleensyfers en ’n dinamiese versameling wat deur ’n wenslys-stelsel aangevul word, het die Sentrum sy rol as ’n intellektuele en kulturele spilpunt bevestig.
In the heart of Paul Roos Gymnasium, the J.F. Marais Media Centre continues to hum with quiet purpose. It is more than a room of bookshelves and study tables—it is a sanctuary of ideas, a place where learners discover new worlds, sharpen their minds, and nurture a culture of excellence that stretches far beyond the classroom.
September 2025 marks another year in which the Media Centre has fulfilled its mission: to be a source of knowledge, support, and inspiration in the pursuit of academic and cultural achievement.
Broadening Horizons Through Curriculum Support
For every Grade 8 and 9 learner, the Media Centre has become an extension of the classroom. Media lessons are woven into their programme, offering not only practical skills but also a chance to explore genres and topics outside their traditional subjects.
The “Let’s Read…” series has been a cornerstone of this initiative, guiding learners through:
Dictionaries as tools of precision and clarity
Biographies that bring human stories to life
Mythology with its timeless lessons and archetypes
Classic Literature that anchors them in the canon of world writing
Old Boys Literature, a proud celebration of works authored by PRG alumni
These lessons are complemented by sessions on plagiarism and internet credibility, ensuring that learners are prepared for the rigours of future research and study.
A Culture of Reading: The 1-Book Challenge
The 1-Book Challenge has become a rite of passage for Grade 8 and 9 learners, each signing a contract to read at least one book during the year. For some, this challenge has sparked a lifelong habit. For others, it has ignited a passion that far exceeds the minimum.
In 2025, eleven learners signed more than ten contracts, proving that the appetite for reading is alive and well at PRG. The year’s Top Readers stand as shining examples:
Jan-Bernard van Wyk (Gr9: 39 books)
Alexis Peters (Gr9: 38 books)
Nico Caine (Gr8: 35 books)
Their achievements are not just numbers—they are stories of curiosity, discipline, and joy in discovery.
Circulation on the Rise
The numbers tell their own story. Book circulation in 2025 showed a marked increase compared to 2024, reflecting the growing appreciation for reading among learners:
Category
2025
2024
Fiction
1311
1209
Non-Fiction
704
615
This upward trend is a testament to the Media Centre’s evolving role as a hub of intellectual engagement.
A Collection That Evolves With Its Readers
The Media Centre’s book database now holds 3,200 stock items, carefully curated to reflect the preferences and needs of learners and staff. A wish-list QR code allows the community to request new titles, ensuring the collection remains relevant and dynamic.
Books that no longer serve the PRG community are “weeded” out, but not discarded. In the spirit of social responsibility, they are donated to schools and nursing homes, extending the gift of reading beyond the walls of Paul Roos.
Media Monitors: Guardians of the Centre
Behind the smooth running of the Media Centre are the media monitors—learners who dedicate their time to assisting peers during breaks and after school. Their service is both practical and symbolic, embodying the values of responsibility and stewardship.
This year, the Centre bid farewell to two of its longest-serving monitors: Philip Ham, Head Media Monitor, and Joshua Ewins. Both have served since the Centre’s inception in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and leadership.
A Hub of Events and Activity
The Media Centre is not only a place for reading and study. It is a venue for gatherings, debates, and celebrations. In 2024, it hosted a wide range of events:
Meetings: 150 Trust, PRG/JSE Investment Committee, Old Boys Committee, Sport Committees, Matric Dance Committee, Goethe Institute, Book Clubs
Special Functions: Old Boy reunions, Academic Olympiads, Staff workshops
Chess Team: Coaching and tournaments
Learner Activities: Goethe exams, Filmit recordings, assignment research, debating rehearsals, tutoring, and media centre tasks
Each event added to the Centre’s identity as a living, breathing hub of intellectual and cultural life.
Closing Reflection
The J.F. Marais Media Centre has once again proven itself to be more than a library. It is a place where heritage meets innovation, where learners are guided not only by the wisdom of books but by the spirit of Paul Roos Gymnasium itself.
In 2025, its growth and achievements remind us that the pursuit of knowledge is never static: it is a journey, one that continues to inspire learners, staff, and Old Boys alike.
Om die storie uit die perd se bek te hoor, bly steeds die beste manier om op hoogte te bly van die gebeure op die skoolgrond van Paul Roos Gimnasium. Die jongste uitgawe van Semper – April 2025 – is insiggewend en boeiend.
Wat steeds ‘n gesprekstema bly, is die konsep van “doop.” Sedert 2010 is dit by PRG ontwikkel tot ‘n mentorskapprogram waarin nuwe graadagts touwys gemaak en in ‘n broederskap opgeneem word. Vir die matrieks wat die leiding neem, is dit ‘n waardevolle geleentheid om leierskap en kommunikasievaardighede te slyp.
Nog ‘n ontwikkelende tradisie vir die matrieks is die Verjaardagbal, wat sedert 2018 ‘n integrale deel van PRG se kultuur geword het. Dans het duidelik ‘n groot indruk gemaak vanjaar, en daar was genoeg ruimte om die ritme van die aand te geniet. ‘n Nuttige wenk: Maak seker jy ontmoet die metgesel wat jou maats vir jou reël vooraf!
Wat gebeur in die wêreld? Aktuele onderwerpe sluit in die vraag of ons werklik met klimaatsverandering te doen het, en of die Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari-kombinasie op die F1-renbaan die sleutel tot oorwinning is. Verder word insigte gedeel oor die relevansie van albums in die moderne musiekwêreld.
Paul Roos se oud-leerder Dr. Leon Schreiber (2006), tans Minister van Binnelandse Sake, het ‘n besoek aan sy alma mater gebring en… raai wat? Hy het leerders aangemoedig om ‘n loopbaan in die staatsdiens te oorweeg. Sy boodskap is duidelik: Daar is ‘n toekoms vir almal in Suid-Afrika, en PRG kan ‘n beduidende rol speel in dié visie.
Op ‘n meer persoonlike noot het die skool afskeid geneem van twee geliefde Afrikaans-onderwysers: Louise Horn en Alida van Staden. Beide gaan die skoolseuns se humor mis, en hulle sal self ook gemis word. Me. Horn se raad aan jong onderwysers? Leer so veel as moontlik by ander, maar plaas altyd die leerders se belange eerste. Haar pad lei haar na die Weskus, terwyl Me. Van Staden na Hermanus verhuis. Gelukkig het PRG ‘n span nuwe onderwysers verwelkom, en ons het die geleentheid gehad om met vier van hulle te gesels.
Die debat raak intens wanneer prikkelende onderwerpe soos die verdwyning van hardekopie-koerante, die verkorte aandagspan van die moderne mens, en die vraag of kunsmatige intelligensie die toekoms van onderwys is, onder die loep kom.
Jaarliks besoek familielede, die rektor en leerderleiers die graf van Paul Roos, die man na wie Paul Roos Gimnasium vernoem is, op 30 Oktober, sy geboortedag. Hierdie tradisie is ‘n pragtige manier om sy nalatenskap te eer en te verseker dat sy bydraes nie vergeet word nie.
Paul Roos was ‘n uitstaande onderwyser en opvoeder wat sy lewe gewy het aan die bevordering van onderwys in Suid-Afrika. Sy passie vir onderrig en sy onwrikbare verbintenis tot akademiese uitnemendheid het die weg gebaan vir die stigting van die skool wat sy naam dra. Hy sou ongetwyfeld baie trots gewees het op al die prestasies van die skool, wat nou 74 onderwysers in diens het en byna 1300 leerders huisves. Paul Roos Gimnasium gaan voort om sy nalatenskap van uitnemendheid en toewyding aan onderwys te handhaaf.
Benewens sy bydrae tot onderwys, het Paul Roos ook ‘n belangrike rol gespeel as die kaptein van die Suid-Afrikaanse rugbytoerspan na Brittanje in 1906. Nie net hy die naam Springbokke vir hulle geskep nie, maar ook die span gelei tot prestasies op die rugbyveld wat ‘n beduidende rol gespeel het om die land na die verwoesting van die Anglo-Boereoorlog saam te snoer. Vandag nog versterk die Springbok-embleem nasionale trots en eenheid, en help dit om in ‘n nuwe era samehorigheid en vooruitgang te bevorder.
Saam met die hoofleiers, staan mnr AC Blume, rektor André Van Staden en me Johandrie Kriek.
Dit was goed om in Oktober weer ‘n Semper te sien verskyn, want as ‘ n maatstaf vir kritieke denke onder die opkomende generasies het hy eintlik nie ‘n gelyke nie. Besorgdheid oor biodiversiteit, die impak van rekenaarspeletjies en nog baie meer word onthul.
In die jongste uitgawe sien ons weemoed by die Klas van 2024 wat moet tot siens sê. Gelukkig kon hulle dit op ‘n glorieryke manier doen en met trots die skoolterrein verlaat.
Dit lyk of die oupas goeie invloed het op hul kleinkinders wat musieksmaak betref. Onder die liedjies in die repertoire van die PRG Senior Band is die BeeGees se Staying Alive. Watter groot treffer was hul musiek en John Travolta se danspassies nie in die laat sewentigs nie. Daar is ook talle ander lekker ou liedjies wat dit die moeite werd gaan maak om hulle te ondersteun as hulle naby jou optree.
As jy gewonder het wat vanjaar se matrieks aanstaande jaar gaan doen, sal jy ook die antwoord in hierdie uitgawe vind. Dat sowat 70 persent Maties wil word, is seker nie verrassend nie, maar dalk die rigting waarin hulle wil studeer.
Kom meer te wete oor Ben-Jason Dixon (2016), PRG se 56ste Springbok, veral oor wanneer die senuwees die ergste begin knaag voor jou eerste toets.
Die nuwe hoofseun, Simeon Rudolph, en onderhoofseuns, Altus Rabe en Liam de Silva, word ook uitgevra oor ander meer wat ‘n suksesvolle jaar vir hulle sal behels.
Semper: A Good Measure of How the Next Generation Thinks
It was great to see a new edition of Semper appear again in October. As a measure of critical thinking among the coming generations, it doesn’t actually have an equal. This edition reveals concerns about biodiversity, the impact of computer games, and much more.
In the latest edition, we witness the melancholy of the Class of 2024 as they bid farewell. Fortunately, they were able to do so gloriously and leave the school grounds with pride.
Grandfathers seem to have a good influence on their grandchildren when it comes to musical tastes. Among the songs in the repertoire of the PRG Senior Band is the Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive”. What a huge hit their music and John Travolta’s dance moves were in the late seventies. There are also numerous other classic hits that make it worth supporting them if they perform near you.
If you were wondering what this year’s matrics will do next year, you’ll find the answer in this issue. While it might not be surprising that about 70 percent want to become Maties, the directions in which they want to study might be.
Also, find out more about Ben-Jason Dixon (2016), PRG’s 56th Springbok, especially about when the nerves start to gnaw at their worst before your first Test.
The new head boy, Simeon Rudolph, and vice-head boys, Altus Rabe and Liam de Silva, share their thoughts on what will make their year successful.
Paul Roosers het op 28 November hul laaste vraestelle vir die jaar geskryf en met die groet ook hul jaarblaaie ontvang. As jy wil weet wat daarin staan, klik hier: https://paulroos.co.za/jaarblad-annual/
Daar gaan nog baie en lank gepraat word oor vanjaar se interskole-byeenkoms teen Grey College. Die Powerpoint-aanbieding by die skool se saalbyeenkoms op 21 Augustus sal ‘n goeie verwysingsbron wees wanneer ‘n mens meer besonderhede nodig het.
Daar is op 14 terreine meegeding: rugby, sokker, hokkie, tennis, gholf, waterpolo, skaak, muurbal, debat, debating, landloop, bergfietsry, e-sport, swem en tafeltennis. Van die altesame 84 kragmetings het PRG 67 gewen, 12 verloor en in 6 gelykop geëindig.
This Arbour Day we were thrilled to celebrate with a generous donation from Old Boys of the 1973 class. On their behalf Old Boy Tielman Roos (1974), chairman of the BHRC committee who in 1995 registered the family-owned Mooiplaas Private Nature Reserve, dedicating approximately 70 hectares to the conservation of endangered fynbos species, donated young Van Wykshout (tree wisteria) trees to the school. The PRG Societas learners are nurturing these trees until they can be planted out later. Together we are not only planting trees, but also investing in a greener future and fostering a legacy of environmental stewardship.
Vanjaar was daar weer heelwat Old Boys wat hul graad 8-seuns ondersteun het by die aanvang van hul hoërskoolloopbaan. Die Klas van 1973 het ook by hierdie geleentheid geelhout-saailinge uitgedeel wat elkeen van hierdie trotse ouers kon huis toe neem.
Die Kuipers het vanjaar hul verbintenis met Paul Roos Gimnasium met ‘n derde generasie-leerder na oor die 60 jaar uitgebrei. Van links staan Francois Kuipers (1994 en lid van die leerlingraad), Markus Kuipers (2024 graad 8) en Thobe Kuipers (1962 en onderhoofseun).
Dr Braam Hanekom (1977) is gevra om op Maandag 15 Januarie 2024 ‘n boodskap van bemoediging aan die personeel van die Paul Roos Gimnasium by die aanvang van die nuwe skooljaar te lewer. Hy het verskeie Old Boys in hul geledere aangetref. By Braam (derde van links) staan Aydon Topley (2016), Dorfling Terblanche (2008), Brink Nelson (2006), Ben Puddu (2001) en Luan van der Vyver (2015).
Riley Norton, 2024 se hoofseun, staan ‘n kans om SA skolekleure in rugby en krieket te verwerf, ‘n eer wat min sportmanne tot nou beskore was. Lees meer:
PRG takes pride in being recognised for its diversity and depth on the sports fields. This year’s ranking of the Top Boys Sports Schools positions the school in second place. While creating such rankings is no easy task, they undoubtedly make for an interesting read: https://saschoolsports.co.za/unveiling-the-top-boys-sports-schools-for-2023/
Ons gelukwense gaan aan die nuut verkose leerderraad onder leiding van Riley Norton (hoofseun), Oliver Reid (onderhoofseun) en Christiaan Cronjé (onderhoofseun). Die volledige raad bestaan uit agter van links: Steffan Thielen, Reuben Sendzul, Christian Kolbé, Francois Dercksen, Samuel Badenhorst, Oliver Reid, Riley Norton, Christiaan Cronjé, Nicolaas van der Westhuizen, Stefan van Heerden, en Adam October; en voor van links mnr AC Blume, Christiaan Rode, Hilton Smyth, Ivan Radley, Louw Smit, Rohan van Loggerenberg, Henry du Plessis, Joshua Smit, Tatenda Kasinamunhu, Ethan Vlismas, Caleb Waugh, Dian Winkel, me Johandri Kriek, en rektor André van Staden.
Vir die eerste keer in die skool se geskiedenis het ons swemspan skoonskip gemaak in Bloemfontein! PRG het 368 punte losgeswem teenoor Grey Kollege se 247 punte… en vir ‘n tweede jaar agtereenvolgens was hulle aan die wenkant.
