VPHS Magazine 2014 | Page 43

VPHS for him. In his stay at VP he has contributed significantly to the rugby boys. He has a very caring nature and selflessly gives of himself wherever he can. His pre-match team talks were most certainly entertaining and never failed to influence the team prior to their match. Mr Jacobson has also played a very significant role on our staff development team who organise and run our annual seminars. We will miss his creative ideas, sense of fun and upbeat personality. A real family man and a keen caravaner, Mr Jacobson has even inspired another colleague to buy a caravan! His friends, with whom he has formed some close bonds, will miss his warmth, ready smile, his caravan and running stories, his loyalty, lots of laughter at break time and positive attitude. We know that any school will be the richer for his presence and expertise. We can only hope that this move will lead to great things for this go-getter and deserving man. I have learnt many valuable lessons through coaching with Garreth. He has contributed enormously to my coaching career and has a very keen sense for detail, so much so, that he will never forget anything relating to the team. He is extremely organised and highly competitive and he takes great pride in his achievements, which is reflected in the positive contribution he has made to VP rugby. He has left a legacy at VP and has established a foundation for VP’s rugby image in PE. He will be sorely missed in the rugby circle and we, coaches and players, would like to wish him all the best in his future endeavours.” I asked Mr Marcel Pienaar to write a few words about him. This is what he had to say: “Garreth is an absolute pleasure to coach with. He has a contagious passion for the game of rugby that permeates throughout the team. Players refer to him as “Jakes” or “Jakesy” and have the utmost respect Mrs Janis Webb RIP Mrs Lyn MacDonald Mrs Lyn MacDonald, who retired from Victoria Park in 2007 after fifteen years service, passed away in September this year after a long battle with cancer. Born in the then Rhodesia, Mrs MacDonald had led an interesting life, as a Science teacher, cattle breeder, vegetable farmer and, in latter years, teacher of Computer Science. At Victoria Park, she first taught Physical Science before becoming the Head and pioneer teacher in our newly founded Computer Department. Mrs MacDonald was a very compassionate person, having suffered many hardships and setbacks in her lifetime. She made many close friends on the staff and has stood by them as a pilar of strength in their time of need. She will be sorely missed by all of us. At the time of her death she was living with her daughter in Bloemfontein. She is survived by her two daughters and five grandchildren and our deepest sympathy goes out to all of them on their loss. 43