Paul Roos Gymnasium - Jolla-Bolla

Dear Mr. Van der Westhuizen

RE: The Jolla-Bolla

We, the undersigned, as true Paul Roosers, would like to make very clear our deepest disappointment and utter disgust with the lack of a Jolla-Bolla at the end of the Paul Roos vs Grey College 1st XV rugby game on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

After the game, the Old-Boys that attended went onto the field, and sang the school song with the school with real pride, even though the game was lost. At that point the game was over, and it did not matter anymore - we were still proud Paul Roosers. After the school song, we took to the middle of the field, where all sorts of confusion reigned, because of the apparent reluctance of the boys to join us on the field for the traditional Jolla-Bolla war-cry. This is a tradition that dates back to the 70's, so it is perhaps not a very old tradition, but it is surely one of the proudest traditions of a very tradition-fast school. Every true Paul Rooser sees it as an honor to stand in that circle and whoop before all hell breaks loose - and it is an honor we deserved through many years of loyal support to our school!

When it seemed like nothing was going to happen, I took it on myself to find the cheerleaders, who refered me to the head-boy, who in turn told me that they "are not allowed to do the Jolla-Bolla" when they lose the game. This, to me, and every other Old-Boy on that field, and as this petition will no doubt prove, also to many Old-Boys not on the field, was a grave insult, disgrace, and deep disappointment. A few of us got together and did it anyway, but as I looked up after we were done, I saw that the stands we empty - our example of true pride in Paul Roos was wasted, since the boys on the stands did not even have the decency and respect to stand and watch!

I do not know how long you have been the Rector of our proud school, Sir, but I know for a fact that you never attended the school, for if you did, you would know that the Jolla-Bolla mean to a true Paul Rooser. Since you clearly do not know, I, and the undersigned, would like to kindly inform you on what the Jolla-Bolla is, and what it is not.

The Jolla-Bolla is not:

1. Something that you, or anyone else for that matter, can simply take away from us by forbidding it – you have no right; and
2. a victory dance that is only performed when the going is good and we won the game.

The Jolla-Bolla is:

1. a very proud tradition of a very tradition-fast school;
2. one of the proudest moments for any true Paul Rooser when they become a link in that circle - win, lose or draw; and
3. a war-cry.

In this case, the fact that we did not win the game was even more reason to do it, since it sends the message that "Yes, we lost this one, but watch out, we're coming after you, and we WILL get you..."

We, the undersigned, are all true Paul Roosers that take pride in being associated with the school in one way or another. We are Old-Boys, teachers, ex-teachers, parents, scholars, but we have one thing in common - we are Paul Roosers, and we are proud of that fact! On Saturday, August 20, 2011, on the field of Danie Craven Stadium, however, (and here I'm speaking for myself), I was for the first time EVER ashamed of the tie I was wearing around my neck! Not because we lost the game, but because one of our proudest traditions died on that field that day!

With this petition, we demand the following:

1. An explanation as to why this tradition was raped in such an awful way;
2. An unconditional apology in Semper, as well as the Old-Boys newsletter; and
3. The full reinstatement of the Jolla-Bolla as a war-cry, to be performed by the entire school, with the school song, after each and every major sporting event- win, lose or draw!

If the school wishes to reply to anything in this petition, they can contact Danie Knipe (class of ’96) at unrulygaeb@gmail.com.

We thank the school and the Rector for their time and effort in this regard, and we hope that this matter will be rectified as soon as possible.

(I would have ended this letter with the traditional "Semper Splendidior", but it is a dark day indeed, so I purposefully refrain from doing so - as a sign of respect and mourning for our beloved Jolla-Bolla.)