Sydney High School Old Boys Union Events & Information

01/09/2026

Double trophy day at Manly! 🏆⛳️

High swept the 88th GPS Old Boys Union Golf Day in August, taking home both major trophies under clear skies at Manly Golf Club!

The field had over 100 players from across all nine GPS schools.

Huge shoutouts to the leaderboard:

🏆 Tom Fitzsimmons Cup (Best Individual Score): David Scribner (’83) with a brilliant 37 points.

🏆 GPS OBU Plate (Top Team Score): High took aggregate gold with 139 points, led by David Scribner (’83), David Moses (’91), Ian Stone (’77), and Stephen Boatswain (’77).

🏆 2-Ball Best Ball: Stephen Boatswain & David Moses double-dipped to claim the pairing title too!

Fast greens, great company across all 9 GPS schools, and a seamless burger station at the turn—doesn’t get much better than bringing the Plate back home.

Dust off your clubs and join us on the fairway next year! Send an email to [email protected] to get on the player list for 2027 and to be get involved in the annual SHOBs Golf Day

Special thanks to George Ujvary (’71) for continuing to organise such fantastic Old Boy golf events! 🙌

31/08/2026

The Sydney Boys High Old Boys Union (OBU) invites Old Boy solicitors, barristers and law students to a special evening with Old Boy Justice John Sackar KC AM.

Join us as Justice Sackar delivers an address, followed by the opportunity to connect with fellow members of the legal profession and emerging practitioners.

📅 Thursday, 5 November 2026
🕡 6:30pm–8:30pm
📍 Citation Legal, Level 12, 80 Pacific Highway, North Sydney NSW 2060

Light refreshments will be provided.

Places are strictly limited to 35. Preference will be given to OBU Lifetime Members. Please RSVP through the following link: https://www.shsobu.org.au/events/view/law-leadership-insight-with-old-boy-justice-john-sackar-kc-am

20/08/2026

Help shape the future of the Sydney High School Old Boys Union

The SHS OBU is conducting its first-ever member survey and is inviting Old Boys to join a small online discussion group.

This is an opportunity to share what the OBU means to you and help shape its future priorities and benefits. Sessions will be held via Zoom from 7-8pm Sydney time (AEST) on:
◆ Wednesday 26 August
◆ Monday 31 August
◆ Tuesday 1 September
◆ Wednesday 2 September, reserve date

Places are limited to 6–8 participants per session. To register, complete the survey here:
https://www.shsobu.org.au/surveys/focus-group-survey

Alternatively, email your name, phone number, leaving year, membership status and preferred dates to [email protected] by Friday 21 August.

Can’t attend? A broader member survey will follow in September. Please keep an eye out for further details.

This is the first time SHSOBU has directly asked members what the Old Boys Union means to you, and what you genuinely value about being part of it. We're running a small number of online discussion groups over the next few weeks, and we'd like you to be part of one.

18/08/2026

What a finish to an incredible weekend tradition! 🏀🔥

The annual High vs. Old Boys basketball games delivered pure drama, showcasing the unbeatable spirit of our school community.

The Highlights:
• Down to the Wire: Two thrilling matchups between our 1st & 2nd Grade teams and a stacked lineup of passionate Old Boys.
• Buzzer-Beater Magic: The 1st Grade game came down to the absolute final second, with the Old Boys snatching a 1-point victory thanks to a game-winning block on the buzzer—channeling their inner Kwabena Brefo! 🚫🏀
• A Milestone Celebration: Huge congratulations to Basketball MIC Ben Hayman, celebrating an amazing 25 years leading Sydney High Basketball! Thank you, Mr. Hayman, for over two decades of dedication to basketball at High and organising these games. 👏

A massive thank you to the 60+ supporters, parents, staff, and alumni who filled the stands and brought the energy. Special shoutout to our incredible parent community for providing the delicious food spread to keep everyone fueled.

Events like this show what makes our school family so special. We’re already counting down to next year’s rematch! Please reach out if you would like to be involved and we will add you to the Whatsapp group

04/08/2026

Please join us for the OBU Mentoring Meetup, part of the OBU Mentoring Program, on Thursday, 27 August from 6pm at Verandah Bar, Martin Place.

This gathering is an opportunity for mentors and mentees to connect in-person, continue building their mentoring relationships, and meet fellow participants in the program.

Mentoring Program participants are encouraged to attend. The event is also open to all Old Boys.

Please note the venue dress code is smart casual.

Event page: https://www.shsobu.org.au/events/view/obu-mentoring-meetup

02/08/2026

CALLING OLD BOY BASKBETBALLERS!
The Annual Old Boys vs The School basketball games are coming up at the school gym on Sunday 16th August! If you’d like to play please email High basketball MIC, Mr Ben Hayman, at [email protected]
All Old Boys, even if not playing, are welcome to come down and support on the day.

30/07/2026

Congratulations to Alex Ryvchin (Class of 2000), whose portrait by Michael Zavros has won the 2026 ANZ People's Choice award at the Archibald Prize!

29/07/2026

High History and Heritage has made a start at gathering photos and other records of the boat naming ceremonies that acknowledge the contributions of Old Boys, parents and other supporters of High rowing over the years. https://history.sydneyhigh.school/nodes/view/6406
The collection has a lot of gaps. Additions, especially from the 20th century, are always welcome.

27/07/2026

In Loving Memory of Clayton Kesting

It is with deep sadness that the Sydney Boys High School community acknowledges the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Clayton Kesting.

For more than 21 years, Clayton served in the Industrial Arts Faculty, where he became much more than a teacher. He was a mentor, a craftsman, a quiet source of wisdom, and a trusted guide to thousands of students who had the privilege of learning from him.

Clay was known for his gentle nature, thoughtful guidance, and genuine care for those around him. He had a remarkable ability to connect with young people, encouraging them not only to develop their skills and talents, but also to grow into capable and compassionate men. His patience, humility, and enduring love of teaching left a profound impact on generations of Sydney Boys High School students and staff.

The legacy Clayton leaves behind will be found in the countless lives he shaped, the colleagues he inspired, and the memories shared by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

We warmly invite former students, colleagues, friends, and members of the broader Sydney Boys High School community to join Clayton's family in celebrating his life and honouring his remarkable contribution to education.

Forever remembered. Deeply respected. Greatly missed.

Rebecca Dam
Head Teacher Industrial Arts.

26/07/2026

In the past month the High History and Heritage team have been busy uploading more of High’s History, including John Brass’s 1963 Rugby scrapbook, photos from the class of 1953, 238 official photographs for 2025, the Literary and Debating Society Minutes from 1890-1898, the School Union Minutes 1940-1959, the OBU Minutes 1930-1949, and the 1963 issues of the Rugby Magazine, to name a few. If you’re enjoying the site and support making High’s history accessible, consider becoming a sponsor: https://history.sydneyhigh.school/pages/sponsors