History Preserved: St Andrew’s Prep Story Published
Over 150 Old Preppies, parents and friends gathered in the historical Memory Hall at St Andrew’s Prep recently to launch the publication that traces the carefully researched history of Prep and the people involved in it from its humble beginnings 127 years ago.
“I’ll Sing You One- Oh!”, written by past Preppie and Deputy Headmaster Lorraine Mullins, has been labelled an “extraordinary literary achievement” as it describes the eventful decades of Prep’s past. Although two other books on Prep’s early years have been written, Lorraine’s recent work encompasses Prep’s entire history and includes much unpublished material.
Anthony Parnell, Prep Headmaster from 1971 to 1980, officially launched the book, saying that the contents need to be studied and relished, “like a really good red wine”. He said the book gave a sense of “a job worth doing, and in the end, done well”. Parnell described Prep as a “great and glorious school, which ever more shall be so!”
St Andrew’s Prep school, borne out of necessity, was built on the dreams of the Mullins family, many of whom were present at the launch. Arthur Mullins, the oldest Preppie present, began his school years in what was once part of his family home in 1937.
“I’ll Sing You One-Oh!” is an accurate account of how one school shaped the lives of countless people. It is a story of dreams, beginnings, hardships, wars, perseverance and proud achievement, as Prep has grown to be one of the leading Junior Schools in South Africa.
Memory Hall rang with the voices of pupils and Old Preppies singing the raucous and nostalgic traditional Prep song, “I’ll Sing You One- Oh!”, led by author Lorraine Mullins. Old Preppies, one of whom had travelled from England, sang the familiar words with gusto.
More photos may be viewed by clicking on the link http://gallery.saprepschool.com/index.php?/category/337
