Andrew Campbell, Grade 7 Class of 1991

As the CEO of the Game Rangers’ Association of  Africa, Andrew has dedicated his life to supporting wildlife rangers who put themselves on the front line of conservation every day. His passion for conservation was sparked as a young boy, growing up on a farm near the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg and visiting different wildlife areas with his family. 

At Highbury, Andrew stood out as an all-round achiever. In Grade 7, he earned the Cole Debating Trophy, the Keith Wimble Trophy for contribution to school life, and academic awards in Zulu, Computer Studies and Reading. He went on to graduate cum laude in Environmental Management at Stellenbosch University.

Reflecting on his time here Andrew says: “I spent 8 wonderful years at Highbury. It proved to be an excellent foundation for my schooling and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I still have fond memories of the friendships created and the good times we had together.” 

 Charles Russon, Grade 8 Class of 1980

Charles has been with Absa Bank since 2006, serving in a range of senior roles and in 2024 was appointed Interim Group CEO. With previous international experience at Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, and KPMG, Charles has developed a deep expertise in finance, operations, and strategic leadership. His career has been defined by a strong commitment to growth, transformation, and excellence in African banking. 

But before all of that, Charles was a day scholar at Highbury and captained the 1st XI cricket team, the 2nd XV rugby team, received cricket colours, and the cricket bowling award two years in a row. ‘As I reflect back on my time at Highbury it is with very fond memories of the six years I spent there, at that stage Highbury went from Standard 1 to 6 with more than half the school being termly boarders. We had a great time at the school and it certainly played a major part in forming the person I am today for which I will always be eternally grateful.’

Charles is championing the launch of a Highbury Old Boys Johannesburg Branch with a reunion event planned for early 2026.

Shaun Crawford, Grade 4 Class of 1992

Long before he worked on Hollywood film scores, Shaun Crawford was a young boy at Highbury with a head barely visible above the school piano already captivating audiences.

“I was in Mrs Kerley’s Grade 4 class, if memory serves me right. Highbury marked the official start of my piano training at age 6. I was fascinated by the instrument. I remember enjoying group music classes, drama and when I had the ‘chops’, playing at school functions and just for fun. My memories of Highbury are happy ones, where talent was fostered and not pressurised.”

That passion for music has taken Shaun to remarkable places. He is now an award-winning composer and orchestrator, working on scores for major international film and television projects. Today, Shaun works internationally and is based between Cape Town and Los Angeles. You can explore more of his work at shauncrawford.co.za.

Nick brocklebank, Grade 6 Class of 1995

Nick left Highbury in August of 1995, when his family immigrated to Guernsey in the UK. Now based in Singapore, he has built a successful career as a strategic and commercially minded legal counsel, with over a decade of experience in corporate law, compliance, regulatory affairs, and risk management.

Whilst on holiday for his 40th birthday, Nick came to South Africa and brought his family to visit the grounds where many of his fondest childhood memories were made – Highbury. A highlight was paging through “Of Good Report”, the centenary book published when Highbury turned 100 years old. Spotting photos of himself and his classmates brought back memories of fun, friendship, and the school’s significant events and renovations during his time.

If there are any other Highbury Old boys in Singapore, please get in touch so that we can start making connections to build a Singapore branch.

Chris Perry, Grade 8 Class of 1948

Chris joined Highbury at just eight years old while his father was away at war. Boarding life was tough at times, but Chris thrived, winning prizes for Music and Afrikaans, captaining the cricket team (earning the best batting average), and shared Dux of Standard 6.

He remembers his favourite teacher, Mrs Lillie Larwood, as “the best history teacher ever” and says Highbury instilled in him the value that he still carries today: never, ever give up. His father also made a lasting mark on Highbury by donating significantly toward the building of the Memorial Hall, a space that continues to serve the school community today.

At nearly 90, Chris says: “I have very happy memories of my time at Highbury. It gave me foundations and value systems that have served me right up until now.”

Ari Seirlis, Class of 1975

Ari Seirlis faced an unimaginable challenge “On 30th August 1985, I broke my neck diving down a waterslide, whilst modelling for a TV commercial at Durban’s Waterworld.” 40 years later he has an incredible list of accomplishments and experiences that will blow you away. His autobiography, Wheels of Fire, is a story of resilience, determination, and a reminder that, even in the face of life’s greatest challenges, we can choose to stand tall and succeed. Ari fondly remembers his years boarding at Highbury under Sholto’s leadership as some of the best in his life and we’re proud to call him one of our own!

Chris McNabb, Grade 7 Class of 2002

Benji Hector, Class of 1992

As a weekly boarder from Std 3 to 5, Benji’s time at Highbury gave him a strong foundation, setting him up for leadership roles as Head Prefect at Kearsney in 1997, a professional cricket career spanning 10 years, and now, 16 years in financial services with Alexander Forbes. Benji’s passion for education and leadership extends to his current role as Chairperson of the School Governing Body at Umhlali, where his three children are enrolled. His dedication to shaping the future of education and youth sport is clear, both in his community work and as a trustee of the Kearsney Development Fund. Benji’s achievements and continued involvement in education reflect the values that Highbury instils in all our boys.

Murray Evennett, Class of 1981

Like his father, Mr Peter Evennett, Mr (Class of 1981), served on the Highbury Board for eight years, with the last three as Chairman. Murray has a long line of Highbury Old Boys in the family starting with his brother Geoff Evennett (Class of 1980), both Murray’s sons, Lloyd (Class of 2023) and Harry, currently in Grade 5, as well as his nephews Tom Trotter (Class of 2013), Jack Trotter (Class of 2014), and Ben Trotter (Class of 2021).

Murray’s guidance as Chairman has ensured that Highbury’s values and traditions remain at the forefront, while his professional expertise as the owner of Evennett Property CC has added immense value to the school’s strategic vision. His commitment to fostering a thriving future for Highbury has been nothing short of exemplary, and his contributions will have a lasting impact. 

As Headmaster Mr Roland Lacock shared, “We are all very thankful to Mr Evennett for his dedication to and love for Highbury and the many hours he has selflessly given to serve our school. Thank you, Murray.”

Morris Crookes, Class of 1980

For Morris Crookes (Class of 1980), Highbury is more than just a school, it’s the foundation of his family legacy and the birthplace of values that have shaped his life and career. Together with his brother Graeme, also a Highbury Old Boy, Morris co-founded Finningley SA, a financial services company based in Kloof, specialising in short-term insurance, investments, and risk planning. As a Highbury boy, he was a proud member of the Rugby, Cricket, and Hockey teams, witnessing major school developments like the construction of the Resource Centre (1978) and Swimming Pool (1980). Later, as a parent, he continued the family tradition, with his sons, Todd and Matthew, becoming Highbury boys too.

Today, Morris remains deeply involved in Highbury’s future. As a member of the Highbury Sustainability Committee, he is dedicated to raising funds for the Highbury Education Trust, which provides bursaries and scholarships while preserving the school’s facilities for future generations. Currently, Morris is helping to drive fundraising efforts for the much-needed library refurbishment. Read more

Steve Camp, Class of 1979

Steve is the Executive Director of the UKZN Foundation, working to raise strategic funds for significant university projects. But it’s outside of work where Steve’s story gets really adventurous. During his military service, he earned his paratrooper wings and went on to train with and qualify for the military airborne wings in Israel, Burma, Estonia, Cuba and the USA. Steve has summited four of the world’s highest peaks, completed South Africa’s ‘Big Five’ endurance events and run marathons on all seven continents! When he’s not adventuring or raising funds, Steve writes – he’s published 22 books, including In Your Stride: 100 Years of the Comrades Marathon, co-authored with Brad Morgan. Looking back, he says, “Highbury holds a special place in our family’s story, spanning generations from my great-grandfather Geoff Lidgett, (1917 – 1921) to my son Stuart (2014–2017). My own days at Highbury provided me with a solid foundation, instilling timeless values and essential skills that prepared me for the challenges of the real world. The lessons I learned and the memories I made there continue to be an enduring source of strength and inspiration throughout my life”

Anthony Akerman, Class of 1962

From a young Highbury student to a celebrated playwright and author, Anthony Akerman’s journey is a testament to resilience, courage, and the pursuit of truth. At the age of 10, he faced the life-changing revelation of his adoption, igniting a path of self-discovery. Shaped by Highbury values of grit, courage and perseverance, Anthony followed his passion for theatre, writing many acclaimed plays that brought South African stories to global audiences and earning awards, including the 2014 Thomas Pringle Award. As a leading figure in South African theatre, his journey has come full circle with the release of, Lucky Bastard – a memoir that explores his experience with adoption and a lifelong search for identity.

Arthur Cook, Class of 2010

Arthur’s Highbury days were filled with achievements and his commitment to excellence continued at Hilton College, where he embarked on a term exchange to Eton College and achieved the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. After school, Arthur headed to the University of Cape Town, graduating with distinction in Financial Reporting and Management Accounting, and took on the role of Head Tutor. His career has since led him back to the UK, where he now serves as an Assistant Manager at Deloitte in London. Meanwhile, his brother Gordon represents the family legacy closer to home, working with Deloitte in Johannesburg. Arthur’s success reflects a longstanding Highbury legacy shared with his grandfather, Douglas Cook (Class of 1934), father Howard Cook (Class of 1971), and brother Gordon Cook (Class of 2012).