Welcome to the Old Johannian Association

The Old Johannian Association (OJA), in existence since 1903, plays a vital role within the wider St John’s community.  A strong and united Old Johannian (OJ) network is needed to ensure that the values and ethos of St John’s College are maintained and carried forward outside of the school corridors.  The OJA is of the belief that a world-class school requires a world-class network of OJs, and strives to be a central point through which all Old Johannians can stay connected with the St John’s community.

The OJA is governed by a committee which is re-elected every year at a formal Annual General Meeting.  This committee, which meets on a monthly basis, is strictly comprised of Old Johannians and is tasked with overseeing all matters relating to the OJ community and ensuring the commercial sustainability of the Association.  The committee itself is divided into specific portfolios including finance, administration, reunions, sport and communication.

Aside from these core functions, the OJA seeks to provide Old Johannians with social and recreational facilities for the use and benefit of all members.  As part of this service, the OJA contributes to Old Johannian sports teams and maintains the Old Johannian Club as a gathering point for all OJs.  The Association is also tasked with reaching out to all OJs across the globe and cultivating an ever-increasing number of OJA representatives in key cities such as London, New York and Sydney.

Importantly, the OJA also funds bursaries for selected pupils to attend St John’s College, at the discretion of the School, as part of our on-going contribution to the St John’s community.

Success and continued growth

The OJA is committed to the role it plays in bringing all OJs together under the banner of St John’s.  In the past six years, the OJA has transitioned from an operating deficit to a consistent operating surplus.  This, in turn, has allowed for a greater contribution to College bursaries with a visible increase from R0 in 2006 to in excess of R250 000 per year in 2011.  The Old Johannian Club has also benefited from a significant maintenance investment by the OJA in recent months.

Our communications strategy now includes a broad spectrum of social media and a constantly updated website to facilitate regular and informative communication.  OJs can now stay updated no matter where they are in the world.  This communication drive has been coupled by a 99.9% membership achievement from graduating Matric pupils and VIth Form leavers.

The OJ Annual Dinner, Gaudy Day and annual OJ sports and events allow ex-pupils to reconnect on a regular basis.  The OJA also coordinates dedicated reunion officers in an effort to bring together as many OJs as possible in reunion years.

St John’s College’s dedication to transformation, diversity and inclusion

 All members of the St John’s community commit to a stand against racism not only in spirit but formally in codes of conduct for students, parents and staff and in the commissioning of members of Council and the Old Johannian Association.  This will allow us all to build a St John’s that truly displays the qualities of Lux, Vita, Caritas.

The role of the Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion Committee includes inter alia oversight of all transformation, diversity and inclusion initiatives designed to redress past and present unfair discrimination and safeguard against future unfair discrimination and to monitor compliance with the school’s Dignity and Anti-discrimination policy.

View St John’s College’s Dignity and Anti-discrimination policy here.

View St John’s College’s commitment against racism here.