On Saturday 10 October 2026, the Sydney Boys’ High School Class of 1991 gathered at the Nelson Hotel in Bondi Junction to celebrate our 35-year reunion.

It was a fantastic evening, bringing together around 36 old schoolmates, some of whom hadn't seen each other for decades. What struck me most was the wonderful warmth and energy in the room. Despite the passage of 35 years, everyone seemed to reconnect almost instantly. Conversations flowed, old friendships were rekindled, and we all gelled so easily. It really didn't feel as though so much time had passed.

There was plenty of laughter, reminiscing and the inevitable good-natured ribbing. The old nicknames were quickly resurrected, schoolboy humour was very much alive, and conversations picked up almost where they had left off. Old photographs circulated on our WhatsApp group afterwards, generating considerable debate about who had aged gracefully and who somehow still looked exactly as they did in 1991!

One of the highlights of the evening was a spirited rendition of the Sydney High school song. Remarkably, many of us still remembered the words, and we managed to belt it out "in measures loud and long". Our voices may have changed a little over the years, but the enthusiasm certainly hasn't. There was even an appearance of the old school blazer, with several others now promising to dust theirs off for the next reunion.

Beyond the laughter and nostalgia, there was something particularly meaningful about reconnecting with people who had been such an important part of our formative years. Some of our friendships go back even further than Sydney High, to primary school and kindergarten. We've all followed different paths, built careers, raised families and experienced the many challenges and rewards of life. Yet those shared school years have clearly left a lasting impression on us.

As one of our group reflected afterwards, our experiences together at school helped shape who we became as adults, men and fathers. Another described these reunions as being good for the soul. I think that sentiment captures the evening beautifully. It was genuinely uplifting to be among such a wonderful group of old mates.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made the effort to attend, particularly those who travelled from regional NSW and interstate. We know there were others who really wanted to join us but were unable to make it this time. You were certainly missed. It was lovely to see some of you joining conversations remotely and sharing in the photographs and memories afterwards.

A very special thank you to Oliver Slobodetsky, whose initiative, organisation and generosity made the evening possible. Oliver put in a tremendous effort bringing everyone together and arranging the catering, including some very popular food platters. His contribution was greatly appreciated by everyone.

Perhaps the nicest thing about the evening was the complete absence of formality or pretence. There was no need to impress anyone. We were simply a group of old schoolmates who were genuinely delighted to see one another again, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company.

The messages exchanged afterwards reflected how much the evening meant to everyone. There was genuine affection, gratitude and a shared desire to stay in touch. Plans are already being discussed for our 40-year reunion in 2031, with a few suggestions that we shouldn't necessarily wait another five years.

Thirty-five years may have passed since we left Sydney High, but the friendships and sense of connection remain remarkably strong.

Thank you again to everyone who made it such a memorable evening. It was a privilege to catch up with such a great bunch of guys, and I very much look forward to seeing everyone again, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Manish Gupta (Class of 1991)