Issue 27 - Sept 2011 - Scots College

CHAPLAIN’S CHAT
I have been warmed
by the welcome I have
received since arriving
from the battered and
broken, but not beaten
Christchurch. The Rev
Palmer was here to settle
me in and remind me of
what big shoes I would
have to fill. I am very appreciative of the work Rev
Palmer and the school have achieved in raising the
profile of the religious dimension in his time here.
The Rev Palmer also demonstrated what a valuable
pastor he is, and I am sure he is dearly missed.
The centre of Christchurch seems postapocalyptical
still, and remains very much in my
thoughts. Many wait helplessly for decisions to be
made regarding their property’s demolition and
rebuilding. My former school, St Andrew’s College,
is still functioning but very much under changed
circumstances. Rebuilding goes on there at pace,
and reflects the attitude of the people. Though
affected by the Big One(s) and the thousands of
after shocks, the folks there just keep going with a
resilient attitude. They seem similar to Londoners
during the Second World War Blitz, determined
to enjoy life and make a better world out of the
rubble.
Resilience is a theme I have used in Chapel
during Term 2, using the lyrics “I get knocked down,
but I get up again, you’re never going to keep
me down.” Resilience reflects character through
determination and a never-give-up attitude. I have
seen such an attitude on the sports field already
while at Scots, and also in the way students cope
with stressful events in their lives.
From what I have seen so far in my time at Scots,
parents can be reassured their sons are learning to
live in an ever changing world. The new buildings
are being created quickly and efficiently. The boys,
of course, bring liveliness to everything they do,
mixing in energy, humour and friend-time to all
their tasks. Thus overall, I am impressed with staff
and students as they thrive, accepting change and
challenge with a determination to make it the best
result possible.
I am thankful to be appointed here as Chaplain
to Scots College, and pray that my particular
education and experience, gifts and talents, foibles
and faith, be up to the great task of service, at this
momentous time in Scots’ history.
Richard Carr, B. Theol., M. Ed., NZTTC
Chaplain, Scots College
HEAD PREFECT GRAEME PETER
Harrison Tocher (Head Prefect 2009) once wrote
in these Quad articles how frustrated he was with
the way the “red and white strip” of our college
was perceived by other colleges in the Wellington
region. He was particularly frustrated that Scots was
not perceived as a sporting power house or seen as
a worthy opponent. That year he set about changing
the perception of a Scots boy.
Harrison was followed by Nick Wellwood (Head Prefect 2010), a hugely
talented and passionate sportsman who managed to help progress not only
the 1st XV rugby to 1st division and the historic win over Wellington College,
but also contributed to the progression of Hockey and Cricket 1st teams. I
would like to thank these two previous head boys for making my job so
much easier, as they set about the changing the stereotype of a Scots boy.
This year we have continued that change. Our 1st XI soccer team have
fought their way into their Premier One competition. While the 1st rugby
side continued in their Premier One competition and added a solid victory
in their Lindisfarne traditional match, Hockey have also re-established
themselves into their Premier One competition and have proven they are
no easy beats.
These are only our main winter sports codes. We can also include the likes
of Senior Volleyball, Cricket, Underwater Hockey, Senior Basketball, national
champion distance and track runners and many of our other sporting teams
competing at their top levels. We can truly say we have cemented our place
as a sporting power house and can compete with the big four Wellington boy
schools of Rongotai, St Pats Town, St Pats Silverstream and Wellington College.
What cannot be forgotten are the activities outside of sport, such as the
world class “90 Years of Broadway” combined musical production with Queen
Margaret College that was performed this term. The end performance was
a real credit to all the hard work put in by the performers and something
we as a College can be truly proud of. The talent seen from both our boys
and the girls of Queen Margaret’s was something truly amazing and I would
challenge next year’s boys to try to better it.
Our improvement and development has been immense, and the
changed image of the Scots boy has been remarkable. I hope now that all
boys are proud to call themselves a Scots boy. Personally, I could not be
prouder.
William Shakespeare once wrote “we few, we happy few, we band of
brothers” and I believe this goes a long way to describing the Scots culture.
A brotherhood has begun to develop within the College; a feeling of
competing not just for yourself or your team but the entire brotherhood and
community that makes up our college – the boys attending Scots now, and
those who have been before us.
Perhaps I can only understand now, in my final year with two terms
remaining, how much it means to me to be a Scots boy, and how powerful
the Scots brotherhood and community is. With the college roll increasing in
the next few years, I believe we could become THE power house of school
sporting and culture events in Wellington and New Zealand.
Lastly, to Harrison, job well done! What you started has been continued
with support from the teaching faculty, coaches, and managers, and
most importantly the boys of Scots have bought into it. As a College, we
will continue to strive for excellence in the sporting and cultural events,
while holding on to the special character that sets us apart from the other
colleges. To anyone that thinks differently, good luck trying to stop us!
Staff Farewells & Welcomes
The only thing constant in life is change, as they say… and as we farewell some very familiar
faces and much-loved staff members, we are also delighted to welcome some fresh new faces
to the Scots family.
Heather Rogers – after 24 years, one of our longestserving
staff members decided to take a well-earned rest
from the school environment and resigned as the Prep School
Principal’s PA to work part-time in a medical facility closer to
home. Mrs Rogers has seen four Headmasters and four Head
Teachers come and go during her time here, and has spent
part of her working life at a desk in the corridor of the Prep
school (while the new Prep building was completed around her)! She will be greatly missed,
especially by staff, parents and students who had daily contact with her in the Prep school.
Michelle Hughes – another long-serving staff member from the Prep School, Michelle has
taken up a fulltime teacher position at Chilton School, the same school her daughters attend,
and which is also closer to her home. After 15 years, she will be hard to replace – not least her
wonderful sense of humour! Michelle entertained the staff at her farewell with her 15 special
memories of Scots which included colleagues and some of the memorable pupils she taught
during her 15 years.
Joseph Koshy – Our HOD Economics left to take up a
position at Wellington College. After 8½ years at Scots, he
decided it was time to see what another school has to offer.
We will miss Mr Koshy – especially as under his guidance we
have been in the top three schools in the Monetary Policy
Competition since 2008, a feat no other New Zealand schools
have managed to achieve.
Lorraine Robertson – “Robbie” worked in our print room photocopying and organising
school materials for the teachers and students, as well as sending out the dreaded school
reports. She also covered Reception. Robbie was with Scots for about 8 years, and said she
learnt a lot copying and collating all those teaching resources over the years!
Melissa Karacaoglu – Melissa worked in the Marketing Department at Scots College for
over 2 years before the lure of Melbourne became too much for her, and she set sail on her
big OE. Melissa was instrumental in co-ordinating the rebranding of the College marketing
materials and website.
Niels Wegge – Niels came to Scots from Denmark
and was fittingly farewelled in the staffroom with
a retelling of a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale by
Mr Moiser; a story all about the Emperor and his
“Illusory Brocade”. Niels is a Maths & Physics teacher
and was the IB Diploma Co-ordinator – which means
he implemented the all-important IB program structure, and provided advice and support for
the teachers. When he wasn’t doing that Niels enjoyed tramping and meeting the “fine folk
of New Zealand”.
James Springer and John Burrows – our two “gappies” (Gap Year teachers) came from
England and have spent their year encouraging the boys in the sporting arena throughout the
College. Their youth and enthusiasm has been appreciated by the boys, teachers and parents.
But it hasn’t all been goodbyes – there have been some hellos too:
Sharon Brown – Sharon is the new PA for Peter Cassie.
She will work with him in the Prep School initially and then
next year move with him when he becomes Principal of the
Middle School.
Anna Burtt – Anna joined the Marketing Team, replacing
Melissa Karacaoglu as the Marketing Manager. Anna has been
very proactive since she got here and you may have noticed
a lot of articles about Scots College in local papers and our
Facebook page.
Arthur Chin – our new Commercial Manager was thrown in
the deep end by attending a strategy meeting on his first day!
However, Arthur’s banking and business background saw him
through and will be a real asset to Scots as we move forward.
Arthur is reponsible for the Commercial Team which includes the
Marketing, Development, Uniform Shop and Tuckshop teams.
Susan Chrisp – Susan is covering Jen Dee’s class in the Prep School while Jen is on maternity
leave.
Rachel Collins – has joined the Prep School for the rest of
2011 teaching Art and Literacy Support.
Elizabeth Perkins – Elizabeth is our new Administration Assistant in the print room and
will also provide reception cover. She has a varied background, including IT and a stint as a
veterinary nurse.
Mukesh Ram – our new HOD Economics has recently
moved down from Liston College in Auckland, and has a very
strong background in teaching Economics, Accounting, and
Business Studies.
Anna Taylor – Anna will be here for the rest of the year
covering for Andrew Hughes who is on extended leave. She
will be teaching Arts & Design and describes herself as a
confident printmaker, drawer, painter, graphic communicator,
clothes designer and photographer with a sound knowledge
of contemporary art and ICT.
Gap Year Tutors – our three new “gappies” are Jamie Betts fresh from Lancing College in
Sussex, Sam Cliffe from Alton College in Hampshire and Wil Evans who attended Llandovery
College in Wales.
4 THE QUAD | SEPTEMBER 2011 – ISSUE 27 THE QUAD | SEPTEMBER 2011 – ISSUE 27 5