golf - Jules Akel

98 w e l l i ng ton y e a r b oo k 2 0 07 − 2 0 0 8w e l l i ng ton y e a r b oo k 2 0 07 − 2 0 0 8 99that I can do anything I wantto, all it takes is a bit of work‘It wasn’t an easy place tosay goodbye to’.and I can do it.’Round Square dealsIn October Ian Frayne[CR] and Stephanie Lang[CR] took a group on a StoveBuilding project to Peru. Thiswas a gruelling project involvingwork at high altitude inrather inclement weather. Itwas both challenging and rewardingand we hope to make this a regular project too.Over Christmas, Felix Cook worked at AnandwanLeprosy Mission in India. Realising the complexity of hisrelationship with those he met, he has written eloquentlyof his experiences in both theWellingtonian and the Round Squarein partnership rather thancharity and the benefits aremutual. As Marina Lanaghanwrote of her experiences atTiger Kloof:‘I have written aboutexperiences that stood outin particular for me, but inreality there were so many more and I will never forgetthem. It really hit home seeing those who had nothing withsmiles on their faces and faith at the heart of their lives, andI think there’s a lot we can learn from this.’We are fortunate to be in a schoolthat is exploring notions of wellbeingnewsletter. Recovering from theexperience of losing at cricket withstudents at a school for the blind, hewrote:‘More than ever, I see that“It is one of themost beautiful compensationsof this life that no man can sincerelytry to help another withouthelping himself.”and happiness as essential elementsof education. We are learning thatpersonal happiness is not opposed toduty and responsibility, they are mutuallydependant.our own good fortune must‘It is one of the most beautifulequate to a duty to do whatever we can to bettera world so rich in suffering, and yet so full of hope.’Also over Christmas, Hugh James [Bn] and FreddieEdmunds [L] worked on a project in Thailand providingfresh water to a remote Karen village. (Materials providedby the Prince Alexander Fund). Describing it as an incredibleand unique experience, Hugh wrote, with characteristicunderstatement:compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try tohelp another without helping himself’.The International Conference this year was held atDaly College in India. For those privileged to attend, it wasa remarkable experience.Wellington pupils are looking outwards to the worldand are increasingly prepared to engage in global challengesand debate. Graham Nurserhe wca exists for the benefit of all WellingtonTparents and other family members, grandparents,godparents , teachers, support staff, OldWellingtonians and other friends of the College.features of the wcaprovides a social environment and organises a variety oftalks, events and tripsprovides opportunities to use the College’s educationaland cultural facilitiesprovides opportunities to meet other parents, teachersand friends of the Collegesome of the talks in 2007/8Speakers have included: Boris Johnson, Michael Portillo,Sir Donald Sinden, Peter Snow, Matthew Parris, MichaelMansfield QC, Sir Bernard Ingham, The Poet Laureate,Peter Oborne, Michael Gove, Lord Baker and severalother distinguished speakers on Politics, History, Sport,Business, Art, Literaturesome of the events in 2007/8Themed Hollywood Ball; Grand Summer Ball; GardenParties; New Parents Cheese & Wine Partytrips in 2007/8Three Day Vienna Visit; World War 1 Battlefields Tripforthcoming talks, events & tripsfor 2007/8Several of the above will be repeated in 2009, with the additionof a Golf Day, A Christmas Fayre, a trip to Monet’sGarden in Paris and several distinguished speaker evenings.For further details see the wca page of the website,or contact the Co-ordinator to be included in thetwice yearly mail-out of the List.the wca ‘wellington initiative’This was a new innovation in 2008; full details can be accessedfrom our website. Here is a brief summary of thefirst year:The Initiative arose out of the fact that over the years thewca has accumulated surplus funds, mainly as a resultof the Balls and Events we have run, and we felt that asw. c. a .parents’ money it should somehow be directed back intothe student body.This first year we made awards of between £900 and£2,000 to the successful applicants.The standard of applications was very high and the successfulprojects in 2008 were:a student going to Uganda to help build water supply andsanitation installations in a village in the south of thecountrya student placement in a Cambodian hospitala student group collection programme of old sports clothingand equipment for selected schools in Tanzaniaa student group bike ride from John o’ Groats to Land’sEnd to help raise money for two cancer charitiesa student extending his Gap Year in East Africa to partakeon the coast and in Zanzibar in a conservation programmeaimed at educating local fishermen to protect their coralreefs and himself to engage in restoring littered reefsFollowing this first year’s success, the plan is to run TheWellington Initiative as an annual awards programme opento all Wellington College students.new chairman & committee membersfor 2008/9The Chairman, Bill Price, and his wife and committeemember Reena are retiring as their last son leaves theCollege, and the role of Chairman is being taken over bycommittee member Ian Botes.the wca committeeThe Committee meets once each term and consists ofparents from different year groups and representativesfrom the College and ows:President: Dr Anthony SeldonChairman: Ian BotesCo-ordinator: Denise CookTreasurer: Steve BlosseSecretary: Tarla WoolhouseCommittee Members: Carla Botes, Terry & Gillian Norris,Philippa Orton, Sue & Mike Watters, Lindsay and NickLesley-Miller, Rita and Medwyn Jones, Chris Potter (ow Rep)WCA Co-ordinator: Denise Cookdec@wellingtoncollege.org.uktelephone: +44 (0)1344 444211 or 07866 470801