The Reunion - September 2024 by dilworthschool

The

Reunion

September 2024

Dilworth’s International Tour Becomes a Reality

Finally, years of travel disruption and empty planes are distant memories! Seventy-one students and ten teaching staff from Dilworth have set off to see the world on Dilworth’s International Tour. This will be the trip of a lifetime for students, many of whom have never travelled overseas before.

A huge effort has gone into getting this off the ground, and students, their families, Dilworth School and our Advancement team, have been fundraising since last year.

This tour marks the first time three contingents are heading away— Choir, Rugby, and Basketball. They will all visit places relevant to their interests and talents before meeting in Northern Ireland on October 4th.

The focal point of the tour will be a visit to the Royal School Dungannon (RSD). Established over 400 years ago, Dilworth has maintained strong ties with RSD for well over 100 of those years. Our relationship is intertwined due to our shared and significant history through our school’s founder, James Dilworth.

The time at the Royal School Dungannon will be incredibly special. Dilworth’s Board Chair, Mr Aaron Snodgrass, and Headmaster, Mr Dan Reddiex, will meet with students, and together, they will spend the day at RSD, visiting sites of significance to James and Isabella Dilworth and watching a ‘friendly’ rugby game. Dilworth’s choir, Fortissimo, will perform at a celebratory dinner held in the evening.

Recent RSD students who have served as Gap Tutors at Dilworth are invited to a ‘Rugby and Reunion’ event. This event promises to celebrate shared memories and camaraderie, strengthening the ties between RSD and Dilworth.

Dilworth Old Boys living in the UK will have a chance to meet in London for the first time in a decade. Dilworth’s Director of Advancement, Emma Zigan, will jointly host a get-together with the President of the Dilworth Old Boys’ Association (DOBA), Mr Gerry Smutz, alongside, Mr Reddiex and, Mr Snodgrass.

Dilworth’s students have a wonderful tour to look forward to. Among the highlights, Fortissimo will sing in Austria with the Vienna Boys’ Choir. In London, they will experience a workshop with Welsh composer Paul Mealor, who famously composed the music for the Coronation of King Charles.

Our rugby students’ big tour highlights will be visiting Twickenhamthe home of rugby - and Anfield FC in Liverpool. The rugby team will see more of Ireland as they travel to Dublin to play Blackrock College before going to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Director of Rugby Mr Gareth Pickering, who oversees the Rugby Tour, is thrilled his group will have this opportunity.

“I can’t wait to see the joy in our boys, seeing what the world has to offer. I’ve coached and taught in many of these places and know what it will mean to them”.

Dilworth’s basketballers will spend more time in Los Angeles, the ‘home’ of basketball. Over ten days, they will play in tournaments, games, and visit the LA High Performance Sports Academy.

Acting Headmaster, Mr Tom Murdoch, summed up what this incredible experience will mean for Dilworth students:

“What better chance for our students than to walk in other cultures, make friends and compete against other high-achieving schools, teams and singers.”

We wish all our students a wonderful time and look forward to reconnecting with our Old Boys and alumni at the get-together in London and the Gap Tutor Reunion in Dungannon.

Welcome to The Reunion

Welcome to The Reunion, a publication dedicated to celebrating you— Dilworth Old Boys, Alumni, and Friends. I’m Emma Zigan, Director of Advancement, and I’m excited to share inspiring stories and news from your School and Dilworth community.

Inside, you’ll find the remarkable story of Andy Simpson, a fellow Old Boy who recently broke a world record. Learn about the latest developments at Dilworth and information from the Dilworth Old Boys’ Association (DOBA), the Benevolent Trust, and the Centennial Foundation Trust.

Our team, in consultation and collaboration with DOBA, is building a meaningful Alumni Relations Programme. Together we’ve hosted events like the Decade Milestone Reunion, where over 60 Old Boys from classes spanning six decades gathered to reconnect. This year, we’ve celebrated the 5-Year Reunion for the Class of 2019 as well as a number of other Old Boy reunions. We are delighted to soon be hosting events in London and at the Royal School Dungannon for the first time in ten years.

We’re committed to strengthening Dilworth’s relationship with our Old Boy community. To help us better understand your needs and interests, an independent research company, Ipsos, will be conducting a market research project in the coming months. Your input will help inform and shape future engagement and communication. Participants will be randomly selected by Ipsos, and if you are asked, we would be grateful if you could consider taking part.

You can now find Old Boy & Alumni stories, Events and other important information on the refreshed Dilworth website at dilworth.school.nz/our-community. Explore the new Support Us pages as well, to learn how you can contribute to Dilworth’s mission.

The Reunion is a new creation and a work in progress. Get in touch to share your stories, or any ideas on what you’d like to see on these pages. We would love to hear from you. Please contact myself or Ed Whiffin, your Advancement team, at advancement@dilworth.org.nz

Ngā mihi nui

Emma Zigan

Director of Advancement | Kaihautū Whakapiki

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

In brief

Editorial Team:

Editor: Emma Zigan

Sub-editor: Ed Whiffin

Writer: Jenny Stiles

Design: Dilworth Marketing

Dilworth led every quarter in a

showing the class act they have worked so hard to become.

Printmaking Award. Congratulations to a very talented student, Penamino Tuia, Year 11 Art, for gaining the overall Printmaking Award with his artwork “On my way up” - at the National Youth Art Awards 2024, hosted by the Waikato Society of Arts and sponsored by the Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand.

Dilworth Now Page 3

Dilworth’s New Chapel and Community Centre Page 4

Centennial Foundation Trust & Benevolent Trust Page 5

Update on Dilworth Response

Dilworth acknowledges and is committed to fully, openly, and honestly confronting the sexual and other abuse that occurred at our School and has resourced Dilworth Response to oversee and deliver on the Dilworth Trust Board’s promise.

Dilworth Response comprises a confidential and fully funded Listening Service for former students and their whānau who want access to professional psychological therapy or support. The Independent Inquiry, which reported in September 2023 (to understand the causes, nature and extent of the abuse at Dilworth), the School’s response to complaints of abuse at the time and the adequacy of the policies and procedures in place at the School today) and the Dilworth Independent Redress Programme - providing a full response, including financial redress, to former Dilworth students subjected to sexual or serious physical abuse at the School.

The Dilworth Trust Board accepted and has made significant progress on the nineteen recommendations of the Independent Inquiry Report. An Implementation Dashboard tracks Dilworth’s progress against each recommendation and can be found here:

Over 170 Redress Applicants have so far received their redress settlement payments and over 50 have now received a personalised apology.

Authentic engagement with former students who were abused is a long-term process. Dilworth is committed to an ongoing process of listening and learning about how Dilworth leadership can sensitively and meaningfully address matters important to these former students.

Rebuilding mutual respect, understanding and trust within the Dilworth community will take time – and Dilworth wishes to approach this with humility and an open mind. Some survivors, with members of the Dilworth Old Boys Association, have formed a group to design a process towards meaningful collaborative engagement with Dilworth.

If you would like to learn more about Dilworth and Dilworth-wide restorative efforts and opportunities, please contact the Programme Manager of Dilworth Response for more information (contact@dilworthresponse.org.nz)

American Experience. In June, Year 10 students

and Hunter

traveled to New York State for four weeks to attend the French Woods Sports and Arts Center Camp.

They had a fantastic time getting to experience amazing sports and activities such as flying trapeze, equestrian, basketball, wakeboarding, visual arts, dance, and drama.

Part of the Camp America organisation, the French Woods Camp is owned and directed by Dilworth Old Boy Nigel Watson, who made this possible. Year

The dream has come true!

Our Premier Basketball team triumphed in the Senior A final this season, winning the competition.

hard-won game against mighty Rangitoto,

2024 Premier Basketball Team

Arhan Hāte, Huhu Kang, Sam Fenwick,

Timoteo

10 Students: Arhan Hāte, Huhu Kang, Sam Fenwick, and Hunter Timoteo

Dilworth Now - Dan Reddiex

Kia ora koutou,

Greetings to you all. I am writing this in the last weeks of my sabbatical. While I have been on leave, Dilworth has been in great hands with Mr Tom Murdoch, Head of Senior Campus, as Acting Headmaster.

Some of you will have attended the 10-year reunion held in June this year, so I apologise if some of this information feels repetitive but I felt it was important to give all interested Old Boys an update on Dilworth School today.

If you haven’t returned to Dilworth for a while, there are a few changes around the school you may have noted. At the Senior Campus, we have added a high-performance strength and conditioning centre, which opened in 2022. New state-of-the-art boarding houses, Donaghmore and Aghalee, accommodate our Year 9 students who now live and learn at the Senior Campus.

Music and the Arts continue to be strong across the school, and last year, we held an inaugural cultural award ceremony with school colours awarded. In 2023, Dilworth’s bespoke Wellbeing Programme, Ako Puāwaitanga, was launched, and our outdoors programme at Mangatāwhiri is going from strength to strength through the implementation of a scaffolded learning framework across the seven years of students’ time at school. Alongside Dilworth’s impressive academic results, these initiatives equip students with the tools to ensure they flourish in their education pursuits and lives beyond Dilworth.

As you might be aware, I joined the school in 2019, just as the truth about historical abuse was fully emerging. No one could have prepared me for the enormity of this, of the impact and task ahead. My team and I committed ourselves to profound, ground-up change at Dilworth. Meeting with former students who were abused and hearing their stories has been utterly heartbreaking, and it served to reinforce our absolute commitment and conviction for comprehensive reform.

My job is to ensure that students today are safe, happy, and secure so they can flourish in all areas of their lives.

While resetting and rebuilding the entire school, our focus has been on putting students at the centre of all decision-making, ensuring we honour the remarkable mission James and Isabella Dilworth set before us.

Students’ education, safety, care, and development are at the centre of everything we do, and we are fully committed to providing an environment where students are safe and can achieve personal excellence.

Dilworth has zero tolerance for abuse. The school has recently undertaken measures to ensure Dilworth’s safeguarding and well-being align with current and world-leading best practices. In 2022, Dilworth School became the first school in Aotearoa, New Zealand, to become Child Wise accredited.

In 2022, we employed a dedicated Safeguarding Officer and, last year, a Director of Health and Safety. Together, we take a whole-community approach to safety, focusing on giving our students a voice in decision-making. We have a Student Council with representation from each year group, multiple student-led groups, and an anonymous reporting system, Stymie.

There has been so much change, but what hasn’t changed is the very heart of this place that makes it so special. Shaped by the mission set out by our Founders and the contributions of the many outstanding young men who have passed through our school gates.

We deeply value your contribution as Dilworth Old Boys, as sports coaches and managers, business mentors and speakers, and as supporters of our students on the sidelines at sports games. Your support is always much appreciated and strengthens our community as we navigate the way forward for Dilworth.

Nga mihi nui

Dan Reddiex, Headmaster.

Mangatāwhiri, home of Dilworth’s outdoor programme, Te Haerenga, has been transformed over the last two years. The purpose-built campus has exceptional new and refurbished facilities, including a standing campsite designed to teach bushcraft, indoor and outdoor abseiling platforms, a huge indoor climbing wall, a mountain bike track, rugby and football fields, a gymnasium and weights room, and a high and low ropes course.

Te Haerenga has been specifically designed so that experiences and skill acquisition are graduated. Water awareness around rivers and the coast is also a key focus. The programme fully integrates with Dilworth’s wellbeing programme, Ako Puāwaitanga.

Congratulations to our boarding staff on receiving the inaugural Australian Boarding Schools Association Training Academy Award! With over 90% of our team registered, they have earned the highest number of professional development points.

Our Golden Choir. In a first for Dilworth, Fortissimo recently won Gold at The Big Sing Finale. We are all incredibly proud of our outstanding choir.

Fortissimo at the Big Sing Auckland

Unstoppable!

Andy Simpson - Class of 1966

If anyone is testimony to the saying, ‘Age is just a number,’ it’s Andy Simpson. This year, this extraordinary Dilworth Old Boy won two further NZ Master’s Swimming Titles for his age group, breaking the World Record for his 50-metre long course swim along the way. He finished in a time some four seconds faster than he swam whilst winning the senior champs at school in 1966!

For Andy, this came from years of relentless training and record-breaking, culminating in this huge achievement. He says he has broken 25-30 NZ Masters records over the years and currently holds five, and has been ranked as high as top three in the world over the past few years, each time thinking to himself, ‘How could I be better?’

Well, he’s done it; he’s broken (smashed) the World Record and this understated high achiever is rightly chuffed! Asked how he felt about his recent success, Andy replied, “Relieved, actually! The effort that goes in is huge. I’ve been breaking records for 30 years, and I’ve been a bit casual about it, but the World Record is more involved, and at another level.”

Andy’s preparation for this event involved an 18 month build-up with a final six-month push, which was intense. He trained at high intensity and across several disciplines 6-7 times a week—three times a week at the gym, plus biking, swimming, dry land and breathing exercises and, interestingly, reaction training and dive starts. He said he would often come home exhausted and is so pleased for his family that he has pulled this off. To be a good athlete can be tough all around, and Andy notes there is ‘No time for wasted conversation’—a testament to setting a goal like this one.

He offers simple advice to up-and-coming athletes: “Don’t aim for someone else’s target, such as a record; be the best you personally can be—a target will restrict you.” He also stresses the importance of mental application: “If you are strong-minded enough, you can do whatever you want to do.”

Andy was a Dilworth student from 1958 to 1966, and his commitment to his old school is strong. He served on the Council and the Old Boys trusts at various times, as President of the Dilworth Old Boys’ Association (DOBA), and is an elected Life Member. He says of his time at Dilworth, “In my era, you had to be strong. It was tough at Dilworth but better than I had anywhere else.” He said you learned to rely on yourself and find a way around things.

But most of all, he said his time at Dilworth taught him to realise that “He could do it, anything.” And Dilworth, he says, “Gave me chances.” He took them all and ran with them.

After Dilworth, Andy trained and qualified as a Quantity Surveyor but decided he wanted to make more money than that at the time, so he started a takeaway food business. He quickly turned it into a local feature, ‘Maison Andy’, which was hugely popular around Parnell back then. During this time, Andy said he “Worked his butt off”, sometimes putting in 120 hours a week. But after 18 months, it paid off; he could fund his first house in Remuera – he was on his way.

After that, Andy returned to using his Quantity Surveying skills, getting into Property Development and Management, working on commercial construction projects for others, and eventually building up his own successful property portfolio.

Over the years, Andy has continued to contribute to Dilworth’s community by coaching young swimmers. He is incredibly proud of Jami-Lee Ross and Jeffrey Aukuso, both from the Class of 2003. Some of the best swimmers Dilworth has ever produced who both performed well in age group competitions while representing Auckland and were two of a four-strong relay team, winning Dilworth an Auckland Schools title. This clearly means a lot to him.

Andy says he can finally relax. “I can do whatever I want now, enjoy my surf club at Waipu Cove, and embrace life at the beach with my wife, three daughters and five granddaughters.” But then he admits, “There will always be something else, trying out something different.”

You get the feeling this incredible man won’t be hanging up his swimming togs just yet!

His advice to Dilworth students of today is straightforward: “If you want to do something, set a goal and a pathway. Keep thinking about it, focus on it, and your life will gear itself around it. Believe it.”

Good advice from someone who has achieved so much in life in every way.

Dilworth Old Boys’ Centennial Foundation Trust

The Dilworth Old Boys’ Centennial Foundation Trust - supporting fellow Old Boys to reach their full potential.

The Dilworth Old Boys’ Centennial Foundation Trust was founded in 2006, in celebration of 100 years of Dilworth. It has a proud history of providing financial scholarships to Old Boys who are looking to achieve something that is beyond their current financial circumstance and fulfil their dreams and potential.

The Trust accepts applications for monetary grants to help with the payment of such things as tertiary education beyond the Leavers Support Grant allocation, special interest in sports, arts, culture, training, start a business, kick-starter money for a business, etc.

If you have a passion and dream and are in need of some kick-starting finance or support, or know of any Old Boy who may benefit from such a grant, contact us with inquiries on support@doba.nz

Please note: All inquiries are treated in confidence and we do follow a process in assessing needs to determine the best outcome.

Dilworth Old Boys’ Benevolent Trust

The Dilworth Old Boys’ Benevolent Trust - helping fellow Old Boys in need.

The Dilworth Old Boys’ Benevolent Trust, otherwise known as Dilworth Assist, has more than fifty years history of providing support to Old Boys who find themselves in challenging circumstances.

The Trust is available to help with modest financial support, pastoral care, abuse support, depression anger management, mentoring, budgeting, WINZ/ACC and counselling.

If you need help or know of any Old Boy who may need such support. Contact us with inquiries or for assistance on assist@doba.nz

Please note: All inquiries are treated in confidence and we do follow a process in assessing needs to determine the best outcome.

In Loving Memory

We remember the Dilworth Old Boys we have lost this year. Their presence in our community will be deeply missed, but their memories will live on. May they rest in eternal peace.

Neil Ritchie Chair

Andrew Gladding Gerry Smutz

Dan Reddiex

Gerry Smutz Tommy King

Pete Bowden Chair Greame O’Leary

Fifth member of the Centennial Foundation Trust Dan Reddiex

Dilworth’s New Chapel and Community Centre

Construction of Dilworth’s new chapel is well underway. Designed by acclaimed architects Jasmax, the chapel will also function as a versatile hub for our community, blending modern design with Dilworth’s existing architecture. The growing demand for a larger space has been recognised for some time, with the existing chapel at capacity, and unable to accommodate the whole school, let alone our whānau, Old Boys and visitors too.

The new chapel will represent the spiritual gateway to Dilworth, embrace and celebrate the school’s diverse range of cultures, and complement the land so generously gifted by the School’s founders, James and Isabella Dilworth.

The old St Patrick’s chapel will be deconsecrated next year, and careful consideration will be given to its future and possible use.

While the building’s exterior is shooting up, Reverend Worboys is also working with members of school community on the visual cues that will make this beautiful chapel uniquely Dilworth and a sacred place to connect with one another and with our Christan faith.

One of the feature pieces is the design for the new stained glass windows.

Meet Jon Chapman-Smith, Class of 1996

Dilworth Old Boy Jon Chapman-Smith - Class of 1996, has been commissioned to work on the internal artwork, including the stained glass windows. Jon runs his own successful Design Agency, Fuman and is also an artist. According to Reverend Worboys, he was ‘Simply the best person to work on this project - he gets Dilworth, and his work is inspiring’.

Jon was already known to Dilworth through his initiative to give Dilworth’s Senior Art and Design students an understanding of creative opportunities post-school as well as exposure to life in a design agency. Jon says his art teacher at Dilworth ‘was one of the key influences that guided my career,’ and he is now motivated to do the same for students studying art and design at Dilworth.

Reverend Greg Worboys, who rejoined Dilworth earlier this year, is steering and shaping the faith component of this inspiring new chapel.

‘It is so important for our entire community to be able to come together. We do this multiple times a week through chapel services, assemblies, performance, workshops, and information evenings. This building will fulfil a vital role in the life of our school.’

The new building is right on schedule! Look at it now, followed by a rendering of its completed design.

When it comes to the design of the stained glass windows and artwork for the new chapel, he says his inspiration “Comes from nature, my home, and the land where I grew up on the west coast of Aotearoa. I want to create something that feels uplifting and reflects who we are as a community while also honouring the school’s deep Irish roots. Through this artwork, I hope to capture the spirit of hope, progress, and unity— values that resonate with our community and the school’s enduring mission.”

Jon will collaborate with Reverend Worboys and our community on his initial ideas for artwork to ensure it reflects the hearts and minds of Dilworth’s community and that our new chapel is home for everyone.

We hope to show everyone the new designs before Christmas.

Dilworth Old Boys’ Association

Meet your 2024 DOBA Council Members

DOBA’s Future: Reflection and Renewal

With a refreshed line-up on the DOBA Council, the team has been putting a lot of thought into DOBA’s future

Since its founding in 1919, DOBA has been integral to the Dilworth community. But given the significant impact of historical revelations of abuse at the school, the Council believes it’s time to rethink DOBA’s future and is looking for your thoughts to guide this phase of reflection and renewal.

Currently, DOBA’s focus includes:

• Old Boy Welfare (Benevolent Trust)

• Acknowledgement and Obituaries

• Liaison with the School and Trust Board

• Centenary Foundation Trust support

• Annual Reunions

• Social Media engagement

• Rebuilding the Dilworth community through survivor-led collaboration

It would be fair to state that, at times, DOBA has lost its way. We now believe that through this crisis can come an opportunity to review, realign, collaborate, plan and implement a path forward that makes DOBA relevant, effective, and an important part of all Old Boys’ lives.

2024 Upcoming Events for Dilworth Old Boys

Recent discussions within the Council have resulted in a few suggestions:

• Mentoring/Life Coaching

• Business linking

• Humans of Dilworth – Life stories

• Fundraising for worthy relevant projects and initiatives

• Increased participation in Old Boy and Old Boy Survivor Welfare – support network(s)

We now have a chance to realign, and plan a path forward to help rebuild our community and, make DOBA more relevant and impactful.

We don’t have all the answers, so we invite your input: What should DOBA become? How can it stay relevant? What does being a Dilworth brother mean today?

Please share your ideas, thoughts or comments to secretary@doba.nz

Thank you

Your DOBA Council

Gerry Smutz President

Andrew Gladding Secretary

Pernell Callaghan Treasurer

Sandy McNeur Councillor

Stuart McDonald Councillor

Keki Wilson Councillor

Colin Stewart Councillor

Astley Nathan Councillor

David Mossman Councillor

Alumni and Old Boy’s 2024 Founders’ Day Awards

Harrison Dudley-Rode, Head Prefect and Class of 2018.

Harrison was awarded the prestigious David Beattie Award. Established in 1981, during Dilworth’s 75th Jubilee, this award commemorates the appointment of Sir David Beattie, a notable Dilworth Old Boy, as Governor General of New Zealand.

Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sport, Exercise, and Health at AUT, Harrison specialises in exercise physiology and strength and conditioning and demonstrated exceptional dedication to his academic and professional pursuits.

Read more about Harrison’s achievements here.

Adrian Mahoni, Class of 2021.

Adrian Mahoni was awarded the prestigious Ella Burford Award and is making waves at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) while pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce.

The Ella Burford Award provides financial assistance to Old Boys for tertiary study in their third year or beyond or for vocational training.

Adrian’s journey from Dilworth School to his current academic pursuit is a testament to his dedication and passion for accounting.

Discover more about Adrian’s journey here.

Paolo Aquino, Class of 2019.

Paolo also received the prestigious Ella Burford Award.

Since leaving school, Paolo has embarked on a remarkable journey of academic pursuit and cultural advocacy.

Paolo is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) with a specialisation in psychology at the University of Auckland. His story is a testament to the resilience and determination of Dilworth alumni, showcasing how our graduates are making a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Contact Dilworth Advancement

We invite all Old Boys to stay connected with Dilworth, teachers, classmates, peers, colleagues, and friends. We offer new opportunities for all our Alumni to get involved and support Dilworth in meaningful ways. Emma Zigan & Ed Whiffin