DEAR PAST AND PRESENT FAMILIES, OLD COLLEGIANS, FELLOWS AND FRIENDS OF ST PAUL’S
EDITOR
Deborah McRae SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHERS
Andrew Constable School Media Team
CONTRIBUTORS
Monica Holt
Karen Pickering
OLD COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
Deborah McRae
Ph 07 957 8805
MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Michelle Smith 07 957 8818
Karen Pickering 07 957 8898
ADDRESS
St Paul’s Collegiate School
Private Bag 3069
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
New Zealand
PRODUCTION
Spacific
Ph 09 309 6945
COVER PHOTO
Simon Talbot, top US surgeon
FROM THE HEADMASTER’S PEN
Recently, while sitting in the waiting room of Waitakere Hospital with my father who was battling cancer, I was surprised to see in a doctor’s uniform, an Old Collegian, who had recently graduated from our school in 2010. After discussion, I was able to establish that she was completing her training as a doctor. The experience made me reflect on how quickly roles reverse – this Old Collegian was so recently a school prefect, who was getting advice and guidance from many of her teachers. Now she was close to being in a position to provide me with advice and options about the care of my father. The experience also filled me with a sense of pride, to see how well this past student of St Paul’s had blossomed into a soon-to-be qualified doctor.
This issue of Network has a focus on health. There is a story about an Old Collegian who is a successful plastic surgeon in the United States and two personal stories about Old Collegians who have overcome adversity in their battles with ill health.
One constant in life is change. It is said we can’t predict the future – or can we?
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is attributed with saying: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” I believe this is the philosophy that should encapsulate the thinking of our current and maybe those of our past students.
In order to educate children for the future; we can’t continue to do things as they have been done in the past. To equip students with the skills and attributes that are going to set them up for a life beyond school, we need to combine the best of the past, with the possibilities of the future.
We do not live in the past, we learn from it. We do not lean on the past, we build on it.
St Paul’s Collegiate School offers an unique set of experiences which moulds its students; a single sex junior school and a co-ed senior school; Tihoi for our Year 10 boys; leading edge experiences in construction, agriscience and agribusiness; teaching staff who passionately give up a huge amount of their own time to enable our students to learn in a different context – through sport, performing arts or service activities, in order for the students to develop further self-awareness, resilience and creativity beyond that which can be possible in a more formal learning environment.
St Paul’s provides the very best environment within which a young person can grow and develop: it is familiar, yet challenging; safe, yet encouraging of risk taking; nurturing, while widening personal horizons. We know that the development of a person’s EQ (emotional quotient) is as important as IQ, especially when it comes to determining life-long achievement.
I am very proud of our students, both past and present, who seek experiences that extend their horizons that have that grit and determination and resilience to overcome adversity and strive to determine their own future pathway.
As a school, we need to constantly re-evaluate what we are doing and examine what opportunities there may be, to do things better. While we are focused on the future, we should also respect and honour our special St Paul’s culture, values and traditions, which are as important to student’s today as they were to previous generations. Our students need to learn to win and lose and realise that honesty, trust, respect and responsibility will stand them in good stead for developing both positive relationships in their lives, for the troughs, peaks and speed bumps we all undoubtedly face.
We have enjoyed great success in the performing arts – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was one of the best musicals as a school, we have ever put on. Our musicians gained outstanding Gold Awards in the recent ITM Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Band Festival, with our Big Band and Orchestra impressive in their performances. While in our sporting cornerstone, our Open A Netballers finished 22nd in the tough A grade of the Upper North Island Secondary Schools’ competition;
our boys footballers finished 18th in NZ and our boys hockey players were placed 7th in the prestigious Rankin Cup. Our 1st XV Rugby side won the Central North Island competition and were the 11th ranked secondary school 1st XV in the country; while our 2nd XI Hockey, U65Kg and U55Kg Rugby sides took out their provincial competitions.
Even more encouraging, our students raised an amazing $30,000 for charities including the Heart Foundation, Relay for Life, 40 Hour Famine and Shave for Cure. They also raised an incredible $18,000 to build a classroom for a new school teaching disadvantaged children in Tanzania – The Njombe Academy.
As I stated earlier, life is one long learning experience. We will all be challenged by irony, joy, adversity and success. As a school, we need to strive to equip our students with tools to manage these experiences and help to create a desire within them to strive to determine the best possible outcomes for their future. I believe we are well on the way to achieving this through the programmes and experiences we have in place at St Paul’s Collegiate School today.
G W LANDER, HEADMASTER
SPORTS PROGRAMME TAKES SHAPE
At the start of 2014 St Paul’s introduced a High Performance Sport programme that focuses on building the profile of the school’s sports teams and individuals through specialised coaching and mentoring.
As part of the new programme Michiel Badenhorst was employed by St Paul’s this year as a strength and conditioning coach. His main focus is to increase the performance of sports teams and individual athletes by providing individual fitness programmes that build on students’ strength and conditioning in addition to their regular training.
Life coach and trainer Tama Dean has also come on board. The former Hamilton Boys High School 1st XV trainer works with students on their conditioning, mental game and emotional intelligence.
Other expert training is provided to students by both schoolbased and outside expertise. Midlands Hockey are now located onsite at St Paul’s, with Midland’s staff providing professional
training to the school’s developing hockey players. Fraser Tech Rugby Club are another partner of the school, with players Latu Talakai and Sam Christie providing valuable sessions with St Paul’s future rugby stars.
Headmaster Grant Lander says the difference that the new initiative is making is clearly evident with the school’s sports teams and individual athletes already having had great results throughout 2014 with the introduction of specialist coaches and community partnerships.
Improvement in the junior school has also been noticeable with Year 9 and 10 students training through a development programme targeted at students who want to maximise their sporting potential. “We have seen a good uptake in the junior programme. Students have particularly enjoyed being able to improve their skills in their chosen sport,” said Mr Craig Hardman, Head of Physical Education at St Paul’s. “The programme has definitely contributed to the success of the junior teams this year. Students are receiving more skills coaching and more conditioning work which is paying off on the sports field.”
NEW FELLOWS APPOINTED
We welcome the appointment of three well respected members of St Paul’s community as Fellows of the school.
MR JOHN ALLEN
John attended St Paul’s in 1974 and played the lead role as Oliver in the self-titled musical production. He was a talented debater, able to speak confidently and articulately on his feet and in his final year at St Paul’s, was selected as Head of Hall House and a full school prefect. Mr John Allen is currently CEO and Secretary of NZ Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is the government’s chief advisor on Foreign and Trade policy, official development assistance, international law and diplomatic and consular issues.
MR GREG THOMPSON
Greg attended St Paul’s in 1971 as a day boy in Hamilton House. He was selected as an age group Waikato Cricket representative in the third form before changing to tennis where he regularly represented the top team. Greg was selected as Head of House for Hamilton and made a full prefect in his seventh form year. He gained an A bursary as well as passing all three of his Scholarship examinations. Greg went on to study a Law degree at the University of Waikato and now runs a specialist property law firm in Auckland; Thompson Blackie Biddles.
MR ROBERT WALTERS
Robert reluctantly attended St Paul’s as a boarder in Williams House in 1968 but quickly grew to enjoy the sense of community and camaraderie of boarding life. Robert enjoyed his involvement in rugby and tennis. At the end of his third year at St Paul’s, Robert’s father believed that was enough education for him and sent him off to find a job. Robert now owns eight farms located in Otorohanga and Maihiihi. He also runs an agricultural contract company undertaking roading developments, hay and silage work, ground work and cropping.
“I HAVE BEEN FORTUITOUS TO HAVE HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND PEOPLE HAVE PUT CONFIDENCE IN ME.”
TOP SURGEON IN USA
AGED JUST 38, SIMON TALBOT (HAMILTON 1990-1994) IS A HARVARD GRADUATE AND LEADING PLASTIC SURGEON IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
Dr Simon Talbot’s skills as a plastic surgeon are in great demand, largely due to the United States involvement in recent world conflicts. “We have an unfortunate number of wounded warriors who returned from the Middle East with battleground injuries involving limbs,” Simon says. “We continue to have multiple patients on our waiting list for limb transplantation and will no doubt be continuing this major procedure for people in the future.”
Simon Talbot is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and a leading plastic surgeon, specialising in limb transplantation, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. His talents have seen him climb the ranks in the profession since he arrived in the USA 12 years ago. He is now the hospital’s Upper Extremity Transplant Programme Director, and an Associate Professor of the Harvard Medical School.
This field is a relatively recent area of discovery in medicine. “It is a new area of understanding and it is a privilege to learn new things and be there right at the beginning.” Simon’s areas of speciality are general plastic surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery and burns surgery. He is involved in some leading research work around developing devices for robotic microsurgery. He also specialises in the areas of neurologic regeneration and rehabilitation.
In June this year, Simon was at the centre of media coverage in the USA for his role as the lead surgeon in the case of a quadruple amputee having surgery to attach two arms. Simon fronted a media conference alongside his patient Will Lautzenheiser who lost all four of his limbs after a streptococcal infection ravaged his body. He explained that in arm transplants, nerves grow at a rate of about 1mm per day, so recovery takes longer when the nerves have longer to travel. The goal is to give the patient “a tremendous amount more independence, when you don’t have very much, a little is a lot.” It was an experimental procedure which had been performed only a few times in the United States and doctors had never performed a transplant so high on the arm.
“IT IS A VERY DIVERSE AND INTERESTING PLACE, THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON, SO MANY INTERESTING THINGS HAPPENING AND SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES. WE ARE NEVER SHORT OF WORK.”
It has taken years of training, mainly in the USA, for Simon get to this point in his career. Simon left St Paul’s in 1994 and went to Auckland Medical School where he gained degrees in Medicine and Surgery. His first posting was to Tauranga Hospital where he spent 15 months becoming fully qualified as a surgeon.
In 2002, Simon headed overseas and spent just over two years in New York City. It was there he was given a job by New Zealander Murray Brennan, the Chair of Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. “It was a great time in your 20s living in New York City. It is a very cosmopolitan place. You meet a lot of people and they become your friends and contacts for life. It was a very fun place.” Looking back, he credits Dr Jonathan Koea, a surgeon in Auckland who was instrumental in guiding him into the US health system.
It was during this time Simon developed an interest in reconstructive plastic surgery, especially hand surgery, and he applied to various training programmes. He describes his acceptance into the Harvard Medical School as “partly a stroke of luck” but also due to a reference from an Australian surgeon, and now colleague, Julian Pribaz. “He was also from the other side of the world, and realised that people from places like New Zealand have a lot to offer.”
Simon spent several years at Harvard and through this achieved his posting at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he has been working for four years. He works with a team of 14 plastic surgeons. “I am privileged to lead and co-ordinate the team, composed of upwards of 12 surgeons, both procuring limbs and reattaching these to patients who have lost their limbs
through trauma, infection or burns. The operations involve understanding every part of upper extremity anatomy and physiology and are an intense area of plastic surgery research.”
Simon says there is growing demand for limb transplant surgery. “It is a very diverse and interesting place, there is so much going on, so many interesting things happening and so many opportunities. We are never short of work.”
Simon’s wife Dr Elizabeth Morgan, works at the same hospital as a Pathologist. He met her through a plastic surgeon flatmate while at university and they married in Florida three years ago. Due to the on call demands of his work, it is hard to maintain interests outside work. “The hours are generally pretty crazy.”
“My wife and I do very long hours and we should probably have more work life balance.” He is on call one week in every six, and has to act quickly to carry out transplants when donor parts become available.
He loves travelling to new places, he “runs quite keenly” and has a kayak “in the garage.” Travel to medical conferences has taken Simon all over the world. He says the Plastic Surgery fraternity is fairly small. “It is a tight professional network and an interesting bunch of people.”
Looking back on his education, Simon describes his time at St Paul’s as “an incredible time.” He credits biology teacher Kay Etheredge for kick-starting his interest in “things medical.” He says his education taught him many fundamental life skills which have helped him achieve what he has. “There is no question; it is your education which gets you there.”
While living in Hamilton, Simon attended Hillcrest Primary School and Southwell before arriving at St Paul’s in 1990. Simon’s father Richard Talbot was a heart specialist and his mother Mary a nurse at Waikato Hospital. His parents have now retired to Nelson and Simon visits about every three years.
Simon believes there are two characteristics that make Kiwis like himself a success on the international stage – tenacity and resourcefulness. “Above just about anything else, it is both of these skills, and the ability to think on your feet. These are skills you learn at high school, fundamental values that you can’t replace.” He also believes innovation is what sets Kiwis apart from others. “You need to find your own niche and be unique.”
He has struck Kiwis in the United States and at medical conferences abroad. “It is a very small world when you get out of New Zealand. You realise there are New Zealanders in lots of crazy places. “There are many Kiwis who have forged the way ahead of me.”
HEART TO HEART
AS A FOOTBALL FANATIC, DYLAN GROOM (HALL 20062010) HAD NEVER FOLLOWED RUGBY. THAT ALL CHANGED WHEN HE MET ONE OF THE CHIEFS’ TOP PLAYERS.
Dylan Groom’s reaction when told that he and Chiefs back Robbie Fruean had both had recent major heart surgery was “I’ve got to meet this guy”. An introduction at the Chiefs training gym was arranged and the pair hit it off instantly.
“Robbie was the most humble person you could meet, he felt more like a friend than a super star,” says Dylan.
For Dylan, it was much more than just rubbing shoulders with a top sportsman. For the first time he felt someone else could truly understand what he had been through. “When Robbie and I sat down, he was speaking my language. He had similar stories that I did and we could relate to each other. Obviously when I came out of my heart surgery, I talked to people, my family and friends, and they could help me through it and listen but they couldn’t actually relate to it.”
Dylan, 21, had the surgery in November 2012, to repair a hole in his heart related to major health problems he had as a youngster. The first of Robbie’s two open heart surgeries were carried out in 2008, to repair damage after he caught rheumatic fever as a teenager. The meeting was set up through Chiefs assistant coach, Andrew Strawbridge, the father of one of the children Dylan coached in football.
Up until this meeting, Dylan had very little to do with rugby, having always been a “football man.” “Even though it was rugby and I am a footballer, I just absolutely loved what they were doing. And I wanted to be a professional sportsman.”
The meeting at the Chiefs training gym at Ruakura also allowed Dylan to meet Chiefs coaches Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith.
Dylan has an extensive medical history. It started when he was just a few months old and diagnosed with an AV malformation of the vein of Galen (an aneurysm in the brain). “I went to France for lifesaving surgery as there was only one person in the world who could do the surgery. I went there three times for five operations. So it was pretty major,” says Dylan.
It was a tough time for Dylan’s family who on one occasion was met by an ambulance on the tarmac at an airport in France so Dylan could have surgery immediately. Because of his health problems earlier in life Dylan has had regular medical appointments his whole life. “I have had regular check-ups since when I was a youngster until I was 18 or 19 then they rang me up one day and said they have found something else. And it all started again.”
DYLAN GROOM & ROBBIE FRUEAN
“I HAVE TURNED INTO A BIT OF A FITNESS FREAK; I WANT TO HELP MOTIVATE PEOPLE FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE.”
In November 2012 Dylan had a 4 ½ hour operation at Auckland Hospital to repair a hole in his heart and a valve on the wrong side of his heart. “I was in hospital for 5 or 6 days and woke up in intensive care in a pretty bad way. Dylan says he wanted to get out of hospital as soon as he could, but jokes “I came out with a pretty good scar for the girls.”
Dylan has bounced back from the surgery and a big focus is keeping fit and healthy. He was even back playing football six months after the operation. “Every day I go to the gym and I go for runs. I have turned into a bit of a fitness freak; I want to help motivate people from my own experience.” Dylan’s mum Angela has just finished a book about the health issues he has overcome.
Dylan’s bond with St Paul’s started well before he arrived at the school in 2000. His father Michael Groom, a former All White, is a long time St Paul’s English teacher and football coach. “When I was really young I was coming here and got to know all of the football boys. I have been coming to training since I was about 10.”
FOOTBALL
Football is my world and football is my life.
I know this because it was all I was thinking about when I went under the knife.
I love every part of the game the game you play with a ball that is round.
I know I will always love this game, until I am buried in the ground.
I will play it on grass or in a gym; I will even play it on dirt.
One thing is for sure when I win I will be wearing a Clube shirt.
I will play any position I'm needed in, I'd even have a go at number one.
I can't wait for the day I have a ball and I am dancing in the sun.
It may take me a week or it may take me a month it’s just gunna take a while.
But I just know when you give me the ball I won't have a frown; I will defiantly have a smile.
Dad’s the coach and Josh is number ten.
At some point in the season on the pitch I may even see Ben.
We will play to win and we will play to score.
There's nothing else in my life I have ever wanted more…
I cannot wait to get out there with a ball on a sun shiny day.
I’ll think Algeria and Bounce, cause I am gunna be playing for the Clube.
DYLAN GROOM
“I have very fond memories, and made some life-long friends. It was an amazing experience.”
“I wasn’t really one for the classroom. I tried my best. I wasn’t a diligent academic, but I was quite interested in English and Tourism. I liked the subjects where my favourite teachers were.” He says his teachers went “above and beyond” to help him get all the credits he needed for NCEA. “I can’t thank the teachers enough.”
Dylan is still heavily involved in football and has worked at the Waikato Soccer Centre as a coach. The health scare had one unexpected outcome. He started writing poetry, and earlier this year he had a poem published in an anthology of football poetry that coincided with the Soccer World Cup in Brazil. The poem “Football” reflected the importance of soccer in his life when he “went under the knife.” He attended the launch of the book at the Brazilian Embassy in Wellington with his father who spoke.
“I got out of hospital and I started writing poetry. I wanted to say some things about my time in hospital and I started writing it down one night. I wasn’t ever one for writing and this just came out.”
Next year Dylan intends to study Sports Science at Wintec. “I am pretty motivated through my own experience to do that.”
He has been given the all clear from his heart specialist. “I went to see him about eight weeks later and he was like, go be normal, be a normal kid.”
Dylan plays senior football along with his father and brothers, and helps coach juniors. He also now keenly follows the fortunes of the Chiefs.
“I HAVE VERY FOND MEMORIES, AND MADE SOME LIFELONG FRIENDS. IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.”
FROM DIAGNOSIS TO REMISSION
DENNIS TERRY
Being diagnosed with cancer at any age is a shock. So, being told I had prostate cancer 14 years ago at the age of 55 was a huge wake-up call because I had no symptoms whatsoever and considered myself reasonably fit.
It started with a routine medical check by my GP. The check-up showed my levels of PSA, found in a blood test to determine prostate health, had risen slightly from the only other test I had had a year or two previously.
A biopsy was the next step. To say it was uncomfortable is putting it mildly. It was not quite as bad as being kicked by a horse but not far off.
My GP gave me the bad news and recommended I see a urologist. I had time to dwell on how fate deals some cruel blows but was determined I was not going to let it get to me.
I set about trying to find out as much as I could on prostate cancer via some reputable websites and information from the Cancer Society. None of it
sounded particularly pleasant with some rather disturbing side effects as an adjunct to the various treatments available.
Armed with this information I went off to the appointment with the urologist, who repeated much of what I had already found out and recommended I also see an oncologist. At this point I realised I was about to see a considerable amount of the medical profession and the health system.
After MRI scans and CT scans the oncologist informed me I had “significant cancer”. Apparently this meant that the cancer had started to spread outside the prostate itself, which complicated things.
My urologist went over the various treatment options with me. I was fortunate that he had a very calming nature and I felt he was going to do the very best he could for me.
My personal view was to not have anything inside my body that was not functioning the way it was intended, so the preference was to have the urologist take it out. The alternative was to have a dose of hormone therapy to reduce the growth of the tumour and then hit it with some radiotherapy.
At around this time Paul Holmes, the New Zealand broadcaster, had been diagnosed with the same problem and he opted for the latter treatment of hormone therapy.
Some months after, I was on the operating table in a Southern Cross Hospital in Auckland awaiting ‘lights out’ for what I was told would be a five or six hour operation.
On gaining a tentative consciousness, there was the surgeon telling me it had all gone. This was a relief. I had been told he would check any nearby lymph glands for any signs of cancer first and would not proceed if any was found.
I needed further radiotherapy and testosterone treatment but I am staying positive, trying to have a healthy diet and to keep as fit as possible by working part time in landscaping and garden maintenance with the help of a female friend.
There is also good news coming out on effective alternative treatments and advances in conventional treatments.
I am currently a Board member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand and have been a Support Group Coordinator in West Auckland for four years. The Foundation’s main mission is to raise awareness of prostate cancer and support those who are diagnosed.
To this end, I recommend anyone who has a family history of prostate cancer to get a regular PSA test after the age of 40, or if there is no family history then to get tested after 50. A more accurate diagnosis can be achieved with a series of regular tests as it is not necessarily the number that indicates a problem; it is what those numbers are doing.
For information on PCFNZ and to find a nearby support group, go to www. prostate.org.nz, email info@prostate.org. nz or to contact me at aucklandwest@ prostate.org.nz
DENNIS TERRY
NEW ZEALAND POET RELEASES EIGHTH COLLECTION
Bob Orr (Williams 1963 – 1967), one of New Zealand’s greatest poets and a boatman working on Waitemata Harbour, has published his eighth poetry collection, Odysseus in Woolloomooloo
The collection is made up of metaphorical lyrics that take you on a journey, gifting you with a vivid picture of the person or place Bob is writing about.
His writing seems effortless but with his collections taking years to produce, it is something that has taken him great dedication and patience. Odysseus in Woolloomooloo is made up of six years of work, writing during his spare time or when out at sea.
His love for poetry started when he was a teenager. In fact, some of his early work was published in school magazines while at St Paul’s. “It’s just something that got into my blood from an early age,” says Bob. “I had a very good English teacher called Rodney Hamel (staff 1963-2000). He may have contributed towards my interest in poetry. He taught people to appreciate language.”
Bob has another book planned for the future, a ninth collection. The centenary of the war has brought up a lot of emotion for him and has created a stimulus for his next assemblage of poems. “My grandfather was a Gallipoli veteran in the battlefields of France and I am starting to write some stuff centered around him. …It is my way of honoring his life.”
Nothing is set in stone for Bob’s next book; he isn’t working towards a particular deadline but says a new release is definitely in the pipeline.
A KIWI’S GUIDE TO THE GOLD COAST
I’ve considered trips to the Gold Coast, many times. The flights from New Zealand are affordable and it isn’t far away (going anywhere tropical that doesn’t take 10 hours is a bonus). Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of sun and sand?
So, what’s holding me back? Well, I don’t have kids. In fact, I am in my late 20s and don’t really like the idea of kids running around me at the pool while I sip on margaritas. Yes, I live the
selfish life of a person BC (Before Child) but I am sure I am not the only person that thinks this way.
The initial things that run through my head are: will I be splashed while kids do dive bombs in the pool? Will I wake up to kids running up and down the halls of the hotel? And, is there anything to do on Gold Coast apart from rollercoaster rides and water slides at theme parks?
These questions always make me put the brakes on my Queensland holiday but the idea always creeps back into my head when I see friends’ photos of long sandy beaches and crystal clear water.
So I took the opportunity to speak with Graeme Hughes (Hamilton 1965-1967) who owns a set of luxury serviced apartments, Oscar on Main to find out more about one of Australia’s premier holiday destinations. Graeme provided me with some ‘local knowledge’ of the best kept secrets of the Gold Coast for both families and people living BC.
*Graeme Hughes Old Collegian (Hamilton 1965 – 1967)
GRAEME’S PICK OF THE GOLD COAST’S TOP FIVE ACTIVITIES:
1. South Stradbroke Island is a must do. This sandy isle is approximately 20km long and is still fairly undiscovered by tourists. You can hitch a ride for $7 on a return ferry.
2. If you are into major events then the Gold Coast has lots to offer with the Magic Millions Horse Race (Jan), Big Day Out (Feb), Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (May) and Indy 300 (Oct) to name a few.
3. For those who like a bit more adventure head out on a day trip to the scenic and green Mt Tamborine. There are a number of tours available that include four wheel driving, tree top walks and wine tasting all in one day (with hotel pick-up and drop-off).
4. Hire a BBQ pontoon for the day, take your sausages and bread with you and cruise the canals to look at the $3 million houses. Tours can easily be found through Google and average $150 for four people.
5. For those who have a car, head out on the road. Panorama Drive offers some of the best scenic views of Gold Coast including the Hinze Dam.
Who would have thought there is more to Australia’s Gold Coast than theme parks and water slides, right? If you, like me, are now eager to book a trip in the sun then here are some of our booking tips.
KAREN PICKERING
ACCOMMODATION
For a good night’s sleep and spectacular views of the ocean we recommend Oscar on Main, owned by Graeme. Oscar on Main offers a range of luxury serviced apartments available from one bedroom suites to three bedroom apartments. Rates vary depending on the season. Enter code NZG010 to get a special discount.
FLIGHTS
Air NZ operates multiple flights daily. If you are looking for a good deal then travelling during the off-season will allow you to get flights for as little as $600 return; if you are travelling during peak season (Dec–Jan) then expect to pay double this for return airfares. (A little tip, according to the NZ Herald, flights go on sale exactly six weeks out from the departure date – not a day before and not a day after – so find this date on your calendar to nab a deal.)
TIMES TO VISIT
September–October and March–April are the best times to visit if you are looking for heat with minimal rain. Avoid November; this is when Schoolies takes place which means there are lots of drunken party-crazy graduates around.
ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS WORK ON REAL LIFE PROJECTS
Third and fourth year students from the Unitec School of Architecture in Auckland are thrown into the real world of architecture for a complete academic year thanks to the Studio 19 programme.
Studio 19 is run by Old Collegian David Strachan (School and Hamilton 1967-1971) through his firm, Strachan Group Architects. The programme draws tertiary students away from theoretical study and places them in an environment where they can live and breathe their future profession.
“It is very important for students’ education in terms of preparing them for the real world and architectural profession,” Dave says.
Sixteen students design, document and build a real project on a real site for real clients. Dave and colleague Pat de Pont, both registered architects, guide students from concept to completion.
“The experience of designing something at a conceptual stage, discovering the implications of that design and then actually building the details they have designed is invaluable,” explained Dave.
Studio 19’s client base ranges from not-for-profit organisations like KidsCan and VisionWest Community Trust to private clients.
This year students have been working for a private client, Ngāti Whātua O Ōrākei, to design a master plan of eight houses for elderly tribe members. One of these houses is being documented and built by the students.
Now entering the final stage of the Kaumatua Housing project, the construction stage, students are given the opportunity to work with Dave’s two builder sons James and Fraser Strachan and other construction industry professionals.
“It gives our students a good introduction and appreciation of other members of the construction industry and gives them the opportunity to learn how to communicate in that industry.”
Since launching the project seven years ago, Dave and his Studio 19 students have been awarded a number of New Zealand Institute of Architecture Awards.
The 2012 Studio 19 project was awarded two NZIA awards (Housing and Sustainable Architecture) for a VisionWest community housing project. Students built a time effective and cost effective community house that requires virtually no heating.
The strong reputation of the programme has helped many Studio 19 students secure employment once graduating from the Unitec School of Architecture.
“Many fellow architects source students from the project under our recommendation and there are currently four past Studio 19 students working full-time in my practice.”
PRINTMAKER PREPARES FOR EXHIBITION
After a break from printmaking, famous Kiwi artist Rodney Fumpston (Williams 1960–1964) is working on a new series of print work which will be exhibited within the next few years. “I had a break from work after leaving Elam School of Fine Arts where I was a lecturer. I ran away from it all and I now spend my time between Fiji and Hamilton,” says Rodney.
After working as an artist for more than 30 years and establishing himself as one of New Zealand’s most well know print makers, Rodney took a well-deserved break. “Printmaking is a very demanding activity. I have done a lot of my own printing and the physical side is quite hard.”
Rodney specialises in etchings, lithographs and woodcrafts – mediums that he describes as time consuming
and laborious when trying to get the full creative potential out of each process. His meticulous nature to working on art, his level of perfectionism and insistence to explore the art form means we will be waiting a few more years for his new work to be released. “I have been staging a comeback in my work and am hoping to have an exhibition sometime in the future.” “To have an exhibition, you need to accumulate quite a bit of work. That’s what I am doing now is building up a body of work rather than releasing things in drips and drabs.”
His inspiration to become an artist stems from many places and not one particular person or moment. Rodney recalls a woman called Ida Carey (staff 1960-1961) being one of his first muses. “There wasn’t a lot of art when I was at St Paul’s but there was a lady Ida Carey. She taught us art and I did private lessons with her at her studio in Hamilton. She was very
inspirational. I would also credit Rodney Hamel (staff 1963–2000). He taught me history and geography and he was also a painter. He was a very inspirational teacher.”
Although Rodney’s teachers helped brew his love of art, it wasn’t until he studied at university that he discovered a love for printmaking. Rodney discovered the art form while studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters of Fine Arts at Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland. He then explored the medium at the Central School of Fine Art and Design in London where he completed Advanced Studies in Printmaking.
As for the inspiration behind his technique, that is something Rodney pulls from his own personal experiences, a creative exploration of printmaking mediums and his artistic soul. “I have tried to find my own way, rather than be too inspired by others.”
LATE MODEL CARS AND UTES
1990 ROWERS CREATE A VIRTUAL REUNION
The St Paul’s Collegiate School 1990 U19 Lightweight 8s was arguably one of the most accomplished schoolboy rowing eights of its era and certainly one of the most successful rowing crews to come out of the school.
The crew, coached by the late Mike Powell, had a nucleus of rowers who had been part of an evolving U16 crew in the 1987/88 season and a consistent U17 crew in the 1988/89 season. The crew was predominantly made up of boarders whose technique and fitness was developed via summer rowing camps on Lake Karapiro and early morning and after school training on the Waikato River.
As well as its successful racing the Lightweight 8s also looked sharp off the water, designing and making their signature crew rowing tops. Additionally the crew had spent time early on in the season helping Les Varney build their actual rowing eight, further cementing the relationships and teamwork within the crew.
Victory in the Maadi Cup U19 Lightweight 8s race held in Lake Ruataniwha became the focus for the crew and a number of supportive family members travelled to the South Island for this event. The crew achieved their goal beating strong crews from
Christ’s College Christchurch, and King’s College Auckland for the gold medal.
The crew was the first boat from St Paul’s Collegiate School to win a NZ Secondary School Rowing title and their success was recognised with the awarding of sporting colours.
Every year as the Maadi Cup regatta rolls around, John Montgomerie (Sargood 1986–1990) remembers this success and 24 years later, wanted to create a reunion of this rowing team. But with many of the past crew members living overseas, coming together was going to be difficult. John contacted James Schnauer (School 1986-1990) to discuss his reunion idea. Together they developed a virtual reunion (http://tinyurl.com/ SPC1990LW8). This was an ideal way that friends and families of the crew could learn more about their success as rowers and find out more about each crew member, 24 years on.
“We may get around to having a reunion in person - next year will be 25 years since our successful season, which is a nice round milestone. With the guys spread around the globe it may take a bit of lining up,” says John.
Congratulations to these Old Collegians of St Paul’s whose degrees were conferred in the first half of 2014.
Please note that not all universities provide the results of students and we do our best to get all of the information we can.
GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO – 2014
Simon Andrews
Taylor Armstrong
Christopher Barton
Jarrod Bellingham
Ben Boshier
Ashleigh Browne
William Cawkwell
Ernie Chen
Pei-Che (Burton) Chiu
Katrina Clarke
Hamish Cooper
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Teaching – Primary
Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Bachelor of Business Analysis
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Laws Second Class Honours
Bachelor of Management Studies First Class Honours
Graduate Diploma in Finance
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts First Class Honours
Graduate Diploma in Teaching –Secondary
Sachi Fernando Postgraduate Diploma in Management
Matthew Gajzago
Stephanie Henley-Smith
Katie Hodge
Ludwig Hope
Jay Huang
Jolie Humphreys
Greg Kendrick
Yeh-Chen Lin
Alan Nash
Tim Ng
Meisha O’Connor
Rosanna Paine
Tom Parker
Kelly Robertson
Don Scurr
Mark Shaw
Todd Sherley
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Bachelor of Teaching – Primary
Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Teaching - Primary
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Business Management
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Biological) First Class Honours
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Bachelor of Teaching – Primary
Bachelor of Teaching – Early Childhood
Bachelor of Business Analysis
Bachelor of Teaching – Primary
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Management Studies
Chaman Singh
Alexandra Smith
Monique van Lamoen
James Wan
Amy Whetu
Peter Yates
Bachelor of Business Analysis
Bachelor of Teaching – Primary
Graduate Diploma in English
Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management
Master of Laws First Class Honours
Bachelor of Business Analysis
GRADUATES FROM MASSEY UNIVERSITY – 2014
Benjamin Griffin Bachelor of Health Science in Sport and Exercise
Matthew Casey Certificate in Arts (College of Humanities and Social Science)
GRADUATES FROM VICTORIA UNIVERSITY –JUNE 2013–MAY 2014
Scott Armer
Stephanie Black
Oliver Booth
Sophie Hunt
Thomas Jamieson
Zachary Johnstone
Polly Larkman
Olivia Morgan
Andrew Pasley
John Roach
Jock Saxton
Amelia Turner
Tim Vodane
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Commerce and Administration
Master of Architecture (Professional)
Bachelor of Commerce
Master of Arts
Bachelor of Arts with Honours
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of laws
Bachelor of Science with Honours
Bachelor of Building Science
Bachelor of Building Science
Conjoint Bachelor of Teaching/ Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Commerce
GRADUATES FROM LINCOLN UNIVERSITY – MAY 2014
Mitchell Gardiner
Patrick Wilkins
Anne-Maree Hill
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture)
Doctor of Philosophy
SNIPPETS
ARMIE ARMSTRONG
DAMON CLARKE
Damon Clarke (Williams/Hamilton 1987-1990) completed a woodworking apprenticeship then served in the French Foreign Legion. After working in Tchad, Africa, Damon now lives in the United States and works in real estate.
ANDREW CUTFIELD
Armie (JB) Armstrong (Williams 1985-1989) and his partner Penelope Strickland, have just competed in the Molokai 2 Oahu World Paddle-Board Championships which is a gruelling 32 mile open ocean crossing. Known as the “Channel of Bones”, the Kaiwi Channel is one of the most treacherous and notorious channels in the world. It has claimed many ocean crafts and many lives over the years. Relentless trade winds combine with strong currents and huge open-ocean swells to create the perfect challenge for the downwind paddler. Throw in some active deepwater marine life and one can be sure that no two Molokai crossings are ever the same. Armie was placed 9th with a time of 4:41:06 and Penelope came in 3rd with a time of 5:27:12 in the women’s division.
MARK BILLINGTON
Mark Billington (Hamilton 1989-1993) completed a B.Com at Auckland University and worked in Auckland before spending almost five years in London in finance and the music industry roles. Mark returned to New Zealand and established himself in the FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) sector and is now a consultant in the industry. Mark lives in Auckland, is married to Amanda and together they have 7 year old twins Ryan and Carissa.
SAM COLEMAN
Sam Coleman (Williams 1990-1994) along with his wife Alisa, have started a new business in Hamilton called Leap, an indoor trampoline park. They say the trampoline craze has been successful overseas, so two months ago Sam and Alisa finally opened the doors to Leap. It has 29 trampolines all built together to form one giant leaping pad, plus more attractions. www.leapnz.co.nz Sam and Alisa also own the Hamilton paintball business, Hinterland.
PETER COLES
Peter Coles (Sargood 1986-1990) graduated with a BE from Canterbury University. Peter had three years in Taupo as a Process Engineer then enjoyed four years in London with lots of travel with work mainly rail project management related. Peter returned home and started managing rail projects and now works for Kiwi Rail. Peter is married to Kate and live in Wellington with their children Chloe (8) and Phoebe (6).
Andrew Cutfield (Sargood 1986-1990) graduated with a Bachelor of Forestry Science from Canterbury University. He spent 12 years in the forestry sector before moving into various export related roles and in the aquaculture industry in Chile. Andrew relocated to Tauranga where he has an avocado orchard alongside a banking role with the ASB. Andrew is married to Fi and they have two children Maddie (10) and Alex (4).
KEN HINDMARSH
Ken (School 1975-1979) and Leslie Hindmarsh have recently purchased a local tour business in Whitianga called Cathedral Cove cruises. Ken’s tours cover the local Islands, Cathedral Cove, Hahei Beach, caves and blow holes http:// cathedralcovecruises.co.nz/
KEITH JOHNSTONE
Keith Johnstone (Williams 1986-1990) graduated with a Psychology degree then a Masters in Occupational Psychology from Massey University. He worked in Human Resources for various organisations. After some time in the United Kingdom, Keith worked in property then established a web based business selling baby gear (www. nurtured.co.nz) which continues to grow from strength to strength. Keith is married to Claudine and lives in Hamilton with their four children, Grace (11) Sarah (9) Claire (6) and Charlotte (4).
EZRA KEDDELL
Ezra (Tim) Keddell (Williams 19951997) and his wife Emily recently attended the 1990s reunion. Highlights were catching up with old teachers and classmates, watching the performance of the full school Haka, and seeing how much the school has developed over the last 20 years. Ezra and his family moved to Auckland at the beginning of 2014 after spending 15 years in Wellington. They have two young children, Zach (7) and Elizabeth (5). Ezra runs a small web consultancy business working mostly with large corporates on their online business presence www. passionfruit.co.nz
TIM MACKINTOSH
Tim Mackintosh (Clark 1986-1990) is now farming and running a contracting operation at Manawahe in the Bay of Plenty. He has also been involved in farming politics as many governance roles. Tim is married to Jo and has two children, Alice (9) and George (8).
JOHN MONTGOMERIE
John Montgomerie (Sargood 19861990) graduated with a BA from Waikato University. He worked in a library then graduated with a Master of Library and Information Studies from Victoria University. John has worked in corporate libraries and in online research roles in London before pursuing a focus in IT. Back in New Zealand, John developed a career in IT project management and now works in the energy sector. He is married to Caroline living in Auckland together with their children Finlay (10), Hazel (8), Eleanor (6), Suzannah (4).
KAREN AND ROB NEWMAN
When Karen and Rob Newman (Williams 1988-1992) won the Gisborne/Wairoa Federated Farmers Hill Country Farmer
of the year 2014, they felt very proud. This was recognition of the hard work and dedication they had both put into their sheep and beef farm, Tiniroto, in Gisborne. A former winner of the competition, Grant Hickling, was the chief judge this year. He said the Newman’s scored well in all criteria, but “the money they are making is the real standout. Their return on capital is as good as most dairy farmers.” It was noted that the Newman’s “do the basics” well, and are efficient. The farming system is low cost and although other farmers might have the same gross income levels, their net income levels are impressive.
BETH NOBLE AND ROSS NOBLE
When Beth Noble (Harington 20092010) was last in Hamilton she was delighted to be able to attend the School’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This was the sixth consecutive production Beth had attended – the first two as part of the cast, the third as assistant director and the last three as part of the audience. While at St Paul’s, Beth and her brother Ross Noble (School 2009-2012) were active members of the School Choir, productions and cultural activities. Amidst their current studies at Victoria University (Beth in Building Science and Computer Science and Ross in Software Engineering) they have each continued their musical pursuits. Last year Beth successfully auditioned to be a booth singer as a soprano in the highly acclaimed Wellington Musical Theatre’s production of Phantom of the Opera. The show was seen by over 30,000 people across the 23 show season. The production team involved were so
impressed with Beth’s determination and commitment that they arranged for her to feature in a TV One Entertainment News segment. The personal interest story can be viewed on the website at http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/ phantom-set-premiere-in-wellingtonvideo-5461792
Ross also continues to sing and perform, and for the second consecutive year he successfully auditioned to be a baritone/ bass in the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus for New Zealand Opera. This year, he was selected as a Chorus Member for the upcoming NZ Opera performance of La Traviata which opened in Wellington, in July.
JAMES SCHNAUER
James Schnauer (School 1986–1990) graduated with a Furniture Design Diploma in Auckland then spent two years living in France. He moved to London and developed a career in design. James lived in New York for a time before a job opportunity arose in Los Angeles where he ran a business specialising in exhibition design. After six years, James set up his own business, Glow Studio which works with a number of the world’s largest entertainment studios. James still lives in LA with his wife Bronagh and their two children Ciara (8) and Johnny (6).
ANDREW SEATH
Andrew Seath (School 19861990) worked as a mechanical engineer in Hamilton and overseas. When he returned back to New Zealand, Andrew worked on the family farm in Orini, North Waikato but is now sharemilking in Atiamuri. Andrew is married to Nicola and they have two children Jack (10), Ned (8) and Lizzie (6).
ANDEE SELLMAN
Andee Sellman (Hamilton 1970-1974) the founding Principal of One Sherpa, has been developing a new style of music which is based on the sounds of nature. Andee has already recorded one album and is in the process of completing his second. He says that we are losing the sounds of nature from our cities and homes and without a focus we will soon only have man made sounds left. Andee has made a number of discoveries regarding the pace of nature; most of the sounds they use are between 60bpm and 66bpm, which is the range of the resting heart of a human being. Andee’s music can be heard at the following link http://www. cdbaby.com/cd/landofsevenrivers
LUKE TOOMEY
Luke Toomey (Hall 2006-2010) has had a busy year in golf. Earlier in the year he finished second in the lake MacQuarie Amateur, an event ranked among the top 50 in the world. He then went on to win the New Zealand Stroke Play Championship at the Hastings Golf Club. Luke was placed second (with leading amateur honours) at the south Pacific Open in New Caledonia. He also achieved a more personal goal in September, where he shot 58 at the Hamilton Golf Club playing with former Tour Pro, Mark Purser. Luke will be competing predominantly in provincial team events for the remainder of the year and will be preparing for a busy start to the 2015 season. Next year he has secured an exempt spot (as New Zealand Strokeplay champion) for the New Zealand Open. Luke is very much looking forward to competing in what will probably be the biggest event he has ever played in.
DAN WILSON
Dan Wilson (Hamilton 1997-1999) is currently living and working for Contact Energy in Taupo as a drilling engineer. He completed his Chemical engineering degree at Canterbury in 2005 and has been working in geothermal energy since graduating. This included a stint
through to 2011. Dan had joined his wife Fiona in Berkeley where she had earned a Fulbright Scholarship and completed her MBA at UC Berkeley. Dan and Fiona have a son, Patrick, who is just over a year old. Dan says they are all looking forward to enjoying more of what the Taupo region has to offer.
GEOFF YOUNG
Geoff Young (Clark 1977-1980) made a decision in 1999 to leave Fonterra where he had been working as an environmental manager at one of their sites for eight years. He set up a company with two others which specialises in wastewater treatment and monitoring and fresh water monitoring. In 2010, Geoff bought the other two partners out and is now managing director of their company, BPO Ltd. He says, “so yes Mr Plant, I am still always in the proverbial, it’s only the depth that varies and now I get paid for it!” Geoff is also the National President of the New Zealand Trade and Industrial Waste Forum. Since setting up BPO Ltd, he has worked in the USA, Venezuela, Chile and Australia and provided desktop work for operations in Jamaica and Mexico. Geoff feels privileged to work in a field he is passionate about and enjoys nearly every minute of it. He currently lives on a 20 hectare block just outside Hamilton with his partner Mary and together they try and get to their beach house at Kawhia as often as they can. Geoff’s son Fletcher Young (Clark 2002-2006) is currently at Massey studying Ag commerce but is expected home in 2015 to work the family farms.
TIMOTHY NG
Timothy Ng (School 2005 – 2009) recently completed a Bachelor of Engineering with First Class Honours majoring in Chemical and Biological Engineering. He began his PhD at the beginning of March with full funding from Callaghan Innovation (TechNZ Capability Education Fellowship Study Award) and co-funding from Wallace Corporation and Red Lid Bins. The title of Tim’s thesis is “Production of Leaf Protein Concentrate from Waste Green Plant Material.” This title covers two important themes: adding value to wastes that would otherwise be thrown away; and finding innovative ways to feed the world's growing population. Tim is also the President of the University of Waikato chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society; this is a non-profit organisation that was formed in 1977 out of Atlanta Georgia, to recognise academic achievement among College and University students in all disciplines. The Waikato chapter was recently awarded Gold Standing and the Asia-Pacific Best Community Service Initiative 2013 prize by Golden Key Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Sydney. Tim has also been the recipient of the Golden Key International Honour Society Undergraduate Achievement Scholarship; the Energy Education Trust of New Zealand Undergraduate Scholarship; the Brian Perry Charitable Trust Scholarship in Science and Engineering; and the David Johnstone Scholarship. He also won a travel grant to the Golden Key International Summit in Boston, MA, USA, which was held at the end of July. Whilst there, he presented a workshop on the University of Waikato Golden Key chapter’s ongoing community service initiative, the English Learners’ Corner.
EVENTS CALENDAR 2014–2015
NOVEMBER
MON 24
OLD COLLEGIANS ASSN MEETING
6pm, in the Longroom at St Paul’s Collegiate School.
All welcome, please RSVP to d.mcrae@stpauls.school.nz
JANUARY TUE 22
GIRLS TO TIHOI
MARCH
SAT 7
OPEN DAY
1.45pm, Chapel, St Paul’s Collegiate School.
Headmaster’s address at 2pm. Tours of the school begin at 2.30pm followed by afternoon tea
NOVEMBER
WED 26
JOHN OEHLEY RETIREMENT
4pm, Dining room at St Paul’s. All welcome, please rsvp to d.mcrae@stpauls.school.nz
DECEMBER
WED 3
PRIZE GIVING
10am, Chapel of Christ the King. All welcome.
DECEMBER
MON 1
CAROL SERVICE
7pm, Chapel of Christ the King. All welcome.
JANUARY TUE 27
NEW TERM STARTS
DECEMBER
MON 8 – FRI 12
GILLETTE CUP
Lincoln University, Canterbury
DECEMBER TUE 2
LEAVERS SERVICE AND DINNER
5.15pm Chapel and Dining room at St Paul’s.
MARCH SUN 15
TIHOI OPEN DAY
A bus will leave St Paul’s in Hamilton at 8.15am to Tihoi and return in Hamilton by 4pm. For prospective families.
All Old Collegians welcome.
MARCH FRI 20
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY
Join us for a Chapel service, tours of the school and afternoon tea with your grandchild.
You are welcome to attend any of the upcoming events listed around NZ above.
FEBRUARY SAT 7
OLD COLLEGIANS
SPORTS DAY
St Paul’s Collegiate School. Calling all Old Collegians for a social game of cricket or tennis. Lunch provided.
MARCH
FRI 20
MULTI-GENERATIONAL PHOTO OF OLD COLLEGIANS AND THEIR CHILDREN
St Paul’s Collegiate School
TWO GENERATIONS AT ST PAUL'S
We were fortunate to capture this image of some of our families who represent two generations through St Paul's.
PARENTS BACK ROW L–R: Ivan Posa (School 1966–1970), Ross Thompson (Sargood 1983–1985), Paul Hunter (Sargood 1981–1983), Andrew Mason (School 1982–1985), Trevor Walters (Williams 1970–1971), Roger Johnstone (Hamilton 1972–1975), Bill Donaldson (Hamilton 1989), Elroy Thomson (Hall 1988–1991), David Fish (School 1977–1981), Michael Porritt (Sargood 1983–1986)
FRONT ROW L–R: Zach Posa; Baiden & Kaitlyn Thompson; Riley Hunter; Seton Mason; Jack Walters; Edward Johnstone; Ben Donaldson; Tamati Thomson; Ariki Thomson; Aubrey Fish; Jonathon Porritt
COUNSELLOR AND COACH RECOGNISED
For the third year in a row a St Paul’s Collegiate School staff member has been awarded the Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) Honours Award.
Gary Henley-Smith, this year’s recipient, was presented with the award for providing excellence in pastoral care and athletics within the education sector.
St Paul’s Reverend Craig Luccock says Gary’s work in pastoral care as a guidance counsellor, is one of the most demanding roles within the school. “It is a role that takes great dedication; there is an aspect of this job that makes it 24/7. When there are pastoral emergencies Gary needs to be there,” Craig says.
It isn’t just pastoral care emergencies that Gary has to deal with, he counsels students through mental health issues, grief, loss and school related anxiety or stress.
Close colleague and Head of Commerce at St Paul’s, Martin Holmes, says Gary forms great relationships with students and can help them through major hurdles. “He takes a real an interest in their lives and is able to get the best out of them,” Martin says.
Gary’s ability to get the most out of his students extends to his work on the athletics field where he has coached several students to gain national titles and has helped St Paul’s establish an unbeatable reputation. The gold and black bumble bee singlet is something that other schools look out for each year at athletics competitions held across New Zealand.
Thanks to the high performance coaching of Gary and cocolleague Paul Wilson, St Paul’s relay teams have won ten titles and have been placed more than 20 times, over the past 20 years, at the New Zealand Secondary Schools competition. “We are the ones to watch in relay events. Other schools always look out for us because we consistently place well from year-to-year, and that’s because of Gary and Paul,” says Martin.
Gary’s background as a national title holder, Commonwealth Games athlete (1989, 1990) and member of the Wigan Warriors (UK) rugby league team has lent him well to building the
school’s athletic reputation. “He is very proficient with the technical side of things and he understands what it takes to get students to a professional level,” Martin says.
His coaching ability and pastoral care experience is recognised by sporting associations that call on Gary for assistance with coaching and mental wellness programmes.
In recent years he worked for Athletics New Zealand at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Ukraine where he was a coach, mentor and caregiver to 14 students.
Although the big league continues to call on Gary, he isn’t planning to jump ship anytime soon. He has been a member of staff at St Paul’s for more than 20 years and is moving into William’s House next year to take on the role of boarding housemaster for the second time.
“HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT TAKES TO GET STUDENTS TO A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL”
SCREEN-AGERS ENGROSSED IN POLITICS
Vote Kiwi launched earlier this year and is attracting increasing numbers of young adults from across New Zealand who are using the site to post and debate issues of concern.
St Paul’s and Fairfield College students were the first to use the site and since then Vote Kiwi has had a weighty impact on the way students are engaging with politics.
Defyd Williams, Head of Social Sciences at St Paul’s, explained that before the launch of Vote Kiwi, and the introduction of this medium into the classroom, students’ interest in politics was dwindling or non-existent.
“Some of my students never had an interest or knowledge of politics before using Vote Kiwi but now they are very much involved,” Defyd said.
HOOKER
FOR BARBARIANS
Year 12 student of St Paul’s Collegiate School, Samisoni Taukei’aho, was selected as a hooker for the New Zealand Barbarian Schools team in September.
New Zealand Barbarians Coach Darren Larsen said the standard of talent in his side this year demonstrated the depth of talent in college rugby.
“We are looking at a pool of talent that is likely to produce our future Super Rugby players and All Blacks – and that’s exciting. We are in for some exciting rugby.”
“Vote Kiwi has created a big shift in the political interest of our students and other students from across New Zealand. The discussion that these students are having online is really well thought-out and intelligent.”
With the number of young voters dwindling, the new online forum comes at the perfect time to re-engage young people and to create a culture of civic duty among teenagers before they reach the voting age.
“Young adults are screen-agers so using a medium that they like and understand only makes sense as a way to get them involved.”
Vote Kiwi can be viewed at www.votekiwi.com
Samisoni was one of only two players from the Waikato who were chosen to represent the Barbarians. Jahrome Brown, a loose forward from Hamilton Boys High, was also selected.
Crouch, Sit,
PLATES FOR MATES™
– Recipes from St Paul’s
Plates for Mates™ – Recipes from St Paul’s venture into culinary creativity. This full-colour cookbook represents a diverse range of family favourite recipes contributed by Old Collegians and current St Paul’s Collegiate School families. Each recipe has been creatively photographed by renowned photographer Nicola Topping to truly represent a cooking sensation that you can create –no-fuss style.
All funds raised from the sale of this recipe book will be used to provide amenities for St Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton, and St Paul’s Collegiate Tihoi Venture School, in the Taupo district.
Plates for Mates™ – Recipes from St Paul’s from which favourite recipes will be created and evolved. This uniquely styled book proudly reflects St Paul’s Collegiate School and our community – give it as a gift to family and friends and keep one for yourself.
Pause, Engage
Plates for Mates™ – Recipes from St Paul’s is available for $25.00. Please complete the form below, allowing one to two weeks for delivery.
ORDER FORM
Please return the completed form to:
St Paul’s Collegiate School Association Inc., PO Box 3069, Hamilton 3240, or by emailing parentsassociation@stpauls.school.nz
Name
Address
Phone Email
Number of copies at $25.00 = $
Plus postage and packaging (within NZ) (max. of four) $10.00
TOTAL COST $
Method of Payment:
Please find enclosed cheque payable to St Paul’s Parents Assn Inc.
Payment for: has been made by direct credit to 020316 0058612 00 (please reference your name and cookbook project)
We appreciate the generous support from our major sponsors:
• Montana Catering Company Ltd
• Great Oaks Trading Company
• St Paul’s Collegiate School
• BNZ
• Crombie Lockwood
• Livingstone Building NZ Ltd
Overseas Orders: postage rates will be confirmed at the time of order.
Special Rates: for more than four copies, postage rates will be confirmed at the time of order.
Recipe books are also available for purchase from the school office or the school shop (Great Oaks Trading Co. Ltd.).
• Kiwi Camping Company.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
2014 SCHOOL PRODUCTION
STUDENT SEEKS OLYMPIC SELECTION
Aplace on the Black Sticks team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics isn’t too far out of reach for St Paul’s Collegiate School student Daniel Scanlon.
The Year 12 student has been awarded the Waikato young player of the year award, placing him alongside some of New Zealand’s greatest hockey players.
“All the players who have previously received this award have ended up playing for National League or the Black
Sticks,” says St Paul’s 1st XI Hockey coach Craig Hardman.
This is all good news for Daniel, who is aiming to make the Black Sticks team in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: “I’ve set the target of making the Black Sticks for 2020. Rio is a little too soon.”
Between now and then the 17-yearold is aiming to make a step up to the Midlands U21 team next year and then secure a place in the NHL in 2016.
STUDENT NETS FOR PHOENIX
Life as a football star is a sure possibility for St Paul’s Collegiate student, Waikato Ball, who scored the opening goal for Wellington Phoenix during a pre-season match against Petone earlier this year.
Michael Groom, St Paul’s 1st XI coach and ex All White, teed up the opportunity during the July school break for the Year 12 student who
is set for international stardom. “I was able to secure Waikato a trial at Phoenix. I said to Phoenix that, in my opinion, Waikato was the most naturally gifted player I have ever coached,” said Michael.
Coming from the former coach of Chris Wood (Leicester City), Marco Rojas (SpVgg Greuther Fürth) and countless New Zealand representatives, this comment was something Phoenix took seriously. Michael explained to Phoenix that Waikato is the New Zealand equivalent of Ronaldinho with a boundless passion and enthusiasm for the game.
Waikato’s performance during his week-long trial certainly didn’t disillusion Michael’s support of him.
“He had done enough in two days
training with Phoenix to be worthy of a start in a fixture. That in itself is recognition of his talent,” Michael said.
“Scoring for Phoenix in one of their pre-season games is also a powerful statement. He showed that he can perform when it matters, when the pressure is on.”
Michael says there is no doubt that Waikato is talented enough to make it to the big time like Old Collegian Chris Wood who signed a £2 million contract with Leicester City in 2013.
Although scoring a goal for Phoenix and exuding talent during his trial, Waikato wasn’t selected for the team this time around. He walked away from the trial with a few pointers for his future career and Phoenix are keen to see him back for another trial in 2015.
ST PAUL'S FOUNDATION
From that very first day of the school’s inception in 1959 every generation of St Paul’s students has enjoyed improvements to their school environment by generous benefactors before them. Without the philanthropic support of our school community, we could not provide all that is required to be the progressive school we are. As an independent school, we get no financial support from the Government. So, St Paul’s Foundation was established in 2004 to secure investments for the future of the school to ensure that we maintain this financial independence and continue to deliver the vision of our founders.
For those of you I am yet to meet, I am a sheep and beef farmer in Te Akau. Married to Jenny, we have three children. I am Chair of St Paul’s Foundation and a member of the Waikato Anglican College Trust Board.
While the business of St Paul’s and farming appear to be very different, there are many similarities. Both enterprises broadly involve a large developed property asset and require a suitable return on that asset but the similarities don’t just stop there.
1. It’s a numbers game – there is an optimum stocking rate. If you understock, you don’t cover your costs and if you overstock, the quality of your product suffers
2. Having a good manager is key – we are all aware that the most fertile ground will not reap the greatest crop if management is poor. Those of you with close association to the school will be aware of the outstanding leadership of Headmaster Grant Lander
3. A good manager will attract good shepherds and this school has some outstanding shepherds in the form of staff. In 2012 the school achieved 44 scholarship passes; in 2013 it achieved 31. NCEA, Cambridge International Examinations and University Entrance Examinations
are also consistently amongst the top pass rates in the country. Our sports teams are producing outstanding results, often against much larger schools and our cocurricular activities continue to develop outstanding talent
4. An important lecture I learned at Lincoln University was the role of the quality of feed that you put in front of your stock. For a quality animal 20% was attributed to genetic worth, 80% to feeding. I hope you can see my point here.
5. We will all agree that farms can only reinvest in a good year what is surplus to the running costs of that year. As with many businesses, capital constraints determine our ability to provide fit for purpose facilities. Over the past five years we have upgraded Clark and Sargood Houses, the dining hall, pavilion and a number of other necessary projects. As a Board we believe we have prioritised and have been prudent in our approach. However, we need further contribution from the wider St Paul’s Collegiate School community to undertake four worthy projects. These projects are explained in more detail over the page.
As a board member and a boarding house parent, I am very aware of the situation at Williams House. Jenny and I have chosen to invest in improving Williams but we don’t have a child in Williams House. Like many of you, it is not an ideal time for us; we have three children at boarding school, with the youngest yet to start at St Paul’s. But it is the right time for St Paul’s.
It is my view that the school’s founders would be thrilled at the current state of surroundings, culture, and reputation of St Paul’s in 2014. I implore you to join with me (and others) and make an investment with the same courage and conviction that those founders made 50 years ago. I am convinced that we will marvel at the school’s success 50 years from today.
JOHN JACKSON, CHAIR – ST PAUL’S FOUNDATION B.Com (Ag) (Lincoln), Dip Soc Studies (Oxon)
GIFTING TO ST PAUL’S FOUNDATION
Adonation made to St Paul’s Foundation towards the school’s capital development projects is tax deductible. Below are examples of how tax effective giving over a period of 3 years can be managed, making full use of the 33.3% tax credit.
St Paul’s encourages all donors and supporters to seek independent professional advice on all matters relating to charitable taxation.
HOW DO I MAKE A DONATION?
Adonation towards St Paul’s capital development project can be made by filling out the enclosed gift commitment form, folding it and returning it to the school using the freepost envelope. The form is included in this edition of Network. More information is available online at www.stpauls.school.nz
We are so grateful to the families, organisations and trusts who have chosen to pledge over four years or to give a one-off donation towards our four key projects. Thank you – you have helped make a positive start.
DONATIONS OF $100,000 AND OVER
Anonymous (3), John and Sarah Oliver.
DONATIONS OF $50,000–
$99,000
Chris and Jill Grace, Greg Thompson, Andrew Johnson and Sarah Morton-Johnson, Lion Foundation, Donny Charitable Trust, Gregg and Suzanne Brown, Chris and Liz Trower, Anonymous (2).
DONATIONS BETWEEN
$10,000–$49,000
Jon and Sue Tanner, Anonymous (2), The Johnstone Trust, John and Jenny Jackson, Annabel Cotton, Lex and Christina
De Jong, Ken and Julie Williamson, Kerry and Susan Kirk, Ian and Penny Taylor, Earl and Jo Rattray, Lloyd and Olwyn Downing.
DONATIONS UP TO $10,000
Great Oaks Trading Company, Grant and Judith Lander, Rod and Jenny Carr, David Kidd, Anonymous (3), Leveson and Vicki Gower, Spacific NZ, Bryan and Gareth Sanson and Kylie and Michael Rameka, Biocel Health Ltd, Mr RB and Mrs CE Armstrong, Wayne and Jan Doran, Pamela Harington Trust, Rev Loris and Colin Eyre, John Dawson Consulting, Barrie and Jude Tatham, Former friends of St Paul’s Association, Giles Chanwai and Tammy Wong, Lloyd and Karen Jones, Trevor and Yok Hickmott.
We are delighted to be working with the following organisations as partners in the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Science and Business :
* STEPHEN HASSALL (HAMILTON 1969-1972). PARENT OF OLD COLLEGIANS CRAIG AND DEAN HASSALL.
WILLIAMS HOUSE A BOARDING HOUSE STEEPED IN HISTORY AND TRADITION
PROJECT EARTHQUAKE COMPLIANCE, STRENGTHENING AND UPGRADING
PRESERVING THE SPIRIT
AS YOU KNOW, BOARDING IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ST PAUL’S AND A MAJOR COMPONENT IN THE VERY UNIQUE CHARACTER OF OUR SCHOOL. HOWEVER, IN RECENT DECADES DAY STUDENT ENROLMENTS HAVE MADE UP THE BIGGEST PORTION OF THE SCHOOL ROLL.
TODAY, THAT RATIO IS CHANGING.
REDEVELOPMENT, EXPANSION AND SAFER RESIDENTIAL BOARDING ACCOMMODATION
The Ministry of Education require a minimum earthquake compliance of 75% for all boarding accommodation. Williams House scored 24%. Its complex structural inadequacies make areas of this landmark building a major health and safety issue.
The strengthening of Williams House is a vital next step but, unlike Clark and Sargood Houses, strengthening and upgrading the House is fraught with difficulty. Our urgent priority is to earthquake strengthen Williams House and ensure our students’ safety.
In order to meet today’s mounting demand for boarding space and the projected rise in boarding over the next five years, we believe strengthening, upgrading and expansion in capacity for Williams House from 58 to 90 boys, and in the longer term, the construction of an additional house catering to 80 students, is our best way forward.
Increased boarding space will in turn ensure the financial viability and sustainability of our school.
Total raised so far
$370,000
THE HORNSBY LIBRARY A LEARNING HUB TO INFORM, INSPIRE AND EXCITE
PROJECT TO BUILD A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LEARNING CENTRE
CREATING A UNIQUE SPACE
THE GROWTH OF ST PAUL’S FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS KEY AREAS DATING BACK TO THE EARLY DAYS OF OUR SCHOOL THAT ARE UNABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TODAY’S TEACHING AND LEARNING –THE HORNSBY LIBRARY
MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACES TO LEARN
The Hornsby Library was built in the late 1960s for a school roll of 370. Today, it is unable to cope with the sheer number of pupils who use its facilities daily and the modern requirements of teaching and learning in the 21st century. Libraries have become collaborative learning centres, more essential than ever for improving student achievement. There is an urgent need for such a modern centralised learning space at St Paul’s.
A Learning Hub located in the ‘heart’ of our school will link to all areas of the school and all curriculums. This multi-dimensional learning centre will engage students to become discerning readers and critical information users and provide a centralised access to support, in a collaborative learning environment. The Learning Hub is an essential part of the school’s future.
RESP ONDING TO OUR REGION
TODAY, ST PAUL’S HAS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN ESTABLISHING A VENTURE OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.
New Zealand’s agricultural industry forms the backbone of our economy. Agriculture is the largest sector of the tradeable economy contributing 48% of our export earnings. With the size and complexity of today’s farms, the sophisticated farming methods employed and advanced agricultural technology, employers are increasingly looking for tertiary-qualified, multiskilled staff.
provide career pathways for students from the rural farming community. Committed advocates within the industry and the rural farming community are passionate about our school and this project. Industry partners and tertiary institutions are already involved in this unique venture.
The Centre of Excellence for Agricultural Science and
AN UNPARALLELED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RURAL SECTOR ARE INCREASINGLY LOOKING FOR TERTIARY QUALIFIED, MULTI-SKILLED APPLICANTS, OFTEN WITH SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE CAPABILITIES. THIS COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY WANTS TO ATTRACT ITS BEST AND BRIGHTEST BUT WHERE THE PERCEPTION OF A CAREER IN THE SECTOR ISN’T EFFECTIVELY CAPTURING YOUNG PEOPLE’S HEARTS AND MINDS. Total
Business not only addresses a market demand, it is also closely aligned to the original purpose of St Paul’s defined by our Founders so long ago; the need to help children of rural families to have a place to learn, grow and excel.
Once established the Centre of Excellence programme will further increase the demand for boarding space.
Two hundred and eighty of our school roll are currently boarders and most of these students and many of the 500 day students come from a farming or rural background. St Paul’s will introduce a Centre of Excellence for Agricultural Science and Business which will not only provide a competitive advantage for the school but also
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND BUSINESS
Construction of a digital learning class for Agribusiness students Development of curriculum and national rollout to secondary schools
PROVIDING INSPIRATION
CULTURALLY OUR SCHOOL HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER. MUSIC IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR GOAL TO DEVELOP THE WHOLE PERSON.
STUDIO SPACE TO LEARN, PERFORM AND RECORD.
The Mary Hornsby Music School was established in 1976 at a time when the school roll topped 446. Today there are 240 students learning to play an instrument at St Paul’s. With the growing number of students taking instrumental lessons and groups who require practise facilities, space is now at an absolute premium. Cramped conditions, poor acoustics and lack of sound
proofing are holding our students back.
The expansion of the Music Performance Centre is essential. We urgently need to build a third octagonal building, similar in design to the two existing octagonal music rooms, which will house a designated music classroom, recording studio and a number of small group practise rooms.
Our world is going places it has never been before. Careers are spinning off in all directions, and entirely new ones are being created.
The future is calling and we’re answering that call. We’ve been working hard for 50 years, pushing boundaries, breaking new ground and achieving world-firsts in order to be great at delivering what the world is going to need.
We are creating graduates who will lead the way. People such as education graduate Sarah Rolton, pictured, who mentors young learners through her own early childcare service.
Set yourself up for where the world is going, at the university that is going there.
