2012 Lamp Post

Lamp Post The

In conjunction with Wellington College, the Development Office and the Old Boys’ Association PO Box 16073, Wellington NZ 6242 • Tel: 04 802 2537 • Fax: 04 802 2542 • Email: oldboys@wellington-college.school.nz JUNE, 2012

W

ith so much news to report from the College, the Development Office and the Old Boys’ Association, it is our pleasure to bring you our mini Lampstand - The Lamp Post - rather than wait until October when we overload you with our annual 100-page issue.

New Hall on the Horizon

A

revitalised Wellington College Memorial Hall and Auditorium project will commence in 2013, following the completion of a keenly contested design project.

The College was very well served by the commitment and creativity of all five finalists, said the Headmaster, Roger Moses. He went on to describe the contending designs – drawn from some of Wellington’s leading architecture firms – as thoughtful and informed.

We were looking for a design that was robust, functional and which embodied the spirit of our school, today, yesterday and tomorrow. I’m sure the staff and students will enjoy working with the successful team at Architecture + as we move the project on.

Mr Moses said his personal highlight would be expanding the auditorium to provide capacity for the entire

We hope this mid-year issue will keep you in touch with Wellington College until October.

school of 1550 students. The hall is effectively my classroom. I want to be able to speak to the school as a whole and we can’t do that under the current confines. Architecture + has produced a marvellous resolution to our crisis of space.

from the outside, the northern façade will be a powerful presence. John said an estimated seven figure budget for the project would be finalised in the first half of 2012 and it was hoped construction would start in 2013.

College Development Manager, Tony Robinson said interest in the project was high, with support from all quarters of the College community. It’s long been recognised that the current Assembly Hall simply does not cater for the needs of the present student population. He added that over the years, a huge amount of work had been put in from many quarters, including Old Boys, the Foundation and families.

John Mills from the Board of Trustees drove the design competition, which featured a Jury Panel of five and also took on board input from staff and students. We were thrilled with the winner. It’s a sophisticated concept that will integrate both function and aesthetics. We’re particularly pleased that the Memorial Window will continue to be centre stage, while

1

Any funds previously raised have been held in safekeeping and they’ll be joined by additional support as we work towards our first Assembly in the new building.

Wellington College Chairman Neil Quigley said the Board of Trustees unanimously signed off on the project at its final meeting of 2011 and he looked forward to more detailed specifications being available in the New Year. This is a project which will benefit every boy in the school, and the College as an entity, looking ahead to the College’s 150th celebrations.

THE LAMP POST

Artificial pitch boost for Wellington College sport

I

n 2011, Old Boy Sir Ron Brierley made a very substantial donation to support the development of the new artificial pitch which is now completed. That donation, combined with a grant from Wellington City Council, has provided 80% of the funding we need for the pitch. In addition, Fuji Xerox have made a generous donation to support the development of the old squash courts as a Sports Academy to complement the artificial pitch.

The most significant impact of this dynamic artificial pitch will allow training and competitive sport to continue all year round, including those mid-winter periods of very heavy rain. The pitch will have permanent markings for both Football and Rugby but will also be used for many other sports such as Softball, Touch, League, Ultimate Frisbee and Athletics.

This new artificial pitch (known formally as the Sir Ron Brierley Field) will be a major attraction in the city centre. It will be utilised not only by the many Wellington College families, but in the evenings and weekends it will be the venue for external clubs and sports teams as managed by the Council.

The students of Wellington College celebrate the official opening of the artificial pitch with the school haka for the official guests who included representatives from the Wellington City Council, the Board of Trustees, the Foundation, the WCOBA and the various sponsors and contractors.

The new Sports Academy at the former Collegians Squash Club will be operational

by Term Three, 2012. Three squash court-sized rooms will be available for weight training, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning and flexibility. This, combined with the new pitch will make it the best training facility in the region. Other facilities also being renovated in the complex include: kitchen, changing facilities, meeting room, office space and two large classrooms. This will allow the PE Department to be fully selfsufficient in terms of training and teaching spaces.

Enrolment of Sons of Former Students - Great News for our Old Boys

I

n June 2010, the Government introduced the Education Amendment Bill, which included significant news for our Old Boys. In particular, that schools again have the ability to enrol, as a fourth priority, children of former students. This is something that a number of traditional state schools have been lobbying for over a number of years and Wellington College wholeheartedly supported the amendment.

Access Road • Patterson Street Exit/Mt Vctoria Tunnel

Tennis Courts

Access Road

Signage Advertising Opportunities

AGS Headmaster, John Morris presented his school’s thoughts about the amendment both in writing and at the Education Select Committee hearing in Wellington. The main points were: • that this ability is a vital component in the make-up of schools. Without this, the sense of community and a sense of belonging that are essential in the culture and ethos of a school will eventually be destroyed.

• maintaining historical inter-generational links is also vital in enabling schools to remain as ‘family’ schools.

Sports Academy and Old Boys’ Gymnasium

• a natural consequence of this change to the Act will undoubtedly be an increased enthusiasm of former students to participate in their old school’s activities as Board members, sport coaches and fund-raisers.

Breaking New Ground

The submission by Mr Morris was well received and subsequently after the final reading of the Bill, the Amendment was passed through Parliament.

Brand Advertising and Signage Opportunities

Enrolments for Year 9, 2013 will close on Monday, 30 July, 2012 for those living out of the Wellington College zone.

THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE ARTIFICIAL TURF SPORTS GROUND

Applications for Years 10 - 13 for 2013 (out of zone) close on 26 October 2012. For more information about enrolments for 2013, please contact our Enrolment Officer, Lynda Woods at enrolments@wellington-college. school.nz or Telephone (04) 802 2520 ext. 721.

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE AND THE WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL Our new ground has maximum exposure and usage by a vast number of Wellington sports people and their families.

The 86th Quadrangular Tournament Monday, 30 July - Wednesday, 1 August 2012 @ Christ’s College

We would like you to be able to take advantage of this opportunity by offering you signage space around the field’s perimeter fence line at generous rates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SIZING, PRICES and PLACEMENTS, please contact: Tony Robinson, Development Manager @ Wellington College Tel: DDI 04 802 7698 or 027 519 5544 Email: t.robinson@wellington-college.school.nz

WCOBA Function • Tuesday, 31 July @ 5.00pm at The Classic Villa, 17 Worcester Blvd, Christchurch Central RSVP: Stephanie Kane, WCOBA Office s.kane@wesllington-college.school.nz or 04 802 2537 2

THE LAMP POST

A Top Year for our Scholars

From the Headmaster

A

lex Ross was our Head Prefect in 2007. That, in itself, was a remarkable feat as he had been with us for only three years. His links with the College were deep, however, as his great-grandfather, WA Armour had been Headmaster at Wellington College from 1928-1942. During his time at College, Alex proved to be a remarkable all-rounder, representing the school at Waterpolo, Tennis and Hockey. He was also a very accomplished academic, and we were delighted when, in 2008, Alex was awarded the highly prestigious Douglas Myers Scholarship, which enabled him to study for three years at Cambridge University.

Not surprisingly, Alex has made a similar impact at Cambridge as he did at Wellington College. He took up the sport of Rowing which he had never done at school. Quite remarkably, this year Alex was chosen as part of the crew which won, what has been described as perhaps the most controversial Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race ever. Many will be aware of this race which was so publicly disrupted by the Australian protestor who swam in front of the Oxford crew, almost causing a disaster. Alex has been in contact with his old school and is so proud to have represented Wellington College in this international event. He is currently doing post-graduate study and is a wonderful example of how Wellington College students can achieve at the very highest level.

(L-R): Andrew Tan-Delli Cicchi, Nick On, Cameron Inglis and Anthony Wong

W

ellington College has smashed the record for brainiest school in the country. Final results issued in April confirm the decile 10 state school has gained 128 NZ Scholarships – the most by any school in one year since the exams began.

Delighted Headmaster Roger Moses said: It's the top exam in the country and we take it very seriously here. It’s something our boys strive for and they work very hard towards it.

Terefe Ejigu is another Old Boy of whom we are immensely proud. He came to us as a shy thirteen-year-old, recently arrived from Ethiopia. His mother, Mulu, had spent six years in a refugee camp in Kenya. Very quickly, Terefe endeared himself to staff and students alike through his delightful personality and remarkable athletic prowess. He won national titles and in his final year, 2006, was selected as a College Prefect and Captain of the McEvedy team. I shall never forget the chant of Boom Boom Terefe which resonated throughout Newtown Stadium from the Wellington College supporters. At the end-of-year Senior Prize Giving, Terefe spoke to a packed hall, describing what it was like to be a young refugee from Africa arriving in a strange land, and how Wellington College had become his family. There was not a dry eye in the house.

I think it's special because we're a Wellington school, which is really important when so often it's the Auckland schools that seem to dominate. We're a boys' school at a time when girls' schools are dominating in the [academic] statistics, and we're a state school – we take all-comers.

Seventy-one students won NZ Scholarships covering 23 different subjects. Two of our students, Jasper Owen (in Design) and Andrew Tan-Delli Cicchi (in Media Studies) were named as Top Subject Award winners for New Zealand. Since the reintroduction of NZ Scholarship in 2004, Wellington College candidates have been named as Top Subject Award winners on no fewer than 17 occasions. In total, since 2004, Wellington College students have won 750 scholarships - the highest number of any school in the country. The NZ Scholarship exams were a great motivator for students, and were just as competitive as the Cambridge examinations or the international baccalaureate, Mr Moses said.

Terefe went onto Victoria University and subsequently gained a scholarship to West Michigan University, Detroit. There he has gained spectacular success, both through his running but also in his academic studies. Filmmaker, Anna Cottrell, a former BOT member, who is making a documentary on Terefe’s life, was in Detroit for his graduation. There was considerable media coverage of his achievements and his citation at the graduation was received to rapturous applause. Terefe’s journey is one of the most poignant since I have been at Wellington College. It is a powerful story of an individual’s triumph over adversity.

Anthony Wong, 17, was among a handful of top students, including Andrew Tan-Delli Cicchi, 17, Cameron Inglis, 16, and Nick On, 16, who won scholarships while still in Year 12.

Anthony achieved scholarships in Calculus, Physics and Chemistry. His flair for maths failed him in the moments after the calculus exam. However, when he was 100 per cent certain he had failed. I literally walked out of the exam, I counted and I thought I got maybe 13 or 14 right, and a pass is 20, so I thought [a scholarship] was out of the question, he said. I just thought, 'Oh well, that's that done'.

We are immensely proud of both Alex and Terefe. Both personify the kind of young men who have ‘seized the day’ and made the most of their opportunities.

The boys will all sit the scholarship exams again this year, and keep the best result. Top scholars are awarded between $2000 and $10,000 each year for three years of study.

Roger Moses, Headmaster

We believe that these spectacular results augur well for another highly successful year in 2012. Overall, we are delighted with the performance of our students which augurs well for this year.

Our Warmest thanks to our Supporters...

F

ollowing the WCOBA request in the 2011 Lampstand to help save future issues of our magazine, we have to date, received around $20,000 which will help with the cost of producing 2012 publication.

Our sincere thanks to all those who have ‘given’. It’s not too late to still donate - feel free to use the pre-paid envelope that came with your 2011 magazine.

(L): Alex Ross - second from right - he is actually in # four seat - two rowers are obscured. (R): Terefe Ejigu at Graduation with his mother Mulu who, thanks to fundraising was able to join him at the ceremony.

3

THE LAMP POST

Rhodes Scholar heads to Oxford

Where there’s a Will, there’s a Way The Wellington College Bequest Programme

A

graduate of Auckland University has been awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. Max Harris, 23, graduated with a BA/LLB (Hons) and will commence his Oxford studies in October 2012 studying a Bachelor of Civil Law and plans to follow it up with a MPhil. The scholarship offers full fee coverage and a $25,000 a year living stipend.

B

rian Smythe, (1954-1958), the current WCOBA President and a former Head Prefect, has recently signified his intention to make a bequest to the College. He has strong and fond memories of his time at Wellington College and will shortly write a letter to Old Boys with a view to sharing the positive and widespread effect his education here has had throughout his life and his reasons for making a bequest.

Max’s arts majors of History and Political Science encompass his passion for knowledge and debate. He was ranked as the 22nd best speaker at the 2009 World Universities Debating Championship.

• A PRACTICAL WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE • There are still no convincing signs of recapturing economic confidence nationwide as negative and dampening factors from the recession remain. The reality is that I often receive tales of genuine hardship when speaking to people. A number of us can say that we are asset rich but cash poor and this is why making a bequest becomes such a strong option for the long term future. While a bequest can be a set cash amount, it is often organised as a percentage of one’s estate, normally between one and five per cent. This is something that can be done at any stage, remembering that a will can be changed at any time.

Max is looking forward to Oxford’s ‘stimulating intellectual environment’ in his areas of academic interest as well as such extracurricular activity as the Oxford Union, the legal mooting programme and pro bono law groups.

His career ambition is to become a leader in New Zealand law, contributing to constitutional debate and developing a public interest law network, and ‘perhaps later in politics’. Max wants to work to make this country a fairer place and ‘achieve improvements in the lives of people’. He plans to return to New Zealand to fulfil planned career path of becoming a leader in law and developing a public interest law network.

• A LEGACY CLUB • An idea for the future is to found a Legacy Club to recognise the significance of those people who have indicated their intention to make a bequest. It is understood that some people wish to remain anonymous and that is totally respected. However we will be looking at establishing such a Club with a view to having an annual social occasion and thanking people for the commitment that has been made. Another innovation will be a six-monthly bequest newsletter which will keep Old Boys informed of ongoing initiatives.

Although Max is from Wellington, he spent his early years in London, New York and Beijing. He began his secondary schooling in Indonesia where his parents were working. This was followed by 18 months at Wellington College where he was Dux in 2005 and Senior Cultural Person of the Year.

• FOR MORE INFORMATION • The Development Office would love to hear from Old Boys at any time if you have a view you would like to share or are interested in making a bequest. A new brochure was completed in late 2011 with all the information in a straightforward user-friendly format. If you have not received a copy please contact Tony Robinson on 802 7698 or on a.robinson@wellington-college.school.nz We look forward to hearing from you as the bequest programme gathers further impetus.

More recently, Max has worked in Wellington as a Judge’s Clerk for the Chief Justice, the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias.

Another Sopoaga leads mighty Wellington College pack

Phoenix legend retires from Football

T

he family baton has been passed to Zek Sopoaga, who has become the third brother to captain the our 1st XV. He follows elder brothers Lima and Tupou, who led the side in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

A

ll Whites and Wellington Phoenix vice-captain Tim Brown has retired from Football to pursue further education in England. He made the shock decision to retire from both club and international football in March before the Phoenix’s final match.

Wellington College has asserted its dominance in this season’s 1st XV rugby competition by thrashing St Patrick’s (Town) in a traditional rugby showdown on 23 May. Coll showed unrelenting form as the team beat its Kilbirnie-based rivals 56 - 17 in front of a boisterous home crowd. The final score reflected Coll’s control of today’s game and form that has seen them dominate the local 1st XV rugby competition this season. On 2 June, the team won the Traditional against Rongotai College 45 - 5, in front of SKY TV’s Rugby Channel. On 6 June, in the final Traditional, they beat Silverstream 24 - 11.

Tim said an opportunity to complete a masters degree in management at either the London School of Economics or Cambridge University was too good an opportunity to turn down. The 31-year-old has already been accepted into the former and is awaiting news from Cambridge, but either way he is off to the country of his birth to continue his studies. He completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2004 while playing Football in the US college system. He had been weighing up his future for a few months and when the offer from London presented itself, he felt taking it up was the ‘right thing to do’.

Williment Trophy schools Wellington College, Town, Silverstream and Rongotai are joined in the eight-team Premier 1 Trophy competition by the winners from the four qualifying pools. These are Scots College, Hutt International Boys’ School, St Bernard’s College and Aotea College.

I turned 31 a few weeks ago and I sat down with my folks and a few other people close to me and I said 'ok, this is something I just have to do'. This opportunity came up unexpectedly at two world-class schools and I decided if I didn't do it now I might never do it. In saying that, it was hugely difficult to walk about from the All Whites and the Phoenix and a whole lot of good people. It's not a decision I've made lightly.

Tim has played 29 matches for the All Whites since 2005, coinciding with arguably their most successful and exciting time in international Football. He was vice-captain for most of that period and in several instances captained the national team when regular skipper Ryan Nelsen was unavailable.

The Wellington College front-row (weighing in excess of 300kg) (L-R): Eti Sului, Zek Sopoaga, Vincent Sakaria.

Photo courtesy of www.clubrugby.co.nz

4

THE LAMP POST

Wellington College can claim its first OSCAR Winner

B

efore he was winning an Oscar and taking America by storm, Bret McKenzie (1990-1994) was a Wellington schoolboy who played the oboe and busked in Cuba Street. But then, the oboe-playing, scriptwriting schoolboy had a lot of abilities – and no-one who knows him is really surprised that he ended up winning a top gong at Hollywood's swankiest showbiz extravaganza.

The musician-turned-celebrity won Best Original Song at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in March for his song Man or Muppet, one of the three tunes he penned during his role as the musical supervisor on The Muppets. That's on top of the Emmy-nominated Flight of the Conchords series – and winning a Grammy Award for best comedy album in 2008.

Bret was born in Wellington in 1976, a younger brother to Justin (1986-1990) and – eight years later – older brother to Jonny (1997-2001). At Wellington College, Bret won the Wellington regional heats of the Smokefree Rockquest with his band The Blue Samanthas, who played jazz and upbeat funk.

Joy Dunsheath, Wellington College's recently retired cultural adviser, says along with being a talented keyboardist and drum player the ‘charismatic’ Bret was a great debater – mostly because of his ability to go off-topic. He was very involved in almost everything, but I recall debating because while he didn't always have a prepared speech, he was one of those talented people who could fudge it incredibly well. He scooped all the awards in the school in his last year, and he was a Prefect – which in a large school like Wellington College is saying something.

where their quirky talents were quickly recognised. At this point, Bret had already achieved some measure of fame, albeit bizarrely, with his cult fleeting appearance in one scene in the Fellowship of the Ring. His three-second appearance as an elf spawned a cult following around the globe, and led to a speaking part in The Return of the King.

The Conchords were born after Jermaine Clement and Bret met at Victoria University, both attempting to study subjects like Music and English and Theatre and Film. They gave up, and by 1998 were flatting together and performing in local productions, mainly comedy.

In the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours, Bret was honoured for his services to music and film, an inclusion that surprised the Oscar-winning half of Flight of the Conchords. He has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. I was very surprised, surprised and honoured. I’ve never worked in music and film in order to get this honour, but yeah, it’s great, I’m really into it, he said.

Bret was a founding member of Wellington reggae band The Black Seeds, playing keyboards. But he and Jermaine decided they wanted to learn the guitar and started writing songs, catching the eyes of the world at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2002, and by 2003 were being described as this year's buzz comedy act in British newspaper The Guardian. Around the same time they wrote a pilot for a comedy TV series and sent it to TVNZ – which (in)famously turned them down.

There's no doubt Bret is fiercely proud of being a Kiwi. But as much as he might eschew the trappings of fame, he's now got the physical proof it's there – in a whopping 3.8 kilogram golden statue, which puts him in a select group of New Zealanders alongside Sir Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Sir Richard Taylor, Russell Crowe and Anna Paquin.

All the better for FOTC, who were forced to head overseas to find work –

Bret is now busy preparing for the Flight of the Conchords tour of New Zealand and Australia that kicks off later this month.

Super 15 Rugby - a clean sweep for Wellington College

R

eaders would be hard-pushed to find another school within New Zealand in 2012 that can boast that each of the NZ Super 15 franchises has a former student - in all five squads. Well, Wellington College can, producing in fact eight Old Boys playing in this year’s competition.

All eight spent their formative years in the College’s 1st XVs, before progressing

to the NPC Competition (aside from Jeff who went straight to Super 15), and are now either playing or are within the wider training squads of their team.

Unfortunately, Lima was injured in his second outing and remains on the sideline, and Reg has only just returned to the 2012 field due to a pre-season injury. However the other six have either started or come off the bench this season, making their presence felt.

2012 LAMPSTAND

We hope that one of these eight young men may in fact be our 33rd All Black.

Make sure we have your latest postal and email address.

It’s been a few years now since our last Wellington College Old Boy made his debut for the ABs – Neemia Tialata was our most recent, in 2004, however Wellington College has been well represented in both the national Under 20 and the New Zealand Secondary Schools teams.

Can you help fill the pages of our 2012 publication?

Old Boys are encouraged to contribute material to update pages to make them interesting and informative. All you need to provide is a few paragraphs on what you have done, are doing or about to do. A photo relative to the article is also useful.

We welcome news from Old Boys involved in the Arts, the sports arena, academic fields, family trees, obituaries etc.

BLUES

CHIEFS

HURRICANES

HURRICANES

HURRICANES

CRUSADERS

HIGHLANDERS

HIGHLANDERS

Michael Hobbs WC 1st XV: 2003-2005

Kane Thompson WC 1st XV: 1998-1999

Dane Coles WC 1st XV: 2006

Reg Goodes WC 1st XV: 2006-2008

Jeffery Allen WC 1st XV: 2007-2009

Ross Kennedy WC 1st XV: 1999-2000

Lima Sopoaga WC 1st XV: 2007-2009

Buxton Popoali’i WC 1st XV: 2006-2007

5

Correspondence should be sent to: WCOBA PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242 or oldboys@wellington-college. school.nz by 31 July 2012.

THE LAMP POST

Wellington College Chorale of 2011 WELLINGTON COLLEGE CHORALE 2011 WELLINGTON COLLEGE CHORALE 2011 COMPACT DISC ORDER FORM COMPACT DISC ORDER FORM Compact Disc Compilation

London calling: three Old Boys head to the 2012 Olympics

Contents: ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! Deep River (Traditional Spiritual), $20.00 (add $2 for delivery) $20.00 (add $2 for delivery)

Dulaman (Gaelic), For Good (Musical

RELEASE DATE 27th April 2012 RELEASE DATE 27th April 2012 Theatre), Flanders Fields (ANZAC),

One People One Land (Maori waiata), Either return the form below by email or post to: Either return the form below by email or post to: k.macfarlane@wellington‐college.school.nz Orderk.macfarlane@wellington‐college.school.nz My Steps (Gospel), Intercession Wellington College Music Department Wellington College Music Department (Classical), Jerusalem/Coll Boys Ballad/ P.O.Box 16‐073 P.O.Box 16‐073 Forty Years On (Old Boys set).

Wellington Wellington

Order your copy Now!

WELLINGTON COLLEGE CHORALE 2011 WELLINGTON COLLEGE CHORALE 2011

Orders can be COMPACT DISC ORDER FORM madeCOMPACT DISC ORDER FORM through the Wellington College Bursary (L-R): Peter Taylor, Roger Moses with Tim Prendergast and Gareth Kean

I

t may be only a couple months until the 2012 Olympics begin in London, but three of our Old Boys have spent years preparing themselves to represent New Zealand at this auspicious event.

$20.00 each plus $3.00 postage

Name: Name: ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

Phone: ________________________ Address: ____________________________________

Phone: ________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________

You can pay by Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard) Cheque (payable to Wellington College) Please deliver my CD(s): YES/NO (circle)

Internet Banking: Please deliver my CD(s): YES/NO (circle)

TOTAL COST:

_______________________($20 per CD plus $3 postage) National Bank Courtenay Place Branch TOTAL COST:

_______________________($20 per CD plus $3 postage) Payment method (circle one): Credit Card / Internet Banking / Cheque (post to school) WCBOT: 06 0561 0137023 00 Payment method (circle one): Credit Card / Internet Banking / Cheque (post to school) (Please include your surname and CD Chorale in the reference payment Credit Card Debit Authority (Visa and Mastercard only) Credit Card Debit Authority (Visa and Mastercard only) details to enable the Bursary to verify your payment)

____________________________________

No. of CDs: ____________________

____________________________________

No. of CDs: ____________________

GARETH KEAN has his sights set firmly on London 2012 and beyond that to Rio – and at only 20, there is also the possibility of following on four years after that. Gareth has been swimming competitively since the age of eight. With his silver Commonwealth medal safely stashed away at home, swimmer Gareth Kean is headed for the 2012 London Olympics to compete in both the 100m and 200m backstroke.

PETER TAYLOR is one of the country’s most successful lightweight rowers. In 2007 - a year after taking the U23 lightweight double World title in a World Best time - Peter became part of the NZ lightweight double sculls with fellow former U23 lightweight world champion Storm Uru and the combination began to gel productively. The duo won the Lightweight Double Sculls World Championship in 2009, then took the Bronze medal at Lake Karapiro in 2010 and the Silver at Bled, Slovenia in 2011. Peter and Storm will be striving to take another medal at this year’s Olympics.

TIM PRENDERGAST is a Paralympian athlete who competes mainly in category T13 middle distance events and is again competing at the Paralympics.

Please debit my Visa/Mastercard

Amount: $ _______________ Please debit my Visa/Mastercard

Amount: $ _______________

Orders with payment should be addressed to: Card Number: ……..………. ……………….. ………………… …………………

Card Number: ……..………. ……………….. ………………… …………………

The Bursary, Wellington College, PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242 Card Name………………………………………………………

Expiry date…………….

Card Name………………………………………………………

Expiry date…………….

Email enquiries: m.sampson@wellington-college.school.nz

Signature…………………………………………………………

Day�me contact number……………………………

Signature…………………………………………………………

Day�me contact number……………………………

Internet Payment Informa�on Internet Payment Informa�on

Bank & Branch

Na�onal Bank Courtenay Place Branch Bank & Branch

Na�onal Bank Courtenay Place Branch Account name

Wellington College Board of Trustees Account name

Wellington College Board of Trustees Account Number 06 0561 0137023 00 Account Number 06 0561 0137023 00

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT

Please include your surname and CD Chorale in the payment details section to enable us to verify and allo‐ Please include your surname and CD Chorale in the payment details section to enable us to verify and allo‐ cate your payment(s) when received into our account. cate your payment(s) when received into our account.

Tim visited the College recently to talk in Assembly about his mission to attend his fourth Paralympics, having competed in three previous occasions - 2000, 2004 and 2008. Each time he has competed in the 800m and 1500m and in 2008 he also competed in the 5000m. He won a gold and silver in the 800m in 2004 and 2000 and a silver in the 1500m in 2000.

Wellington College sends it best wishes to Gareth, Peter and Tim on their quests for gold.

T

he major school production this year is the highly acclaimed musical Chess. The show develops the game of chess into a metaphor for East-West political intrigue and romantic rivalries.

The talented cast of Wellington College students, with female roles performed by students from WEGC and WGC play the roles of chess grandmaster, champions, politicians, CIA and KGB agents, citizens and reporters making their moves to this great rock score. Several numbers, including ‘One Night in Bangkok’ and ‘I know him so well’ are international hits. The Orchestra is comprised of Wellington College students.

Directed by recent Old Boy, Nick Purdie, with musical direction by Katie Macfarlane (HOD Music), the show promises to be a Wellington College hit with a superb cast of over 40 talented performers on stage, 18 musicians and a production crew of 15.

Brierley Theatre, Wellington College • 25 - 29 June @ 7.00pm Tickets: $25.00 adults • $10.00 students online purchasing: chess.mycoll.school.nz Enq.: 04 802 2520 or p.dustin@wellington-college.school.nz 6

THE LAMP POST

From the Development Office

F

ollowing the opening of the all-purpose Artificial Pitch, the Headmaster and Board of Trustees would like our College community to know that the single most important challenge leading up to the celebration of Wellington College’s 150th Year in 2017 is to build an Assembly Hall and Performing Arts Centre.

TONY ROBINSON

• Pressing Need - Presently, the Memorial Hall can only comfortably hold 800 students meaning that two of the five year groups miss out on significant formal assemblies and public occasions. The significance of the corporate spirit of the College demands that the full student body meets on regular occasions to both celebrate and appreciate individual and team achievement.

Major advances planned for Wellington College facilities in the future projected Memorial Hall and Performing Arts Centre

Primary Purpose

VISION and PURPOSE Other Purposes and Needs

• One Assembly Hall to unite the entire school • Spiritual and physical heart for the 21st century • Celebrate school spirit and success • Respect and celebrate history and tradition

It is vital that the Headmaster has a forum where he can address all his 1580 students. As the professional leader of Wellington College, an appropriate meeting environment is essential so the Headmaster can communicate key messages and promote the strongest values that will set the tone and direction of the boys’ five years here.

• Large scale performing arts theatre • Complements Firth Hall and Brierley Theatre • Seats 1600 across two levels • Community use ie Festival of the Arts, Musical Recitals and plays

Memorial Hall • Our Vision

• A Versatile Environment - This central facility will not just be used for major assemblies on a weekly basis. It will benefit groups of students regularly in a number of ways across a challenging modern curriculum.

The new Memorial Hall will recreate the spirit and awe of the original Hall.

• A Celebration of the Arts - Recent years have produced increasingly outstanding achievements right across the Performing Arts. This all-purpose new environment will provide the widest scope for talented young men to perform to the peak of their ability. The College Chorale, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Musicals, Plays, Debating and Stage Challenge will now have a top class performance venue and be able to be appreciated by large audiences.

As the spiritual heart of Wellington College, the new Hall and Performing Arts Centre will embody the College’s history and traditions, and inspire future generations of students.

• A Community Asset - Where opportunity and time allow, the College will be able to hire out this facility so other community groups will be able to take advantage of this outstanding performance environment. This will allow the College to manage ongoing maintenance and further cost.

What we have: $3.1 million

• How much should such a building cost? This building has been planned for many years and the original intention was to have a grand and expensive structure.

There have been concerted efforts in recent times to minimise and rationalise on cost. The idea now is to use the original roof and some existing materials to ensure that the project is readily affordable and achievable.

What we need: $5.4 million

• What are the figures involved? Six years of committed fundraising and the generosity of two leading donors have meant that 3.1 million dollars is now earmarked for the project. This hard work has actually allowed us to see the finish line in the future.

SILENT AUCTION Two Nights Accommodation in the Coolest Little Capital in the World

• When can construction begin? We believe that keeping costs to a minimum will allow the project to keep to a ceiling of between 5.1 and 5.5 million dollars. As a result we require two million dollars, the final forty per cent before the building actually begins.

Funds to support the Assembly Hall and Performing Arts Centre Appeal With special thanks to parent, Alan Blundell, we have two nights accommodation up for auction at ohtel, his exclusive waterfront hotel on Oriental Parade. Dates can be taken at your leisure and it can be for the one or two nights at your preference. Please take advantage of this wonderful offer and support the College.

• Who is being approached for financial support? The business of communicating with our College community continues unabated. Old Boys have received regular approaches from us over a number of years now and we have tried to take advantage of business contacts where they exist.

ohtel features ten unique ‘boutique style’ spacious rooms over three floors, a seamless blend of eclectic mid-century furniture, coupled with a sprinkling of contemporary NZ artwork and textiles. Most rooms boast two-person bathtubs and oversized showers, many with decks overlooking Waitangi Park and Chaffers Marina, and of course close to Theatres and Restaurants - ohtel rooms surpass 5-star expectations.

• Sooner rather than later - As this project has been spoken about for a number of years, people are very keen for the building of the Memorial Hall and Performing Arts Centre to actually begin. It will only be the concerted efforts of all sectors of the Wellington College community that actually makes it happen within the desired timeframe.

The Headmaster and Board are very keen to see the Memorial Hall and Performing Arts Centre built and in action by early 2017 - for the College’s 150th celebrations at the latest, but hopefully earlier. This wonderful new facility will be a main focus of the celebrations later that year involving all sectors of the Wellington College family.

WHAT’S IT WORTH TO YOU...?

Silent bids please to Tony Robinson by email at a.robinson@wellington-college. school.nz

by Friday, 13 July.

Tony Robinson, Development Manager Email: t.robinson@wellington-college.school.nz or Tel: 04 802 7698 7

THE LAMP POST

By popular demand... The ‘IN BETWEEN YEARS’ Reunion FRIDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2012 at WELLINGTON COLLEGE ASSEMBLY • COLLEGE TOUR • PHOTOS • COCKTAIL PARTY • DINNER For those Old Boys, who were not eligible for the 60 Years Plus Reunion in 2009 and who haven’t experienced a 50 Years On Reunion (only because the 50 Years On Reunions didn’t start until 2008 for the Class of 1958).

If you were in Form 3 in 1946 (Class of 1950) If you were in Form 3 in 1947 (Class of 1951) If you were in Form 3 in 1948 (Class of 1952) If you were in Form 3 in 1949 (Class of 1953)

   

If you were in Form 3 in 1950 (Class of 1954) If you were in Form 3 in 1951 (Class of 1955) If you were in Form 3 in 1952 (Class of 1956) If you were in Form 3 in 1953 (Class of 1957)

CLASS OF 1972 • 40 YEARS ON REUNION Friday, 26 October, 2012

   

Further Reunion Details available from the WCOBA Office.

Tel: 04 802 2537 Email: oldboys@wellingtoncollege.school.nz or on our website: www.wellington-college. school.nz (Our Community/Old Boys’ Association/Reunions)

WCOBA AGM and Executive Committee The 2012 AGM will take place on Wednesday, 27 June in the Wellington College Cricket Pavilion at 5.00pm, followed by 'drinks'.

Y

ou may have heard through older brothers or friends or read in past Lampstand magazines of the eight very successful reunions we have held at Wellington College to celebrate ‘Forty Years On’. Old Boys from 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 have assembled forty years on at Wellington College and have enjoyed a weekend of reminiscing and nostalgia. Attendees have included a number from overseas. The 40 Years On Reunion programme has gathered great momentum since its inception.

The banter between the Firth House and Day Boys, demonstrations of Hakas, remembering nicknames/mannerisms of staff, the traditional matches, Quadrangular Tournament and school productions to name a few have been fondly recalled over each weekend as friendships are renewed.

Old Boys are most welcome to attend the Meeting and stay on for refreshments following the formalities, giving you an opportunity to meet with fellow members and the committee to discuss in further, the objectives and vision of both the College and the Association.

Contact the WCOBA Office or download a registration form from our website: www.wellington-college.school.nz (Our Communities/Old Boys/ Reunions).

RSVP is essential for catering. Please contact the WCOBA Executive Officer - contact details below.

B

rian Smythe, WCOBA President for the past two years, is enthusiastic about continuing in this position for a while yet. He enjoys the pleasures that go with the role such as visits to the various WCOBA Branches around the country, and administering in conjunction with Treasurer Bob Slade, [himself WCOBA President for many years], a number of Trust Funds under the control of the Association.

2013 REUNIONS Class of 1963: Friday, 22 March Class of 1973: Friday, 19 October

Wellington College Football Club

The President sets the Association agenda and conducts executive meetings. He also liaises with the Headmaster and other senior staff and attends a number of major College events throughout the year.

The WCOBA is fortunate in being very well supported by our Executive Officer, Stephanie Kane, who runs its day-to-day operations from its office at the College. Stephanie, who also runs the College Development Office in conjunction with Tony Robinson [an ex-headmaster and man of many parts], organises reunion programmes, publications and events for both the College and the Association, thus relieving the President of hands-on responsibility.

M

embers of the College Football Club (Association Football-Soccer) are compiling the history of the Club for publication, titled, The Football Boys: the story of Association Football at Wellington College. They welcome contributions from players since the inception of football at the College in 1946.

The Executive and Presidency is always open to newcomers, especially younger Old Boys. The 2012 AGM takes place on Wednesday, 27 June at 5.00pm, at the College. All Old Boys interested in serving on the Executive and/or with an ultimate view to taking on the Presidency, are most welcome to attend. Anyone so interested and seeking further information is invited to contact Brian Smythe on (04) 977 3478, or email him at smythelson@clear.co.nz

Amongst your memorabilia, you may have some old photos, playing gear and of course a story or two that you could share with the Club for publication.

In the first instance, please contact Rob Greenfield at robnrosie@xtra. co.nz if you can help with content for the book.

Of specific importance to the Association is the raising of additional funds for the planned enlargement of the Assembly Hall, for which an attractive architectural concept has been established. It is planned that this project will be completed and ready for opening in time for the College 150th anniversary in October 2017 – an exciting event in which WCOBA and its Executive will be intrinsically involved.

WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242 • Tel: 04 802 2537 • Fax: 04 802 2542 Stephanie Kane, WCOBA Executive Officer Email: oldboys@wellington-college.school.nz

Remember to send us your news and any change of address.

8