Nursery Launches New ‘Who’s in the Castle Today?’ Reading Scheme
Wellington School Football: Latest News & Updates
The Art of Barcelona
WSPTA Year in Review
Music Department Autumn Term Highlights
Preparing for a Performance
A Wellington Wedding
Flat Stanley Doubles: Primary 7’s Creative Twist for Wellington Open Afternoon
Euroscola 2024
Geography Department Las Vegas & Grand Canyon Study Tour
Room 15 is the Business
S3 Pupils Complete Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Qualifying Expedition
Junior School Celebrates Rights Respecting School Award
Jake & Oscar’s Cricket Highlights from 2024
Dr. Gareth Powell Brings WWII History to Life for Primary 7 French Exchange 2024
Magical Christmas 2024
Fred & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Rugby at Wellington: A Journey From Pupils to Alumni
Set Sail - The Sailing Adventures of our Pupils, Past & Present
A Message to our Former Pupils
A Note
Welcome From Mr Johnson, Headmaster
There are few busier places than a school and this edition of ‘The Turret’ showcases much of what makes Wellington so special. These pages are packed as always with stories about the wonderful opportunities our pupils get to spread their wings, broaden their horizons and enjoy growing up surrounded by friends and like-minded people.
Charity fundraising is always an important part of school life and this year’s S6 have thrown themselves energetically into raising money for their chosen charity, ‘Blood Cancer UK’. Although much of the fundraising is done by pupils, the contribution of parents and members of the wider Wellington community is hugely appreciated and I thank all of those who have organised events, given freely of their time or taken on a significant personal challenge to help S6.
Few schools offer as wide a range of opportunities for meaningful travel as Wellington. In this copy of ‘The Turret’, you will read about the Geography Department’s flagship trip to Las Vegas and the US South West, the Art Department’s visit to Barcelona, P7’s annual ‘Magical Christmas’ trip to Dortmund and an exciting visit to Strasbourg to participate in Euroscola. Trips to Iceland and India will depart in the coming months and I look forward to reading about those in the next edition.
Sport continues to be as important as ever and you will read about both team and individual successes in these pages. Regardless of the sport, participation and the pursuit of excellence can develop exactly the transferable skills that we all needed to thrive and enjoy life. I am delighted that so many Wellington pupils clearly understand this.
Finally, Former Pupils are an extremely important part of the wider Wellington community and like me, you will all enjoy reading the interview with Rita and Pamela. Sailing has provided them with a wealth of happy memories and as you will read in the preceding pages, a new generation of Wellington pupils are also finding success on the high seas!
2024/25 S6 Charity Announced
Each year, members of S6 nominate a variety of worthwhile charities to support. This year was no exception, and we were delighted to announce that we will be supporting Blood Cancer UK for session 2024-2025.
The inspiration behind this nomination was Montgomery House Captain, Amber, whose family has a specific connection to the impact blood cancer can have on young people and their families. Amber underwent surgery 6 years ago, donating bone marrow to her younger brother, who has now been cancer free for several years.
As always with the Wellington S6 Charity, this is an amazing organisation to support, especially given Amber’s personal story. We are sure that this will serve as a key motivator to the S6 pupils as they embark upon a year of fundraising activities and events!
Charity Fundraising Activities
Over the past six months, pupils and staff have been dedicated to raising funds for Blood Cancer UK. Here is a snapshot of some of the activities and contribution they have undertaken as part of this effort.
House Charity Days
Churchill and Curie have hosted House Charity Days, which have been packed with fun activities. These included a non-uniform day, Christmas jumper day, bake sale, and exciting games like beat the goalie, golf chipping, and even a dance party!
Mr Byers’ Great Scottish Run
On 5th October, Mr. Byers completed the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon, raising funds for two incredible charities: the Stroke Association and Blood Cancer UK. All proceeds from the event were split between these worthy causes.
Charity Football
On 2nd October, S6 held a Charity Football Tournament for pupils from Primary 7 to S5. The pupils organised their own teams and played competitive matches with their own team colours.
Congratulations to the Blue and Red teams who were the joint winners of the Junior tournament, and to Team Brazil, who won the Senior tournament. The tournament helped raise £165 for Blood Cancer UK.
S6 Parent Charity Cycle
As part of the S6 charity fundraising efforts, S6 parent Holly has committed to cycling 10-20km per day on her indoor bike.
Holly started the challenge on the day the charity was announced (5th September) and will finish at the end of May/early June. By the end of the challenge, she aims to cover between 2,680 and 5,360km!
Wellington Does Strictly
In November, S6 hosted the first-ever ‘Wellington Does Strictly’ and what a spectacular evening it was! Five pairs of teachers took to the dance floor, dazzling the audience with their moves, energy and creativity.
Well done to our amazing dancers; Mr Levif & Mrs Hunter, Mr McLaren & Mrs Penton, Mr Graham & Miss McKinlay, Mr Ledingham & Miss Banks and Mr Richmond & Mrs Windows. And a special shoutout to our winners, Mr Richmond and Mrs Windows, for their show-stopping routine that stole the show!
The evening’s entertainment was further elevated by a panel of four judges, whose wit and humor kept the crowd laughing throughout the night.
Most importantly, the event raised an astounding £1,412.84!
Christmas Craft Fair
Despite challenging windy weather, the Wellington community came together for a successful Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday 7th December. Organised by S6 pupils and staff, the event saw a fantastic turnout of attendees, all eager to get into the Christmas spirit while supporting a great cause.
The fair featured a wide variety of stallholders offering unique products, including personalised gifts, skincare, Christmas decorations, jewellery, artwork, and much more. Visitors also enjoyed a selection of delicious hot food and drinks, live musical entertainment, fun games and crafts, and a magical Christmas grotto where they could meet Santa himself.
An incredible total of £3201.44 was raised. Mr Levif Christmas Charity Single
On Friday 13th December, Mr Levif released his first Christmas song, “Christmas Is Fun”, to support the S6 charity. The single was also performed live at the Christmas Concert at Ayr Town Hall.
All proceeds from downloads and streams were generously donated to Blood Cancer UK.
Nursery Launches New ‘Who’s
in the
Castle Today?’ Reading Scheme
The children at Wellington Nursery are excited to have started an engaging new reading scheme called “Who’s in the Castle Today?” Twice a month, the boys and girls head to the top floor of Drumley to the library, where they are joined by special guest readers from various parts of the school.
So far, the initiative has brought a delightful range of heartwarming stories to life. The scheme began with Mrs MacRae, Depute Head of the Junior School, who captivated the children with the much-loved tale ‘Zog and the Flying Doctors’. The children were particularly enchanted by the Princess character.
Other special readers have included Mrs Val Turner from the Domestic Staff, who shared ‘The Snail and the Whale’, The children were delighted to learn that Val reads the story to her cat, which added a personal touch to the experience. Val also shared how she cherished the memories of her father reading to her when she was little. Mr Johnson, the Headmaster of Wellington School, also joined the children for a reading of ‘One Button Benny’. When asked if they knew who Mr Johnson was, one child excitedly responded, “He’s the big boss of the school!”. The boys and girls were thrilled to see him, and shared that they “loved him reading the story” and “he read it very good”, a true testament to how much they enjoyed his reading.
Primary 6 teacher, Mr Graham, surprised the children with ‘Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin’. The children were captivated by the tale of bravery, friendship, and finding your place in the world.
Everyone is absolutely loving the stories and meeting their special guest readers, and they can’t wait to see who will be next in the castle!
Wellington School Football: Latest News & Updates
By Mr Graham
Last season was the second year in a row that Wellington School qualified for the South Ayrshire Districts Craigie Cup Final. This was the culmination of another successful season for the Primary Football Team where once again we had punched well above our weight against other local schools. Regrettably we were unable to bring home the cup for a second year in a row, but the players gave everything they had and represented the school with distinction.
The Wellington Invitational went ahead at Doonside for the third year in a row. Both of our teams competed well in the First VII Cup and the Development Team Cup, but Doonfoot ran out winners in both tournaments. We were fortunate to have great conditions for the tournament and although we were unable to bring home either of our trophies, the children had a great afternoon playing competitive sport. This tournament also marked the end of Primary Football for a number of children, some of whom had represented the school for three years. As always, it is a shame to see players move on, but we will always have memories of fun times at training, memorable matches in the local competitions and of course the schools first piece of football Silverware in 2023.
Football throughout the school continues to be a popular option as an extra-curricular sport. It is great to see the beginnings of a pathway for our young players to progress through as they transition from Primary Football into Senior Football. We currently have teams playing competitive matches from P5/6/7 through to Under 18 level.
This session we have established a relationship with Shoot Soccer that has been hugely beneficial for the football players at Wellington School. Since the Griffith family purchased Shoot, there has been a substantial investment in the premises in order to make it Ayr’s top football facility. They have allowed our teams to make use of the state-of-theart astro turf pitches for training sessions and have also hosted the recent South Ayrshire December Development 5 A-Side Cup. Staff and players have been impressed with the quality of the surface and the facilities on offer. We look forward to working with Shoot on other exciting projects moving forward, and wearing the Shoot logo on our new kits, which were very kindly donated by the Griffith family.
The December Development 5-A-Side tournament took place in the final week of our winter term. Wellington established this tournament to provide footballing opportunities for our less experienced football players. Our First XII have had a busy first term but our other players have been waiting patiently for an opportunity to represent the school. A number of other local schools were in a similar position, and this was what prompted us to establish this event. Eight players competed in six games winning three of the matches. They drew the other three games, showing great character and resilience in several matches to ensure that they finished the tournament unbeaten. This resulted in a very credible second place finish in the event.
2025 promises to be another exciting year for football in the school. We look forward to more matches and tournaments and opportunities to pull on the Wellington kit.
The Art of Barcelona
By Mrs Morton
In September, 26 pupils from S4-S6, accompanied by myself, Mrs. Hunter, Miss Johnston, and Mr Howie, embarked on an inspiring Art trip to Barcelona. Over four action-packed days, we immersed ourselves in the city’s rich art, architecture, culture, and traditions.
Our arrival coincided with the vibrant La Mercè Festival, a highlight of the trip. One of the most exciting events was the Correfoc (Fire Run), where we witnessed a procession of “giants”—massive figures of kings, queens, saints, and nobles—dancing through the streets, accompanied by live musicians. The energy and colour of the festival set the tone for our exploration of the city.
We spent a day exploring the historic Gothic Quarter and Ravel district, where we learned about the contrast between the city’s Roman heritage and vibrant multi-cultural present. Among the narrow stone streets and medieval buildings, we discovered a hidden Roman ruin—a temple built at the end of the 1st century AD in honour of Emperor Augustus. Today, visitors can see remnants of the temple in the form of towering Corinthian columns that still rise nine meters high.
The Gothic Quarter, with its labyrinthine streets and picturesque buildings, also houses the Picasso Museum, where we saw an extensive collection of the artist’s works, including some of his early paintings which were completed when he was just 15 years old.
Another highlight of the trip was visiting the Joan Miró Foundation, where we not only admired Miró’s colourful and imaginative works, but also enjoyed breathtaking views of Barcelona from the hilltop of Montjuïc. We also visited the stunning Parc Güell and the world-famous Sagrada Familia, both of which allowed us to marvel at the genius of architect Antoni Gaudí. The intricate designs and innovative architecture of these landmarks sparked our creativity and deepened our appreciation for the city’s artistic heritage.
Beyond the museums and historical sites, we enjoyed some downtime sampling traditional Spanish cuisine. We had the chance to taste a variety of delicious tapas and learn about the local food culture. A leisurely boating trip in the beautiful Park Ciutadella offered a peaceful contrast to the excitement of the city, providing an opportunity to relax and enjoy the surrounding greenery.
Barcelona is a city that weaves together art, history, and culture in an exciting tapestry. The trip sparked our imaginations and left us eager to bring new ideas and inspiration into the classroom.
WSPTA Year in Review
It’s been an extremely busy year for the Wellington School Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA, supporting the school with many exciting projects.
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights:
Centenary Celebrations
Wellington School celebrated their centenary year in 2024 and to commemorate this special occasion, the WSPTA created and sold the Wellington School Centenary Teddy. The bears were a huge hit, and we’re thrilled that over 150 bears were sold.
For anyone who missed out, we still have a limited number of large bears available for purchase.
Summer Concert
Our Summer Concert, held at Ayr Town Hall, was very well attended by both parents and guests. The evening started with canapés and refreshments served in the Chamber, before the musical performance.
Thanks to the generous support from everyone who attended; we raised over £2,000!
Thrift Shop Success
Our Thrift Shop continues to go from strength to strength, now holding sales every six weeks in Carleton Turrets. The dates for future sales are available on the school website, with the next event scheduled for Friday 25th April 2025.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated uniform items—your contributions play a huge part in the success of the Thrift Shop. Last year, our sales exceeded £3,000! Donations can be dropped off at the main School Office.
Junior School Halloween Party
In October, our Junior School enjoyed their Halloween parties, with the WSPTA helping to provide tasty snacks and fun decorations. It was a ‘spooktacular’ afternoon!
Wellington Christmas Concert
Our final event of the year was our Christmas Concert, held once again at Ayr Town Hall. Guests were greeted with festive Christmas punch in the Chamber before the Music Department treated us to an incredible display of talent. This event raised over £2,500!
WSPTA Purchases
The WSPTA is proud to have funded the purchase of new picnic benches and tables for our Senior School. These new outdoor seating areas have
been very well received, offering pupils a nice seating area to enjoy their free time.
Additionally, we’ve made smaller yet impactful purchases, including water bottles for the Junior School Football team, as well as headsets and a music stand for the Music Department, for the school show.
Thank You
These events would not be possible without the incredible support of our committee members and teachers. I would like to personally thank them all for their support throughout the year.
Finally, a very big thank you to all the parents for their continued support, attending concerts, buying raffle tickets and much more. All this money goes directly to the WSPTA.
Date For Your Diary
Looking ahead, I’m excited to announce our next event: a Cheese & Wine Tasting evening, scheduled for Friday 16th May 2025. Please save the date in your diaries—we look forward to seeing you there!
Music Department Autumn Term Highlights
By Mrs Docherty
Guys & Dolls
S4-6 performed their 2024 production, Guys and Dolls, in Ayr Town Hall in October 2024; a change of venue, but no less professional a production!
Not being in the theatre allowed for greater scope and freedom of space. Mrs Bradley worked her magic in transforming the venue into a theatre. She cleverly concealed the corridors through which the cast used to come on stage and made the huge pipe organ vanish. Audience members commented that they did not feel that they were in Ayr Town Hall.
The cast was a single cast this time, putting principal characters under pressure to get it right every night. We also had many first-time chorus members on stage too. This was a fun production with spectacular dance numbers, stellar singing and hilarious delivery of the script.
Our 2025 production will be announced very soon!
Photos: Callum Gibbs Visual
Christmas Concert
Our annual WSPTA concert was a huge success once again, with large numbers of pupils taking part. The concert took place on Friday 13th December – unlucky for some (but not for us), and our first time on a Friday. This proved to be a record-breaker, with audience numbers exceeding any concert before.
As always, there were traditional Christmas numbers and performers, with Orchestras and Choirs, as well as the Bands and S6 soloists performing a variety of Christmas songs. This is always a great event in our school calendar, getting everyone into the festive spirit.
Charity Events
The Music Department aim to work with our local community for charity events, and this year we returned to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum to perform with the Jazz Band and S6 soloists. Visitors to the Centre and the Cafe were entertained with songs and carols in the afternoon. We hope to return soon!
The Jazz Band also entertained visitors to the School Christmas Fair, performing at the cafe by the Christmas tree.
We have several events in our calendar coming up with various pupils in the school. It’s never quiet in the Music Department! The main event coming up is our summer production of Annie Jr, performed by P4-6 on 3rd to 5th June 2025.
Preparing for a Performance By Bobby Curran (Music Captain)
Many people who attend musical performances, concerts, or any type of performance appreciate the individual talents of the participants but maybe don’t think about the time and effort that goes into practising one’s part. More notably, they may not consider the effort involved in practising with fellow musicians or cast members. This aspect of a performance is crucial to success. For example, one member of an orchestra could be the most talented musician of the time, but if they are not someone who can coordinate with others or have the patience to wait while someone else in their orchestra is helped with a section of their score, they may not enjoy the experience. This can be compared to being in a sports team - the practice before game day as a team is vital to a great game on the day.
Performing as an individual, as an orchestra, or as a cast is not something that can simply come from a vague knowledge of how to play an instrument or piece. It takes time to build the confidence to get up on stage and demonstrate your talent - it takes time to practice a piece, not just so that it sounds presentable in your room or wherever you practice, but to the extent that no amount of stress due to an audience can throw you off. Personally, before I walk out on stage, I ensure that the piece is engraved as deeply as possible into my muscle memory.
The work that goes on backstage cannot go unnoticed. The effort that musicians put into playing their instruments to the highest degree is often underestimated. Having pure talent or being ‘gifted’ is only a small part of being able to perform on stage. Being called ‘gifted’ has greatly irritated me in the past, as I feel it undermines the hours and hours of practise I put in before any performance. I have realised, however, that it is indeed a compliment and it really means, ‘that was such an impressive and coordinated performance; you must have put in so much time and effort’.
In all seriousness, performing in front of any number of people is a great feat and should be congratulated immensely. Even performing in front of an audience takes practise, as nerves can sometimes be overwhelming. However, after getting off the stage, there is always an amazing feeling of adrenaline that makes the nervousness to give a good performance all worthwhile, especially after playing to the best of your ability.
A WELLINGTON SCHOOL PRODUCTION
Carleton Turrets Hall
Tuesday 3rd June
7.00pm
Irwin Meyer
Wednesdy 4th June 7.00pm
Thursday 5th June 7.00pm
Presented on Broadway by Mike Nichols
Originally Produced by Stephen R. Friedman
Based on “Little Orphan Annie” By Permission of The Tribune Media Services, Inc.
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International
Book by Thomas Meehan
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Lewis Allen
Alvin Nederlander Associates Inc.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Icarus Productions
A Wellington Wedding
By Mr Stewart
We were delighted to help our school Music Administrator and Janitor, Fiona Shrinivas and Stewart Clifford, celebrate their wedding in the week before Christmas 2024.
The new Mr and Mrs Clifford chose Craigweil House to host their reception as they have a long association with the school well beyond their current roles. Both Fiona’s daughters, Rosalind and Alexandra, attended Wellington and Alexandra still provides singing lessons to our pupils. Alexandra demonstrated her own talent at the wedding with a beautiful performance of Ave Maria at the service in St Columba Church. Stewart joined our facilities team after a career in the police force and his own children attended Junior School.
To complete the family theme, the buffet reception was catered by our own catering couple, David and Dot Gray. The wedding guests enjoyed the food served in equal measure with the unique surrounds of our Craigweil House venue.
If you would like to host an event at Wellington using any of our sites or venues then please contact our Operations Manager, Robert Stewart (rstewart@wellingtonschool.org) to discuss your requirements. If you wish to re-connect with old friends and even arrange a social event at the school to revisit good times and fond memories then you might also like to join our official Facebook group for Former Pupils, ‘Wellington School Former Pupils’.
Flat Stanley Doubles: Primary 7’s Creative Twist for Wellington Open Afternoon
In preparation for Wellington School’s Open Afternoon on 5th November, Primary 7 pupils created their very own “Flat Stanley” versions of themselves.
These creative paper characters were proudly displayed in their classrooms, each accompanied by a personal quote from the pupil, sharing what they loved most about Primary 7 at Wellington. As a result, visitors attending after school hours still had the opportunity to “meet” Primary 7 pupils. Although the children had gone home, their Flat Stanley sat in their chair, offering a warm and welcoming stand-in.
Here are a few of the quotes from our Primary 7 pupils, giving insight into what makes Wellington so special to them:
“ We have different teachers for different subjects, which prepares us for S1, and we have our very own Chromebooks!”
Eloise
“ There are lots of extracurricular opportunities at Wellington, I do lots of running races at Wellington and I go to the athletics competitions as well.”
Freya
“When I joined I got my own Chromebook, and it has really helped my learning. The school is amazing.”
Zechariah
“I think that Wellington is unique because we have all these partnerships with other schools abroad, Germany and France. In P7 we get to go to Dortmund. Later on when you are older there are exchanges so you get to stay with a German or French family.”
Jamie
“ You get to have a taster day before you start P7 and it is a smooth transition through from P7 to S1 because you already know the school.”
Jane
“If you join Wellington at any point of the school, all the pupils make you feel like you’ve been there for ages! Classes are smaller which makes it easier for teachers to focus on everyone as much as they need it .”
Aarna
Euroscola 2024
In early October, a group of 13 Wellington pupils attended Euroscola in Strasbourg. The visit was organised by the European Ambassador School Programme and gave our pupils the opportunity to debate current issues with young people from across Europe in the Hemicycle, the EU parliamentary chamber.
Below, two of our S3 participants share their impressions of their visit.
“As a result of taking part in the Euroscola programme, I’ve started debating. Originally, I thought that being one of the youngest at Euroscola would make the experience not as enjoyable, and that the older participants would be participating more. That wasn’t the case. Every single person was made to feel welcome, and their opinions were all equally heard and spoken about. By the end of the debate, I found myself wanting to take part and share my views on the things spoken about.
During my time in Strasbourg, we not only attended the Euroscola programme, but got to travel and experience Strasbourg for ourselves. From the beautiful and unique architecture to the traditional foods, there was so much to do and see.
As soon as we first set out to the city, I was immediately captivated by the stunning buildings and gorgeous greenery all around us. One of the
first shops we went into was a macaroon shop - it felt fitting as we were in France!
After the majority of us had bought what we wanted, we were ready to leave the shop when I noticed a little tin sitting behind the counter. I thought it would be something nice to bring home and asked how much it was. Instead of facing me with a price, the worker gifted me the tin. It might not seem like much but that is a gesture that I’ll never forget, and that one act alone shows the kindness and humanity of Strasbourg that I wouldn’t be able to describe just in words.
I learnt so much through the Euroscola programme on both a political and personal level. I am truly thankful that I was able to experience it for myself and it is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. It helped me to build my confidence, and also my ability to work with other people who I wasn’t originally familiar with. I’d be so lucky if I were able to experience Euroscola again and I’m sure everyone else who participated would agree with me.”
Sophie Hastings, S3
What is Euroscola? Euroscola is an event where pupils can become a member of the European Parliament for a day and are able to take part in debating and decision-making and are able to listen to and communicate with fellow pupils.
“I went on this trip because I was extremely eager to learn about how Europe’s democracy works especially amongst younger people like myself. I visited Strasbourg together with a group of pupils from Wellington. One of our main aims for the trip was to visit the European Parliament. We had been looking forward to it for some time and wow! it did not disappoint. During our visit we were fortunate enough to be able to take part in debating in the main debating chamber of the Parliament. This gave us a real-life view on how democracy works in Europe. On our visit to the Parliament, I decided to take Scottish culture with me. I did this by wearing a skirt oops kilt. I received numerous amounts of positive and funny comments from the pupils who were there. They could certainly guess whereabouts we were from!
The day after the Parliament visit, we were able to go out and see the streets of Strasbourg. I must say the buildings were absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. I was able to look into all the marvelous little French shops, which were all just basically macaroon shops. What really caught my
eye however was the giant cathedral in the centre of the bustling streets of Strasbourg. I took loads of intriguing photos and managed to watch a wedding take place inside the cathedral! The city was extremely beautiful and was unbelievably breathtaking. I had an incredible time there and really wish I could go back.”
Sebastian Perry, S3
Geography Department Las Vegas & Grand Canyon Study Tour
By Mr Ledingham
The excitement buzzed among 34 S5 and S6 Geography pupils as they boarded the first flight on our journey from Edinburgh to Las Vegas. After a rapid, but straightforward connection at Heathrow, our voyage began in earnest. For many, this would be their first long-haul flight, and the journey itself became an adventure, filled with chatter, anticipation, and the chance to bond. And so it was, that ten and a half hours after take-off we descended over the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip.
The vibrant atmosphere of central Las Vegas was palpable as we made the short coach drive to the Hampton Inn Tropicana. After a quick orientation of the hotel, the pupils set off into the night to experience the ‘fine dining’ to be found at Raising Canes, Jack in the Box or Wendy’s! What followed was a slightly discombobulated night’s sleep for many, but all things considered the jet lag was not as intense as most had feared.
The vast hotel breakfast was a welcome sight at the start of Day 2, and many took advantage of the ‘all you could eat’ self-serve cooked options, cereals, yoghurts, fresh fruit and waffle station. Having ensured that all had water, hats and suncream, we left the air-conditioned foyer, stepping out into the morning heat of only 30°C. On the 20 second walk to our executive coach, our guide apologised for the cool weather and assured us that it would get better later in the day!
The journey west out of Vegas was filled with a sense of wonder as we drove past breathtaking views of the Mojave Desert, venturing into Death Valley National Park, a stark contrast to the green rolling hills of southwest Scotland. Having admired the surreal landscape at Zabriskie Point, our second stop allowed everyone to explore the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (backdrops for films such as Star Wars and Spartacus). Having not seen any rattlesnakes or scorpions, we moved on to the Harmony Borax Works, near the Furnace Creek Visitor Centre.
Next up, a surreal walk across the salt flats of Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America). The heat and rugged terrain were a challenge, but also an exciting learning experience about the resilience of life in such harsh conditions. After a day immersed in the quiet majesty of nature, the group returned to the high energy of Las Vegas and a lively Italian dinner at Buca di Beppo – a first taste of American-sized portions – and only accessible via a walk through the middle of the Excalibur Casino! The rest of the evening was spent relaxing in the hotel or making the most of the swimming pool.
Day 3, another amazing breakfast and another iconic location – Hoover Dam. This was a true highlight for the pupils, who were awestruck by its scale and engineering brilliance. The interactive Powerplant Tour was particularly engaging, offering insights into how the dam produces electricity and manages water for the entire region. Our lunch stop in nearby Boulder City allowed us to partake in another American delicacy, the 10” sub sandwich, and it was at this point that most of us stopped looking at the calorie count. Luckily our afternoon was spent exploring the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where our short hikes allowed us to capture photos of the dramatic desert landscapes, with many commenting on the contrast between the serenity of nature and the bustling life of Las Vegas. This difference was made even more apparent as we spent our evening walking up and down ‘the strip’ - taking in all the cultural wonders such as Caesars Palace and the Fountains of Bellagio on our way to our evening meal at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant.
The next morning, we awoke to the prospect of a day at the Grand Canyon (West Rim) – a part of the trip that was met with excitement and awe. Our somewhat eccentric tour guide narrated our journey, in his own unique way, and everyone was captivated by the sheer grandeur of the canyon, particularly at Eagle Point and Guano Point, where we took countless photos and marvelled at the geological history stretching back millions of years. Walking across the Skywalk, a glass bridge suspended over the canyon, was both thrilling and nerve-wracking for some, adding an unforgettable adrenaline rush.
Our tickets also gave us access to the native American Hualapai Ranch, where we explored the ‘old west’ and ate a hearty traditional dish called the Hualapai Taco. Upon returning to the city, we squeezed in some more time to visit parts of ‘the strip’ that we had missed out on the night before, before finishing our evening at the Hard Rock Café. Our coach driver, Janet, was something of a superstar and volunteered to take us on a nighttime tour of the vibrant sights and sounds of the city, getting us up close with the Sphere and Luxor Casino.
Unbelievably, our last day was now upon us. Janet, who had been so impressed by the courtesy and kindness shown by Wellington pupils, had voluntarily changed her work schedule to ensure that she was with us again. And so, the day began with a visit to the Springs Preserve, where we explored the botanical gardens and exhibits on the natural and cultural history of Las Vegas’ original water source. This allowed our Higher students to reflect on the importance of water conservation and the ingenuity behind adapting to life in the desert. Having checked out from our hotel, the afternoon was spent at the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets – this was a treat, giving pupils the chance to shop for souvenirs and to experience the full force of American retail culture. Before check-in we had just enough time to pose for a group photograph beneath the world-famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. And with that, the group left for the airport with full bags, tired feet, and countless stories to share.
Just time for one last surprise, as Professor Brian Cox joined us on the Transatlantic flight back to the UK, even agreeing to pose with our trip mascot, ‘Welvis the Bear’.
The overnight flight was filled with laughter, reminiscing and sleep as the group reflected on an unforgettable trip. Arriving home, everyone agreed that we were tired but enriched by the experience, bringing back not only souvenirs but also a deeper appreciation for nature, culture, and the vastness of the world beyond our home.
Room 15 is the Business!
By Mr Stewart
Programme of Senior School refurbishment continues with move of Business Studies to Room 15.
Following the creation of our Modern Languages Hub during the summer holiday, the next stage of classroom development in the Senior School was the move of Business Studies to the newly refurbished Room 15, previously used as a Language Lab.
The project required the stripping out of existing dated and obsolete fixtures and fittings, including a large boardroom style meeting desk, as well as moving existing fixtures and fittings from the previously used Business classroom.
Our own maintenance team, led by our Maintenance Manager, Mr McCall, started with the strip out of the room and finished by completing the flooring and final fitting out. Contractors were appointed to bring the connectivity and electrical wiring up to standards and allow our IT Manager, Mr Carr, to equip the room with a modern interactive white board. While our decorators
ensured the final appearance of the room matched the investment in resources and equipment. Mrs Carlyle even got on a set of ladders with a paint brush just to apply some finishing touches! With a combination of newly purchased and other “upcycled” classroom furniture we’re sure you’ll agree that Room 15 is a terrific environment for our pupils to learn the principles of business management.
Head of Department, Mrs Munn, commented:
“ Room 15 has had an amazing transformation from a language lab to a business classroom. The excellent skills of Ally and his team allowed cupboards and worktops to be reused. This was combined with new carpets and furniture to create a warm inviting learning environment. The department are thrilled to have been relocated, despite missing the wonderful view over to Arran. ”
S3 Pupils Complete Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Qualifying Expedition
By Mr Mooney
In September, a number of S3 pupils completed their Qualifying Expedition for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
After heavy rain and some really poor conditions in at Glen Trool in the Training Expedition, the weather at Loch Doon for their Qualifying Expedition was much kinder to them. Many of the pupils have now started working on their Physical, Skill and Volunteering sections of their Award.
We look forward to seeing how many return for their Silver Award and Expeditions in S4.
Junior School Celebrates Rights Respecting School Award
The Junior School has reached an exciting milestone in its journey as a Rights Respecting School, earning the Bronze Committed certificate. The Rights Respecting School Award is an initiative run by UNICEF UK, and this achievement highlights Wellington’s dedication to putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into practice within the school and beyond.
The journey doesn’t end here, however. The Junior School has already set its sights on the next goal, the Silver Award, and pupils and staff are actively working to further their mission to create a rightsrespecting community.
A key part of this effort is led by the Health and Wellbeing/Rights Respecting School group, made up of passionate and dedicated pupils. Each month, the group leads assemblies promoting the rights of the child, inspiring classmates and fostering a culture of respect and understanding throughout the school.
With the Bronze Award in hand and an enthusiastic team driving the initiative, the Junior School is well on its way to achieving Silver and furthering its mission.
Jake & Oscar’s Cricket Highlights from 2024
In 2024, S6 pupils Jake Woodhouse and Oscar Kirkwood enjoyed exceptional years in cricket, highlighting their talents and accomplishments at both the national and club levels.
Jake Woodhouse, had a standout year in cricket, excelling both at the national and club levels. He was selected to represent Scotland’s U17 team, competing in England against Northumberland, Gloucestershire, Cheshire, and Cumbria. Additionally, he played in the 2024 Celtic Cup in Northern Ireland, where he competed against Ireland.
At the club level, Jake continued to impress with Ayr Cricket Club’s 1st XI, notably scoring a century in a Scottish Cup match against Arbroath’s 1st XI. His outstanding season culminated in his selection for Scotland’s U19s 2026 World Cup training squad.
Oscar Kirkwood, also had an exciting and successful 2024. His year began with his annual trip to South Africa to train at the Serious Cricket Coaching Academy in Johannesburg, where he also trained with the Eastern Storm provincial academy team and played for Bedfordview Cricket Club. Upon returning, Oscar continued his training with Western Warriors and the Scotland
pathway team, from which he was selected as the Scotland U16s Captain for their campaign in the English County Championship, where the team achieved their first victory in several seasons in the competition against Lincolnshire.
In club cricket, Oscar finished the season as the top run scorer for Prestwick Cricket Club’s 2nd XI, despite playing only half the season, as he was called up to the 1st XI. Oscar went on to finish the season opening the batting for the 1st XI, a performance that earned him both Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year honours for the 2nd XI at Prestwick.
Looking ahead, Oscar started 2025 with another trip to South Africa for three weeks of training, and continued his Scotland Pathway training in preparation for the U17 Celtic Cup tournament against Ireland in August. Oscar has also taken on a new challenge by moving to Watsonians in Edinburgh, aiming to take his cricket to the next level.
With such impressive achievements in 2024, both Jake and Oscar have an incredibly promising future ahead in cricket.
Dr Gareth Powell Brings WWII History to Life for Primary 7
In November, Primary 7 pupils were treated to a special visit from Dr Gareth Powell as part of their World War II project.
Dr Powell, a longtime guest of the school, has been enriching pupils’ understanding of history for many years with his captivating storytelling. His engaging approach brings the realities of war to life, often through the personal experiences of his close friend, Ron Wilson, a World War II veteran.
Though Ron has since passed away, Dr Powell continues to honour his memory by sharing Ron’s powerful first-hand account of the war. Pupils find these stories particularly moving, gaining insight into the human side of history.
During one of his recent visits, Dr Powell’s parents also joined the class to speak about their experiences as wartime evacuees. Primary 7 were captivated by their stories, eagerly asking questions and learning more about the hardships and resilience of those who lived through the war.
French Exchange 2024
By Mrs Coontz
This session, we mark the 25th anniversary of our partnership with the Institut SaintDominique in Mortefontaine. In November, we hosted pupils from France and our pupils will go to France in June.
Some of our S2 and S3 participants share their experiences below.
“Before our French Exchange partners came, most pupils were very nervous about hosting a girl or boy from a different school. They arrived at lunchtime on 14th November. As soon as everyone got out of class for lunch, they rushed to see their French guest. We were all very excited and chatted with our partners for the whole of lunch! After lunch, we had classes and had to keep the excitement of taking them home to ourselves. The school day eventually ended, and we took our guests home to our houses. That night, I talked to my partner, Melanie, for hours; we were just getting to know each other a bit better.”
Olivia Caldow
“On a cold and breezy Thursday afternoon we waited for the French Exchange students’ arrival. Some were scared, some were excited and some didn’t know how to feel. When the time came, we
could see that they were nervous, too, but knew that we would have a close, lasting friendship. It was that night that we had great fun bonding over our similarities. But of course, they were tired after their early start, and we had to wrap it up and call it a night.”
“The next day, we arose to a cold Scottish morning, eager to learn more about each other. On the way to school we saw what looked like forever-frosted fields. We were glad to arrive at the warm and welcoming Wellington School. The bell rang and off we went to our first, but definitely not last, fun experience.”
Hannah Briggs & Ella Freestone
“We got to know our French guests through baking, chatting and by introducing them to Scottish culture. At the weekend we took them to various places around Scotland such as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Culzean Castle. We are sure everyone had an excellent time!”
“Our favourite activity was taking our friends bowling after school, an activity both cultures could enjoy. All the French visitors are welcome back and we hope that they had such a good time as we did!”
Amber Thomson, Scarlett O’Sullivan & Adam Reid
“I went to the Scotland v Croatia football game with my guests. It was the first time that they had been to a football match. We also went to the Camera Obscura in Edinburgh. It was great fun! When we got home Maxime and I went upstairs and played table tennis and air hockey and we had pizza afterwards.”
Blair Campbell
“We all went to the Burrell Collection in Glasgow for a tour and had a very nice lunch. After lunch, we went to the Silverburn shopping centre which everyone definitely enjoyed.”
Blair Campbell, Rory Reynolds & Lucca Ticcioni
“By the end of the week we were right, we had become close friends and had created some everylasting memories together. We are looking forward to creating more when we travel to France in June.”
Hannah Briggs & Ella Freestone
In the first 25 years of our partnership with the Institut Saint-Dominique, hundreds of Wellington pupils have travelled to France. In addition to our exchange programme, we have collaborated with Saint-Dominique on Comenius and Erasmus projects, UCAPE youth conferences and at Model United Nations conferences. A new project for next session is in the planning stages.
Magical Christmas 2024
By Mrs Coontz
On 1st December, 21 Primary 7 pupils and eight S6 mentors opened the first window of their Advent calendars before rushing to school to take the coach to Glasgow Airport. After weeks of excitement, departure day had arrived!
After two flights with a connection in Amsterdam, we finally reached Düsseldorf, although some of the luggage stayed in the Netherlands. A quick stop at the airport supermarket let us pick up essential supplies before taking another coach to Dortmund where we checked into our youth hostel and got ready for an early start the next day.
On Monday morning, we were met at the Mallinckrodt-Gymnasium by Herr Weishaupt, the Headmaster, and by the girls and boys of Klasse 6A. After the official welcome, everyone took part in ice-breaker activities before a guided tour of the school. The rest of the morning was devoted to Christmas-themed workshops. In the afternoon, one of the main highlights of the trip took place – the selfie tour of the Dortmund Christmas markets. Our German friends showed our P7s and their mentors round the markets while searching for the main landmarks of the city. Perhaps more shopping and eating was achieved than sightseeing. After school, more shopping was attempted before returning to the youth hostel for dinner and diary-writing.
“ I made some really good friends and the Christmas Market was a magical place. ” Elouise, P7D
Tuesday started very early for Charlie, Head Boy, and for Ewan, our piper. They were invited to attend the 8am Advent church service for Years 5 and 6. Turning up in full school uniform, the boys made quite an impression. This was surpassed in the final moments of the church service when the sound of the bagpipes could be heard in the distance. Then the door at the rear of the church was opened and the building filled with music as Ewan strode in playing his pipes at full volume. The pupils turned round in astonishment, and at the end of Ewan’s set, there was a spontaneous round of applause.
Primary 7 met their friends from 6A at school after the Advent service for a Christmas singalong in the Forum (main hall) and after that they played football or joined a dance session. As Mr Ness was one of the accompanying teachers, the German pupils were introduced to Scottish country dancing. After break, pupils chose one workshop from Chemistry, Christmas card-making or robotics.
German schools usually start at 8am and finish in the early afternoon. At lunchtime, our girls and boys went home with their new friends to spend the rest of the day experiencing life in Germany. The parents had arranged lots of different activities. Some children learned to cook Christmas biscuits, some visited markets, others went to the BVB football stadium, some played board games and everyone was well fed. At the end of the day, they returned to the youth hostel clutching bags of Christmas presents and with stories of the fun that they had had.
On the final day there was an early morning departure and we retraced our steps to Glasgow via Amsterdam.
Throughout the trip, our P7s were accompanied by our wonderful S6 mentors who each helped to look after a small group of children. This was an opportunity for the mentors to develop leadership skills and it gave them a little insight into what goes on behind the scenes on a school trip.
Our Primary 7 classes will keep in touch with Klasse 6A. Christmas cards have been exchanged and everyone hopes to meet up again next session when we will celebrate the 35th anniversary of our partnership. Plans for this are already well-advanced.
“ The Germany Trip gets 100 out of 10! ”
Jane, P7D
01 12 2024
We will be wearing our red hats and we have taken one for each of our German friends too.
Fred and Ted have packed their suitcase (which they borrowed from Mrs Coontz because Mrs Bradley’s is never big enough). They will fly out with 21 friends and 8 mentors to Dortmund to visit our German friends at Mallinckrodt-Gymnasium.
Seat belts on for safety and we made sure not to leave a mess on the buswe ate Doritos for breakfast and threw popcorn at our friends - which Mr Ness made us pick up when we got to Glasgow. Our arrival at Glasgow Airport was bang on schedule.
Ewan (Dudelsack) Johnstone helped us find our Departure gate where we waited for our flight.
The line for check-in actually wasn’t too long and the lovely check-in lady took our luggage. Hopefully it will arrive in the same airport as us.
We all found our seats on the plane quickly, many people asked who all the red hoodie people were, and we made lots of new friends. Eloise managed to get a window seat, and she very kindly let us share it with her.
We arrived at Dusseldorf airport safe and sound - unfortunately for seven of us, without any luggage. Thank goodness Mrs Coontz told us to pack an overnight bag until we are reunited with our luggage the next day.
At the hotel, we waited in reception until we found out our room sizes and were allocated a dorm. It had been a very long dayso it was straight to bed. Night Night everybody!
02 12 2024
Early morning call to get to school (in Germany they start school before 8amwe’re not usually out of bed at that time).
The school has a fabulous big meeting room where we did some ‘getting to know you’ activities.
Next, we did a selfie tour around the Christmas Market with our mentors and German friends, they even let us crowd surf.
Everyone got a chance to attend a class to take part in a Christmas Activity - we headed off to the staff room to meet the staff, who were so friendly. We were offered coffee, cake, water and were really well looked after.
03 12 2024
Ewan took his Dudelsack (German for Bagpipes) to Church and played for the School Service whilst we made our way to the school to meet back up with our friends. We played football and danced until it was time to leave with our Host Families for the afternoon. Mrs Bradley took us shopping and we made a new friend who came home with us.
The mentors were a great help during the trip and worked really hard. Although I think we have put them off becoming teachers. The expression ‘Herding Cats’ was mentioned on more than one occasion...
We went out again, with the mentors, to see the tree in the dark - the tree is made up of 1800 individual trees and this year it changes colour.
12 2024
All aboard the bus to the Airport at stupid o’clock. We have some sleepy heads, but we are on our way.
Safely boarded. We even got a chance to fly the plane!
We arrived at the airport with time to spare, so we helped for a while, whilst the pupils went shopping. After a game of hide and seek in the greenery it was time to board the plane.
All in all, we had a fabulous time and are so grateful to our new friends in Germany. We can’t wait to see them again, this time in Scotland!
Rugby at Wellington: A Journey From Pupils to Alumni
Rugby has long been a fundamental part of life at Wellington, with many pupils developing a lifelong passion for the sport. This issue highlights the journey of Oliver King, a current pupil who is determined to make his mark on the field. Alongside Oliver’s story, we feature a special Q&A with Robbie Fergusson, a former pupil who once played on the same pitches and has since transitioned into a successful professional rugby career. Together, these articles highlight the progression from school-level play to the highest levels of the sport, showcasing how determination, discipline, and passion can lead to great success.
Oliver’s rugby journey began at just 5 years old when he first started playing Mini Rugby at Ayr Rugby Club, a passion he quickly developed from his earliest days on the pitch. Starting in Primary 1, his natural talent and love for the game set him apart. By the end of Primary 7, his physicality and skill saw him jump up a year to take on more challenging competition.
Now, Oliver is a key player for the Ayr Wellington U16 team, coached by Mr Ritchie, where his dedication to the sport continues to shine. Training three times a week, with a game every weekend, he’s committed to honing his abilities and contributing to his team’s success.
Oliver’s hard work has not gone unnoticed. Last year, he was selected to join the Player Development Pathway academy for the Glasgow & West regional side, an achievement that allowed him to compete at an even higher level. He has also had the opportunity to attend Scottish Rugby U16 National development training sessions, gaining valuable experience and exposure to top-tier coaching.
Oliver’s latest rugby achievement is earning a spot in the Glasgow Warriors U16 training squad alongside fellow Wellington pupil Blair Black (S4). This is a fantastic achievement for both Oliver and Blair, reflecting their hard work and dedication to the sport. We look forward to sharing more details about their selection and progress in the Spring/Summer edition of The Turret.
Former Pupil Q&A
Name: Robbie Fergusson
Nickname at School: Fergie
Boarder or Day Pupil: Day
Position of Office: Rugby Captain
What house were you in? Montgomery
When did you attend Wellington? 2004 - 2010
Class of: 2010
Further Education: Business Degree
Occupation: Professional Rugby Coach
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Professional Rugby Player
3 favourite memories of your time at Wellington: Sports days, rugby tour & small classes
Name of Headmaster/Mistress:
Mr Parlour
Favourite Subject: Business Management
Favourite School Trip: Lake Garda Rugby tour
Favourite School Lunch: Crispy Chicken Wraps
Favourite Teacher and the influence they had on where you are today:
Mr Ness – He introduced me to rugby, which has pretty much formed the basis of my life and given me opportunities that I will be forever thankful for.
Favourite Sports Activity at School: General Games sessions
Did you continue with the sport after school? If so, please tell us where and who you played for:
Yes – Professional rugby player for 10 years with Glasgow Warriors, Scotland 7s, and Great Britain.
Earliest memory playing your sport: Games session on the old racecourse with Mr Craig and Mr Ness
What position did you play? Centre
First major competition outside of school playing your sport: Junior World Cup
Highest result playing your sport:
• Olympic Games
• 2 x Commonwealth Games
• 7s World Cup
Favourite place/country visited and competed whilst playing your sport: Hong Kong 7s
Best life lesson learned playing your sport: You only fail if you give up.
Most important item in your kit bag: Gum Shield
Any pre-event rituals you like to follow? Don’t believe in them.
What is your proudest achievement?
My family and becoming an Olympian.
Do you have a message for current pupils? Enjoy it.
Have you been back to Wellington since Speech Day in S6?
Yes, my daughter attended the nursery last year.
First competition at school playing your sport: Isle of Man P7 Rugby tour
Set Sail - The Sailing Adventures of our Pupils, Past & Present
It is no coincidence that Wellington School has produced many talented sailors. Its seaside location, with views of the Clyde and fresh sea air, fosters a strong connection to the water, inspiring both current and former pupils.
From a young age, many pupils have developed a passion for sailing. Sailing demands significant commitment, especially when braving adverse weather conditions and training through Scottish winters. Beyond the physical demands, sailing promotes critical thinking, self-reliance, resilience, and the dedication to practice over and over despite setbacks in order to succeed. As an immensely complex sport, sailing provides challenges at every level, these challenges requiring a positive mental attitude to overcome. These valuable life lessons, learned outside the classroom, lay a strong foundation for many aspects of a sailor’s education and future careers beyond the water.
At present, Wellington School has the highest number of pupils in the Scottish Sailing Team of any school in Scotland. Pupils currently in the team include Jessica Ewer and Ava O’Brien (S4), who are sailing in the RS Feva class, and Emilia Ewer (S2), who is sailing in the Topper class of dinghy. Pupils working towards selection include Charlotte McGaughey (P7), who is in the Optimist class dinghy. All of these pupils have been training over this and several previous winter seasons. This winter has been particularly remarkable, with the RYA Winter Championships and subsequent training weekends covering every named storm.
Success highlights to date include Jessica and Ava winning the RS Feva class at both the Scottish Summer and Winter Championships. Jessica also competes in the single-handed Laser class and was 1st U17 ILCA6 in UK ILCA woman’s regatta at the end of the 2024 season.
As part of the Scottish Team, Emilia recently travelled to compete in the Celtic Cup in Northern Ireland. Emilia also finished 3rd Junior Female (U14) at the UK Topper Nationals 2024. Charlotte achieved her first race wins at the Ulster Championships in Northern Ireland last season, securing 4th place overall in the Regatta fleet. Charlotte has since moved up to the senior main fleet.
At the start of March, Emilia and Charlotte were chosen to represent the Scottish Team at the upcoming Eric Twiname competition, set to take place in early May at Rutland Water. Emilia will be competing in her Topper, while Charlotte will be racing in her Optimist.
Isla Macleod (S3) has competed in the singlehanded Optimist fleet, and at her first IOCA (UK) Optimist British Nationals and Open Championships she finished 4th Girl in her fleet. Isla continued this success and won the Scottish Ladies Optimist Championships.
Not all pupils sail competitively; many, like Jane Hoper (P7) and Sofia Manners (S1), simply enjoy the challenge and camaraderie. Isla Macleod and her sister Mhairi (S1), along with their cousins Rory (S3) and Annie Cumming (P7), spend the summers cruising the west coast of Scotland. Sailing offers great opportunities to meet new people, build skills, and boost confidence. Wellington benefits from having Prestwick Sailing Club nearby, with many pupils participating in Cadet evenings after school. For more information, email secretary@prestwicksailingclub.co.uk.
Alex Cheng: From Sailing Instructor to Third Officer
Alex Cheng, class of 2018, has built an impressive and diverse career since his time at school. While at Wellington, Alex excelled academically, achieving outstanding results in Advanced Highers and Highers across a range of subjects, including Maths, English, Physics, Computing Science, Music, and Geography. In addition to academic success, Alex was also a member of the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and the school orchestra, being an accomplished violinist. While at school, Alex also qualified and worked as a sailing instructor at Prestwick Sailing Club.
Following his time at Wellington, Alex continued his studies at Warsash Maritime Academy, part of Southampton Solent University, where he furthered his interest in the maritime industry. After graduating, Alex embarked on an exciting career, travelling the world as a Third Officer with Princess Cruises. His commitment and hard work eventually opened the door to the prestigious world of Superyachts.
Alex has had the privilege of working on some of the most luxurious yachts in the world, including M/Y Azzam (180m), M/Y Tatoosh (92m), and is currently serving as Third Officer on the world’s largest yacht available for charter, M/Y Flying Fox (136m). This remarkable Lürssen yacht, which towers 32 meters above the waterline, equivalent to the height of three London buses stacked endto-end, continues to showcase Alex’s expertise in the maritime industry.
As Alex’s career continues to flourish, we look forward to watching his career progress and look forward to seeing where his travels will take him next.
Former Pupil Q&A
Name: Rita Templeton & Pamela Morrison
Maiden Name: Pamela Templeton
Boarder or Day Pupil: Day Pupils
Position of Office: Rita – Head Girl (1959/1960)
Pamela – Senior Prefect
What house were you in? Churchill
When did you attend Wellington? Rita – Nursery 1947 until Sixth Year 1960
Pamela – Nursery 1948 until Sixth Year 1962
Class of: Rita – 1960 Pamela – 1962
Further Education: Rita – St Martins Art School
Occupation: Company Directors
3 favourite memories of your time at Wellington: Friendships, many we still have to this day, Saturday mornings hockey matches at the Old Racecourse & school trips to European countries.
Name of Headmaster/Mistress:
Miss Donnachie & Miss Morris
Favourite Subject:
Rita – Art
Pamela – Maths & P.E
Favourite School Trip:
Rita – Rome
Pamela – Lake Geneva. Travelled overnight by train through France with 6 bunkbeds in a carriage
Favourite School Lunch:
Rita – Went home for lunch.
Pamela – Steam pudding with custard. On second lunch time sittings you would get second helpings. The lunch hall was located then where the nursery is now.
Favourite Teacher and the influence they had on where you are today:
Rita – Miss Brown the Art Teacher.
Pamela – Miss Morris the Maths Teacher.
Favourite Sports Activity at School:
Rita – Lacrosse and Hockey
Pamela – Hockey
What was your Competitive Sport?
Sailing. Dinghy class Hornets.
What position?
Rita – Crew
Pamela – Helm
How did you start the sport and where?
We were brought up on boats by our parents. Sailing out of Ayr Harbour and around the West Coast of Scotland.
First competition at school playing your sport: Hockey and Dinghy competitions.
First major competition outside of school playing your sport:
1961 Pamela won Scottish Poole AB Championships 1964 Hornet World Championships at Loch Earn
Highest result playing your sport:
• Hornet Dinghy: World All Female Champions
• Scottish Champions
• Runner Up European Champions
• Competed in 5 World Championships all over Europe including Hayling Island, La Baule, France & Muiden, Holland
• We were qualified to compete in the World Championships in Australia. We had written permission to enter and use the sailing clubs as they were male only in Australia at that time. Thankfully this is no longer the case.
Favourite place/country visited and competed whilst playing your sport:
La Baule, France at the World Championships in 1968. The weather, although it was bright sunshine and you burnt your feet on the sand, sailing on the Bay of Biscay the sea troughs/rollers were so big you could not see the boats around you as they disappeared into the rolling sea.
Best life lesson learned playing your sport: NEVER GIVE UP
Most important item in your kit bag:
Started sailing in wool jumpers to keep warm and then wetsuits were invented and we were the first to wear a brand called Buster suits and we advertised them. This made a huge difference especially when competing in cold Scottish waters.
What was your proudest achievement at School?
Rita – Head of School S6.
Pamela – Winning the MacFarlane cup for Mathematics in S6.
Do you have a message for current pupils? Choose a sport you love to succeed at.
Have you been back to Wellington since Speech Day in S6?
Yes, many times as Pamela’s grandchildren are current pupils and they are the third generation to attend Wellington School and are all in Churchill.
A Message to our Former Pupils
Former pupils of Wellington and Drumley House Schools continue to play a vital role in shaping our present and future.
We encourage all alumni to stay connected by joining our Alumni Network. We’re also looking for stories, photos, and videos from your time at Wellington, if you have anything to share or would like to sign up, please get in touch.
Additionally, we invite you to join our new Former Pupil Facebook group to reconnect, share memories, and stay updated on school news and events.
Email: formerpupils@wellingtonschool.org Facebook: Wellington School Former Pupils
A Note from the Editor
We hope you enjoyed this winter edition of The Turret! This biannual magazine aims to capture the essence of Wellington School.
I would like to start by thanking everyone who has contributed to the Turret, including our pupils, staff, and parents, for sharing stories, news, and work for display.
While it has been exciting reliving the last few months of the academic year, as always, trying to fit all our stories in can be quite tricky. If you feel we have missed something, please get in touch and we will seek to cover your story either on social media, the website or even the next edition of The Turret.
In the event of there being a factual mistake, please accept our apologies. If you get in touch, we will amend the digital version of the magazine, which is available on the School Publications page of the website: wellingtonschool.org/wellington-life/school-publications.
If you have any feedback, enquiries or requests, please contact Miss Cain via email: press@wellingtonschool.org or by telephone 01292 269321.
Additionally, the school would be delighted to supply you with extra copies of The Turret at no extra cost, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
