Autumn 2009 - George Heriot`s School

Issue No. 16 Autumn 2009
Quadrangle
G E O R G E H E R I OT ’ S S C H O O L
AN
EXHIBITION TO MARK
DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER
H E R I O T ’ S 350 T H A N N I V E R S A RY
I
The list of artefacts from the 300th anniversary helped
me trace George Heriot’s Letter of Denization of 1611
to the Berkshire Records Office that was on show for
the first time in 50 years.The Loving Cup had pride of
place and a newly commissioned modern-day
equivalent arrived in time for display.Various artefacts
from former pupils helped to throw a light on the life
in the School and were greatly appreciated.
n the Spring of 2008, Governors approved the idea
of including an exhibition as one of a series of events
to mark the 350th anniversary of the first pupils
entering the School.
I recognised that this would be an excellent opportunity
to draw on the work of our long-time archivist,
George Dixon who has, over the years, worked on
the indexing of the School’s archive material.
Approaches were also made to the National Archives
of Scotland, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and
Historic Monuments of Scotland, the National Library
and Edinburgh City Archives to discuss material which
may be used to highlight the rich and varied history of
the School. All of these organisations were very helpful
in providing access and advice, and it was clear at a very
early stage that we would be able to make use of a good
number of items which would throw a fresh light on
the School’s story. A brief
phone conversation with a
former pupil who said
that he had visited the
300th exhibition in
1959 and had found it
boring, reinforced my
commitment to try to
make the exhibition
interesting.
Bill McPherson of MKW Design was appointed as
consultant and his “know-how” and calmness helped to
ensure that all deadlines were met and that all the
exhibits were shown very professionally. Kenny
Herbert’s skills were put to good effect in designing
logos and styles for all displays, and the pupils –
Imogen Dewar, Jennifer Lannon, Fiona Plain,
Kirsten Wilson, Cameron Allan, Angus Millar,
Gordon Revolta and Michael Wilson Ainslie
were excellent guides. Tribute is also paid to the adult
helpers who welcomed visitors, and the work of
everyone concerned is reflected in the many favourable
comments by visitors. One or two foreigners were
puzzled that William Wallace was the architect, and
there were many anecdotes by “old boys” of their days
in the School; Ian Smith and Kenny Milne were two
people who were able to see themselves in exhibits and
Gavin Esler and Sir Bob Richardson were two
eminent Herioters who attended.
I was pleased that the outcome of
the many evenings and
weekends spent thinking
about and planning the
exhibition came to fruition
and it may be that in due
course some of this work
may be able to be used in a
more permanent fashion to
help illustrate what is a special
story.
I was particularly
keen to go beyond a display of mere
documents, and with this in mind, Jack McKenzie
was approached to see if he would record “The Tales
from the Turrets” which consisted of a series of
anecdotes from the past to throw light on tales such as
“The Drummer Boy” and “The Heriot’s Dog” and the
“bickering” with George Watson’s, and his excellent
rendition of these stories was a particular highlight of
the exhibition. I was also keen to highlight Heriot’s links
to the City of Edinburgh in which it has always played
a significant part.
FRASER SIMM
Treasurer
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
H
F ROM T HE H EADMASTER
350TH ANNIVERSARY SESSION OFF
TO A FLYING START
CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
As has been previously announced in
Quadrangle, full planning permission for
the construction of a new sports hall on the
Grassmarket Campus has been granted, as
has permission to demolish the building
which it will replace. Finalising the funding
arrangements involving bank finance has taken
some time and in the light of difficulties in
the banking world and the wider economy
Governors have taken a cautious policy of
delaying approval for the start of works.
Matters have progressed well however and
work should be able to start on site in
early 2010.
The opening of Heriot’s in the summer of 1659
was greeted with fanfare in the city of
Edinburgh. One contemporary account, using
Heriot’s old designation of hospital, said it was
“not ane ordinary hospital but a hospital very
famous…” If that has the ring of the advert for
a certain modern-day chain store celebrating a
mere 125 years, fine, because is it not true:
“Heriot’s is not just any school…”
Heriot’s is a very special school, and it is a
privilege for all present day members of the
school community to be players in its story as
it continues 350 years since it began.We are not
actors following a ready-made script, however.
The unfolding of the story will be determined
by our actions and accomplishments and the
ways in which we live out the values and ethos
of the School. In many ways therefore we are
co-authors of the next chapter. In a place like
Heriot’s, that responsibility could weigh heavily
with the burden of history, but there is plenty
in the achievements of the most recent years to
encourage and inspire us in our efforts to make
the coming session another great instalment of
the Heriot’s story.
themselves proud at all levels. Special
congratulations go to the S5 cohort,
whose Higher results, with 95.6% of all
their presentations resulting in grades A
– C, were the best of all the mainstream
independent schools in
Scotland. What a wonderful
way to start Heriot’s
350th Anniversary
session!
And the session has got off to a very good
start with the news of the results achieved
by our pupils in the 2009 SQA
examinations. A full summary can be found
on the Heriot’s website (www.georgeheriots.com) showing that our pupils did
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‘P RO U D
WITH GRATEFUL THANKS
We wish to record our gratitude to Mr Malcolm
and Mrs Anne Thoms for their most generous
donation of £15,000 towards the promotion of
rowing and drama at Heriot’s, in which
respectively their children Douglas (Class of
2006) and Beth (Class of 2008) were active and
very successful participants. Funds from this
donation have already been put towards the
purchase of two new single sculls for the
Rowing Club and a new lighting control desk
for drama productions.
ALISTAIR HECTOR
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE update
W
elcome to Quadrangle and may I
begin by thanking the many
contributors to this issue. We are
grateful to all of you who get in touch with news,
achievements, memories and photos – please
keep them coming.
Heriot’s began the celebration of the School’s
350th Anniversary in August with “The Heriot’s
Story” and the School was delighted to welcome
back many former pupils, friends and tourists to
the exhibition. As I write we are looking forward
to “Heriot’s Fun Day and Pageant” and the
“Gala Dinner”. The Dinner will be attended by
almost 500 members of the Heriot Community
representing all generations. More news on
the 350th Anniversary events can be read in
this edition.
at the end of last session to the former
pupil database, day to day enquiries
and the Annual Fund. The Annual
Fund Report 2008-09 can be found on
pages 4 and 5. The total last year is
considerably lower than that raised in
2007-08 so we are particularly grateful
our donors in these uncertain times.
However, we are not despondent and I
am pleased to report that since its
inception the Annual Fund has raised
over £500,000 for the School.
Please find enclosed a Gift Card for the 2009-10
Annual Fund. Donations of any size are gratefully
This edition contains more school memories, and received to go toward Bursaries, the Foundation
achievements by former pupils of all ages. We or the General Fund.
continue our introduction to members of the
We hope you will enjoy Quadrangle and please
Board of Governors together with news of the
do keep your articles and news coming.
Heriot Club and Regional Clubs activities,
The Development Office has been kept busy with reports on past reunions and notices of JO EASTON,
Director of Development
reunions, adding our pupils who have left school forthcoming reunions and events.
Heriot ENTERPRISES LTD
Exhibition photograph
One item of special interest in the exhibition was the staff photograph taken in session 1958-59. Many
former pupils expressed an interest in receiving a copy of this photograph and this is offered for sale at a
cost of £5 payable to Heriot Enterprises. Most of the names of the staff have been supplied and steps are
currently underway to fill in the few remaining gaps.
For further information please contact:
The Treasurer
Tel: (+44) 0131 221 6700
George Heriot’s Trust
Fax: (+44) 0131 221 6724
Lauriston Place
Email: [email protected]
Edinburgh, EH3 9HE
Major Credit Cards accepted.
Staff photograph 1958-59
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
3
H
Annual Fund 2008-09 Report
T
his year’s Annual Fund closed on 31 July with a total of £75,574
having been raised to benefit the three categories – Bursaries, The
Foundation and General. Thank you to ALL our donors; we really
appreciate your support.
Although the sum raised this year is somewhat lower than we have raised in
the past we are not despondent as the Annual Fund has now raised over
£500,000.We very much hope that in this the 350th AnniversaryYear of the
School you will consider becoming a donor to this worthwhile cause.
BURSARIES
With your support our Bursary Fund continues to be considerably
enhanced, allowing us to assist with the education of a number of pupils
who otherwise would not be able to come to Heriot’s.
THE FOUNDATION
Donations to the Foundation are much appreciated and have provided extra
assistance to Foundationers, to continue George Heriot’s wish to educate
‘fatherless bairns’.
GENERAL FUND
Art and Design Department
IT Department
Over the summer we have installed a new IT system called ClickView.
ClickView is a whole school Digital Media System. It allows teachers to
‘P RO U D
General: £44,149.50
20.2%
58.4%
Bursaries:
£15,232.87
21.4%
Total: £75,574.00
The Foundation:
£16,191.63
utilise video in the classroom using a Computer and Projector, without
the worry of DVDs,VHS tapes and Televisions. ClickView creates a central
point of administration for all lesson content. This system also enables us
to record and play back live television programs. This system will be
extremely useful and is now available in every classroom at George
Heriot’s. Thank you very much to the Annual Fund for providing the finance
for this new system.
Adrian Semmler – Director of IT Services
Biology Department
Inspiring the next generation of biologists….
At the start of the new session, teachers in the Art and Design Department
were delighted to introduce animation as a new area of study, initially to S6
as an Interest Class and to Junior School pupils as an extracurricular club.
This curricular expansion has come about through the support of the donors
to the Annual Fund along with the expertise and enthusiasm of two members
of the Art and Design Department, in particular Mrs Susanne Rasmussen
and Ms Rachel Bevan-Baker (a founder member of the animation company
Red Kite). Our teachers believe that animation has huge potential, which
can tie in with what we are already doing and are still to discover. It should
be the start of an adventure for students and the Department (animated
presentation of fashion; storytelling that ties in with Junior School themes;
the animated George Heriot’s Story; small flick films that explain about
colour; a drawing drawing itself; the moving sculpture; the story of an artist;
these are just a few examples of what is possible.)
Our Animation Wish List consisted of two PC laptops, two DV
Camcorders, two tripods and software. Through generous funding from
the Annual Fund all of these items have been purchased and teachers have
been able to embark on a new journey of discovery with pupils. We thank
all donors for their support and look forward to sharing animation success.
Amanda Thomson – Principal Teacher
4
FUND
OF OUR
2009 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest
Edinburgh-University educated biologists: Charles Darwin. It was also a
great year for the Biology Department at George Heriot’s School. Our
increased pupil uptake, most notably at Higher level, placed demands on
our teaching space, resources and specialist equipment. We have been
delighted with the transformation of room 417 into a new, purpose-built
and well equipped biology lab. In particular, staff in the Biology
Department would like to thank the Annual Fund donors for their generous
contribution towards new, up-to-date laboratory equipment – including
hand-held colorimeters and rechargeable microscopes. Key to the study
of biology, microscopes are essential items that are used regularly in all
classes. Colorimeters allow us to measure colour changes during
experiments. Our new models are versatile items of laboratory kit – and
can be used by S1-S6 pupils alike. A big thank you to the Annual Fund
donors who make it possible for us to extend our range of practical
opportunities for budding biologists, across all levels.
Ann McKenzie – Principal Teacher
School Rowing Club
At the end of last session the Rowing Club was delighted to receive its new
towing vehicle and would like to take this opportunity to offer a most
sincere ‘thank you’ to all Annual Fund donors. Our rowers race all over
the UK and with them travels their boats, oars and associated kit, in a thirty
foot trailer. The retirement of our old towing vehicle had led to a number
of logistical problems and without the generosity of our Annual Fund
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
donors the Rowing Club would have been grounded. However, as it stands
the vehicle has already travelled to regattas in Aberdeen, Glasgow and
Henley, each time performing superbly.As well as playing a pivotal support
role to our Rowing Club, the new Land Rover is a resource which will be
put to use throughout the School community, and whether it be shifting
props for a drama production or transporting pupils to Goldenacre the
kindness of our donors will not be forgotten.
Ian Munro – Rowing Club
JUNIOR SCHOOL
A sum of money from the General Fund has been put aside to acquire
outdoor equipment for the Junior School. Staff are in discussion with an
outside company to decide the design of equipment that would work best.
News on the purchase will be reported in the next edition.
white currants, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, rhubarb and goji
berries plus peaches and nectarines to plant in the Fruit Garden.
As well as the members of the Eco Club, many classes worked in the garden.
Primary 7 for example, spent several tiring hours learning what it was like
to “Dig for Victory” as part of their World War II topic. Primary 3 classes
learned about organic gardening when they planted marigolds, lavender
and chives to attract the harmful insects away from the fruit trees and
bushes.This enhanced their study of their Minibeasts topic. Approximately
30 Junior School pupils have been coming along every Wednesday
lunchtime to help Arthur with weeding and plant maintenance.
As expected, there has not been a great deal of produce this year, although
several lucky people tasted our first small crop of berries. Next year, once
the trees and bushes become established, (and barring another invasion of
aphids) we hope to be making several varieties of jam, fruit smoothies
and pies!
Although still in its infancy, this project is providing several worthwhile
opportunities to teach the pupils about organic gardening, healthy eating,
self-sufficiency, Scotland’s native fruit species and business enterprise.Take
a wander round the Big Fruit Garden and be inspired.
Jean Naysmith – Junior School Eco Club
The Junior School Eco Club recently visited the BFG to view ongoing
progress. Here are some of their comments.
‘It’s really worth the wait for the fruit’. Emma P6
‘My mouth is watering at the thought of all the fruit’. Becca P4
‘I think the BFG is really good because you have seen all the green shoots growing
up and all the plants starting to grow’. Ross P5
Junior School Eco Club – update
A generous grant from the Annual Fund last year has enabled many children
in George Heriot’s to work together and establish our new venture, the
Big Fruit Garden (BFG).
‘I am so excited about the BFG because we are helping the planet by growing
our own fruit and not getting it flown in and using up fuel’. Elen P6
The children in the Junior School Eco Club spent time poring over fruit
catalogues and, with the help of Arthur, our gardener, chose a vast selection
of autumn fruiting, native varieties of apples, plums, pears, redcurrants,
The Annual Fund 2008-09 Report including a list of donors can
be read on the School’s website, www.george-heriots.com –
under the Former Pupils/Development/Annual Fund section.
Heriot’s 350th Anniversary
The programme continues with the following key events:
Heriot’s Family Fun Day and Pageant – a day of varied activities for
all ages, with music, dance and other pursuits on a Jacobean and
Renaissance theme took place on Saturday 5 September. Photos and news
will be in the next edition.
The 350th Anniversary Gala Dinner – a glittering occasion to
celebrate the Anniversary with contributions from a number of wellknown Herioters at Prestonfield House was held on Saturday 19
September. A report on this event will be in the next edition.
George Heriot’s School Art Fest – As we embark on a two-week
programme of events, for pupils and for members of the Heriot’s
community, join teachers in the Art and Design Department in the GMC
lecture theatre, on the evening of Monday 5 October, to delight in the
millinery magic of Felicity Faichney and Fenella Kerr. Wear a hat for
this event! See the School website for details of all other events; Monday
5th October to Thursday 15th October 2009 (after school hours).
New School Song – Stop Press: Plans are now underway for the ‘New
School Song’ competition which is part of the 350th Anniversary
celebrations. This is open to all Herioters, old and new, and their musical
parents and teachers! Entry forms will be available shortly from Mrs Jones
in the Music Department at School, or will be available to download from
the school website. The prize for the best song will be £500!
“Jinglin’ Geordie’s Legacy” – the publication of a special
commemorative edition of Brian Lockhart’s history of Heriot’s. This will
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
be given as a gift to all current pupils and staff, and a limited number will
be available for purchase through Heriot Enterprises Ltd.
Plant a Tree – in keeping with Heriot’s status as a Green Flag school, and
in conjunction with the GlobalTrees Campaign and Sentebale,The Princes’
Fund for Lesotho, there will be a project to plant at least 350 trees (some
at the School, many at Goldenacre, and others at projects caring for orphans
and vulnerable children with the support of Sentebale in Lesotho) and
to raise funds for Sentebale’s work in “the mountain kingdom”; further
information will be available on the School website.
Usher Hall Concert – an opportunity to celebrate the 350th
Anniversary in spectacular musical style as Heriot’s returns to the newly
refurbished and extended Usher Hall for a concert with pupils from Junior
and Senior Schools; Thursday 10th December 2009, in the Usher Hall.
The Heriot Ball – a repeat of the hugely popular Ball run jointly
by the Parents Association and Heriot Club, with a special focus
on the 350th Anniversary; Friday 7th May 2010, at Prestonfield
House Hotel.
The 350th June Day – a special commemoration of the Founder to
celebrate 350 years of the gathering of the Heriot’s community in his
honour; Monday 7th June 2010, at the School.
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
5
H
Introduction to School Governors
MR GEORGE SYDSERFF
M
y connection with the School spans not only my own lifetime as a
teacher, but extends back into the early days of Heriot’s Hospital in
the 17th century. From the ’60s onwards my entire family has at one
time or another been involved at Heriot’s – we had thought that was the first
point of contact. However, research brought to light an ancestor, Thomas
Sydserff, who was one of the first Governors – a member of the Burgh Council
and a minister in the City of Edinburgh in 1627.The family connection continues
– I’m on the Board of Governors and my younger son is a minister in the south
side of Edinburgh! History has a strange way of repeating itself!
With retirement I have been able to spend more time in Christian work, which
is very important to me. I particularly enjoy running Christianity Explored
twice a year, hard work but immensely rewarding. Teaching experience has
come in very handy! I had always been involved in my Church and also in the
Christian Union in School, but while employed I was very aware of the
constraints of time.These days I have the time and the health to do those things
which are so important to me. To relax I enjoy fly-fishing, which interest goes
back to my youth. I was encouraged to restart the School Angling Club soon
after joining the staff…
In 1965 I was appointed by Dr Dewar to the Physics Department where I spent
many happy years introducing first boys, then both boys and girls, to the
intricacies and fun of Physics. These were years of lasting relationships within
the class and staff rooms. It is a constant reminder of the family atmosphere
encouraged by the School when FPs come up and introduce themselves. The
hard part is identifying the boys and girls in the middle-aged men and women
they have become. At least they still recognise me, despite the passing of the
years, which is an encouragement!
That long-term involvement in Heriot’s has given me a unique perspective on
the various roles played by the School and Governing Body. Admittedly my
experience of education in the wider Scottish scene is limited, but my knowledge
of Heriot’s is extensive. In my years as a member of staff in Administration I
was privileged to be closely linked to the Foundation. It is principally here that
my role as a Governor lies. The Foundation was integral to the life of Heriot’s
at its inception and continues to be one of its major strengths today.As Convenor
of the Foundation I have enjoyed a close working relationship with the Trust
and the School: ‘The Foundation exists to aid the maintenance and education of
Foundationers with special emphasis on the “welfare and best interests of the children
concerned”’. The ethos of those principles worked out so many years ago has
permeated the attitude of the Heriot Community and has contributed to the
reputation of the School in the wider educational field. The Governors are
constantly looking for ways to implement the vision in a changing society.
But how did I come to be a Governor so soon after
retiring as an Assistant Head in the Senior School? I
was appointed to the Board by the Presbytery of
Edinburgh in 2004 and welcomed the
opportunity to continue the links established over
the previous 37 years. I saw it as a way of repaying
some of the benefits which I and my family had
enjoyed. I am also on the Bursaries and
Scholarships and Education Sub-Committees and
have appreciated the skill of those with whom I work.
The Board Meetings demand both thorough
preparation and visionary thinking; I have
learned much working alongside such
able and committed people.
DR MARK STRACHAN
M
y fellow Governor, Henry Philip, and I were both educated at
Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen. Henry was there just a few
years before me, but we had similarly distinguished school careers.
Henry was the School Captain and Otaki Scholar (the highest possible honour
that can be bestowed on a pupil at Gordon’s) while I was made a library
prefect……… well alright, maybe Henry did a bit better than me! I first
walked through the doors of Heriot’s in 2001 with my wife at one of the Open
Days.We loved the atmosphere in the school and I was struck by the numerous
parallels between Heriot’s and Gordon’s. For example, both were founded in
the 17th Century with legacies from generous business men and both were
originally all-boys schools which later recognized the benefits of co-education.
I have to say though that it was a source of considerable sadness to me at the
time that the first girls joined Gordon’s only the year after I left the school.
In 1986 I travelled south to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
This was in an era before ‘work experience’ and so my only experience of
medicine before I started university was watching ‘Dr Kildare’ on television,
a visit to Aberdeen Sick Children’s Hospital after I had swallowed a nail and
witnessing a Caesarian section on a dog. While my medical career has been
immensely rewarding it has been a little disappointing that ‘Dr Kildare’ did
not turn out to be an entirely accurate portrayal of life on hospital wards. I
should also report that the Caesarian section went well for the dog, but ended
badly for me as I fainted. Prospective university students are a lot better
prepared now and I never cease to be amazed at the work experience,
community service and charitable activities that Heriot’s pupils have
undertaken. Each year I give mock university entrance interviews to some
of the senior Heriot’s pupils who are planning on studying medicine and I
always leave these interviews feeling impressed, overwhelmed... and rather
inadequate!
I now work as a consultant physician in diabetes and endocrinology at the
Western General Hospital and am a part-time senior lecturer at the University
of Edinburgh. Endocrinology is the speciality that deals with disorders of
hormone-producing glands such as the thyroid and pituitary. As well as my
clinical duties I also spend time performing research into the effects of adultonset diabetes on the brain and liver. I am privileged to be involved in the
work of several patient charities including the British Thyroid Foundation, of
which I am a trustee, and Diabetes UK.
On the Board of Governors, I represent the Royal College of Physicians of
Edinburgh. The College oversees medical examinations, education and
training for doctors in specialist (internal) medicine. Sir Archibald Stevensone,
a Fellow of the College, was appointed physician to the
school in 1666. Heriot’s and the College have
been closely linked ever since and in 1931
the College was granted the power to
appoint a representative to the Board of
Governors. I was elected a Fellow of the
College in 2002 and was delighted to join the
Board in 2007, following the retrial of Dr
Claire Benton. One of my predecessors was
physician to the school for 59 years – I doubt
I will last that long, but it certainly has been
a remarkably enjoyable and rewarding
experience serving on the
Board thus far.
It’s a source of pleasure for me to be
part of this team and I hope to
continue for as long as the opening
is there.
6
‘P RO U D
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PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
FORTHCOMING
Reunions
25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION FOR THE CLASS OF ’84
CLASS OF 2009 CHRISTMAS DRINKS
Saturday 31 October
Wednesday 16 December
The Development Office has been working on finding contact details for
as many of the class year as possible. Invitations to the Reunion have been
sent out. If you know of anyone from the year group who has not been
contacted please ask them to get in touch with us.The Reunion will begin
with a tour of part of the School, followed by a Drinks Reception and
Dinner. The evening will be informal and a great opportunity to catch up
with friends.
The Development Office is hosting a Christmas Drinks Reception for all
Former Pupils from the Class of 2009 to come back to the School and
catch up with classmates and staff after their first few months of leaving
Heriot’s. Invitations will be sent out by email in early November but please
note the date in your diary, and we hope to see you then.
Message from Niall Garvie:
10TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION FOR THE CLASS OF ’99
“I find it hard to believe that on the 6th of September this year was 38 years to the
day that I started at Heriot’s. 38 years on I am still in touch with several people I
went to school with and two who started on the same day as me. Having been back
to the School for June Day last year I was amazed how much had changed (the
singing is even worse now) but it did remind me how much I enjoyed my time there.
I am very much looking forward to catching up with many old year mates at the
reunion in October – who knows a libation or two in the Dead Dog may well follow.”
Sunday 27 December, Goldenacre
Keith Sutherland is organising the 10th Anniversary Reunion to take
place on Sunday 27 December at Goldenacre’s Club House, Inverleith Row.
It is hoped that many will come along for a chance to catch up with
everyone. Please put the date in your diary. For further details please
contact Keith on email [email protected]
50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION – FIFTH AND SIXTH YEAR IN 1959-60
Friday 4 June 2010
The Development Office is starting work to find those who were in either
Fifth or SixthYear during session 1959-60. If you are in the FifthYear group
but did not leave until the following year you are welcome to attend both
this reunion and the 2011 reunion should you wish. Likewise if you are in
the SixthYear group and came last year, we would be delighted to see you
again! Our view is that all are welcome and you should feel free to take
the opportunity to catch up with as many friends as you would like.
Part of the success is down to valuable help from FPs in gathering names
and addresses for their classmates. We are seeking help and would ask
everyone to spread the word. If you know of someone not receiving
Quadrangle please contact us with their details. We will be gathering
names and addresses, and plan to send out initial information on the
Reunion in early December.
PREFECTS 1959-60
Back row: G Wilson, G Mackay, B Chapman, D Manson, J Beck, E Simpson, W Dickson
Inset: W. McP. Robertson
Middle row: R Pringle, D Crichton, W Brown, H Gilmore, B Philp, E Gunstensen, H Brash, I Pennie, J Cunningham, G Wightman
Front row: D Goddard, G Abbott, I Brown, P Pretsell School Captain, Headmaster, D Middleton Vice-Captain, G Paterson, G Moffatt, C Paterson
‘P RO U D
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PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
7
- Past Reunion Tercentenary Types Get Together Again
50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION – FIFTH AND SIXTH YEAR 1958-59
Headmaster Alistair Hector assured us in his welcoming words that our
illustrious School remained in good heart, and that was patently obvious
from the tour of buildings much modernised from our times spent in the
classrooms and laboratories, and also much evident from the pleasant
and confident demeanour of the prefects who helped to conduct us during
our visit. A group of more than 50 former pupils, who had departed from
the Senior School in the Tercentenary Year at the close of session 1958-59
or were proceeding into the Sixth Year, gathered for their 50th
Anniversary Reunion on the evening of Friday June 5, 2009, at the start of
the June Day weekend.
Informality marked the occasion, the latest in a sequence of successful
reunions, as men who had not met since schooldays, and others who had
remained in touch over the years, fell into easy conversation about
professional lives led and challenges faced across five decades, then were
spirited back to recall schoolmates, masters and mistresses and experiences
good and bad that had prepared them for life itself. Nicknames proliferated
as individuals now in their late 60s were addressed by titles that they had
picked up while in school uniform: some were delighted to be recalled by
their Heriot monikers, others not so keen. Memories were stirred by the
chat and by strolling through areas of the campus which remained eerily
familiar and yet had been adapted to meet contemporary demands – the
old bikesheds and a former janitor’s house now equipped with computer
keyboards, the mass latrines replaced by more tasteful provision, the barnlike chemistry labs now divided into smaller units each neatly fitted out and
decorated in cheerful hues. Elsewhere the chapel remained serenely, and
movingly, unchanged.
Those at the reunion remembered the rather dingy old chemistry labs with
their acrid aromas as the domain of masters Bill Brow, Sammy Miller,
Roger Blamire and DRK Middlemass, the last-named an eccentric,
bespectacled figure of legendary status known as The Midd. Here was the
scene of The Midd’s explosive demonstration to a class of would-be chemists
when a slight miscalculation in the use of a sliver of magnesium ribbon
created a procession of bright flashes within a pneumatic trough and a bang
of terrifying volume that shattered glass tubing and vessels, and caused
alarmed members of staff to scurry into the lab to render assistance. The
Midd remained loftily unfazed, and even spotted a positive element amid
the assorted debris that now littered his demonstration bench. Amazingly,
one item of glassware remained intact, and The Midd picked it up with a
flourish and declared: “Boys, it just shows you how strong round-bottomed
flasks are!” It must be stressed that no-one was injured, even slightly, in the
blast, though the big class was stunned into complete silence for once, and
the proper result of the experiment remained obscure… a blank in the
class’s lab books. But the explosion remained clear in the memory.
Other members of staff mentioned by many at the reunion, with varying
degrees of affection and awe, were the headmaster William McL Dewar,
who came over as a stern disciplinarian, but was kindly and considerate in
private matters; the fearsome Doc Smith and charming Miss Cullen
(music); the cerebral Kipper Heron and scathing yet admirable Charlie
Broadwood (English); the dead-eyed George Blamire (art) who could
despatch sticks of chalk and other missiles with precision across any room;
the fragrant and graceful flower Miss Kirkpatrick (biology), the
enthusiastic duo of Willie Gould and Spike Elder (history); the
immaculately-groomed Algie Inglis (Latin) whose after-shave was as
pungent as any perfume favoured by Miss Kirkpatrick and whose special
school chum was Kate Smyth (German); the elegant catering supervisor
Miss Forgan, whose imaginative provision of school lunches led to long,
patient queues of dedicated diners snaking across the quadrangle; and the
saintly chaplain the Rev Andrew Graham, who guided us in matters
spiritual and temporal.
Andrew Graham saw senior classes for one period per week within the
contemplative atmosphere of the chapel, and he fielded many awkward
questions about the ways of the world and attempted to answer them, his
eyes closed and yet cast towards the chapel ceiling (and heaven) as we hung
on his every word of wisdom. One chap at the reunion recalled that the
padre had been asked by a class whether smoking was a worse habit than
drinking or vice-versa. A tricky one that, and a long pause ensued while the
chaplain framed an appropriate response. Casting his closed eyelids to heaven
once more, Andrew Graham, who enjoyed a puff it must be said, concluded:
“Well gentlemen, I would put it this way... I have heard of many, many
marriages failing because of strong drink, but I have never heard of a marriage
failing because of smoking.” His pronouncement spread like wildfire
thereafter, and was translated perversely by schoolboy word of mouth as:
“Holy Joe says it’s okay to smoke fags.”
Our June reunion, which was arranged with keynote flair and efficiency by
Jo Easton and Margaret Peat of the Development Office, opened with
the tour then a reception with wine and much close observation of
photographs of class line-ups and sports teams in the former refectory, which
is now set aside for staff. The group gravitated to the new refectory, which
is adjacent to the old examination hall, for a splendid buffet dinner presented
by the delightful ladies of the catering staff: the catering ladies in our time
were delightful, too! A larger range of photographs from yesteryear was on
display, the hubbub of conversation interspersed with raucous laughter was
incessant, and most participants agreed that 50 years had passed remarkably
quickly.We regretted that several members of the 1958-59 group, who had
experienced the unique events held to mark the TercentenaryYear, had died
in the interim, and that others had been unable to swell the numbers because
of illness or because they now live in faraway places.Those present included
FPs visiting from various parts of the UK and from several overseas countries
including Australia, Costa Rica, South Africa and Switzerland.The group had
done well in their working lives, give or take, and reflected expertise in a
wide range of professional pursuits, from academe and acting to petroleum
and pharmaceuticals, from electronics and engineering to the merchant
marine and municipal government. And so on.
Binding the group were the qualities that had been instilled and reinforced
by a Heriot education presented by dedicated members of staff, and by
sporting and extra-curricular activities which many deemed highly
influential. Striking, too, was the fact that a half-century had barely altered
individual personalities. Laddies who were reserved and reflective those
years ago remained mainly reserved and reflective, and those who were full
of the joys and jocular remained mainly full of the joys and jocular. Give or
take the odd aches and pains that had set in with the passage of time, the
group remained in remarkably good heart. Just like the Old School we will
always revere.
DOUGLAS MIDDLETON, Fifth Year, 1958-59
8
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
50th
Anniversary Reunion
Fifth and Sixth Year
1958-59
Back Row: I Lewis, S Brown, P Holt, G Paterson, R Owens, A Jeffreys, P Ewart
2nd Back Row: J Williams, F Walker, D Goddard, D Middleton, I Young, D Manson, I Carter, I Millar, G Whitecross, C Blaikie,
G Pope, A Hector
3rd Back Row: D Binnie, C Cumming, R McFadzean, J Fiddes, P Wight, C Paterson, D Bishop, R Cormack, J Sharp, C Allan,
B Roy, A Milne, B Grant, I Dickson, M Hunter, A Hume, A Sinclair, I MacPherson
2nd Front Row: N Morrison, J Catherwood, A Irons, D Forsyth, R Brown, B Grahamslaw, D Campbell, G Garvie, A Sanderson
Front Row: M Spooner, S MacDonald, M Abbott, H Henderson, G Burden, G Musselbrook, D Gloag, J McEwan, M Ramage, J McKenzie,
I Stuart, D Shiell
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
9
GEORGE HERIOT’S SCHOOL SCOUT GROUP 1909-2009
Centenary Celebrations
10th and 11th October 2009
T
he Scout Group has organised a number of events over the
weekend of 10th and 11th October to mark the occasion of
the George Heriot’s School Scout Centenary. A good
response has been received and they are looking forward to
welcoming former Scouts of all ages. Should anyone require further
details please contact the Centenary Committee, c/o Chris Ayton,
at email [email protected], or tel 0131 662 8721, or
via the Development Office.
1965 Kimmerghamme Scout Camp, kit inspection photograph courtesy of G Douglas Shiell
HERIOT CLUBS
Annual Dinner O F T H E H E R I O T C L U B
The Heriot Club celebrated the Founder at the Annual Dinner in
the magnificent setting of the School on June 6. A Champagne
Reception was held in the Council Room, before Neil Gillies,
President of the London Club, piped over ninety Herioters,
partners and guests into the Old Refectory for dinner.
For further information
please contact:
Cara Watt
Telephone:
07801 949288
Email:
[email protected]
The theme of this year’s Dinner was the imminent 350th
Anniversary and the Club was delighted to welcome as speakers
Richard Goddard (Class of ’86), Fraser Simm (Treasurer to
the Trust), Chris Sibbald (School Captain 2007–2008) and the
Headmaster.
This event is held every year on the Saturday before June Day and
details of the next Dinner will be in the spring copy of Quadrangle
and on the website. Join us next year for this very enjoyable evening.
Cara Watt, Class of ’86
President
The Heriot Club exists
to commemorate George Heriot,
promote the interests of the
School and form a bond of union
among former pupils. The Club is
delighted to welcome FPs, parents,
teachers and governors of the
School. For a membership
application (£10 annual
subscription) please download
from the Schools website. Follow
the FP link to Development then
click on “Heriot Club”.
HERIOT CLUB OF TORONTO CANADA
The 29th Annual Meeting attended by a number of Club members took
place on 1 June at the Oakville Golf Club. Joe Howieson was elected
President and John Fiddes Vice President. Bill Kirkpatrick and
Ian Morrison both agreed to continue in their posts as Secretary and
Treasurer respectively. The Annual event was once again enjoyed by all.
CLUB SECRETARY – BILL KIRKPATRICK, Class of ’55
tel: 001 905 844 5754, email:[email protected]
Back Row: Ian Goulding, John Fiddes, John Guy,
Charlie Porteous, Martin McCall, Arthur Gray, Jim McPake
Front Row: Glen Martin, Bill Kirkpatrick, Bob Shiels,
Ian Morrison, Andy Turnbull, Al Robertson
10
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
HERIOT CLUBS
Heriot’s FP
Cross Country Club
DAUGHTER CLUBS
ABERDEEN HERIOT CLUB
Contact: Gilbert MacIntosh, tel: 01224 868011,
email: [email protected]
BORDERS HERIOT CLUB
Annual Dinner, Friday 6 November, The Lodge, Carfraemill
President: Jim Martin, Vice President: Stewart Barnes
Contact: Jim McFarlane, tel: 01573 225802,
email: [email protected]
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE HERIOT CLUB
Annual Dinner, Friday 9 October, Chancellors Hotel,
Fallowfield, Manchester
Contact: Stuart Patrick, tel: 0161 427 4282,
email: [email protected]
LONDON HERIOT CLUB
Monthly Meetings, second Wednesday of every month,
from 6.45pm -8.30pm at the Caledonian Club
Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 11 November, 6.30pm,
Caledonian Club followed by dinner.
Annual Dinner, Friday 26 February 2010, 6.30pm for 7.15pm,
Caledonian Club
Founder’s Day Service, Monday 7 June 2010 at midday,
St Martin-in-the-Fields. Followed by an informal lunch nearby.
Contact: Stuart Hannan, tel: 020 8397 6420,
email: [email protected]
On Friday the 1st May Heriot’s Cross Country Club celebrated
the retiral of Mr Short and the long service and dedication he
has given to the Club and so many cross country runners over
the years. Many members from past and present attended the
dinner and those who could not attend passed on their best
wishes, showing how much of an impact Mr Short had on
everyone over the years.
On this night we officially launched the FP Cross Country
Club, with Mr Short agreeing to be the first Honorary
President. Over the years many have run for the Club after
leaving school but it was thought a good idea to formalise this
and meet on a regular basis both actively and socially (for those
not feeling up to a long run). There will be a short run on
Saturday 31st October at 11am at Arthur’s Seat in the main
car park; this will be followed by lunch locally. If you wish to
attend for just lunch you can meet at 12pm in the park with
those who have been for a run. We aim to meet up monthly
for those interested. For further information or
to show your interest please contact
Gordon Robertson, Class of ’94 at
[email protected].
MIDLANDS HERIOT CLUB
Annual Golf Day, this year the Heriot’s team lost the
“David Air Trophy” to Watsonians.
Annual Dinner, Saturday 31 October, Copt Heath Golf Club
Contact: Ian Miller, tel: 01564 778186,
email: [email protected]
YORKSHIRE HERIOT CLUB
President: Derek Wright
Contact: David Henderson, tel: 01943 878935,
email: [email protected]
HERIOT LUNCH CLUB
Meets 1st Tuesday of each month at 12.30 pm in the
Starbank Inn (at the corner of Starbank Road and Laverock
Bank Road), Edinburgh. All are very welcome to attend.
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
11
H
FORMER PUPIL News
RESPONSES to SCHOOL MEMORIES
Here are some more memories from former pupils,
in particular more memories of Mr Abercromby, French teacher.
I
had “Abers” for six successive years and,
while he could be terrifying on occasion,
many of his classes were among the most
enjoyable of my time at the School. He was a man
of erudition, steeped in the culture of France and
given to flashes of quiet but penetrating wit AND
humour. He was also a keen supporter of rugby
and cricket.
I can honestly say that the benefit of his teaching
laid the foundations of my life-long Francophile
status – as well as providing a very good
understanding of the language.
My vintage of students was indeed very lucky to
have such an array of mature teaching experience
at their disposal. “Abers” Abercromby – French;
“Kipper” Heron – English; “the Moughal” Gould
– History; “the Mid” Middlemas – Chemistry’
“Gas” Scott – Biology; “Spitting Bob” Frame –
Physics; “Percy” Smith – Music; “Pat” Campbell –
Maths; “Holy Joe” – the Chaplain and not least
“Willie” Dewar – the Headmaster.
This extra tuition and tuition from the “Chink” His writing on the blackboard proved a great
resulted in my acquisition of theThomson Bursary struggle to decipher but occasionally certain
in Medicine and the start of my medical career. gems would appear in the morning such as a
shopping list that he had to remember on the way
IAN ARMSTONG NISBET, Class of ’46
home.This proved great delight to pupils in asking
if this was part of work to be copied.
The last edition of Quadrangle with the
photograph of Willie Gould stimulated in me
memories of someone I regarded much later as a
superb history teacher.
His influence is still with me as I can still recite
extracts from “The Declaration of Arbroath 1320”
and excerpts from “The Bruce” by John Barbour.
How many other Herioters can do that I wonder.
I remember that his nickname was “The Mogul” RONALD DINGWALL, Class of ’65
not the “Ghoul” and could instil fear as well as
respect in his pupils.
I am indebted to them all, as well as to the School.
JIM JOHNSTONE, Class of ’58
“Abers” to me was always kind and considerate;
very pleased when I wanted to join the Russian
class. When I told him I wished to take “double
French” in the open Bursary competition, he
organised a series of extra tuitions which included
lessons at his own home on Saturday mornings.
ON UNEXPECTED
Honouring
S
hortly after my ninetysecond birthday I
received a completely
unexpected personal letter
from the Secretary of the
Heriot-Watt University,
Riccarton,
Edinburgh
inviting me on behalf of
their Senate to accept at
forthcoming graduations the
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering. The
accompanying citation quoted services to the
energy generation industry and support for and
advocacy of the University over many years.
12
Mr Willie Gould as featured in the 1962 Herioter
‘P RO U D
Six months later a Laureation Speech was read
before the Principal and Vice Chancellor by
Professor Marc Desmulliez of the School of
Engineering and Physical Sciences describing my
career in great detail in the warmest possible
terms. I was enormously touched by this act of
corporate affection which was reflected
throughout this period by Heriot-Watt staff at
every level and without exception, and continues.
Readers of Quadrangle wishing to read the
Laureation Address and view the graduation
ceremony can google the website EEE@hw and
Alan Shaw.They will look in vain for high academic
qualifications. After one or two false starts
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
associated with World War and resettlement I was
able to find the work I enjoyed most, nuclear
engineering.
Also, while attending the Heriot-Watt College I
met and married Marjory, a charming school
teacher who, among her many other gifts, would
enter a room and captivate the occupants of all
ages, including me, with her warm smile.This she
did till the end of her days seventy years later.
These last two paragraphs explain the happy life I
have always enjoyed.
DR ALAN SHAW, Class of ’34
Photo courtesy of Gavin Stewart
OUR FUTURE’
THE BUENOS AIRES CONNECTION
A
fter one year of
concentrated Spanish
with Dr Couper in
my last year at school I was
able to get into University to
study modern languages.This
was a late decision on my part
as I had studied only German
at school with Joe Halliday
and Kate Smyth and in looking at University
application requirements I found I was a language
short. Dr Couper agreed to tutor me before
classes in the morning and after classes in the late
afternoon.With her tremendous cooperation I got
up to University standard in one academic year.
his opinion that I was a “Smart Alec”. I never found
the reason why Herioters landed up in the Vestey
organization but in addition to Jack Cairns, there
was also Bob Allen and Alistair Laing plus
another Herioter whose name I have forgotten in
the London Office. The Argentine in these years
was the sixth richest country in the world and
Buenos Aires was a wonderful cosmopolitan city,
with an excellent subway system, great
restaurants, excellent bookstores and shops filled
with goods from all over the world.
a great help as many of the Hospital Supply
companies with whom I dealt were owned by
German-speaking individuals.
We Herioters have been very fortunate to attend
a school with the opportunity of learning
European languages that included French,
German, Spanish and I believe at one time Russian
under Mr Abercromby.
DOUGLAS DAVIDSON, Class of ’43
In later years as I travelled around South America
I came across Ron Ingram in Colombia and later
in Venezuela. He also had been at Heriot’s and in
fact we were in the same class for several years.
After graduating from University I was fortunate He too had studied with Dr Couper and his Spanish
to get position as a management trainee with the was perfect.
Vestey organization and in due course, in 1947,
I never did run into Stitch Ritchie, another
landed in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina.There
Herioter, who for many years was with the United
I was employed by Frigorific Anglo one the largest
Fruit Company but our paths crossed on many
meat packing companies in the Argentine. During
occasions in Central America.
one of my visits to the Frigorifico I sat in on a
meeting with some of the employees that was being Spanish stood me in good stead during my business
conducted in Spanish by one of the plant managers. life as it is the third language in the world and here
As I listened to the discussion I soon realized that in Florida where I spend winter, each year Spanish
he was not an Argentinian and in fact I could comes in very useful as it is the second language
distinguish traces of a Scottish accent coming in the USA. I recall having language difficulty with
through. The more I concentrated on his speech a supplier in Japan as I spoke no Japanese and his
the more I was convinced he came from Edinburgh. English was limited. Somehow it came out in our
At the end of the meeting I asked him in Spanish fractured language that he had been in Mexico for
what part of Morningside he came from.
several years and spoke good Spanish so our
problem was solved.
This did not endear me to Jack Cairns and the
fact that he was a fellow Herioter did not change German in my travels in South America was also
Dr Couper
FP RETURNS with
STATUE of GEORGE HERIOT
CAREERS ADVICE
A
fter Maurice McIlwrick’s article in the last edition
of Quadrangle on the statuette of George Heriot
on the Scott Monument in Edinburgh, we received
the following news from Allan Murray, Class of ’49.
A
Also, there is a blonde sandstone bust of Heriot, by an
unknown artist (possibly David Rhind) and of an unknown
date, at the Riccarton campus of the Heriot-Watt
University in Edinburgh. This was originally displayed on
the façade of the university’s building in Chambers Street
prior to its evacuation in 1989. Nine years later, after
“remedial restoration”, it was placed in its present home.
lan Melvin, RICS
Training Adviser for
Scotland, recently
returned to the School that he
joined in 1951, to tell Fourth
Year pupils about the work of
the Chartered Surveyor. ‘My
late father (also a Herioter)
only hired apprentice CAs from Heriot’s, but
things have moved on,’ said Alan. ‘In my
experience, people don’t choose a job because of
its reputation, but because they meet someone
who does that job. We owe it to the next
generation to give them as much advice as possible
to help them to make informed choices. The pupils
that I met now know that there is more to life than
accountancy and the law, and that they can study
for a part-time degree, earning money while they
get qualified. Any former pupil who works in
surveying can contact Alan if they would like to
volunteer to help the School with careers advice.
But anyone who gets involved may end up hiring
the young person that comes to them initially for
work experience. Alan’s contact details are
[email protected].
ALLAN MURRAY, Class of ’49
ALAN MELVIN, Class of ’64
There is yet another statue (reputed to be of full size) of
George Heriot, by the sculptor Paul Montford, on the
western front of the Victoria and Albert Museum in
London. The architect, Sir Aston Webb, chose
representative painters, sculptors, architects and craftsmen
from British history. He submitted a list which was sent to
Edward VII and approved by him. There Heriot stands, on
what looks like a chimney pot, in the company of people
such as St Dunstan,William Caxton,Thomas Chippendale,
Josiah Wedgwood, and William Morris. Heriot is in good
company, but I cannot fathom the rationale for Webb’s
selection.
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
13
TWO RETIRED TEACHERS go DOWNUNDER
I
n mid October Mrs May Currie and Mrs
Christine Litster (retired Junior School
teacher) set off to visit friends in New Zealand
and embark on the Vollendam in Auckland and
cruise round North and South islands then across
a stormy Tasman Sea to Tasmania and Australia. In
Melbourne they were met by former Director of
Music at George Heriot’s, Martin Rutherford
and his wife Mary. Martin took them a sight seeing
tour including a visit to his school, Melbourne
Grammar. Martin was about to retire from
teaching at Christmas, the end of the Australian
school year and had been responsible for setting
up a magnificent recording studio in the school.
We wish him a happy retirement.
We disembarked in Sydney and met up with FP
Gordon Waitt (Class of ’81), Professor of
Human Geography at Woolongong University.
Roles were reversed; Gordon was teacher and Mrs
Currie the pupil as they toured the area south of
Sydney, visiting the Royal National Park and
dipping their toes into the Pacific.
All in all it was a most enjoyable experience.
Travelling the world is a great way to spend one’s
retirement.
Mrs Currie has recently returned from cruising
round South America but was unable to contact any
Herioters there.
Mary and Martin Ruthe
rford
and Mrs Litster
Her next trip was to visit friends in Canada in June.
Unfortunately she was unable to go to the Toronto
Heriot Club annual celebration for June Day as it
was an evening dinner and her hosts had already
arranged a dinner party for 10 guests that Monday
evening in her honour.
MRS MAY CURRIE, Retired Geography Teacher
rrie
Gordon Waitt and Mrs Cu
KEEPING IT in THE FAMILY
I
n June 2009 Steven
Clarke won The Latimer
Cup and the London
Heriot Club Prize for the
Open
Boys’
Games
Champion. This had been a
long held ambition for Steven
as his father David, had won
STEVEN CLARKE
the same trophy in 1978. At the start of Senior 5
Steven’s sporting hopes were dashed when he tore
his cruciate ligament and suffered complications
after surgery but he was determined to fight his
way back to full fitness and achieve his dream. His
father David, who held a Scottish Athletics vest,
still holds the School record for the 100m in a time
of 10.8 seconds.
different generations have
won the same award?
Steven Clarke,
Class of 2009, son of
David A M Clarke,
Class of ’79, grandson of
Douglas J Fordyce,
Class of ’48
Are there any other families at Heriot’s where
DAVID CLARKE
BBC RADIO SCOTLAND Young Jazz MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2009
I
n my SixthYear at Heriot’s I had part-time place
at St Mary’s Music School to study ‘A’ level
music and I spent another year there after
leaving Heriot’s in 2007. I knew by then that I
wished to study musical performance but most of
my formal tuition had been in classical music for
the double bass. I was very fortunate to have been
taught for over ten years by Adrian Bornet, a
double bassist in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
My interest in jazz developed as a result of
studying, in Sixth Year, for a diploma in jazz
organised by the University of St Andrews. I was
the joint winner of the Linda Trahan Memorial
Award for the most outstanding performance in
the finals on this course. By then I knew that I
wished to study jazz double bass performance but
also wished to keep up my classical studies. Luckily
I obtained a place at the Guildhall School of Music
and Drama in London and in 2008 started a BMus
course majoring in jazz double bass performance
with a subsidiary course in classical studies.
London is a very exciting place to be a music
student because of the tremendous opportunities
to play with other students but also with
professionals of world class standards.
jazz in Scotland, particularly for younger players
and started the BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz
Musician of theYear competition three years ago.
This year I was short-listed for the final which was
broadcast live from the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow
on 24th June 2009.There was a great atmosphere
in the Old Fruitmarket and I think all five finalists
were very grateful to the audience for their
support. The worst part was waiting to go on to
the stage but once started I could concentrate on
the performance. I had to play two contrasting
pieces and chose ‘Bye-bye Blackbird’ and ‘On
Green Dolphin Street’. I
thought I played well and
it was wonderful having
Brian Kellock (Class of ’81) (piano) and Stuart
Brown (drums) in the trio. Both are highly
respected players in the jazz community. I was
amazed to have won, particularly having heard the
other competitors’ excellent and enjoyable
performances. This left me somewhat lost for
words when the Award was announced. Towards
the end of my encore the endpin of my bass gave
way, but luckily I was able to continue playing, but
in a new posture.
This Award has been a significant step in my future
musical development and career. I would like to
thank BBC Radio Scotland and the competition
judges for this fantastic opportunity and for their
continuing support for jazz in Scotland. Music
plays an important part of the life at Heriot’s and
I am very grateful for the encouragement from
the Music Department during my school years.
ANDREW ROBB, Class of 2007
BBC Radio Scotland has been promoting
14
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
GAP YEAR REPORT
CATHERINE OLIVER, Class of 2008
“
G
ood luck in Africa!” People
would wish me farewell
after graduating from
Heriot’s. I can’t recall the amount
of times I had to explain that I was
going to Guyana NOT Ghana, the
only English-speaking country in South America.
Guyana – the ‘land of many waters,’ a country
unique to itself, in limbo between South America
and the Caribbean, creates an almost
undiscovered Garden of Eden. Now why
wouldn’t I want to go there and escape the subzero temperatures of Britain? Well, Project Trust
offered me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
immerse myself in an Amerindian community
serving one year as a secondary school teacher.
And I took it.
My community, Moruca, unreachable by road lies
in a little paradise of coconut-tree covered islands
dotted about the sun-drenched savannah
surrounded by lush rainforest. The local
Amerindian people have forever ruled these lands
in their handy crafted dug-out canoes and
maintaining a sustainable food supply of cassava.
The local language is Creolese – an almost
incomprehensible abridged version of English.
I taught in Santa Rosa Secondary and Primary
school and experienced life as a teacher – being
responsible for a year group of 100 plus students
and teaching them Mathematics and Information
Technology with parts of the school’s two
computers, which run off unreliable solar power.
I spent days drawing up ‘what the computer
screen is supposed to look like’ on the chalk board
whilst the students copied it down probably with
the hope of putting it into practice some day.
Coming straight out of Heriot’s and into teaching
was a challenge – sometimes teaching students a
mere one year younger than me.
I became accustomed to: bucket showering;
fetching water from the pond; electricity for a
couple of hours a day; outside temperatures
reaching the same of a human body and a distinct
laid-back attitude where everything in Guyana
will happen ‘just now.’ Personally I blame the
hammocks.The Amerindian traditions and beliefs
consumed my life for a whole term of school,
where, periodically Secondary School girls would
become possessed by the demon – named Jumbee
– and the local churches would then have to
perform an exorcism to rid the demon from the
victim. Also in Moruca, I became involved in the
Red Cross and their Peer Education scheme
where we would do field trips further into the
‘interior’ with students from our youth group and
educate rural communities on HIV and STI’s.
Catherine and children
What I saw out on these excursions was
outstanding – how people can cope with the bare
essentials and live in pure ignorant bliss.
During the year I have visited many countries,
none of them offering what I have found in Guyana
– a community offering me a home where I have
spent eleven months interacting with them and
learning from each other. The experiences and
friendships I have gained have been outstanding –
I feel that I have gained a worldly perspective on
life in a developing country. I think a gap year is
a great investment in yourself, stepping out of
your comfort zone and leaping into a whole new
set of opportunities.
GEORGE HERIOT’S FPS in the GLASGOW-EDINBURGH
UNIVERSITIES BOAT RACE
Tamir Malley and Dougie Thoms on
the River Clyde before this year’s men’s 8
race which was won by Glasgow.
O
n May the 16th Heriot’s FPs led the way in the GlasgowEdinburgh University Boat Race.The captains of the Edinburgh
and Glasgow boats were both former pupils of George Heriot’s
School. Tamir Malley captained the Edinburgh eight whilst Dougie
Thoms led the Glasgow boat.
The annual Edinburgh and Glasgow boat race is the second oldest in the
UK after the Oxford and Cambridge race. The first race between the
Scottish rivals took place in 1877 and during its history has attracted
crowds of more than 60,000.
Training for this event started last September with both squads averaging
8-12 sessions a week as well as holding Easter training camps with
Germany the location for Edinburgh’s and Belfast for the Glasgow squad.
Tamir and Dougie rowed together at Heriot’s for a number of
years so the challenge of being both good friends and bitter
rivals only added to the tension of the race.
Also competing was Polly Swann rowing in the victorious
women’s eight for Edinburgh with all three students
coming from the Class of ’06.
Hopefully more talented
Heriot’s rowers will
emerge in the coming
years to continue the
School’s representation in
this prestigious event.
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
15
Legacy
Forthcoming Events:
Further details may be obtained
from the Development Office.
2009
Saturday 3 October,
9.45am – 1.00pm
School Open Morning
George Heriot’s School
Saturday 31 October,
7.00pm
25th Anniversary Reunion
for the Class of ’84
George Heriot’s School
Sunday 8 November,
Remembrance Sunday
George Heriot’s School
Heriot’s exists today due to the generous
bequest by George Heriot.
The George Heriot’s 1628 Society exists for all
those who have pledged a legacy to the
School. We are most grateful to those of you
who have responded to our Legacy
Brochure for your support. If you have
made provision for the School in your will
and would like to let us know, we would be
happy to offer you honorary membership
of the 1628 Society.
Should you wish to receive a Legacy
Brochure, or would like to discuss the
possibility of leaving a legacy to the School,
please contact the Development Office.
Desperately Seeking…
The Development Office is continually seeking to
find Former Pupils whom we have lost touch with
and we are delighted to report that with your help
our database is growing.
If you are in touch with an FP who is not receiving
Quadrangle please either contact us or ask them to
get in touch with us and we will be happy to add
them to our database to receive regular mailings.
From our Desperately Seeking plea in the last
edition, with your help we found a large number
of those we were looking for – thank you. The
following are Former Pupils whom we have lost
touch with since the last mailing, which has been
returned by the Post Office.
If you have any information we would be most
grateful to hear from you.
CAN YOU HELP FIND?
Wednesday 16 December,
6.00 – 7.30pm
Class of 2009
Reception
George Heriot’s School
2010
Friday 4 June,
7.00pm
50th Anniversary Reunion
for Fifth and Sixth Year 1959-60
George Heriot’s School
Monday 7 June,
9.45am
June Day
George Heriot’s School
JOHN P WHITTAKER
JOHN F WILSON
NICHOLAS ROUTLEY
DAVID R HAMILTON
NORMAN C JOHNSTONE
GRAEME D DOTT
PETER C WILLIAMS
IAN CAMPBELL
ADRIAN E CAMMACK
SUSAN E JEFFREY
MIKE A SCOTT
MATTHEW BEDFORD
PAULINE M BREWS
JAMES B CANNON
CAMPBELL G HARDIE
KEVIN D MORRISON
WENDY J CRAWFORD
1948
1963
1965
1966
1966
1970
1970
1971
1977
1982
1983
1986
1987
1987
1987
1989
1990
ROSS G GILBERT
BRUCE J BLACKLAW
ROSAMUND S DUFFY
SHIRLEY A RINTOUL
GAVIN MACDONALD
HUGH A RAEBURN
ALISTAIR PINE
BARBARA L SHAW
JEFFREY N LANGLANDS
RACHEL J GORDON
SUSAN M MITCHELL
RAYMOND D ORMISTON
GARETH S JENKINS
VIVIENNE J WATSON
CRAIG C DENHAM
FINLAY J WATSON
JESSICA C EAMES
1990
1991
1991
1991
1992
1992
1993
1993
1994
1996
1997
1997
1998
2000
2002
2002
2003
ALL YOUR NEWS, VIEWS and Photographs
We would like to thank those of you who have been in touch with us to
share news, memories of days at Heriot’s and make suggestions for future
editions.
Grateful thanks are due to all those who have contributed articles for
this edition of Quadrangle and please keep them coming in for future
editions.Thanks to Alan Chalmers who very kindly checks material
for us prior to design and printing.
We have also been delighted to welcome many visitors, both Former
Pupils and families from near and far who have dropped in to the School
and reminisced with us.
If there are any particular items you would like to see in
Quadrangle please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
JO EASTON AND MARGARET PEAT
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
GEORGE HERIOT’S SCHOOL
LAURISTON PLACE
EDINBURGH EH3 9EQ
TEL: 0131 229 7263
FAX: 0131 229 6363
Email: [email protected]
Data Protection We have an obligation to ensure that data is processed fairly and lawfully. Data received by the Development Office is used to further the development of George Heriot’s School. The data will be controlled by the School Development
Office, in accordance with School policy. It will only be processed for marketing, PR, fundraising, event management and educational purposes. Any one wishing no further contact from the school should inform the Development Office.
‘P RO U D
OF OUR
PA S T , F O C U S E D
ON
OUR FUTURE’
DESIGN AND PRINT KENNY HERBERT DESIGN 0131 664 6287
O UR S AD F AREWELLS TO F ORMER S TAFF
Former pupils from the ’40s and ’50s will be sorry to hear of the death of George Blamire, aged 93.
George taught Art from 1946 to 1955, and was involved in ex-curricular activities coaching the Rugby
1st XV and became master in charge of golf. Another member of the Art Department Miss Ann Restall
who joined Heriot’s in 1978 as a Teacher of Art and retired in 1989 passed away in April.
Former pupils who knew David S Farquhar, Class of ’45 and would like a copy of the Tribute given at
his funeral in May, please contact the Development Office.