During his time as Deputy Principal, Rob led and managed a two-year review and implementation phase to support Child Protection and wellbeing. Throughout that commitment, he balanced complex issues and attention to detail with empathy, sensitivity, and understanding, while raising awareness for both staff and students. Under Rob’s guidance, College evolved into a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone. Rob describes the varied achievements during his College tenure as “a team effort”. “It has always been a team effort when it comes to the most important achievements, such as the work done to reduce bullying and to make the school a more inclusive place,” he says. However, Rob acknowledges that he has played “a significant role in helping College to become a Round Square school”. He lists Round Square and sport among his favourite school experiences, along with taking on new guises for “great staff parties”. “We have had some great staff parties over the years and I have enjoyed dressing up as characters such as Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show , and Slash, the great guitarist,” Rob says. “Also, winning. I like winning. For example, being at regattas where we have won the Maadi Cup, or beating CBHS in the annual fixture.” He also enjoyed coaching the 3rd XV, citing the boys’ gift of a hip flask engraved with ‘Bedian
Nemesis’ as his “proudest moment”, and fencing. “Stabbing and hacking others with (blunt) weapons is a lot of fun.” Equally important was his time as Housemaster of Somes House – with “most of my pastoral care” carried out while playing table tennis with the boys – and travelling on Round Square trips with students to South Africa, Canada, India, and Kenya, and heading into the outdoors. “It has always been a team effort when it comes to the most important achievements.” “We used to take 6th Formers (Year 12s) on a fishing, eeling, and hunting trip to Murchison,” Rob recalls. “Health and safety was not a big issue in those days, and the local eels, trout, pigs, and feral goats fled for the hills when they knew we were coming.” Another satisfying experience was the Spring Festival Day. “Boys dressed up in various themed costumes, we had a grand parade, ‘Dunk the Teacher’, chariot races, pavement art, and various arty events. It was a superb antidote to the seriousness of College life.” Speaking generally, he adds that “boys have done some weird stuff over the years, much of which should be left to the imagination”.
“I quite enjoyed the harmless pranks, from time to time. A standout memory was finding a boy who was squatting in an old chicken coop on the Somes House grounds. He was trying to bunk Congers. He won the ‘Best Chook Impersonation’ at the final House prize-giving.” Commenting on his legacy, Rob explains that “it was going to be that boys always pulled up their socks when they saw me – but then we got rid of the long socks, so that awesome legacy became redundant”. His post-College plans include travel, community service, environmental projects, and “something artistic”. He also aims to challenge the following question to the max: “Just how much fishing can you do in your retirement?” However, “I plan never to tell anyone to tuck their shirt in, ever again”. In his final year at College, Rob was presented with an Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) Honours Award for Service to School Culture through Leadership. “I will leave others to comment on whether I left a legacy, or not.” An inspiring, and innovative member of staff who was integral to many elements of College life, Rob remained dedicated to ensuring that each boy could be at their best while himself exemplifying the very best of College.
146
STAFF
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs