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caritas

The magazine of the former pupils and friends of George Watson’s College Issue 29

January 2011

Regular FeaturesDevelopment MattersWatsonian NewsWhere are they now?

PlusCentre for Sport Update

Winter at Watson’s House Snowman Competition

[email protected]

Tel: 0032 2 763 [email protected]

Tel: (905) 272 [email protected]


[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]

[email protected]

Tel: 0064 3351 [email protected]

Tel: 002721 7129426


BahamasMargaret Bain

Belgium (Brussels)Andrew Brown

Canada (Toronto)Robert Chassels

France (Paris) Inez Forbes

GermanyMarkus Schroeder

GibraltarStuart Watkins

Hong KongMario Maciocia

South-East Asia(Thailand)Stephen Wise

New ZealandDouglas Bridges

South Africa(Cape Town)Brian Hogg

Spain (Alicante)Kate Burke

UK

Overseas

Watsonian Networkforthcoming events

AberdeenBill Ferguson

BordersTom Kerr

South West EnglandSheena Carter

Highland and MorayIan Davidson

LancashireNigel Kirkness

LondonAndrew Burt

Perth WomenValerie Fox

YorkshireEric Ironside

Australia(Sydney)Pat Stevenson

Australia(Victoria) Sandy Robb

forthcoming events

Tel: 01330 [email protected]






Tel: 01738 629145




Watsonian Network

Sports ContactsIf you are interested in participating in any of the sports below please contact the appropriate person.

[email protected]


[email protected]


[email protected]


susan.jackson@ winningscotlandfoundation.org

Tel: 0131 225 1119

[email protected]

Tel: 0131 446 6100

Rugby Brian Drinkwater

Cricket Steve Lockhart

Curling Dan Lean

Golf (men) David McMurray

Golf (women) Moira Murray

Hockey Darren Cavaroli

Rifle Susan Jackson

Squash Brenda Carmichael

Swimming Alan H Masson

Myreside Office

forthcoming events

Worldwide Contacts Worldwide ContactsWorldwide Contacts

The magazine of the former pupils and friends of George Watson’s CollegeAny enquiries relating to Watsonian matters should be made to the Development Office, George Watson’s College,

Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5EG Tel: 0131 446 6008 Fax: 0131 446 6102 email: [email protected]

Worldwide Contacts Worldwide Contacts

If you would be interested in attending a Music, Sport or Drama event at Watson’s please contact the Development Office on 0131 446 6008 or email: [email protected]

forthcoming events

Switzerland(Geneva) Henry Meyerhoff

USA (North California)Brian WilliamsonJake Mackenzie

USA (East Coast)Robin Macdonald

Watsonian President Rod Slater [email protected] President John Spence [email protected] Roy Mack [email protected] David Mieras [email protected] Gareth Edwards [email protected] of Development Lesley McKean [email protected] Convener Ian A L Hogg 0131 667 4846Elected member Lorna Baird [email protected] member Martin Macari [email protected]

[email protected]

Tel: 001 415435 [email protected]@aol.com

[email protected]

Watsonian Council

Worldwide Contacts

Watsonian Network

Worldwide Contacts

Watsonian Network

2011

cont

ents

201118 February Watsonian Golf Dinner Myreside

4 March Founder’s Day

25 March London Watsonian Dinner

5 March Yorkshire Watsonian Lunch

25 March Hong Kong Watsonian Dinner

2 April Enablement Ceilidh and Disco

14 May South West England Watsonian Lunch

27 May Aberdeen Watsonian Dinner

1 July School Prizegiving and Leavers’ Reception

7/8 October 2011 Reunion

Every gift in every Willmakes a difference.

For information aboutleaving a Legacy to

the George Watson’sFamily Foundationplease contact the

Development Office.

[email protected]


[email protected]


[email protected]


susan.jackson@ winningscotlandfoundation.org

Tel: 0131 225 1119

[email protected]

Tel: 0131 446 6100

George Watson’s CollegeColinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5EG

Tel: 0131 446 6008 Fax: 0131 446 6102email: [email protected]://www.gwc.org.ukGeorge Watson’s College is administered by the Edinburgh MerchantCompany Education Board; a charity registered in Scotland SC009747

International Baccaleureate 4 Remembrance Day 5 Development Matters 6 Caritas Dinner 8

The magazine of the former pupils and friends of George Watson’s College

EditorLesley McKean (Director of Development)

Design and Production David Brown (George Watson’s College)

CoverWinter at Watson’s – House Snowman Competition(photograph by Stuart MacLaren)

If you would be interested in attending a Music, Sport or Drama event at Watson’s please contact the Development Office on 0131 446 6008 or email: [email protected]

Lesley McKean(née Scott, class of 1981)Director of Development

cont

ents Front Row Ministry 9

Watsonian News 10 Where are they now? 12 Miss Dynamite 14

Centre for Sport Update 15Commonwealth Games 15

Desperately Seeking 16

EditorialWinter hit Edinburgh the weekend of 27/28 November, a full three weeks before last year’s onslaught. As a school this meant immediate cancellation of all sports fixtures, with staff and pupils wondering how they would manage to negotiate the treacherous conditions to Watson’s on the Monday and people rushing to read the School’s extreme weather policy.

However, little did we know that the weather was here to stay and the School was to shut on the Monday and Tuesday! Watson’s coped admirably in the extreme conditions and many staff and pupils endured terrible conditions to make journeys to School over the following days. Oh the joys of the Scottish winter!

The beginning of the 2010/2011 session has been, as one colleague described, ‘a hundred miles an hour’ – tiring but rewarding, and what a term it has been.

We are delighted to be able to confirm that George Watson’s College is now officially an IB World School. This means that we will be able to offer our pupils the options of either studying for this highly regarded qualification or to choose from our wide range of SQA Qualifications from August 2011 (see article page 4). We believe that this makes us the first Scottish School to provide this particular combination of choices.

Our Pipes & Drums proudly led a parade of current and ex-servicemen and women from South Leith Parish Church to The Shore at Leith, where the Princess Royal officially unveiled a memorial to commemorate those members of the Merchant Navy who had lost their lives in times of conflict and peace, before a large gathering of invited guests. Alistair Darling MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer in the last Labour Government, took time out of his busy schedule to visit Watson’s and speak to our pupils in October. The session, arranged by the PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) Society, drew a large crowd. He also got the opportunity to be questioned by pupils studying Higher and Advanced Higher Economics. Also in October, Grace Reid, still only in S3 and 14 years old, represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi finishing an outstanding sixth and smashing her personal best (see page 15). She rounded off an exceptional year at the Scottish Sports Awards by becoming Young Sports Personality of the Year.

We are also delighted that the largest capital undertaking that the School has embarked on in the last generation, the George Watson’s College Centre for Sport, remains on schedule to be completed in Spring 2012.

For more School news please visit www.gwc.org.uk

Every gift in every Willmakes a difference.

For information aboutleaving a Legacy to

the George Watson’sFamily Foundationplease contact the

Development Office.

4

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme is a curriculum for pupils in their last two years of school education; it aims to develop the whole person including, and beyond, purely their academic potential. The three compulsory components that are unique to the IBDP – Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Action and Service, and the Extended Essay – have a strong role to play in this. The Extended Essay is a significant piece of supported but independent research on a topic which interests the individual and is very useful preparation for further study beyond school. Theory of Knowledge is a course that aims to make links across the subject areas and gets pupils to question and think actively about knowledge and the world they live in. Pupils must also participate in 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service ensuring they have a healthy and balanced lifestyle as well as giving something back to their community.

The IB believes that breadth and concurrency of study is an important feature of school education and, to this end, pupils undertaking the Diploma Programme study six academic subjects

This is an historic moment in George Watson’s College history – the biggest change in curricular provision most certainly in the last hundred years. After a period of three years of research, consultation and planning, George Watson’s College has been approved by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to begin teaching the Diploma Programme in August 2011.

assessment grade in each subject area. The combination of breadth and

academic rigour offered by the IB Diploma programme ensures that pupils will enjoy a varied and challenging S5 and S6.

If you would like to find out more about the IB Diploma Programme and what it could offer, then please refer to the IB pages on our new website, www.gwc.org.uk.

The IB Diploma is an internationally recognised programme of study and assessment, that is governed by an independent non-profit making organisation – there are currently 3083 authorised IB schools operating in 139 countries across the world.

The curriculum and pedagogy of IB programmes focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while requiring students to explore their home culture and language. The programme aims to develop active

throughout both S5 and S6 – three at Standard Level (similar to SQA Higher) and three at Higher Level (similar to SQA Advanced Higher). Pupils must take one subject from each of Groups 1–5, as represented in the hexagon, as well as either a Creative Arts subject or another subject from groups 2–4. Each of these subjects has a coursework component which forms part of the final

The IB Diploma Programme Curriculum

learners with enquiring minds, who maintain a breadth of subject knowledge and develop as young people both inside and outside the classroom. IB programmes are recognised and highly regarded by universities and employers around the world, and ensure an increased adaptability and mobility for pupils.

“ We are delighted to be able to add the Diploma Programme to our curriculum as a choice for pupils in S5/S6. It is an educational philosophy

and curriculum which focuses on more than examinations – it aims to develop caring and reflective young people who have a depth and breadth of subject knowledge, as well as the ability to think independently and critically analyse. The nature of the course ensures that pupils have an understanding of the world and their place as effective citizens within it. It is excellent preparation for life at university and the wider world beyond.”

Heather Wilson, Head of Senior School

5

Remembrance Day Service11 November 2010

We Will Remember Them

Development MattersDevelopment Matters

Development Matters

Development Matters

Development MattersDevelopment Matters

Help to make a lasting difference through a legacy to the Foundation.For further information please contact the Development Office.

6

Musical MemoriesWatson’s recently received a donation of an electronic piano and two French horns from the Carolyn Jones Trust. Carolyn (Class of 1986) was involved in a tragic accident and, sadly, died in November 2009.

Donors Invited to the Caritas Lecture

This year’s Caritas Lecture took place on Tuesday 14 September at 7.30pm in the Senior School Assembly Hall and Foundation donors were invited to attend.

This event is run annually and is designed to provide a speaker of broad appeal to the School’s community, and is also open to any member of the public who is interested in attending.

This session our speaker was Professor Sergio Della Sala, Professor of Human Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. His lecture was entitled: Education’s View of the Workings of the Brain – Some Myths and Tall Tales.

His fast moving and provocative presentation entertained those in attendance.

2010 ReunionThe Reunion was held on 8 and 9 October 2010, with the classes of 1950,1960 and 1970 meeting at Myreside on the Friday night. Former pupils were then invited to attend the School Open Morning on Saturday, and the classes of 1980, 1990 and 2000 returned to the School at night for their Reunion Reception and Dinner.

For those whose reunions are due to take place next year, the dates are 7/8 October 2011, so please put it in your diary now; you will not be disappointed. To see photos from the Reunion, please visit www.watsonians.org

The School now has an excellent range of merchandise available for sale.

Further information is available from the Development Office on 0131 446 6008.

7

Your Decision Now Will Influence Future Generations

The George Watson’s Family Foundation is dedicated to assuring and developing the powerful traditions of one of Scotland’s great schools.

The decision to make a will is one of the most important decisions you will make. However only three out of 10 people have made that decision. Making a will brings security, reassurance and above all peace of mind – not just for you, but for all those who depend on you, either now or in the future. Don’t leave it to chance.

When George Watson left his legacy in 1723 he made his aims clear. He sought academic excellence and the creation of an environment where young minds hungry for knowledge could flourish. But he was also determined that children from less advantaged backgrounds should be able to enjoy the quality of education available to those more fortunate.

This tradition lives on today through the George Watson’s Family Foundation.

However, your support is vital if we are to be able to help more young people achieve their full potential.

We realise that how, and to whom, you leave your assets is a very personal choice but, if you do support the aims of the George Watson’s family Foundation, you may like to consider including us in your will.

The Foundation has formed The Caritas Society for all those who pledge a legacy to the Foundation. Members of the Society will be invited to an annual event at the School and will receive regular communication from the Development Office.

Your solicitor or other advisor will be able to direct you on how best to make or alter your will to include a legacy to the Foundation. All such charitable bequests are free from Inheritance tax.

Since the launch of the Foundation, we have received 31 legacies amounting to over £600,000.

Floodlights The Development Office was tasked recently with raising money for new floodlights which would enable pupils to train at Myreside for longer in the dark winter nights.

Thanks to the generosity of parents and former pupils, we are delighted that the lights are now in place and will benefit many of our pupils.

Outdoor Amphitheatre

Pictured above, in the Junior School playground, is a performance area, which was funded through the success of Wake Up Watson’s.

Students Visit Development OfficeOn an annua l ba s i s , George Watson’s College provides placement opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate student teachers. As part of their induction to life at Watson’s they visit the Development Office.

Whilst not all Schools operate Development Offices, it is an area of growth, in both the independent and state sector. We believe it is important for prospective teachers to be aware of the former pupil and fundraising work that many schools undertake.

Anyone wishing to hear more about our work, please do not hesitate to contact the Development Office.

Recorder

The Recorder newsletter is produced four times a year and is available online.

To view Recorder, please visit www.gwc.org.uk/OurSchool/recorder.html

Rhys Davies (Head Boy) and Shona Miller (Head Girl) lay flowers at George Watson's grave in

Greyfriars Churchyard on 23 November 2010 to commemorate his birthday.

8

A recent General Assembly

Caritas Dinner 2010

Thank you to everyone who contributed to another successful Caritas Dinner.

9

The last time I was invited to write a piece for a school magazine, it was for The Watsonian. My article was about a short, educational visit two of us had paid to Madrid during the Easter holidays of my sixth year. Intended to help promote my understanding of Spanish it ensured I achieved an ‘A’ grade in my Highers. On hearing this news my then Spanish master retorted, ‘…and you didn’t deserve it, Arnott!’

I certainly don’t deserve being appointed Moderator Designate either. It is an honour given and I remain grateful and humbled to have had this acknowledgement from my peers, especially this year. My route into ministry was pretty uneventful. After a secondary education, for which I remain indebted, I was granted the opportunity to go to Hamilton College in New York for a year. It was while there that I realised I was being called into the ministry of the Church of Scotland. I had always been in and around the church in my home town of Lochgelly, from where I travelled every day to school, and it seemed then, as it remained so, a natural progression for me.

I often wonder if my time at Watson’s has helped me in my ministry. I learned to work hard in the front row of the 1st XV under Donald Scott, and to accept I was never going to be a star player. I learned a love of languages, English and foreign, from a rich variety of teachers, whose requests for accuracy and discipline reminded me that to get anywhere I was going to have to dig deeply, so I learned the importance of never offering second best.

Degrees from St Andrews, and Edinburgh Universities, in modern languages and divinity, were followed by a probationary year in Greenock and then parishes in Gorebridge, Netherlee Glasgow and finally St Andrews Hope Park linked with Strathkinness. It was a ministry which included part-time chaplaincies in schools, hospital and prison. During that time, marriage to Rosemary brought us three children and now six grandchildren. Located as they are in Manchester, Budapest and Dubai it is a wonderful opportunity for travel when we wish to see them. We retired to Peebles in the summer of 2010.

During my ministry I have seen the church wax and wane. I have seen a society that has moved from being indifferent to the church to being quite opposed to it. The rise of our multi-cultural society which has so much to offer our country has been used by some to foster suspicion and hatred. It has traded on base instincts that bring no credit to our sense of a common humanity, nor of the spiritual longings which are part of who we are. To deny those longings is to deny part of our humanity. They help to describe who we are and they are common to all major religions. We have much to learn from each other. Increasingly, therefore, the church’s message of tolerance, justice and love becomes more important each day.

The Moderator has a privileged position during his year. He is able to speak out on matters of national concern and try, through our national media, to express the

views of the Church of Scotland on current issues that affect the people of our country.

The Church of Scotland, as the national church, is there to serve the needs of people in all parishes across the country. It is not an organisation which serves its members only. Not everybody who enters a church on a Sunday morning does so because they are a firm believer. Many do so because they are searching honestly, and sometimes painfully, for a truth to hold on to, to help explain this mystery we call life.

Throughout my ministry one of my main interests has been in the assessment of applicants for the ministry. Having served as a national assessor for several years I was later appointed Senior Director of Assessment Conferences. In addition to ensuring standards across the board this position brought me into contact with many men and women who believed they were being called into the ministry of the Church of Scotland. Some, a few, were like me, who had come straight from tertiary education. Others were already highly successful in their chosen careers as lawyers, teachers, bankers or whatever. For them to enter the ministry was to sacrifice a way of life to which they had grown accustomed. It was often a humbling experience to listen to their story of God calling them to ministry, and to realise there is no one model, neither for applicant nor indeed minister, neither is there any one time to respond.

During my year of office, from May 2010 till May 2011, I shall, amongst many other engagements, visit four Presbyteries in Scotland, embark on a couple of overseas trips, attend both the UK and Scottish parliaments, as well as paying a visit to one of the Armed Services. I am quite sure in all those travels my wife, Rosemary, and I will meet some who will recall their schooldays at Colinton Road as well. I look forward to sharing some memories with you.David Arnott (Class of 1963)

A recent General Assembly

Front Row Ministry

David, Rosemary and their three children, their spouses and six grandchildren

Watsonian NewsWatsonian News



Watsonian News


Inez Visits Watson’s

We were delighted that Inez Forbes visited the Development Office on 10 November on a visit to Edinburgh. Inez is our Watsonian contact in Paris.

Inez (above right) is pictured with Director of Development, Lesley McKean.

Drinks in London

David MacDonald (Class of 1992) pictured above with Director of Projects Roy Mack, is currently President of the London Watsonian Club. He has booked The Antelope on Eaton Terrace on Thursday 27 January for informal afterwork drinks from 6.30pm. Everyone living or working in or around London is welcome. Please tell other Watsonians you know who are living in London. The nearest Tube is Sloan Square and it is easy to find.

COME & JOIN US27 January 2011

Burns Theme End of Month Bar Lunch

Fabulous two-course menu includes tea/coffee for £10.00

24 February 2011 End of Month Bar Lunch

Loved up food with our chef’s famous chocolate fantasy desert

– if you dare! Main meals from £5.95

WATCH THE HOME INTERNATIONALS

Big Screen – Traditional bar meals and snacks served from

12 noon – 7pm

12 February 2011 Scotland v Wales

19 March 2011 Scotland v Italy

SCOTLAND v IRELAND MATCHCome to the WFC Fundraising Lunch on 27 February, hear British & Irish Lions player, Paul Wallace, speak

and get a ticket for the International as part of the package.

Contact Brian Drinkwater ([email protected])

for more info.

LAST MINUTE ROOM HIREWinter warmer discount rates

available for 21 & 28 January 2011

WINE TASTING23 March 2011

The Parents’ Association are holding a wine tasting at Myreside.

Parents will receive further information via email alert.

If you have a function, meeting or events you would like to book for this year – please contact us for a personal viewing of our facilities

and quotation to suit your budget. We can hold dates for you on a

provisional basis.

CONTACT US 0131 446 6100

[email protected]

MyresideMyreside

MyresideMyreside

www.gwc.org.uk/myreside

Members of the Swimming Club assemble after their final swim in the baths. In the centre (right) is Ian

Hutton who came to Colinton Road from Archibald Place and now has the distinction of

being “first in and last out”

Watsonian Swimming

Toronto Watsonian Club Dinner

Is This a Record?

In summer 2010, Alan Cameron (Class of 1949) celebrated his 80th birthday with a dinner at Myreside. Alan was one of a family of eight, all of whom were educated at George Watson's College (five boys) and at George Square (three girls).

Bruce was the eldest and saw active service with the RAF. Ian was also with the RAF and won the mile race at the school sports. The next eldest was Ronnie, then Alan and Peter. Sadly all but Alan are no longer with us. Alan's three sisters are Jean, who was unable to be at the party, Florence, who was in the hockey team and was a Kirk Mackie prizewinner, and Hilary, who is Peter's twin and the youngest of the family.

Is this the largest family to be educated at Watson’s?

10

George SquareOn Friday 1 October 2010, a short tree planting ceremony in memory of former George Square Headmistress, Hilda Fleming, was held in George Square Gardens. The tree was donated by former staff of George Watson’s Ladies’ College.

Pictured left to right: Trudi Bolland, Marion Stewart, Margaret Grant, Nan Bryden, Margaret Lee, Grace Hardie (Auchterlonie), Rosemary Schofield, Margaret Elder, Janette Fancey, Anne Runnalls, Dorothy Inglis,

Liz Smith, Lesley McKean, May Nicol, Margaret Derome, Elma Coghill, Doreen Smith.

Munich ReunionFor many years Watson’s had strong links with Munich, both through the Junior School visits and the Senior School exchanges with Fürstenried. Unfortunately, neither of these trips takes place any more (time for a revival...?) but anyone who took part in them will surely have very happy memories of a wonderful city.

To celebrate this connection, we are planning a grand Scottish-Bavarian reunion dinner in Munich on Saturday 10 September 2011. This will be open to all those who took part in the School trips, all the Watson’s staff who led them, all the German staff and pupils who took part in the exchange over the 25 years of its existence, any Watsonians who live in Germany, Switzerland or Austria (and there are a few!), and any Watsonians who have friends in Munich whom they plan to visit, in fact to everyone who would like to come, including partners and friends, of course.

With the famous Oktoberfest starting a few days later, this might be the ideal chance to visit Munich and the beautiful surrounding countryside. There is a saying: Germans are divided into two categories – those who live in Munich, and those who would like to.

The dinner will take place in Solln, on the southern outskirts of Munich, a stone’s-throw away from our partner school, in an atmospheric restaurant with an attached Biergarten, and there are three hotels within 40 metres. A certain airline, which I am not allowed to mention here for commercial reasons, but which will be easy to find on the internet, runs daily direct flights from Edinburgh.

Markus Schroeder, a former German assistant at Watson’s, as well as a former participant in the exchange, is now teaching in Munich and is Germany’s official Watsonian Club representative. He will be largely responsible for the organisation of the details in Germany, and can be contacted if you wish to book accommodation ([email protected]).

We believe this will be the first ever Watsonian event in Germany; it has the makings of a wonderful evening (indeed weekend), and it would be marvelous to have lots of people there.

If you would like to come please contact me ([email protected]) and I will give you further details. If you are even half-thinking of coming, please still contact me and give me the chance to twist your arm!

Watsonian President Session 2010/11

Rod Slater retired in 2008 after teaching for 25 years at Watson’s and is delighted to continue his involvement with the School and the Club. He says: “The Development Office keeps in touch with around 15,000 former pupils scattered across the globe, many of whom still see each other and keep up the friendships they made at School. Anyone who has attended the School reunion will confirm what marvellous occasions these are, and it is my aim, along with the Development Office, to increase the number of informal events bringing Watsonians of all generations together.”

Rod, an army child, was brought up in Germany and Nigeria, before returning to Scotland to finish his primary education in Edinburgh and Scone. He then went on to board at Strathallan, which he left in 1965 as Dux. His sporting career was solid rather than spectacular: as prop, he captained the 2nd XV but never made it to the 1sts.

After a gap year spent as a pupil in a French lycée, where he met his future wife, Sylvie, a fellow-pupil, he went on to read Modern Languages at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. There he took up rowing, pretty much a full-time occupation in those days, and became Captain of Boats in his final year.

He then went into teaching – it was a toss-up between that and journalism but he has never regretted his choice. Before coming to Watson’s as Head of Languages, he taught in France, Germany, Cambridgeshire and West Lothian. He really enjoyed his time at Watson’s, getting involved in language exchanges, drama, and Projects, mainly to Torridon and to the Hebrides – amongst his happiest memories, he says.

Sylvie teaches French at Edinburgh University and she and Rod have two sons who were both educated at Watson’s. Sandy left in 1995 and is now working in politics in Washington, and Andrew, class of 2005, has just graduated from St Andrews and is about to start a Master’s in Film at King’s College, London.

Rod has kept in contact with many FPs over the years and is looking forward during his year as President to renewing old friendships and making new ones. If any of the FPs who remember him would like to contact him with their news, he would be pleased to hear from them on [email protected].

11

David Weir

12

Where are they now?Where are they now?Where are they now?

Where are they now?Where are they now?

Where are they now?

news on the whereabouts of former pupils

David Weir Class of 2002

After Watson’s, David stayed in Edinburgh for a year before heading to London to study physics at Imperial College, finishing his degree with the Abdus Salam prize. After a summer at CERN, he returned to Imperial for a PhD in theoretical particle physics where his love of computer programming can be put to use answering big questions. When not writing code, he enjoys learning languages, hiking and visiting obscure university towns in Switzerland by train.

Kate Moore (née Gillespie) Class of 1988

After leaving Watson’s Kate studied French at the University of St Andrews then took a year out to work in the wine trade before returning to academia to do a post-grad in European Marketing with Languages. Since 1994, she has been working in the world of PR and communications in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh and is currently working for Lloyds Banking Group (Scottish Widows) looking after communications for three of its Life Pensions & Investments divisions. She is married to David, a wine wholesaler and has a beautiful three-year-old daughter called Hannah.

Jonathan Binnie Class of 1984

Jonathan did a degree in Communications and Electronics at Napier before fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a

Helicopter Pilot. He has flown Offshore Support, Search and Rescue, Police, Air Ambulance, Corporate, and Lighthouse Supply. He lives in Edinburgh, works in Shetland, and spends his time off filming for a charity in Africa and other countries. His education has never stopped!

Jenifer Wilson (née Lister)Class of 1972

It is not the sports teams or the academic awards that Jenifer remembers from her time at Watson’s. Rather, it is the legacy of learning which she now more fully appreciates, as well as the attachment to confidence and the belief in oneself. She thanks her teachers for the quality of their guidance as well as the inspiration to be both adventuresome and curious. Since graduation, she has travelled the world. She is now a psychotherapist in a very successful private practice on Vancouver Island, with an International clientele and several publications to her name. Her three children, although born and raised in Canada, benefit from the Watson’s legacy of confidence, academic passion and success.

Carole Evans (née Johnston)Class of 1965

Carole joined George Watson’s Ladies’ College in 1952, entering the Preparatory Department at St Albans Road and left in 1964 to train as a Dental Hygienist at Edinburgh Dental Hospital. She went on to become a Tutor and subsequently worked in General Practice and the Community Dental Service. On remarriage she moved to the Borders and later changed career, opening The Fabric Shop in Melrose in 1990. Now widowed, she has four daughters, five grandchildren and two Labradors! She enjoys dressmaking, quilting, gardening, hillwalking and travelling.

Bill Elliot Class of 1962

Bill enjoyed his time at Watson’s enormously and had the privilege of having in his year

Jennifer Wilson

Jonathan Binnie

Carole Evans

Bill Elliot

Kate Moore (née Gillespie)

was head of an independent school there until her retirement in 2002. Joan has always had a particular interest in children with different learning styles. She holds the dubious distinction of being the first ‘lady’ member of the former Transvaal Watsonian Club. Joan later became their contact person and organised the activities for that lively group for some years.

After 28 years in Johannesburg, the Gardiners retired to Cape Town. They enjoy travelling, hiking, archery, Probus and the monthly Watsonian lunch to which spouses from other Edinburgh schools are invited.

Catriona MacLean-Egan Class of 1985

“My brother Fergus and I made it across the Corryvreckan Whirlpool on Saturday 25 September 2010. We headed out on our support boat from Craobh Haven in the morning, family in tow, in order to catch the tide at exactly the right window: when we reached the water between Jura and Scarba it was still boiling in a downright unnerving way and the visible whirlpools were to say the least disconcerting. Our skipper, Duncan Phillips, treated us to his party piece by steering the boat onto one of the whirlpools and letting us twirl round 360 degrees. We dropped anchor in a bay next to the Jura coastline while we waited for the seas to subside, and eventually Duncan decreed it was time to go. We set off from the rocks on Jura, in particularly attractive pink hats so we could be seen clearly from the safety boat, and managed to reach the Scarba shore within the allotted time, although the extent of the current and riptide was deceptive – we realised when we reached the rocks of Scarba how fast the tide was already running. We were immensely lucky with the weather – blue skies and sunshine and not too windy”.

13

Celebrating a Friendship of 60 Years

Patricia Corbett-Reakes (née Ellis, Class of 56) and Christine Smith (née Barton, Class of 1956) at the Sheraton Hotel, on 14 September 2010 celebrating the fact that they met for the first time in the old school building at George Square 60 years ago.

Patricia (wife of the late Gordon Corbett-Reakes, ex Daniel Stewart’s) is now engaged to be married to Mr Peter Grant and divides her time between Edinburgh and East Lavant, West Sussex.

Christine (married to Stuart Smith, ex Watson’s) has many interests including her six grandchildren, sailing, vintage cars and travelling abroad.

Catriona MacLean-Egan and brother, Fergus (Class of 1988)

Three rather senior Watsonians, Jim (“Jafa”) Allan, Randell Bott and Drew Wilson marked a 73rd anniversary in Edinburgh, in mid-September 2010. They were celebrating the first time the three had met at Watson’s – for the School’s entrance exam, in June 1937. Weeks later they were members of the Junior School, in form 1MJ, under the care of Miss Anna Lamont. Eight years later, they were in the Senior School’s form Vu. All three were members of the ATC. Randell and Drew left school in 1945, after their Highers. Jim stayed for a sixth year. Randell went on to the Edinburgh College of Art to study architecture and Drew to Glasgow University for mechanical engineering. Jim followed Drew to Glasgow in 1946, again for mechanical engineering. Apart from a short stint in New Zealand, Randell spent his working life in Edinburgh. Jim began his career as a pilot in the RAF, but later spent 20 years as a civilian pilot in Belgium. Drew has lived and worked in Canada since 1957. Randell is still sailing his boat on the Firth of Forth, and Jim still pilots his own small aircraft over Fife. He and Drew are still writing and publishing “Stuff.”

73rd Anniversary

boys like Jimmy Raitt, who went on to become a Governor, Ian Robertson of rugby fame, Donald Brydon, who now seems to be ‘Chairman of every company under the sun’, as well as Robin Williamson of the Incredible String Band. He left in 1962 and after Edinburgh University joined Scottish Television in Glasgow as a trainee news and current affairs journalist, finally presenting the nightly live show Scotland Today. He then moved to the BBC Lime Grove Studios in London where he was a film reporter on Midweek with Sir Ludovic Kennedy, People and Power with David Dimbleby, Nationwide for six years, and presented the live weekly BBC2 Money Programme. For the past 25 years he has been a Director of United Television Artists Ltd, the independent production company. He has just stood down after six years on the committee of the Caledonian Club, Belgravia, having been originally proposed and seconded by two fellow Watsonians, Gordon Miller and Donald Brydon. Gordon became Chairman of the Caledonian Club as well as President of the London Watsonian Club. He would commend the Caledonian Club (www.caledonianclub.com) to all Scots in exile in London.

Joan Gardiner (née Thomson) Class of 1956

Joan enjoyed her years at George Square (1943 – 1956) and still keeps in touch with some of her former classmates and those who were fellow students at Edinburgh University. Perhaps it was the stability of the system at Watson’s that made her select teaching as a career which she pursued for 43 years. Joan taught in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Johannesburg to which she emigrated with her husband, Graham, and son, Neil, in 1975. Ultimately she

Joan Gardiner

14

Deployment day at The HALO Trust’s compound in Zimpeto district north Maputo, Mozambique, is fondly described in the national tongue of Portuguese as the day of “confusão”. Fifteen of the 26 de-mining sections have just returned from their eight day leave and are about to embark on three weeks living and working in one of Mozambique’s remaining 139 minefields in what is widely acknowledged as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, that of being a deminer.

Helen Gray a 30-year-old former pupil raised on an East Lothian farm and now Programme Manager for HALO (Hazardous Area Life-Support Organisation), in Mozambique pulls into the compound in her Nissan pickup and surveys the scene. What greets her is a blur of activity. Landrovers and Trucks are being refuelled, tents and sleeping bags are being loaded and stores are emptied of food and the essential demining kit the teams will need for the near month they spend in the field.

HALO is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation whose head offices are in Dumfries, Scotland. Its singular mandate is to remove landmines and un-exploded ordinance from all the nine countries it operates in. Helen Gray has worked for the organisation since 2004.

Helen was moved to Watson’s after being diagnosed as dyslexic. The support provided by the School and specifically Dr Collins in the Cabin has been invaluable in her adult career. The skills provided have allowed her both to cope with dyslexia in the real world and become a good problem solver. When Helen left school in 1998 she travelled in sub Saharan Africa before returning to Watson’s for a stint on reception before going to University.

After finishing her BSc in Biology and Anthropology at Durham University, Helen worked for the Scottish Sea Bird Centre and then as an expedition’s guide in Peru’s threatened rainforests. On her return to Britain she speculatively sent her CV into HALO.

“My job gives me tremendous satisfaction. It’s brilliant to be able to deploy deminers into an area where there’s a problem with minefields. After handing it back to the

local community you can return in a couple of months and you can see maize growing there or houses or schools that have been built and the problem of mines has gone, forever. You don’t get that level of reward from many jobs”, Helen remarks.

It’s this level of commitment that allows Helen and her staff to tackle the mine clearance Mozambique so desperately needs. After 20 years of an initial armed liberation struggle, an effective cease-fire came into force between the warring factions on 15 October 1992 and it has stuck to this day. Its legacy, however, was 900,000 deaths, five million displaced persons and an estimated 200,000 landmines deployed by all sides in the conflict.

HALO is probably most famously linked in the public’s memory with an iconic image of the late Princess Diana in a minefield. This publicity has been attributed with influencing the signing of the Ottawa Treaty, of which there are 156 signatories. It created an international ban on the use of Anti Personnel Mines and the need for their removal from the 70 countries they still present a danger to.

Driving for an hour or so towards the South African border we arrive at one of the “Equipa de Meninas” minefields or “girls’ sections” as it translates.

The first women’s section was formed within HALO in 2007. Twenty-eight -year-old Supervisor Domingas Lacrimosa Lina Dias says, “With us working here the country rids itself of mines. I feel proud to be doing this job of clearing mines as a woman. It was a job that in Mozambique was seen as men’s work but now I am proving different.”

Helen’s mobile is ringing; when she answers she is informed that they’re ready for the destruction of a landmine at ‘Mubobo’ minefield. Mubobo is the most heavily mined area remaining in Maputo province.

Twenty-two--year-old section supervisor Onorio Manuel meets Helen on our arrival. He briefs her on the situation in the minefield. After kevlar flak jackets and ballistic visors are donned, the section supervisor starts to prime a pentolite explosive charge needed to destroy a Russian Federation PMN mine they have detected up in the field.

“It is HALO policy to destroy every mine and each piece of unexploded ordinance it discovers. Then it is irretrievably gone, for all time.” Gray explains.

The two walk up into the minefield, the safe zones being clearly marked by red tipped sticks placed in the ground. A whistle blows giving the signal for the team in the minefield to withdraw to a safe distance as Helen’s section supervisor lays the charge. “You always do this alone”, Helen explains, “One man one risk.”

The minutes are counted down then the seconds as the detonation time approaches. The noise of the bang hits you first, followed by the sight of a mushroom black plume of smoke pushing its way up into the sky as the explosive charge and the mine itself are destroyed. Then it is all over and Mozambique and Maputo province has one less mine.

This is based on the original article that appeared in the Reader’s Digest in September 2010.

To find out more about the work of HALO visit www.halotrust.orgHelen Gray(Class of 1997)

Miss Dynamite

15

Personal Best for Grace in Commonwealth Games FinalGRACE Reid (S3) performed superbly in the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Stadium in what was the second last aquatics competition of this year’s Commonwealth Games, the women’s 3m springboard.

She came seventh in the qualifying round very early in the morning (5.30am BST), with a score of 271.70. But it was the final that probably had a far larger following, given its 11.30am start time. The final consisted of five dives, and Grace (aged 14) was up against some of the best divers in the world. The tariffs for her dives were lower, meaning that she had to perform them as she had never performed them before.

Grace left Scotland with a personal best as her goal – and she got it! In ninth place following the first dive (tariff 2.4) when she scored straight eights, she was in seventh after her second round 2.7 tariff dive.

Her third dive, a 1.5 somersault with 2.5 twists (tariff 2.8), described by the BBC commentator as a great dive, took her into sixth place, the place she remained until the end of the competition.

Her final two dives (both tariff 2.8) consolidated what was an amazing performance, and a total score of 303.15 for the five dives was a personal best – her goal!

One of Grace’s classmates from her days in Watson’s Nursery summed up Grace’s achievements and the sentiments of the whole School when she said, “I’m just so proud of Grace”.

Gareth Edwards, Principal, watched the competition unfold via the BBC’s internet coverage. He said, “I am delighted for Grace who already displays the discipline and drive to be the best, whilst remaining a charming young person with her feet firmly on the ground – except of course when in mid-dive!”

Joining Grace in India were Linda Clement, PE teacher and hockey player who gained her 150th cap in the summer, Cammy Fraser (Class of 2006), hockey, Graham Rudd (Class of 2000), shooting, Andrew Turnbull (Class of 2000) and Stuart McInally (Class of 2008), rugby 7’s, Sarah Jones (Class of 2001), wrestling, and Harry Leitch (Class of 2003), squash. Also in Delhi as part of the medical team was Stephen Mutch (Class of 1987). Please visit www.cgcs.org.uk for further details.

George Watson’s College Centre for Sport UpdateWork continues on Phase 3 of the developement of the George Watson’s College Centre for Sport.

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If you know up-to-date addresses for any of the following former pupils, please contact the School’s Development Office

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We have an obligation to ensure that information is processed fairly and lawfully. Information received by the Development Office is used to further the development of George Watson’s College and The Watsonian Club. The information will be controlled by the School Development Office in accordance with policy from our IT Services department. It will be processed for marketing, PR, fundraising, event management and educational purposes. Anyone wishing no further contact from the School should inform the Development Office.

McLean Mr Clement 1945

Hendry Mrs Janet née Law 1946

Kerr Mr John 1949

Knudsen Mrs I née Burgess 1950

Clarkson Mr James 1953

Pyemont Mrs Elspeth née Grant 1955

Forrest Mr Alasdair 1956

Goodfellow Mrs Anne née Doig 1957

Pringle Dr Robert 1957

MacKenzie Ms E née MacKenzie 1959

Pattie Mr W 1960

Affleck Mr G 1962

Cazaly Mrs Penny née McVey 1962

Grosset Mr Arthur 1963

McGlynn Mrs Elizabeth née Henderson 1964

Munro Mr Colin 1964

Hoppe Ms Barbara née Colbeck 1965

Mathieson Mr Iain 1965

Grosset Mrs Elizabeth née Malcolm 1966

Tatton Mr Roy 1966

Blackwood Mr Graham 1968

Bell Mrs T 1969

Gregor Ms Susan 1973

Hynd Mr Ewan 1973

McDonald Mrs Beatrice née Hamilton 1973

Wayte Dr Christopher 1973

Adam Ms Margaret 1974

Forrest Mr Simon 1974

Fleming Mr David 1975

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McColl Mrs Nicola 1976

Philp Professor Ian 1976

Simey Ms Carol née Stewart 1978

Clark Mr Michael 1980

McEwan Miss Lois 1980

Anderson Mr Neil 1981

Batten Ms Morag 1981

Small Ms Sheila 1982

Robson Mr John 1983

Blake Mr Jonathan 1984

Campbell-Shaw Ms Deirdre 1984

Hughes Mr Dale 1985

Martin Miss Ruth 1985

Graham Dr Kim 1986

McGinty Miss Helen 1986

Gilliatt Miss Jennie 1987

Firth Mr Alastair J 1987

Giles Mrs Corinna née Black 1988

Bryson Mr Greig 1989

Harkness Ms Rosalyn 1989

Mackintosh Mr Scott 1990

McDaid Mr Scott 1990

Sanchez-Cancel Miss Lea 1990

Riley Mr Nicholas 1990

Allison Mr Stuart 1991

Duncanson Miss Claire 1991

Leask Miss Emma 1992

Mitchell Mr Stephen 1992

Brodie Ms Alison 1993

Haddow Mr Robin 1993

Clay Mr Matthew 1994

Newman Miss Julie 1994

Bird Miss Helen 1995

Drummond Ms Clara 1995

Kingsworth Mr Edward 1995

Miley Mr Sunny 1995

Shearer Mrs Aileen née McLaren 1996

Wright Mr Richard 1996

Gonzalez Miss Laura 1997

Middlemiss Mr Nicolas 1997

Clements Mr Ross 1998

Jerome Miss Sarah 1998

Forsyth Miss Julie 1999

Kurth Mr Matthias 1999

McLaren Mr Thomas 2000

Brian Miss Rebecca 2001

Aiken Mr Christopher 2002

Marr Miss Emily 2003

Wilson Mr Christopher 2003

Grainger Miss Clair 2004

Mayberry Mr Scott 2004

Morris Mr Duncan 2005

Hall Miss Philippa 2006

Cumming Miss Jennifer 2007

McAnulty Miss Melissa 2007

Edwards Miss Caroline 2008

Scobie Mr Robbie 2008

Carmichael Mr Jack 2009

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