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Greetings from the Old Collegians office!
As we navigate through a very busy year, we continue to celebrate the successes of our alumni community and we are very excited to announce that we have five Old Collegians who are travelling to Paris in July for the 2024 Olympic Games:
We extend our best wishes to these exceptional athletes for their individual campaigns in Paris!
I have very much enjoyed reconnecting at our numerous and well attended events and reunions this year. We are hosting several more before the end of the year and the registration details for these are listed later in this newsletter. A lot of planning and research goes into each gathering, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our Old Collegians that continue to support and attend our reunions and events, as we can continue to strengthen the fabric of our Old Collegians community. We hope to cover more of the country next year!
We invite you to join us on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages where we regularly celebrate the accomplishments and victories of our Old Cols. Engaging with these updates offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with peers and alumni of all ages. If you have any news or updates to share, please send them my way. Your stories are what make our community vibrant and connected.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter and I look forward to your continued engagement and contributions.
Warm regards
Lisa Clark
Alumni and Community Relations Co-ordinator
Greetings from St Andrew’s College.
As I head towards my last six months as Rector, I am becoming more reflective about the last 17 years and the impact St Andrew’s has had upon my world view.
An overwhelming feeling of gratitude from time spent with this community, past and present makes leaving easier. With all its celebrations and challenges, a life at school is never dull, predictable, or quiet!
One of my highlights of my time as Rector was the celebration of our Centenary in March 2017. What a privilege it was to join with over 2500 Old Collegians for a range of events. The gala dinner featuring entertainment from our talented students was certainly an evening to be remembered.
By my reckoning I have attended over 150 Old Collegian events and reunions during my time here. Throughout that time, I have connected with so many wonderful people and certainly heard stories which have entertained and left no doubt that schools are places of constant change and evolution. However, what doesn’t change is the importance of friendships, connections and shared experiences.
I am proud of the St Andrew's College traditions and values that have remained steadfast through the times of change. Our shared stories, personal and collective, continue to shape who we are – not only as individuals, but as a school community. Just as in life, we weather the storms, learn from experiences, value our differences, celebrate the milestones and successes, dream and imagine, and create our own future. The future for St Andrew's is full of hope and promise. In our Old Collegian community I see people young and old, who have been shaped by their experiences, many from their school days. If today’s students are anything to go by, the future will be in good hands.
I want to share my pleasure in the recent announcement that Mark Wilson has been appointed as 11th Rector for St Andrew’s College. Mark is an experienced, engaging and astute educational leader who is held in high regard by his colleagues. I know he too will enjoy, value and celebrate being part of this special community which honours the past, celebrates the present and prepares for the future.
Thank you all for the part you play in this.
Warmest regards
Christine
The St Andrew’s College Old Boys Association welcomed its first president in 1920. William Johnston, a Senior Master at the College from 1917 to 1919, had an esteemed reputation among the students, which led the first Old Boys to elect him as the inaugural president of the association. Shortly after St Andrew’s became co-educational in 1992, the name was changed to Old Collegians Association (OCA).
Our current president, Sam Crosbie (OC 2009), is the 70th to hold the position of President and he is set to pass on his responsibilities at our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 14 August.
The Presidents’ Dinner is a biannual gathering of past and current OCA presidents, and, last Friday night, we held a wonderful event for 20 presidents from between 1968 to 2024. We were also joined by past Board Chair, Garry Moore, and Current Board Chair, Felicity Odlin. Neil Thomson (OC 1957) expressed his gratitude to OCA Patron, Christine Leighton, for her dedicated service to the OCA for her 17-year tenure.
VIEW PHOTOS >
On Saturday 18 May, we hosted over 50 Old Collegians for our annual 1st XV Rugby Reunion. This year, we were joined by teams and coaches from 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004, and 2014.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND VIEW PHOTOS>On Friday 10 May, we hosted over 50 Old Collegians (from the Class of 1994–1998) and their partners for the first 30 Years On event at the College in several years. The attendees came from all corners of New Zealand, Bangkok and Australia. The cocktail party was made even more special with the presence of both past and current staff members. Among these guests were Barry Maister, the Rector from 1998, Laraine Sharr, Wayne Milligan (who was the Dean in 1998) Mike Woodlock, and current teachers Joe Leota, Ian White and John Hamilton.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND VIEW PHOTOS>
On Friday 21 June, we welcomed back the Class of 1984–1988 for their 40 Years On Reunion weekend.
Thirty-seven Old Collegians joined us from around New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji, many returning after a long hiatus. The event was filled with much hilarity, nostalgia, rekindled friendships, and shared memories with former teachers.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND VIEW PHOTOS >On Wednesday 29 May, we had the pleasure of hosting a gathering of Otago Old Collegians at the Lone Star in Dunedin. We welcomed more than 30 of our recent leavers from 2018 to 2023. The group was predominantly composed of current University of Otago students who are pursuing a diverse variety of fascinating degrees. It was truly inspiring to listen to their academic journeys and future aspirations. For Christine, this event marked her final visit to the region in her official role as Rector, and she was thrilled to reconnect with our alumni community.
VIEW PHOTOS>
As you may have read in the May issue of Regulus, Daryll Fell (OC 1991) is undertaking a significant project for the College, researching and recording those Old Collegians who have served in the military. He is doing this in memory of his classmate, Acting Major John McNutt (OC 1991) who lost his life on active service in Kuwait in 2001.
As we look back on the rich history of St Andrew's, we acknowledge the significant impact many of our alumni and their families have had on our nation through their military service. Whether you are a veteran, have relatives who served, or are currently a member of the military community, we invite you to share your stories and recollections. So many of us have familial ties spanning generations, tracing back to the inception of St Andrew’s and we need your help to document their stories.
How can you help?
Photos: Dig through old albums and attics to find snapshots from your military days or those of your relatives.
Stories: Put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and recount your experiences, anecdotes, and moments of valour.
Anecdotes: Perhaps you remember a teacher or fellow Old Col who inspired you, a camaraderie forged during training or service, or a poignant homecoming.
Why Contribute?
Your contributions will be woven into a collected works for the College – a testament to the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of our school’s military alumni. Let’s honour those who served and continue to serve by preserving their legacy.
How to Submit: Please email your photos, stories, or any relevant materials to me by clicking here.
Thank you for being part of St Andrew's enduring tapestry. Together, let’s create a tribute that will resonate across generations.
With gratitude
Daryll Fell (OC 1991)
We were very sad to hear of the passing of David Solomon last week. David was the Deputy Head Prefect in 1971 and Drum Major of the St Andrew's College Pipe Band.
David was born and raised in Timaru. He started at the College as a boarder in 1967. He joined the Pipe Band as a side drummer, having been in a pipe band in primary school. He could throw the staff as high as the three-storey building. The boys would lie on the roof as he practiced his routine below to make sure he had hit his mark! He also never missed the catch, even in the challenging winds of a Canterbury nor'wester!
In a rare and impressive feat, David clinched the Open Staff Flourishing Title representing the College at the Nationals for three consecutive years from 1970–1972. At his second victory, a crowd of 17,000 rose to their feet in an unprecedented standing ovation at Carisbrook, Dunedin. This recognition showcased David's exceptional skills and left a lasting mark on the College's history. He will be very fondly remembered by all those that knew him – a true gentleman who showed modesty in success.
David Solomon (pictured right) and Simon (Sam) Schoeller (1967–1971) on a visit to the College last year.
It has been over four decades since St Andrew’s College held its last parade, yet the vivid memories and striking display of gleaming silver trophies and photographs ensure its enduring presence in the minds of many of our Old Boys.
For 70 years, the cadet force at the College was a compulsory part of every boy’s life – the parade drills, cadet training days, the crunch of army boots and the brisk bark of the Sergeant Major during the weekly flag-raising ceremony.
In 1917, legislation mandated boys aged 14 and above to undergo compulsory military training. The St Andrew’s College Senior Cadet Company No. 102 was established with a force of 20 boys, donned in British-style khaki serge shirts and shorts, and the traditional New Zealand ‘lemon-squeezer’ hats.
The cadets initially learned to fire their rifles at the King Edward Barracks on Saturdays, an activity considered the highlight of being in the cadets. They were transported by tram to the rifle range in Redcliffs, while the top marksmen were later invited to attend musketry courses at Trentham Camp in Upper Hutt.
The Bugle Band appeared in 1920, and according to the author of Cadet Notes in an early Collegian, the buglers tended to march to their own music rather than that of the tempo called by their sergeant.
In 1922, the unit, now known as the 4th (Cadet) Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment, was equipped with two horse-drawn 15-pounder guns. These were later replaced with two 18-pounder guns, enhancing the unit’s accuracy and efficiency.
The artillery section was disbanded in 1937, primarily because the army required the guns for training adult soldiers at Burnham Camp. An Air Training Corps was subsequently established and gained popularity, but due to equipment shortages, it was disbanded in 1946. In 1949, a morning parade with a flag-raising ceremony in front of Strowan House was introduced on each cadet training day. The cadets were frequently requested to parade for dignitaries, and in 1961, they even featured on the television news.
During the 1960s, 'Barracks Week' was spent under canvas in the Canterbury foothills, practicing scouting and jungle warfare simulations, as the jungles of Southeast Asia seemed increasingly likely as future war zones.
Changes in government policy and funding signalled the final parade for the country’s school cadet forces. St Andrew’s was one of the last schools in Christchurch to retain its cadet unit and by 1985 St Andrew’s, Christ’s College and Nelson College were three of only nine remaining units in the country. In 1987, the decision was taken to cease all cadet activities.
Yet, the haunting sounds of a phantom Sergeant Major’s intimidating voice and the thump and crunch of unseen army boots continue to echo faintly across the College grounds.
Adapted from The Spirit of St Andrew's.
Thanks to Museum Archivist and Curator, Pip Dinsenbacher and Head Graphic Designer and Brand, Craig Morgan.
Strowan remembers her story
as a voice from the Cross.
She absorbs the silence of the snow
the prayers of magpies
the coldest Christchurch day.
She remembers the flu
and polio epidemics
and the hiding places
of the boarders baby teeth.
She knows the War stole her sons.
They still nudge her stained
glass windows, like blessings.
Strowan's Mansard tower
stands above the earthquakes.
She remembers the stress
of her staff room, the trauma
of her dining room.
For through every snow
every illness, every war
every Earthquake, Strowan
still lives in Grace.
Kerrin P. Sharpe, Writer in Residence
Garth Whitty (OC 1968) has lived a diverse career spanning the New Zealand and London Fire and Rescue Services, the British Army, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the United Nations (UN), and the commercial sector. He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Royal School of Military Engineering and holds a postgraduate Diploma in Security and Risk Management from Loughborough University.
Garth began his career in the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Brigade, leaving in 1974 to gain international experience. After two years with the London Fire Brigade, he joined the British Army, serving in various military engineer and bomb disposal units, and United Kingdom (UK) Special Forces. His military service took him to numerous locations worldwide, during which he developed combat bomb disposal procedures and the UK’s chemical weapon detection and disposal response.
In 1992, Garth was seconded to the UN Special Commission to lead an international team tasked with the destruction of Iraq’s chemical weapon stockpile. He also served as Commander and Chief Instructor of the UK joint Police Service and Armed Forces National Search Centre, where he expanded the scope of the search for terrorist and criminal resources.
Upon retiring from the British Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, Garth worked in the defence and security sector, joining the Royal United Services Institute to establish the Homeland Security and Resilience Programme in the aftermath of 9/11. He also served as a specialist adviser to the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee for the Civil Contingencies Bill.
Garth’s short-term appointment as Programme Manager for the establishment of the Southern Iraq Oil Protection Force led to a 20-year career in Iraq. He has held roles such as the Chief of Operations and Information for the UN Department of Safety and Security, and Safety and Security Manager for the refurbishment of Iraq’s oil and gas infrastructure. For the past 15 years, he has been the Managing Director of companies providing construction, safety, security, and medical services to global oil, gas, and construction companies.
Garth was awarded the MBE in 1988 for his leadership in the recovery of buried chemical-filled munitions in Hampshire, UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and President of the Institute of Munition Clearance & Search Engineers.
This photo of Garth was taken in at the Al Muthana State Establishment for Pesticide Production, Iraq, August,1992. This was Saddam Hussein’s main chemical weapons production facility. Garth was Chief Inspector of the UN Special Commission for Iraq (UNSCOM) Chemical Destruction Group (CDG) on secondment from the British Army. Temperature: 48–52 degrees Celsius.
In the recent 2024 King's Birthday Honours List, Keith Gordon (OC 1956) was recognised for his services to Diving and Maritime History.
Keith helped found the New Zealand Underwater Heritage Group (NZUHG) in 2006, since serving as Vice President or President, and has contributed to New Zealand diving and maritime history, publishing several books and regular contributions to diving magazines.
Keith’s publications include Deep Water Gold – The Story of RMS Niagara (2005) and SS Ventnor Ghost Ship of the Hokianga (2022). He helped discover the SS Ventnor in 2012, which sank in 1902 carrying the remains of 499 Chinese miners. He was on a volunteer team in 2020 which discovered the bulk of the remains to return to the families. Through NZUHG, he has led efforts to uncover and preserve shipwrecks and maritime heritage, using archaeological methods and modern technology. He pioneered use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and side scan sonar in New Zealand in the late 1980s.
Keith has organised technical dives on shipwrecks and donated items from shipwrecks for museum displays. He has restored historic diving equipment and has provided expertise and equipment to several international expeditions searching for historic shipwrecks. He has advocated for marine conservation, championing the recovery of leaking bunker oil from deep wrecks. Keith was a founding member of the Canterbury Underwater Club in 1954 and is an International Fellow of The Explorers Club.
Source: www.dpmc.govt.nz
The Rector, Mrs Christine Leighton, and the President of the Old Collegians Association, Sam Crosbie, warmly invite you to the 2024 Wellington Region Cocktail Function.
Wednesday 3 July 2024, 5.30pm–7.30pm
Duncan Cotterill, Level 5, Chartered Accountants House,
50 Customhouse Quay, Wellington
COMPLIMENTARY REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED.
We are very grateful to Duncan Cotterill for hosting this event.
This event has now passed.
We look forward to seeing the Class of 1974–1978 at their 50 Years On Reunion, on the weekend of Friday 26 July – Saturday 27 July 2024.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER >
President of the Old Collegians Association, Sam Crosbie, warmly invites you to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Old Collegians Association.
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 14 August 2024 in the Strowan House staff room. Refreshments from 6.30pm and the AGM will begin at 7.00pm. We will be electing a new President.
Please RSVP via email to oldcols@stac.school.nz by Monday 12 August.
Registrations are now open for our annual Gentlemen's Luncheon, incorporating 70 Years On (Class of 1954–1958) and 75 Years On Reunions (Class of 1949–1953) which will take place on Friday 18 October.
This luncheon is open to all Old Collegians from 60 Years On.
Tickets: $55.00
Table Bookings: If you would like to book a table of 10, please contact Lisa directly on +64 3 940 2085.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION TO REGISTER >
We look forward to seeing the Class of 2010–2014 at their 10 Years On Reunion, on Friday 8 November 2024.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER >
Experience the thrilling sounds of StAC Attack 2024! A St Andrew’s College Pipe Band event at the prestigious Christchurch Town Hall – James Hay Theatre, this highly anticipated showcase guarantees an unforgettable evening of traditional Scottish entertainment. Immerse yourself in the rich harmonics of the bagpipes, the infectious beat of the drums, and the flair of the Highland dancers as they take the stage. With talented St Andrew's College students from Years 4–13 showcasing their skills, StAC Attack promises to be an action-packed performance. Be a part of the magic at StAC Attack 2024!
Event Information: Sunday 28 July, 5.00pm–7.00pm, James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall
Tickets: Adult – $49.00 | Student/Child – $29.00
PURCHASE TICKETS
The Old Collegians Association works closely with St Andrew’s College to facilitate an exciting programme of reunions and functions for Old Collegians.
The 10 Years On is taken from Year 13, and the others are from the year in which the Old Collegians started in third form (Year 9).
If you would like to assist in the organisation of your year group’s upcoming class reunion, please contact the Old Collegians Association by email at oldcols@stac.school.nz, or phone Lisa Clark on +64 3 940 2085.
Please visit our events page for all upcoming event dates.
Old Collegians Reunions and Events >
If you know of any Old Collegians who deserve to be featured in our Class Notes section of Regulus, or if you’d like to share your own updates, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a small accomplishment or a major milestone, our community thrives on celebrating the achievements of our alumni. And yes, we’re always excited to see wedding photos and news of new additions!
Thank you for being part of our vibrant Old Collegian community!
To get Regulus in your inbox, or to share some news, please email oldcols@stac.school.nz.
If you are no longer receiving a printed copy of Regulus, and you would like one, please let us know. We may have your address incorrect.
To read the May edition of Regulus click here.
Want to keep up with the latest information on reunions and your fellow Old Collegians' news and achievements? Please also keep us updated on all of your achievements and successes!
To join our Old Collegians Facebook page, please click here.
To join our new Old Collegians Instagram page, please click here.
In the spirit of Old Collegians connecting, StAC Connect on LinkedIn enables alumni to share their professional and personal experience and expertise with existing Old Collegians. These connections will help prepare and motivate our young Old Collegians for a successful future. To join StAC Connect, use the link on our LinkedIn page.
We look forward to connecting with you.
Have you recently had a baby or been married?
Send us a photo of your baby or your special wedding day for our November Regulus magazine. We will also send all new babies a St Andrew's Bonny Bear!
Please email details to oldcols@stac.school.nz
If your details have changed from what we have in our records, please fill out the form below, so we can update them.
