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The magazine of the former pupils and friends of George Watson’s College Issue 28

August 2010

caritasAilie RobertsonFirst Things First

PlusKieran Launches Annual Fund

A Postcard from Zambia

Regular FeaturesDevelopment Matters

Watsonian NewsWhere are they now?

[email protected]

Tel: 0032 2 763 [email protected]

Tel: (905) 272 [email protected]


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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 Network forthcoming 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]


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[email protected]

Tel: 0131 225 1119

Tel: 0131 441 1646

Tel: 0131 446 6100

Rugby Martin Macari

Cricket Steve Lockhart

Curling Dan Lean

Golf (men) David McMurray

Golf (women) Mabel Montgomery

Hockey Darren Cavaroli

Rifle Beverley Burnside

Squash Brenda Carmichael

Swimming Ailsa Heine

MyresideOffice

forthcoming events

Worldwide Contacts Worldwide ContactsWorldwide Contacts

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

Worldwide ContactsIf you would be interested in attending a Music, Sport or Drama event at Watson’s

pleasecontacttheDevelopmentOfficeon01314466008oremail:[email protected]

forthcoming events

Switzerland(Geneva) Henry Meyerhoff

USA (North California)Brian WilliamsonJake Mackenzie

USA (East Coast)Robin Macdonald

Watsonian President Keith Anderson [email protected] President Rod Slater [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 Network2010/2011 17 September Highland and Moray Dinner

8/9 October School Reunion

9 October School Open Morning

27 October Watsonian Benevolent Fund AGM Watsonian AGM Myreside AGM

29 October Caritas Dinner

4 November London Watsonian Club AGM

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

cont

ents

2010 201111 November Remembrance Day Service

26 November Borders Watsonian Dinner

3 December London Watsonian Club Christmas Supper

4 December Enablement Ceilidh

9 December Myreside Christmas Lunch

14 January Cenotaph Ceremony and Lunch London

25 March London Watsonian Dinner

Every gift in every Will makes a difference.

For information about leaving a Legacy to

the George Watson’s Family Foundation please contact the

Development Office.

[email protected]


[email protected]




[email protected]

Tel: 0131 225 1119

Tel: 0131 441 1646

Tel: 0131 446 6100

If you would be interested in attending a Music, Sport or Drama event at Watson’s pleasecontacttheDevelopmentOfficeon01314466008oremail:[email protected]

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 Merchant Company Education Board; a charity registered in Scotland SC009747

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)

CoverAilie Robertson as pictured on the cover of her album, First Things First.

cont

ents

Editorial

Outdoor Adventures 4

Investing in Our Future – Creating the GWC Centre for Sport 5

Winter Olympians Return to School 5

Watsonian News 6

Ailie Robertson – First Things First 8

Kieran Launches Annual Fund 9

Development Matters 10

Where Are They Now? 12

Banking on Seeing the World 14

A Postcard from Zambia 15

Desperately Seeking 16

Part of the work of the Development Office is to develop the Watsonian community in its widest sense. We have over 20,000 former pupils, parents and friends of the School throughout the world, and in addition to UK residents we have FPs as far afield as Australia, Ethiopia, St Lucia and China.

At the time of writing I have just become the mother of a former pupil for the first time, as Scott left School and became a Watsonian and member of the Class of 2010. I know that thousands of other parents have gone through this process and experienced the emotions involved, but it is a mixed bag of emotions. Part of me is excited (and a bit jealous!) at what he has ahead, but there is no doubt that, in addition to missing him as he heads off to university, I will miss the camaraderie of joining his peers’ parents on the touchline and at many other School functions.

However, this is where the Development Office does step in. Former parents can keep in touch with the School in which they have so heavily invested, some for many years, through communications such as Caritas. Many of the events that we run are also open to former parents and benefits including eligibility for membership of The Galleon and Myreside also continue.

The Class of 2010, will be invited in due course to join our exciting new online community for former pupils, parents and other friends of the School. This is a ‘work in progress’ at the moment, but we aim to develop an interactive site which will provide, amongst other things, opportunities for people to join in polls and surveys, access our jobs board, update personal details online, support Watson’s through mentoring programmes, and complete online giving. More information will be carried in the January issue of Caritas.

So, to all of those recent former parents, please do not think that your connection with Watson’s has to end, and to the Class of 2010, we wish you all the best for the future.

Please remember the Development Office is here to help in your new role as a former pupil.

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

Every gift in every Will makes a difference.

For information about leaving a Legacy to

the George Watson’s Family Foundation please contact the

Development Office.

Class of 2010, Pyjama Day

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Mountain Rescue Teams in Scotland consist of dedicated

o u t d o o r p e o p l e w h o volunteer as rescuers, often operating in poor and challenging conditions. Within Scotland we have some 31 teams covering

both Highland and Lowland areas. I have been a member

of the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team in the Scottish

Borders for six years and a Dog Handler with my dog Hamish for the last two years.

We meet weekly to train, often looking at technical rescue equipment, navigation and first aid, preparing ourselves for rescues which have in the past included mountain bikers, climbers, fishermen, farmers, hill walkers and on an occasion a family pet! We also train with the RAF and Royal Navy in the use of helicopters; this type of training is invaluable, certainly as a dog handler – it is not difficult to imagine some of the issues when trying to persuade a Border Collie to jump into (or be winched out of ) a Sea King Helicopter! For hill walkers and mountaineers, it is comforting to know that Mountain Rescue is available by dialing 999 and asking for the Police who will call us out. For more information about Mountain Rescue in Scotland or perhaps you would like to become a member of your local team, please visit www.mrcofs.org.Jenny Changleng (née Isherwood, Class of 1990)

On 3 April 2010 I left the UK and the western world behind to fly out to Tibet. My aim was to summit Mount Everest in late May from the North, a route made famous by Mallory and Irvine. The team was multi national and encompassed people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

While I did not summit due to oxygen cylinder problems the expedition was a great experience and I am currently planning to go back next year to attempt the summit from the south side, in Nepal. I also hope to climb down the last 200 metres on the north side which I was unable to climb this time!

The view from 8,650 metres (just 200 metres short of the top of the world) was an awe inspiring view and one I will never forget and will certainly cherish for the rest of my life.Stephen Green(Class of 2005)

Outdoor AdventuresI definitely forged my love of the mountain wilderness in Scotland climbing my first Munro – Schiehallion – with my dad. At school I joined Maxi McLaren – my very patient English teacher – climbing his last Munro during S3 Projects and enjoyed many adventurous hiking trips completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. I first started rock climbing in S6 with Mr Weale’s Climbing Club.

I’ve lived in Switzerland since 2004 when I moved over to start my PhD on the ecology of Malaysian rainforests. Being in the Alps definitely rekindled my love of the mountains. In the winter a lot of my time in the mountains has been spent skiing and ski mountaineering but I also started doing a bit of ice climbing.

About the same time I finished my PhD a friend I met at Aberdeen Uni – Joel Fiddes – moved over to Switzerland. He’d been working in Afghanistan for the past few years for aid agencies and was planning a climbing trip out there. I was really in need of some adventure after having spent far to much of my life in front of a computer and was easily persuaded.

The Whakan corridor in the Afghan Hindu Kush was an amazing area and we experienced amazing hospitality the entire trip. The mountains there are truly beautiful and peaceful and I’d love to go back.Chris Philipson(Class of 1998)

I started my expedition career on the Watson’s trip to Stok Kangri in 2001. I fell ill and was taken down on the back of a donkey. It couldn’t have gone any worse! That didn’t put me off as we returned and climbed the mountain in 2005. Since then we have had over ten successful expeditions to high altitude peaks without incident.

We left Everest Base Camp on 14 May after more than a month of acclimatisation climbs. We pushed up through the Khumbu Ice Fall, past Camp 1 to overnight at Camp 2 (6,400m). We headed up the the Lhotse Face the next day to Camp 3 (7,100m) and slept. We left there at 7am and got to the South Col (7,950m) late at around 5.30pm.

That same night we left for the summit after a few hours ‘rest’. The night was cold but clear and most importantly the wind speed stayed low. On the morning of 17 May my brother

(Fionnlagh, Class of 2003) and I stood on the summit together. We are raising

money for The CAIRN (Child Aid in Rural Nepal) Trust and have almost reached our target. Please donate at www.justgiving.com/everest2010.Ruairidh Finlayson

(Class of 2001)

After over 10 years of planning and preparation, the Governing Council received Merchant Company approval on Thursday 20 May to commence work this summer on Phase Three of the George Watson’s College Centre for Sport. This is the biggest capital undertaking for the School in a generation. However, careful financial management in recent years coupled with generous support from

Investing in Our Future – Creating the George Watson’s College Centre for Sport

The day after the meeting which gave the green light for Phase Three of the George Watson’s College Centre for Sport, it was wonderful to welcome our two 2010 Winter Olympians to our annual former staff event.

Annie Laird (Class of 1988) was part of the British Curling Squad at the Vancouver Olympics and already has many excellent results to her name including a bronze medal at the World Junior Curling Championships and becoming World Champion as a member of the gold medal winning team at the World Curling Championships in 2002.

Annie replaced Karen Addison as the alternate in the

British curling team for the

2010 Winter O l y m p i c Games and whilst not securing a

medal it was

“With the Olympics coming to London in 2012, the emphasis on sport in Britain has never been greater. These new facilities will allow pupils to train in a superb environment and give them every opportunity to realise their own Olympic dream”.Chris Hoy (Class of 1994)

all quarters of the Watson’s community, has allowed us to progress this much needed and much awaited improvement to our facilities.

Our vision is to create a sports facility that will help the School to continue to attract prospective pupils to Watson’s and allow them to experience a wide range of curricular and extra curricular sport. The new facilities will offer flexibility to

take account of the changing needs of the curriculum. They will also ensure that we have sports facilities second to none in a Scottish school on a single campus.

By providing excellent facilities and guidance from highly qualified and motivated staff, we aim to encourage pupils to reach their potential in sport and develop a lifelong interest in a healthy lifestyle.

a wonderful achievement to be selected. At the end of May her team won team of the year at the Scottish Curling Awards.

Gil l ian Cooke (Class of 2000) r e p r e s e n t e d S c o t l a n d i n t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h Yo u t h G a m e s , set three Scottish senior pole vault records in two months in 2002, and was selected to represent Scotland in that event at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

She began concentrating on the long jump in 2004, earning GB selection in that event in 2005, and represented Scotland in the long jump at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Gillian joined driver Nicola Minichiello in the two-woman bobs le igh as brakewoman following a trial in October 2008. Minichiello and Cooke won the gold medal in the two-woman event at the FIBT World Championships 2009 in Lake Placid, New York. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, they unfortunately crashed out during the third run of the

two-woman event and did not start the final run as a result.

Both Gillian and Annie thoroughly enjoyed their Olympic experience and injury permitting have already set their sights on the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.

We wait with interest to hear if any of our sports stars gain selection for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and would like to congratulate the many Watsonians who have reached international level in their particular sports.

Winter Olympians Return to School

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Gillian Cooke and Annie Laird

Watsonian NewsWatsonian News



Watsonian News


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Watsonian Benevolent FundThe Watsonian Benevolent Fund provides relief for former pupils and members and former members of staff of George Watson’s College and their dependants who may be in circumstances requiring financial or other aid. If you think you might qualify or you know of someone who might qualify, please get in touch with Alan Hartley, Secretary and Treasurer, or Roger Smith, Chairman, though the Development Office.

Former Staff Return to School

Gillian Cooke (Class of 2000) and Annie Laird (Class of 1988) were most welcome guests at this year’s annual staff lunch held at Myreside on Friday 21 May. Each gave a short presentation on their Olympic experience, which led to a very lively question and answer session.

Around 50 people attended the event, and many of those present joined Myreside on the day. For membership details please contact Myreside on 0131 446 6100.

Spreading Their Wings

Andrew Chalmers and Rachel Craxton, two of the recipients of this year’s Watsonian Travel Grants.

SW Branch Annual Lunch

The annual South West Watsonian lunch was held on Saturday 8 May in the Wessex Restaurant at Bath University. We were delighted to have as our guests Keith Anderson, and his wife, Janet, who brought us up to date with events at the school. It was delightful to see our usual regulars, who were able to catch up on each other’s news, but we would be very pleased to see some new faces next year.

Next year’s lunch will be at the same venue on 14 May. If you would like to attend please contact Sheena Carter on 01225 331806 or email [email protected].

ScoutsThe Scout Group has arranged an informal get-together for former members of the 9th on Friday 10 September 2010 at Myreside from 7pm till 11pm. This follows on from the outstanding success of the 100th Anniversary celebrations held in September 2008.

Some of the archive material will be on view along with current material.

Sandwiches or a light buffet will be available at a modest price, and the bar will be open. Hopefully many former members of the 9th will be interested in coming along.

Please contact Donald Easton ([email protected] or 0131 337 1690) for further information.

Watsonian Online CommunityThe Development Office is currently working on an exciting new project to introduce a website which carries more news and opportunities for our former pupils, parents and friends.

More information will be carried in the January issue of Caritas.

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Watsonian Club AGMNotice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of The Watsonian Club will be held on Wednesday 27 October 2010 at Myreside at 7pm. As there is no longer a subscription for joining the Club, all Watsonians, as members of The Watsonian Club are entitled to attend and vote at this meeting.

Nominations for Office Bearers should be in the hands of the Secretary, Roy Mack by 6 October 2010.

Agenda 1. Notice calling the meeting2. Apologies3. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 28 October 20094. Business arising from the minutes5. President’s Report6. Council Report7. Development Office Report8. Accounts9. Election of Office Bearers10. Any other business

Note: Copies of the minutes of the 2009 Annual General Meeting, Council Report, and Accounts will be available from the School Development Office from 6 October 2010.

Kerr Fry – BequestPlease visit www.scholarships.ed.ac.uk/kerr_fry.htm if you would like further information on applying for a Kerr Fry Award or a Kerr Fry PhD Scholarship. Specific criteria apply.

100th London Watsonian Dinner

A lovely event took place at the Caledonia Club in March to celebrate the 100th London Watsonian Dinner. Pictured above left to right are London Watsonian Club President Eileen Potts (Class of 1977), School Governor Liz Smith (Class of 1978) and London Watsonian Club Secretary Tricia Burt (Class of 1961).

Another Successful Watsonian Dinner

Under the expert Chairmanship of President Keith Anderson, (Class of 1975), the assembled guests were entertained by guest speaker Jim Calder, Former Scottish Rugby Internationalist and British Lion, Member of the Grand Slam team of 1984, Founder of Jim Calder Associates and Patron of the Cherishindia charity.

Included amongst the guests were The Master of the Merchant Company, Ken Dalton, Principal Gareth Edwards, Chairman of the School Governing Council, Alan Hartley, and this year’s Head Boy and Head Girl, Andrew Chalmers and Fiona Trew. Keith Anderson and his wife Janet have attended Branch dinners in the Borders, Yorkshire, Aberdeen, the London 100th Dinner and the South West England lunch.

Anyone for Lunch at Myreside?

The last Thursday of the month is your opportunity to meet other Watsonians upstairs at Myreside for an informal lunch in comfortable surroundings.

If you are interested in coming along, please contact Myreside on 0131 446 6100.

Founder’s Day

Three generations of the Hastings family at Founder’s Day

This year we were joined by The Rt Hon George Grubb, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and many o ther d i s t ingu i shed guests. Our Founder’s Day speaker was Gavin Hastings OBE (Class of 1980), international rugby player, businessman, current parent and great supporter of Watson’s.

In his speech he said that as a pupil he never imagined that he would be standing on the stage as Guest Speaker at Founder’s Day. He recounted how he loved coming to Watson’s, remembered being late quite a lot, getting detention, looking forward to playing sport and a healthy rivalry with Heriot’s.

He mentioned the introduction of girls when he was in S2, S3 projects and the realisation in S4 of the importance of prioritisation and the discipline of making sure the homework was done before the fun commenced.

Gavin himself had a hero at School, namely John Rutherford who was on the verge of playing rugby for Scotland when he arrived at Watson’s as a young PE teacher.

The message was to learn from those around you, from those who have achieved incredible success, and to remember the list of people who have success in all walks of life having had a Watson’s education. He discussed the legacy of George Watson and left the audience with one final point – namely the prime opportunity that Watson’s gives to its pupils – to be the best person you can be in everything you choose to do.

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Music was a huge part of my life at Watson’s – I started harp and piano lessons in primary school, and throughout my 13 years played in various school orchestras, sang in choirs, played in musicals and performed in many concerts. I was very lucky to be the first winner of the Robin Adair Young Musician of the Year competition, and used prize money from that to begin studies on Concert Harp, on which I then went on to win the competition again two years later. Watson’s has a fantastic Music Department, and I was incredibly lucky to have support from Norman Mitchell , Steven Griffin, Mairi Leach, Rosemary McKercher and Dr MacDougall as I went through school.

I never intended, however, to make music my career. When I finished S6, I moved to New York and attended Hamilton College for a year, thanks to Watson’s Hamilton Scholarship, before going to Cambridge University where I gained a 1st class degree in Genetics. Although studying science, I kept playing as much as possible; I joined the Cambridge University String Orchestra, Symphony and Philharmonic, with whom I performed many major classical works, and toured to the USA. Throughout all this, however, was a love and a longing to be playing traditional music. All my childhood holidays were spent on the Isle of Skye, where I heard traditional music and songs at ceilidhs. I can’t describe the feeling when I heard the music and felt the pulse and swing of it. I totally loved it, and spent hours learning new tunes and playing with other young musicians.

I withdrew from science and travelled to Ireland in 2006 to learn more about traditional music and study for a Masters in Music Performance at the Irish World Academy of Music.

After graduation I moved back to Scotland, and for the past five years have been working as a professional musician,

performing, teaching, composing and recording. In the last 12 months I’ve toured in 16 different countries, released a new album, performed for HRH the Queen, and worked with some of the world’s top musicians. I teach over 50 students and am also involved with teaching for the Adult Learning Project, working for the Feis movement, and tutoring at festivals around the world. One of my main projects is a Scottish/Irish/Canadian collaboration called The Outside Track. We were really lucky to be signed onto a major folk music label in our first year, and have recently released our second album. My performing has also been hugely influenced by a programme called Live Music Now!, which was set up by Yehudi Menuhin to encourage musicians to do work in the community, and generally come out of the concert hall and into the real world with their music. I really value the opportunity to perform with a diverse range of ensembles, from totally solo to full orchestra, and to play venues ranging in size from 20 people to 2,000.

With creative projects, the real joy is when you’re actually doing it. I’m most happy when I am in the middle of rehearsing and recording for a new CD; it’s incredibly exciting to create something brand new. Performing is equally rewarding because it’s so personal – it is a chance to resonate and express one’s experience of the world. With traditional music there is always a story and a meaning inside the music. It’s very important to me that when I get on stage I am giving the audience something with which to expand their lives, whether it’s a song that they could sing, or whether it’s a little bit of a historical perspective. I also love how traditional music brings people of all ages together; often people will come to my show and then they’ll come back, bringing their kids. Or young people will come and come back and bring their parents.

In 2008 I released by first solo album, First Things First. The album was

awarded a Live Ireland award for Best instrumental Album of the Year and also saw me nominated for Up and Coming Artist of the Year in the Scots Traditional Music Awards. My intention with the album was to put the harp in a setting where it was leading a full band of guitar, bass, percussion and piano. Most harp albums are very gentle and soothing, but I wanted to show that the harp can really stand out on its own as a solo instrument within a band setting. I was delighted to be able to hold my album launch in the George Watson’s College Music Auditorium.

One of my main career aims has been to defy the usual stereotypes about the harp. I think one of the things I didn’t like about the harp was it’s stereotype as a pristine, prissy, genteel instrument. You realise, however, that if you scratch beneath the surface, there’s this drama and this power and it’s nothing like people’s prejudices.

I remember my days at Watson’s very fondly, and am still in touch with lots of friends from school. I’m very grateful to all the teachers I had over my 13 years there for all their inspiration and encouragement. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again and catching up at our 10-year reunion next year. Ailie Robertson(Class of 2001)

Ailie Robertson – First Things First

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We have decided this year to launch the Annual Fund for 2010/11 in Caritas. To those who are already donors, we would like to thank you, and invite you to this year’s Caritas Lecture and your invitation is enclosed.

Below is a message from one of our Foundationers, Kieran Wilson on behalf of the 130 pupils who were supported during session 2009/10. Kieran took the Foundation Day Assembly this year and in front of our Senior School pupils he explained that he was a Foundationer and the benefits it had brought. As you will appreciate, to sustain this number of Foundationers is a major challenge and all support is greatly appreciated.

“I am Kieran Wilson and I am just about to finish a fantastic journey through Watson’s and begin another set of experiences, firstly as the Hamilton Scholar at Hamilton College, USA and then hopefully at Cambridge University reading Law.

When I sat the entrance exam for Watson’s, I knew that my family could never have afforded the fees no matter how well I performed.

The George Watson’s Family Foundation gave me a tremendous opportunity to take all that Watson’s has to offer. I have enjoyed mixing my academic study with debating, drama and a host of extra curricular activity.

I am one of 130 pupils who are being supported by the Foundation, I have first hand experience of just how valuable a Watson’s education is, and this is my chance to help the work of the Foundation and repay some of what I have been given.

You can help give another child the opportunity to experience all that Watson’s has to offer.

You can make a difference to someone like me.

Thank you”Kieran Wilson(Class of 2010)

School Support for Foundation Day Assemblies took place in the lead up to the day in the Junior School to tell pupils about the important work of the Foundation, and our thanks go to Kate Wilson and Kath Grandison for arranging these.

Wake Up Watson’sThe weather was kind to us on 18 March as almost 1,000 pupils, staff and parents, ably led by Kath Grandison, took part in Wake up Watson’s. This massive aerobic fundraiser took place first thing in the morning and participants included the Principal, Gareth Edwards, Head of the Junior School, Linda Fleming and Development Office staff Roy Mack and Lesley McKean. Kath regularly takes aerobics sessions for some pupils before school and her enthusiasm to expand this to more of the Watson’s community whilst at the same time raising money for our Foundation, resulted in over £8,000 being raised. In addition to thanking Kath, we would like to thank all participants and everyone who sponsored this excellent event.

Kieran Launches Annual Fund

The Lower Primary supported Foundation Day by having an ‘Own Tie’ day

Primary 3 Young Enterprise present a cheque for £441, which they raised through the sale of

tea towels to Primary 1 families

On Friday 21 May, P6K did a sponsored run for the Haiti Earthquake appeal and the George Watson’s Family Foundation by running as many laps as they could around the School athletics track in a Scottish costume. They raised the fantastic sum of £411.20

STOP PRESS: Mr Iannone’s Form Class raised £60.20 for the Foundation through sales of House Cinema DVDs.

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.

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Pagan Osborne Sponsor Art Exhibition

We are delighted that this year’s School Art Exhibition was sponsored by Pagan Osborne for the first time. Yet again the exhibition provided the opportunity for our young artists to showcase their outstanding talents and those who attended were treated to a wide variety of art featuring Primary pupils right through to those studying A-Level Art.

MorvenJoinstheDevelopmentOfficeTeam

Twenty years after leaving Watson’s, Morven Skirving (née Kerr, Class of 1990), is delighted to be back at School, joining the Development Office team as Database Administrator. Thanks to excellent teaching and guidance by Mrs Hepburn during the 80s, Morven’s secretarial skills have stood her in good stead over the years.

On leaving Watson’s, Morven studied in Aberdeen and joined the University’s Royal Naval Unit as a junior officer, spending most of her time on deployments around the British Isles. On leaving Aberdeen, Morven returned to Edinburgh and enjoyed several jobs varying from The Royal Scotsman train to the Scottish Ambulance Service and latterly working as PA and Events Manager to the Sales Director of Zurich Financial Services. Since having her two children Morven has been a freelance Events Manager, working at the British Open Golf, and Ryder Cup championships.

Morven is married to Bruce (Class of 1985) and they have two children Kate and Harris.

Donations From America?Are you a US tax payer? If you are, you may want a US tax deduction for your gift because it can save up to half of the amount you give.

The George Watson’s Family Foundation has been evaluated by the American Fund for Charities.

To donate online, please visit the Donate Now part of the School website.

Back row: Lesley McKean (Director of Development), Carol Wood (Development Administrator), Morven Skirving (Database Administrator)

Front row: Anne Hamilton (Development Administrator), Roy Mack (Director of Projects)

Pictured left to right: Gareth Edwards (Principal), Nick Adair (Head of Art), Lesley McKean (Director of Development), Alistair Morris

(Chief Executive, Pagan Osborne)

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Two New Trustees Appointed to the George Watson’s Family FoundationIain More

Iain has been a development practitioner and consultant for over 25 years, following a career in industry, higher education and politics in the UK, the US and France. After being Director of Development at the University of Edinburgh and INSEAD, in 1989 he founded Iain More Associates, a leading European fundraising consultancy, with a wide range of educational and arts institutions, charities and not–for–profit organisations. Iain pioneered telephone fundraising in the UK in 1984 at the University of Edinburgh and in 1992 as a consultant to the University of Cambridge, and authored a key fundraising manual for Oxford Colleges, commissioned by a major philanthropist.

Alisdair Dewar

Alisdair replaces Ian Bell and will serve a three year term in his capacity as an Assistant on the Master’s Court of the Merchant Company of Edinburgh. Alisdair has 15 years of experience within the UK Banking sector and is currently an Associate Director of Adam & Company plc. He is keen to bring his considerable knowledge of finance to all relevant areas of the School’s future projects, ensuring its continued success now and into the future.

Please refer to the School website for a complete list of Governors.

GWFF and Cash for KidsBenefitFromPABall

A very professional and enthusiastic committee from the Parents’ Association raised over £12,600, to be shared between the George Watson’s Family Foundation and the Radio Forth Cash for Kids Appeal as a result of another highly successful Ball held at Prestonfield House Hotel.

Seat Naming Opportunities Still Available If anyone would like to name a seat, please contact the Development Office. The cost of a seat is £350.

Thank you to everyone who has chosen this way to support the School. We have also recently named seats in memory of those people who have left legacies to the School in the last 15 years.

Summer Fair

With the sun shining, this year’s Summer Fair was a great success raising money for Haiti and the Junior School. A huge thanks to all the parents and staff who volunteered on the day, and to everyone who came along.

Parents enjoying the PA Ball at Prestonfield House Hotel

Bruce Ritchie Class of 1966

After leaving the then George Watson’s Boys College in 1966 Bruce went to Queen’s College Dundee, which at that time was part of the University of St Andrews, to study law. In 1967 the college became Dundee University and he graduated LLB from this new university in 1969. After taking a year out (which was fairly unusual in those days and during which he drove a frozen food truck then shoveled scrap metal in a London factory before hitching to Istanbul and back over a three month period having saved up the princely sum of £120), he returned to Scotland in September 1970 to start his apprenticeship in an Edinburgh law firm called Haldanes and McLaren. His starting salary was £550 per annum!

Bruce qualified as a solicitor in early 1973 and after a year in a Dundee firm came back to Edinburgh and was made a partner in the same firm where he had been an apprentice. He stayed there five years before moving via a two year stint with another firm to the small firm of Thomson & Baxter (now sadly no more) in 1981. After nine years as a partner there he left to join the Law Society of Scotland in 1990 and has been there ever since, heading up the Professional Practice Department for most of that time. In 2006 he co-wrote the standard book on Law Practice and Conduct for Solicitors in Scotland along with Professor Alan Paterson of the Glasgow Graduate School of Law. In 2009 he was privileged to be named In-House Lawyer of the Year in the Scottish Law Awards.

Bruce has two grown up children, both married, and a grandchild on the way. He has been married to Iona for 11 years, who used to work at the Law Society and now works for a small Edinburgh law firm. They live in Corstorphine but also have a house in Burgundy where they try and spend three or four holidays a year, and where they plan to live when Bruce retires in 2013.

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

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Jacqueline RunnallsClass of 1986

Jacqueline attended Glasgow Caledonian University after leaving school and is now a Senior Occupational Therapist in Housing for a local authority in London, having lived there for 15 years.

She recently became the first person to win an award for excellence in Housing OT owing to her work achievements. She is now part of a British Standards Institute (BSi) committee producing guidance on wheelchair accessible housing, is involved on projects with the Mayor of London, Design for London, other national organisations and nearing the end of a Masters in Accessibility & Inclusive Design.

She takes part in triathlons, enjoys travelling the world and trying to learn different languages, socialising, music, and a nice glass of red wine!

Marcus Di Rollo Class of 1996

Marcus was lucky enough to attend Watson’s from Primary 1 through to S6. He has very fond memories and still has many good friends from his time there, including his wife Leanne. After leaving in 1996 he attended Napier University and signed professionally for Edinburgh Rugby. He spent eight seasons with Edinburgh and gained 22 caps for Scotland before leaving to play for the French club Stade Toulouse. He has now retired from professional rugby and has returned to Edinburgh to work alongside his sister in the family business, Pentland Stone and Bathroom Co, whilst becoming a dad to his one-year-old son Rocco.

George Strang Staff 1980–1998

Much has happened during the 12 years since George left Watson’s. He is still pulling himself up hills, skiing every season, causing alarm on the roads around Edinburgh when on the bike, and running round the streets at the pace of a terrestrial molluscan. His list of 100 things to do before he “pops his Chaussures”, is far from completed, but he has managed visits to the Albert Hall, London Eye and Scafell Pike among others.

Bruce Ritchie

Jacqueline Runnalls (right)

Marcus Di Rollo with son, Rocco

George Strang

Pam NeillClass of 1980

Pam Neill left Watson’s in 1980 and went on to Moray House College where she qualified as a teacher.

With few teaching jobs available she decided to follow her hobby and work with competition horses. This led to a very varied, interesting life beginning in Hampshire and taking her to North America and Europe, working for top class riders and competing herself in dressage, show jumping and eventing. She’s been in her present job for 13 years now, based in Shropshire.

She gave up eventing some years ago after a bad fall put her out of action for five months.

She continues to showjump now travelling frequently to Europe to compete on the Ambassadors Tour (formerly known as veterans).

In 2000 she took up carriage driving. She became National Indoor Novice Champion in 2001–2002 before moving on to the outdoor circuit. National Driving Trials is a three-day event consisting of Dressage, Marathon/Obstacle Course and Cone Driving.

She was Reserve National Driving Champion in 2004. In 2005, she began a campaign with her new horse, Pablo Diablo. However, disaster struck in August 2005 when, after a freak accident

Cammy MunroClass of 2000

“Where am I now? – I’m still here!”

For his S6 work experience Cammy was placed in the TSB Bank for the first week and on the groundstaff at Watson’s for his second. These two weeks seemed to create a career path dilemma for him, accountant or groundsman? Accountancy won and he headed to Napier University but was always drawn back to Myreside for summer work. After University Willie Morton offered him a full time job as an assistant groundsman, which he jumped at – nowadays you’ll still find him at Watson’s as the Deputy Head Groundsman.

Susannah McManus (née Macdonald )Class of 2002

For Suz, thinking about Watson’s days brings warm nostalgia, remembering all the friends and the quirky environment. Always close to Edinburgh, since leaving Watson’s in 2002, she graduated in Law. She married (now separated) and had two children now four and three years old. Learning that both her sons are autistic and one partially deaf prompted her to work in the field of disabilities as an advocacy worker. Still pursuing a career in law she is studying a second law degree at the Open University, working ad hoc as coordinator for the Scottish branch of an environmental organisation and ‘living life to the full.’

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Cammy Munro

in his stable during the night, Pablo badly fractured his lower jaw. It took two operations and eight months of loving care to get him fit enough to go back into the carriage. All the hard work and patience paid off when she finished the season with a win in the Open Class at Windsor.

In 2009, Pam was long listed for the British Team for the World Single Horse Championships in Rome 2010. After completing Selection Trials she secured her place to represent Great Britain in Pratoni, Rome in July this year.

Pam Neill (left) with horse Pablo Diablo

at the Caritas Dinner

Friday 29 October 2010Chaired by

John McLellan Editor in Chief of Scotsman Publications

Entertainment by

with a fab auCtiOn and RaFFLEand so much more!

Be a Super TrouperBe a Super Trouper

Thank You For The 70s

Sponsorship and catering byHeritage Portfolio UK Event Caterer of the Year 2010

Susannah McManus pictured with her two son’s

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Given the statute of limitations on breaches of behavior has presumably passed, I can now safely admit that during John Bewsey’s geography classes many years ago, my mind would regularly wander.

I would often daydream about life beyond Watson’s, about embarking on some sort of grand global adventure. I never thought that my career would end up taking me on a circumnavigation of the globe. Nor did I ever think my time abroad would stretch to more than 35 years and still counting.

After Watson’s I went on to study law at the University of Edinburgh. I graduated in 1974 and with my law degree firmly in hand decided to make a slight change in career path and go to work for a bank, as a banker.

At the time the financial services sector was not the first choice of many. Dozens of small British banks were in trouble due to plunges in UK property values. Globally, the international monetary system was still coming to grips with the collapse of Bretton Woods, oil prices were rising rapidly and a worldwide recession was in full swing.

This particular bank, however, offered me an opportunity that I could simply not pass up – a place in their international management trainee programme and with it a chance to see the wider world.

My first overseas posting with HSBC took me to the United Arab Emirates where I assigned to the customer accounts department. The year was 1975 and, if I recall correctly, British Airways only had

a few flights a week to the Emirates. All were non-direct. I arrived via Bahrain. At the time, Dubai did not have the skyscrapers it does now. Nor was it all that well-known, which I am sure caused some in my family to wonder just what I had signed up for.

Two years on and two jobs later, I was transferred from Dubai to Hong Kong to work in the Chief Accountant’s department of the bank. Little did I realise at the time that this would be the first of many arrivals into Hong Kong for periodic postings over the years. Likewise, little did I know that the time I would spend in Hong Kong would have such a huge and positive impact on my life.

Over the subsequent years, I would go on to work in various places for various parts of the HSBC Group. Postings including Qatar, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico. Living in different continents, countries and cultures has been an enlightening and an educational experience.

Along the way, I have been fortunate enough to make lots of lasting friendships. I have also had the privilege of visiting parts of the world I never imagined I would ever see. Plus, I have had the great pleasure of playing golf on a variety of courses in Asia, Latin America, North America and the Middle East – albeit some proved more pleasurable than others to my handicap. I even picked up two extra languages between the moves with the considerable help of Juliet, my linguistically gifted wife of 31 years.

One of the life-long learnings I took away from my time at George Watson’s College was to always work hard and to never have regrets. During my career, there have undoubtedly been times when I probably could have done a better job fulfilling the former. I can honestly say, however, that the latter remains firmly intact.

While working at several different companies is increasingly commonplace, I certainly don’t regret spending my entire career at HSBC. After al l , the bank has provided me with an opportunity to meet many fascinating people – from serving members of the Thai Royal family to being able to hang out with Scotland’s rugby royalty, Gavin Hastings, under the auspices of a bank sports sponsorship.

In my current role at HSBC, I am responsible for running the Retail, Commercial Banking and Insurance businesses globally as well as the bank’s Latin American and African businesses. It means a considerable amount of travel, but fortunately I have an understanding spouse.

To this day, Hong Kong remains a special place for me and not just because it is my current home. Hong Kong is also where I met Juliet. It is where two of our four now grown children were born. Hong Kong is also where, back in the mid-1980s, I picked up one of my more interesting and memorable job titles: ‘Assistant Manager, Bad and Doubtful’.Sandy Flockhart(Class of 1969)

Sandy launching the HSBC brand in Mexico in 2004.

Sandy meeting the Mexican President Vicente Fox in 2004, with Stephen Green and John Bond, current and former HSBC Chairman respectively, in the background

Banking on Seeing the World

The family in Mozambique on holiday last December. Left to right: Alastair, Doug, Ruth and Susan

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ZambiaA postcard from

Three years were spent at the Junior School until my father’s work required the family to move to the west of Scotland. Then in 1973, I also recall being excited to hear that I would be returning to Watson’s for Senior School, but not a little nervous about joining Bainfield House as boarder. Character building it certainly was in those days, and so unfortunate that there is no longer a boarding facility available to today’s parents. Nonetheless, I remain with fond memories of my later years at Watson’s, and still keep in touch with old school friends.

In 1979 I emerged from S6, and after three years at Aberdeen University studying accountancy and economics, returned to Edinburgh to embark on a career in Chartered Accountancy. I don’t think it was mere coincidence that in my training firm of John M Geoghegan and Co, there were at least three Watsonians amongst the partners!

Before qualifying as a CA in 1986, my travels had been limited to a bus ride across the US, and a train journey to Spain to watch the football World Cup. I was lucky enough to be invited to meet a visiting partner from the Zambian office of one of the international accounting firms. Since my days as a boarder at Watson’s, I had been interested in Africa, and particularly Zambia, where an aunt and uncle had worked for a few years. Eagerly dressed in my best suit, I arrived at Canterbury railway station for my interview, where

I was met by a well-b u i l t

Scot, dressed in T-shirt and shorts! To my further surprise, he suggested we proceed to the local pub for the interview. I was later informed that I had passed the interview when I offered to buy the first round of drinks! If any more surprises were required, I was to discover some time later that my new employer was the son of the owner of ‘Piper’s Cycles’ shop in Morningside. Small world?

And so began a long and personally rewarding relationship with Zambia. The first three years were spent in the towns of Ndola and Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, the heart of Zambia’s mining and commercial region. The country was formerly Northern Rhodesia, and the British influence was still very evident. There remained a significant number of expatriate Scots, and the Burns Supper was one of the highlights of the year, as it still is today. Those were my bachelor days, when the lifestyle was great, and responsibilities limited. The warm climate was conducive to an outdoor life, and sport and braiis (barbeques) were the normal weekend activity. We would jump at the chance to head off into the bush for daytrips, and there were also occasional safaris to the vast national parks, to view the abundant elephant, giraffe, hippos

and crocodiles amongst others. And glorious sunsets on the Zambezi, and of course the mighty Victoria Falls, a mile wide at the top.

In Ndola, I was to meet my future wife, Ruth, and in 1991 we moved to the capital, Lusaka where for 10 years I held a number of finance positions with international conglomerate Lonrho.

In 1993 Ruth and I married, and we now have three children, Kato, Alastair and Susan. Marriage, children and school fees inevitably demand a change in lifestyle. And a cross-cultural family naturally comes with its own special challenges. But 23 years on from our first meeting, we seem to have coped with everything thrown at us! Kato is pursuing a career in computers and IT, and Alastair and Susan, 15 and 13 years old respectively, are boarders at Kingswood College in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Ruth manages her own interior design and landscaping company.

Today, Zambia is a different country to the one I found nearly 25 years ago, which was characterised by poverty and shortages of essentials under Kenneth Kaunda’s one party state. From the 1990s the country has enjoyed a stable democracy and reasonable economic growth. Lusaka is a picture of vibrant property developments including offices and shopping malls. But rapid growth comes with disadvantages, not least increasing traffic congestion and pollution. And so much more needs to be done to improve the living conditions of the poorest people, many of whom are forced to live with the twin evils of poverty and HIV/Aids.

Since 2001, I have been a partner with global chartered accountants, BDO. We specialise in advising new investors to the country, and from a business perspective, this is a great time to be here. But I will never forget the reasons for making the journey to Zambia in the first place.Douglas Ironside(Class of 1979)

My first day at Watson’s made a lasting impression, as I can still remember clutching my mother’s hand as she led me into Miss Dilbey’s 1Y class in September 1966.

Doug, Alastair and prize tigerfish on the Zambezi

Desperately SeekingDesperately Seeking

Desperately Seeking

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

Data Protection

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 the School’s Data Protection Policy. 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.

Hardie Mrs Katharine née Greiner 1940

Elder Mr Robert 1941

James Mrs Dorothy née Galloway 1943

Hunter Ms Margaret 1944

Bell Mr Leonard 1945

Rhodes Mrs Helen née McDonald 1946

Stephen Mr Ronald 1946

Watson Mr John 1950

Cameron Mrs Marjorie née Peat 1955

Arthurson Dr Iain 1956

Pearson Mr Adam 1957

Carter Mr Brandon 1960

Chalmers Mr Robert 1962

Laidlaw Mrs Caroline née Machin 1962

Raeburn Mrs Arlene née Conway 1962

Forrester Mr Robin 1963

Cowper Mrs Jennifer née Turnstall 1964

Hogg Mr Douglas 1964

Crippen Mr John 1965

Pringle Mrs Margaret née Birkett 1965

Birch Mrs Paene née Reid 1966

Morrison Mrs Christine née Cameron 1966

Evans Mrs Jacqueline née Croall 1968

Thabet Mrs Kathleen née Cunningham 1968

Eilbeck Mr Neville 1969

MacKinnon Mr Derek 1972

Willins Mrs Marjory née Clephane 1972

Barrow Mrs Julia née Godden 1973

Vinestock Dr Morris 1973

Comrie Ms Lesley 1974

Desperately SeekingDesperately Seeking

Bell Mr David 1975

Imrie Mrs Helen née Rose 1976

Bruce Mr David 1977

Wilson Mrs Judy née Hindshaw 1977

Baird Mr Mungo 1978

Alker Ms Sharon née Henderson 1979

Chattaway Mrs Anne née Le Roy Ladurie 1979

Armstrong Ms Enid 1981

Ballantyne Mr Gavin 1981

Anderson Dr Julia 1982

Gilchrist Mr John 1982

Blane Miss Carole 1983

Hamilton Mr Mark 1983

Binnie Mr Jonathan 1984

Blight Ms Charlotte 1984

Crompton Mr Andrew 1985

MacLean Ms Catriona 1985

Kirkpatrick Mr Gordon 1986

Pearson Miss Elizabeth 1986

Ashton Mr Andrew 1987

Bisset Mrs Joanna née Grant 1987

Mann Mr Geoffrey 1988

Clark Ms Kirsty 1989

Bethell Ms Julie 1990

Johnston Mr Paul 1990

MacLean Mr Donald 1990

Buchanan Mr Gordon 1991

Cooper Ms Jeanne 1991

McCall Mr Mark 1992

Russell Ms Joanne 1992

Desperately Seeking

Anderson Mr Ross 1993

Davidson Ms Sonia 1993

Davies Mr Tudor 1994

Hosie Miss Anne 1994

Boyd Ms Rebecca 1995

Fannin Mr Ben 1995

Calder Mr Hamish 1996

Hepburn Ms Lynne 1996

Campbell Mr Rory 1997

Forman Mr Simon 1997

Kupis Miss Sarah 1999

McClure Mr Liam 1999

Millar Mr James 2000

Morrison Miss Gemma 2000

Campbell Mr Ross 2001

Divine Miss Jenny 2001

Burnett Mr Liam 2003

Diniz Miss Jessica 2003

Dillon Mr Matthew 2004

Monteith Miss Katy 2004

Culverwell Mr Alexander 2005

Forbes Miss Alison 2005

Morris Mr Mark 2006

Wilson Miss Kirsty 2006

Lawrie Mr Scott 2007

Orlowski Miss Sophie 2007

Mungo Mr Thomas 2008

Shanley Miss Ashley 2008

Matthews Miss Robyn 2009

Muir Mr William 2009

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