2015 has been a good year for the Humanities Faculty – one in which we progressed our curriculum significantly, produced a large number of very highachieving students, and most of all, continued to deliver courses the boys found enjoyably challenging. However, it has also been a year of sadness because we lost our friend and valued faculty member Mr Steve Roberts to cancer. In this report I will describe the good things that happened, but first I wish to say some words about Steve.
ROBERT RITCHIE
Head of Humanities
STEVE ROBERTS JOINED THE 2014 GREECE TOUR
Mr Roberts is sadly missed by staff and students. He taught all the Year 9 Geography classes, and the boys greatly enjoyed his stories and extensive knowledge of Gold Coast beach management and weather forecasting, especially for the way he was able to weave his love of yachting into the lessons. For me, one of the highlights of our shared time was our Faculty’s 2014 History Tour to Greece. Steve took his daughter, Amy, on this tour, and the special memories that were created abroad have taken on extra significance since.
REMEMBERING STEVE ROBERTS
Steve was also a much loved Housemaster of Walker House. Housemaster Emeritus and Ancient History teacher Mr John Wallace paid tribute to Steve at this year’s House Supper with these words: “For 31 years, I worked alongside Steve Roberts and 32
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL SOUTHPORTONIAN 2015
I must say his dominant strength as Housemaster was his knowledge and understanding of his boys. Steve knew his boys well and if they deserved recognition he fought for it on their behalf. If boys fell off the rails he worked tirelessly to put them on the right track again so that they could believe in the philosophy of TSS. At Housemaster meetings when prefects were being voted on Steve would meticulously present detailed information on the achievements of his chosen candidates, always presenting a holistic overview of the young man, emphasising in particular good character and integrity above all other characteristics as being essential for the position. Steve loved his boys and the School. During his illness he would often email wanting to know the progress of the boys in Walker House in the various House activities. We will miss his presence in the boundaries of this school; his warm smile and genuine concern for all, but can be thankful for having known him and of having the pleasure to have worked alongside him.”
At The Southport School, the Humanities Faculty offers three subjects at Senior level. These are Modern History, Geography and Ancient History. This year, among our Year 12s, we are pleased to report that 16 Ancient History students graduated, with special mention to top student Thomas Ross, who also received a Certificate of Academic Excellence for his research and assignment work in both Modern and Ancient History. Remarkably, in Modern History a record 15 of 42 graduates exited with Very High Achievement, with another 18 achieving High Achievement. Congratulations to top students Khurshed Mehta, Stephen Sandeman, Johayer (Lazim) Abtahi, Thomas Ross and Jack Scaysbrook, all of
