99
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Founders’ Day The best traditions and values of St Andrew’s Scottish Presbyterian forefathers were celebrated at the 99th Founders’ Day Assembly and Highland Games. Stirring musical numbers, a celebration of some of the special achievements of students past and present, and a compelling address by Old Collegian and current staff member Mikae Tuu’u (2003) were some of the highlights of the assembly. Mikae’s strong message was to encourage all students to make the most of their time at St Andrew’s, to embrace the College’s culture and values, aim for excellence in everything they do and ‘get involved’ in all the wonderful opportunities on offer. Old Collegian Jim Hudson (1953) gave another energetic and entertaining ‘Address to the Haggis’, which is always enjoyed by the audience, especially the ‘flying thistle’. Students were later ‘treated’ to a taste of haggis in the quad. Numerous successes were recognised at the assembly, including the outstanding results of the Pipe Bands, who won three grades at the recent national championships. The First XI was presented with their caps by one of St Andrew’s sporting greats, Graham Dowling, who played cricket for New Zealand from 1961–1972. Gordon Ogilvie, an Old Collegian (1951) former teacher, historian and writer who wrote St Andrew’s 90 year history High Flies the Cross, was also recognised at the assembly, as were the 2016 Strowan Scholars, Year 12 students Lizzie Stevenson and Angus Syme, who will travel to Scotland in September. They were honoured with a beautiful rendition of the Skye Boat Song sung by Year 13 students Alice Bevin and Joshua Pike. Other musical highlights included the College orchestra’s stunning performance of Coronation March from Le Prophète and the senior choir Staccoro’s beautiful performance of Arirang. After the more gentle formalities, it was time for raucous warfare, when the whole school, including Preparatory students, joined in the quad for the Highland Games House competition. After rousing songs and chants, there were wheat sheaf and medicine ball caber tossing, and a wonderful display from the Pipe Band and Highland dancers. Congratulations to Rutherford, who won the House competition in fine spirit.
Several Old Collegians (1956–1960) attending their 60 Years On Reunion also enjoyed the Founders’ Day events. Bob Anderson (1956) was particularly impressed by Mikae Tuu’u’s ‘stirring’ speech. “I hope my grandsons Tom and Angus, who are boarders, took notice,” he said with a smile. The Anderson family has a long history at St Andrew’s, with Bob’s father Ronald one of the College’s earliest students (number 202) and his son Don also attending. Bob was among the students who back in the 1950s planted the trees around the ‘new’ Chapel, when it was built.
Teacher Cameron Pickering and Elsie Ullrich (Year 5) get into the Highland spirit.
Another Old Collegian, Don Maginness (1956) said he was ‘very impressed’ with the talent on display at the Founders’ Day Assembly, and enjoyed catching up with old friends at the reunion. “The fellowship and playing sport are what I remember most about my time at St Andrew’s. Meeting everyone here again makes it seem like it was just yesterday.”
