He is one of those characters who leaves a special mark on the school and will be long remembered. Allister Thiselton will long be remembered for his re markableteaching,nononsense discipline,good coach ing and fine Christian example. He is the only teacher I know who can be chatting and smiling to you and then,on approaching a group ofboys, his face changes to its sternest until he has passed them. But, I have got to know him as an exceptional Science teacher - one of the very best - and someone who re sponded to the challenge of making our Post Matric De partment work despite numerous teething problems. Robin Blamey has served Kearsney loyally and faith fully for 34 years as Geography teacher,housemaster, rugby coach and standard hearer. As Deputy Head master,he has been my right hand man. He is one who has always ensured that our standards of manners,dress and behaviourremain the hallmark ofevery Kearsney pupil and staff member. His ability to organise functions and ensurethe day-to-dayroutine runslike clock work will be sorely missed.Anne and I will miss the help ing hand of Robin and Phill in assisting us with the host ing offunctions,with the gardens and so much else.Their attention to detail, loyalty and integrity go with their in credible willingness and support.Thank you and go well. My thanks go: To the boys for that spirit of youth,that enthusiasm which has permeated our year; To the parents and parents' society for their support, in volvement and hard earned cash; This reminds me of the annual letter for the increase of school fees which was sent to the parents with the words R200 per a.A swift reply came back from one parent say ing-"can we not continue paying through the nose!" To the Old Boys for their loyalty and encouragement; Tothe Board whose sub-committees have putin such alot of hard work and gave of their time and expertise; and especially to ourChairman and his wife-Neville and Trish Polkinghome, who have given 110% in what has been a difficult year for them. And to Anne for all she continues to do for me and the College. As I look back on the myriad of activities, I think of the fun one has as a teacher: Consider these exam howlers:"The Government ofEng land was a limited mockery." ■ "Henry VIII found walking difficult because he had an abbess on his knee." "Queen Elizabeth exposed herself before her troops they all shouted"hurrah".Then her navy wentoutand defeated the Spanish Armadilla." "The greatest writer of the Renaissance was William Shakespeare.Shakepeare never made much money and is famous only because of his plays. He lived at Windsor with his merry wives,writing tragedies,comedies and er rors. In one of Shakespeare's famous plays, Hamlet ra tions out his situation by relieving himself in a long so liloquy. In another. Lady Macbeth tries to convince Macbeth to kill the King by attacking his manhood". I also know how much hard work goes into bringing outthe bestin every body atthe college no matter what his talent,and I must pay tribute to as fine a team of hard working staffas you'll find in any school. Here Iinclude the secretaries and ground staff.Thank you for your support and dedication which is so appreciated. As President Harry Truman once said:"I studied the lives of great men and women,and I found that the men and women whogo to the top were those who did thejobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and en thusiasm and hard work." Thank you all for an interesting and stimulating year. O.J. ROBERTS School's Address by Guest of Honour, Mr Tony Leon MP,on Speech Day 24September 1993 It is a great honour to be invited back to my old school to deliver this speech day address. Politicians generally get many speaking invitations,but,asIindicated to yourHead master,few have given me greater pleasure than this one. Politicians,ofcourse,are also meantto tell politicaljokes, but I have leamt after four years in Parliament, that the problem with political jokes is that too often they get elected. While accepting this great honour with alacrity I am still curious to know why I was invited to deliver this address. It must be one ofthree reasons: - Either becauseIam a memberofParliamentand might therefore be able to unlock some secret door about the future; or - I am an old boy ofthe school;or - because unfortunately, at the age of36,you start grey ing at the temples and are considered old enough to perform such honours. Perhaps it is a combination of all three. It reminds me of the story ofthe undertaker asking the man if he wished to have the last remains of his mother-in-law cremated or buried or embalmed. The son-in-law's reply was,"Take no chances-do all three!" But I am competing with many other glittering beacons far more compelling of your acclaim and attention. The prize winners today are the exemplars ofexcellence ofan excellent educational institution. They are truly deserving of your attention. Another factor which must compete for attention today is the imminent school holiday which I understand commencesassoon as this ceremonyends.And I am quite sure you wish to discuss more important mat ters than my discourse. Such as who out of all the players in the school's manyrugby teams deserves the UliSchmidt trophy for clean play this season. These are the serious matters which should be discussed. So here I am competing against all those who are more deserving of your attention. It's like the career Naval Of ficer who finally got his four stripes, became a Captain and then was given command of a giant battle ship. And one night he was stealing around the Atlantic when he 17
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTc3MDU5Nw==