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February 2020
Greetings to all Old Boys wherever you may be and welcome to the 2019 College leavers who are receiving their first communication from the Old Boys' Association following the publication of the Rock Runner magazine at the end of last year. I trust the year has begun well for each one of you.
Here in the Wairarapa it has turned into a hot dry start to the year and the seventy new Year 9 boys who started at the College two weeks ago have quickly found their way to the best swimming holes at the river. All part of the College tradition.
Melbourne Gathering
The Boxing Day cricket between Australia and New Zealand attracted many enthusiastic supporters to Melbourne. In their midst were a significant number of Rathkeale community members and some of these took time out on day two to gather at The Hophaus on Melbourne's South Bank. Notable in their midst was former Headmaster Dr Rob Nethercote and 1964 Original, Professor John Buckeridge.
Old Boys Cricket v the School
Late January saw the Old Boys' Cricket Club back on the Oval for the annual match v the College XI. As Shay O'Gorman reports the School has gone through something of a purple patch over the past couple of seasons, so a tough encounter was expected. However, no one quite expected the game to unfold the way it did!
As always, the School batted first (a tradition that now needs examining!) and started extremely well. Alfie McIntosh (son of House Master GAM) and Gus Borren made a good partnership for the second wicket. However, tight bowling from Fergus Rutherford (0-3 off 4 overs), Simon Clinton-Baker (2-4 off 4 overs) and Richard Tosswill (2-10 off 4 overs) saw the Old Boys keep a lid on the middle part of the innings. A handy partnership with George Park and Andrew Taylor at the end saw the School reach a very competitive 191 off their 40 overs.
The calamity that was to follow was hard to comprehend as the Old Boys found themselves at one stage 13 for 5 in response. Gus Borren was the main destroyer and in the words of Guy Didsbury "he is not allowed to swing the ball this much in this game!" Jock Cameron (25) and Simon Clinton-Baker (35) added some respectability to the batting display but we were never really in the hunt and finished 65 runs short of the School's total.
As always, it was a very enjoyable day all the same. Speeches acknowledged the passing of Craig Mc Bride who did so much for cricket at Rathkeale and within the Wairarapa and also of Fredericka Hamilton, wife of the Patron of the Old Boys' Cricket Club, Bruce Hamilton.
Summer Tennis
Once again it was good to see Old Boy Marcus Daniell (2003-2004) feature on court at the Auckland Tennis Open.
Marcus, who is currently ranked 45 (20 Jan 2020) has travelled widely as a Tennis professional over the past decade and played in many countries including: France, Germany, Sweden, Greece, USA, India, Italy, Canada, Brazil, China, Australia, Cambodia, Ireland, Mexico, Turkey, The Netherlands and Hungary.
The Old Boys Scholarship
After significant deliberation and following the feedback from Old Boys via last year's ROBA questionnaire, the Executive decided to institute a new annual College Scholarship for the sons of Old Boys wishing to attend Rathkeale. It is with pleasure that we announce that the first of these has been awarded to George Donworth (son of Richard 1982-1986) who joined the College in Year 9 at the start of this academic year.
George, who was born in Masterton, has attended Greytown School where he was a Black Hat (Prefect). He enjoys basketball, football, touch rugby and mountain biking. He also enjoys his x-box and reading.
He describes his time at Rathkeale as cool and has enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends. He is also enjoying Maths and Science but has yet to decide where his education will lead him in the long run.
The Trust House Theatre and Administration Block
The Trust House Theatre was officially opened by Sir Michael Hardie Boys in August 2001 and since then has been a campus focal point. Assemblies, Chapel and cultural events are just part of the Theatre's many uses.
Unfortunately, engineers' reports reveal a number of weaknesses within the building and indicate the need for significant earthquake strengthening. As a consequence, the building was out of use for much of last year and this year local firm Rigg-Zschokke has begun work on the building that is expected to continue until early December. Also, as a consequence the Gymnasium, Greek Theatre and other spaces are again back in use. The boys are getting used to sitting on hard floors again!
The Administration Block is also destined for earthquake strengthening this year and Senior Management will relocate to alternative spaces in April.
Over the summer, extensive work was done on the Dining Hall to bring it up to code and visitors to the building will be very aware of the strengthening that has taken place.
Older Old Boys may like to know that despite all the above the Greek Theatre and Oval Bomb Shelter stand firm!
1964 Originals Reunion
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of Chris Gane (1964-1968) a group of Foundation Original students are returning to Rathkeale for a reunion 17-19 April. In our midst they are a very special group with real stories to tell of the earliest days in the school history. If you have yet to enroll contact Chris on: cjb.gane@coolnz.net
2020 Queen's Birthday Weekend Decade Reunions
This year it is a chance for the cohorts who left the College in 1970, 80, 90, 2000 and 2010 to return for their Decade Reunion. Facilitators are on a roll to get you and your mates back and really would like to hear from you if you have not heard from them.
Facilitators:
Come on! We really do hope that you will come along for what is now a well-established tradition for Old Boys of all ages and a highly rated experience .
Looking forward to catching up with many of you during the course of the year and with all good wishes.
Grant Harper
President
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