SCR Rachel Mullan In September 2015, Rachel made the long On the pastoral side, Rachel was a tutor in journey across the Irish Sea to join us in the Home House and was very good at keeping Maths department at Glenalmond. Fresh out a lively bunch of girls on track, helping guide of university, she was full of enthusiasm them towards a successful set of A Level and new ideas and quickly threw herself results. into life at Coll. She is an excellent Beyond teaching, Rachel became involved in mathematician and a great teacher. musical productions, lacrosse coaching, Duke Rachel taught a full range of pupils, from the of Edinburgh, Third Form activities and camps, young Third Form intake to the slightly older contributing hugely to life at Glenalmond. hands in Upper Sixth and will be sorely missed We all wish her the very best as she moves by all the pupils she taught. on to take up her new post at Merchiston in Edinburgh. Gareth O’Neill Lesley Sangster Lesley Sangster is a staff nurse at People drink rain water but, during dry seasons, Glenalmond College. During Easter 2017 use the dirty lake for all forms of washing and Lesley volunteered her medical services on toileting. There is no facility to boil water. a much-needed hospital ship in Tanzania. We sailed to three different islands; Iroba, Here, she tells us about her vital work… Ihumbo & Bumbire, providing vital healthcare to hundreds of patients every day. In total, we I have just returned from a two week mission, treated 4,038 patients; 2,624 were GP, dental volunteering on-board the ‘Jubilee Hope’ medical and optician visits, the rest received healthcare ship, sailing around the ‘Forgotten’ Islands on advice. Lake Victoria, Tanzania. The trip was organised Additionally, we carried out HIV testing for 864 by the Vine Trust - this is my third trip with them patients; ten per cent proving positive. The - a Christian based charity whose head office is status of woman on these islands is almost on a barge in Leith dock, Edinburgh. non-existent and even worse for woman who Jubilee Hope arrived at Lake Victoria in 2015 and have HIV. this was my first trip out to it. The 150-tonne, Many curable diseases were treated that could former Royal Navy tender’s 246 day journey have been avoided if basic healthcare had been from Scotland to Mombasa was televised provided. The youngest was a three month old on STV when it travelled the 8,585 miles by baby girl who tested positive for malaria, as was sea and land to serve 400,000 people in 150 her whole family; tragic and so avoidable. isolated communities. Many people suffered from skin conditions, I fundraised for this trip and part of that went The islands are collectively referred to as malnourishment and intestinal worms from the towards buying essential medicines; I feel so “Forgotten” as the people on them have been dirty water they ingested. Dental extractions privileged and very humbled to have served neglected and live in extreme poverty with no were commonplace as tooth decay is on-board the Jubilee Hope. The small, dedicated access to any form of healthcare and education. widespread; inhabitants have no toothbrushes medical team was inspirational and I plan to Disease prevention is non-existent. or paste and again have no dental health return next year to play a small part in helping The lack of fresh water is a recurring problem. education. those in the Forgotten Islands. Allan Downie Allan Downie was the College’s Electrician An all-round nice guy and cheery chappie, for many years having arrived at the Allan was always happy to tackle an electrical Jasmine Neufeld school in 2005 initially as a contractor. He challenge including the overseeing of the on- retired in February 2017 but continued on a going full installation of the new cable network On a wonderfully sunny day, Jasmine Neufeld, Glenalmond’s part-time consultancy basis while the new throughout Glenalmond, which started in 2006 Assistant Director of Music, married Jamie Nicholson on 19 August member of staff bedded in. together with the highly successful ‘generator in the school’s historic Chapel. The service was presided over by powered’ 2017 Leavers’ Ball in a marquee on the Allan was responsible for all things electrical, Glenalmond’s own Father Giles. The reception for 130 was held in lawns. Interviewed for Glenlamond Life Allan from an emergency generator called upon to the hammer-beam Dining Hall, with a sit-down meal followed by a commented, when asked about the worst part run the school in times of power cuts, to the ceilidh and local band ‘Sugarush’. Head of Rugby Graham Smith’s of his job: “Not being young enough to see the fixing of hair straighteners and the removal of wife, Loz, made the beautiful cake. All at Glenalmond send the improvements completed!” happy couple every good wish for their future. rodents from extractor fans! We wish Allan a very long and happy retirement. 96 Glenalmond College | Chronicle 2017 Glenalmond College | Chronicle 2017 97 SCR Clodagh SCR Walter Macaulay Norton Staff Walter was a familiar sight at Glenalmond His commitment to Glenalmond did not stop and cared very deeply about the College. He there. Walter was a regular supporter of school Wearing various professional ‘hats’, Arrivals started life here as a pupil in Goodacre’s, events, cheering on rugby teams from the Clodagh was involved with Glenalmond entrusting the school with his children’s side-lines (accompanied by his faithful collies), for over 14 years. She performed several Along with those who left Glenalmond education. He returned to Coll to run the urging on runners at the annual steeplechase, different duties in all the girls’ houses, College during the Academic year iSAMS database in the IT Department, with together with joining parents at Commem to together with tutoring, completing Art 2016-17, we were joined by many Isabelle Cox, for fifteen years, both working celebrate the achievements of pupils. College applications and teaching in new faces: late into the night to ensure that important The walking groups on Field Day relied on the vibrant Art Department for the final deadlines were met, whether reporting or Walter who was always willing to do his part to seven years. David Antcliffe – Transport Supervisor timetabling. make sure that the pupils were able to make Emily Davies – External Relations Officer Her artistry was legendary, no more so than Walter really understood that Glenalmond is a the most of this opportunity to explore the local Guy Draper – Housemaster, Skrine’s in the magnificent quilt that she and her community that goes far beyond an office or an countryside. Additionally, he voluntarily gave his Sarah Draper – Art Teacher (p/t) small, dedicated team, created for Emma individual classroom. time each year to drive the English Lower Sixth Derek Erskine – Maintenance Electrician Woods’ departure. Retirement offers Clodagh trip to Stratford and back. Dr Suzi Garnish – Admissions Officer As well as ensuring the smooth transition from the opportunity to spend more time at her Bronwen Godley – College Accountant SIMS to iSAMS, and guaranteeing that the It was not easy for Walter to leave Glenalmond. beautiful house in Italy and we wish her every Andrea Goodall – Housemistress, Cairnies school management system worked reliably, Characteristically, he has faced the future success for the future. Walter taught the European Computer Driving with courage and brio, launching his own Sarah Hammersley – Finance Officer Carolyn Lindsay – Matron, Cairnies Licence to Fourth and Fifth Form pupils, outside catering business; his ‘Wild and Smoky’ We wish him all the best in his new venture. equipping them with the practical ICT skills that barbecue receiving the accolade of ‘the best I Jackie MacDonald – Computer Science Teacher they needed for university and beyond. have ever tasted’ by a current pupil. Jenny Davey Rebecca Masson – Classics Teacher David Millar – Driver (p/t) Dr Caroline Murie – Modern Languages Teacher Edward Phillips – Housemaster, Matheson’s Michelle Gardiner Callum Race – Head of Information Technology Andrew Rowley – Director of Sport Sarah Young Davison Shaw – Maintenance Painter Michelle joined the EAL department in 2010 Graham Smith – Head of Rugby when it was undergoing a period of change Sarah Young left Coll on 14 October 2016 Glasses, bottles, cups and Champagne flutes Darren Tolan – History Teacher and galvanized the teaching of the subject in after two and a half years as its External Now stand upright and to attention Margaret Piper – Art Technician/Teacher (p/t) the College, bringing all her high energy and Relations Events Organiser. Coming from a Like a row of CCF troops Euan Wilson – Help Desk Administrator enthusiasm to bear. background in events management, Sarah brought a high degree of professionalism Silver candlesticks quiver at the mere mention As the only full time member of the Department and experience to the job, organising of your name she was utterly committed to improving successful occasions throughout the Grand cutlery holds steady in case your wrath it the learning experience of all our EAL pupils, country. In a tribute to her departing does inflame particularly those in the Fourth and Fifth Forms, IELTS exam, and in this resolve she succeeded colleague, Coll’s Press Officer Mairi Fraser where she excelled. magnificently. Her attention to detail, wrote and read out an ‘Ode to Sarah’ - with However, not satisfied with domestic organization and administration were admired tongue just a little bit in cheek! transformation She quickly introduced the IGCSE qualification as by all her colleagues (not least by myself) and The Sarah-Effect went large with complete an alternative to the mainstream GCSE English she left absolutely nothing to chance.