PLAQUE UNVEILED IN THE CENTRE FOR SCIENCE ’ S PETER HENDERSON FOYER

On the evening of 1 March , in front of a galaxy of Scotch people of science , a plaque was unveiled in the Peter Henderson Foyer of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science , listing the seven Old Scotch Collegians who have been made Fellows of the Royal Society , London .

Scotch ’ s only living Fellow of the Royal Society , Professor Andrew Holmes AC (’ 61 ) unveiled the plaque , together with the wives of two other Scotch Fellows of the Royal Society : Gwen Head , wife of Dr Alan Head AO (’ 42 ), and Margaret Spence , wife of Professor John Spence (’ 64 ). Margaret had flown from California to attend the event .

After Director of Development Tim Shearer (’ 85 ) opened proceedings , Principal Tom Batty warmly welcomed guests . In a video clip , Dr Julie Maxton CBE , Executive Director of the Royal Society , congratulated Scotch for producing seven Royal Society Fellows , pointing out that fellowship was an honour of which the School could justifiably be proud .

School Captain Tommy Livadaras read biographies of each of the seven Old Scotch Collegian Fellows , after which Tim Shearer introduced Professor Andrew Holmes , many of whose relatives – from six-month-old grandson Christopher to 100-year-old uncle , Ted Holmes (’ 39 , currently Scotch ’ s seventh-oldest known living Old Boy ) – were present . Professor Holmes ' nephew , Alistair Harkness (' 05 ) who joined Scotch ' s teaching staff this year , was also present .

Professor Holmes took as his theme that ‘ chance favours the prepared mind ’. He spoke of the great preparation for life he had received at Scotch through the inspired teaching he experienced , and also cited the scientific achievements of Royal Society Fellows Alan Head and John Spence .

Next , Gwen Head amused the audience with her description of the day her husband , Alan , signed the Royal Society ’ s Charter Book ( see the box on page 73 ). Alan was required to wear white gloves , and to ‘ practise ’ several times before actually signing the book . Blotters were handy in case any stray ink made its way onto the 360-year-old pages .

Professor Holmes , Gwen Head and Margaret Spence unveiled the plaque , after which Scotch ’ s Head of Science , Kerrie Ardley , thanked guests . Tours of the Centre for Science led by senior Scotch boys were conducted , and guests conversed convivially over canapes and drinks .

The unveiling event was a wonderful opportunity to bring together members of Scotch ’ s science community to honour the lives and achievements of seven great Scotch men of science .

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1 . PIPER , JOHN PARRIS ( YEAR 10 ) 2 . GWEN HEAD ( WIFE OF DR ALAN HEAD AO FRS (’ 42 )) 3 . PROFESSOR ANDREW HOLMES AC FRS (’ 60 ) 4 . IAN RENARD AM (’ 63 ),

PROFESSOR HUGH TAYLOR AC (’ 64 ) 5 . GWEN HEAD ,

MARGARET SPENCE ( WIFE OF PROFESSOR

JOHN SPENCE

FORMEMRS (’ 63 )) AND MARGARET ’ S SON , ANDREW SPENCE

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