Great Scot - The Scotch Family Magazine - Issue 149 December 2016 Great Scot - The Scotch Family magazine issue 149 | Page 56

When Astrid Whitbread
left the music school to
relocate to her native
Germany, we naturally
sought a replacement.
We were rescued by
John Flynn, from the
Design and Technology
department. He was
getting married to someone called Judy, who
was having to move to Melbourne from Perth. Her
qualifications well exceeded those required for
the position, so it really came down to ‘cultural fit’.
Kathy, my personal assistant, interviewed her by
Skype. The two ladies got on famously, and JUDY
FLYNN joined the music school in January 2015.
Judy quickly established herself as an
invaluable member of the team. She mixed
beautifully with the boys, the staff and the parents,
and streamlined many of the duties associated
with the position. On one occasion I had left it very
late to request a program for a concert, but the
program appeared in time for the concert without
any apparent problem. I realised, from the timings
on the computer files, that Judy had worked well
beyond the expected hours. When I commented
and thanked her for this, she dismissed it, saying
‘but it was needed, and had to be done – so I did
it’. No dramas, just quiet professional efficiency,
and delivered with a warm smile.
Once John Flynn’s retirement was announced,
Judy’s resignation came as a disappointment but
no surprise. We will miss her in the Music School,
and wish her and John every joy in retirement
– and hope to see them both at concerts in the
future.
JOHN FERGUSON

IAN GELLING
commenced working
a t Scotch in 1999
as Administration
Manager, appointed
by Neil Roberts, my
predecessor. Ian came
to Scotch from the ANZ
where he held a senior
role in human resource management. Ian’s skills
were identified as most helpful in his new role,
which required him to manage the non-teaching
staff at the school, not an easy task given the

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number and diversity of support roles across
Scotch College.
Ian provided the Bursar with considerable
support in managing the non-teaching staff, and he
developed an excellent base for HR management
at the school, an area that he identified was ripe
for development at Scotch. His assessment of this
need was recently supported in an external review.
As a result of his work, a number of systems and
processes were introduced.
A key strength of Ian’s was his skill in selecting
the ‘right’ staff for vacant positions across the
school. One of those was his appointment of an
assistant. I recall Ian advising me, prior to him
taking a period of long service leave a few years
ago, that Rebecca Imer would acquit herself very
well in assuming his role over the period of his
leave. He was right.
In addition to his formal role at Scotch, Ian was
invited by Doug Galbraith to display his expertise
in fly fishing and teach a number of interested boys
the finer points of the art. He was able to share one
of his passions in the outdoor education program.
Cricket is another of Ian’s passions, and he
was a very active member of the Banyule Cricket
Association, taking on a succession of leadership
roles when his playing days ended. Ian is a Sydney
Swans supporter, and would be concerned that
his team came close again to the ultimate prize this
year.
A proud father and grandfather, both of Ian’s
sons, Will (‘05) and Tom (‘07), are Old Scotch
Collegians and his daughter Anna is an old PLC
Collegian. Ian effectively ended his work at Scotch
in December 2014, suffering a serious health issue
during the Christmas holidays. Ian’s treatment and
recovery have taken the best part of 18 months.
The changes associated with his condition have
prevented him from returning to work at Scotch.
Ian has been very well supported by his
partner, Jane, who helped arrange his occasional
visits to Scotch during his convalescence. On one
visit, Ian discussed his health and the condition
from which he was suffering at a non-teaching
staff morning tea. It was an inspirational talk which
left a lasting impression on all who heard him. We
hope to see more of Ian after he returns from a
well-earned holiday.
ROSS CONGLETON

For five years ANNIE
GRANT was the public
face of Scotch College
in the Admissions Office
for many thousands of
prospective families.
Parents tend to judge an
entire school from their
first moments of contact
– the quality and sincerity of a telephone response
or the smile they receive as they approach the
reception window.
Annie performed the admissions role with
wonderful distinction, enhancing the School’s
reputation in the eyes of the public. Parents
appreciated the warmth of her welcome, her
sincerity, and her interest in their needs with a
deep belief in the quality of a Scotch education.
Indeed, families looked forward keenly to
meeting the woman with the delightful Scottish
accent whom they had first encountered on
the telephone. Annie and her colleagues in
Admissions guided them smoothly through the
process of enrolling their newborn sons following
an initial telephone call to the school, deciding
whether to start the Scotch journey in the Junior
School or the Senior School, and interpreting the
outcomes of the placement tests, to the moment
when their son entered the school grounds
dressed in Scotch uniform.
Annie joined Scotch with considerable
experience in the Admissions area. A former
registrar at Tintern Grammar, she understood the
challenges of work in this sector. With hundreds
of telephone calls and dozens of letters, faxes and
emails arriving in the office each week, Annie was
an outstanding leader for the Admissions team
and ensured the office operated at the highest
levels of efficiency and accuracy.
The announcement of Annie’s retirement was
met with mixed feelings. We were pleased for her
as she reached this milestone, but a person with
her considerable talents, knowledge and skills is
a loss to the school. Annie had a genuine interest
in the welfare of her colleagues. Her many friends
on staff miss her cheerful, friendly presence and
delightful sense of humour. We congratulate and
thank Annie for her outstanding service and wish
her and her husband, Ian, all the very best for a
happy, fulfilling and relaxed retirement.
DR CHRIS COMMONS

CATHERINE
HAINSTOCK was
appointed to a temporary
position in the Library at
the start of 2013. Since
that time, Catherine
has made significant
contributions to the
school in a variety of
areas. In addition to assisting with the day-to-day
running of the Library, Catherine has assisted with
the Wider Reading programme, been involved
in the Year 7 and 8 Teams programme, assisted
with the organisation and delivery of the 2015
Literature Festival, and assisted with the teaching
of advanced research skills as part of the school’s
extension programmes.
Catherine established a programme with The
Smith Family that saw Year 8 boys assist children
with their reading, and was a supportive and helpful
contributor to the Sony Star Camp. Catherine’s
knowledge of, and interest in, ICT has seen her
run the highly successful Coding Club, assist
Dr Johnston with the development of his World
War I website, and contribute to the Cyber Safety
committee.
In thanking Catherine for all she has done
during her time at Scotch, I am sure staff will want
to join me in wishing her the very best for all the
future has in store.
TOM BATTY

ANDREW JELBART
(‘11) joined the Boat
Club in August 2012 as
Head Boatman, and his
work ethic and attitude
immediately made
a strong impression
on boys, staff and
parents. Responsible
for the boatshed buildings and environs, repair
and upkeep of equipment, transportation of
equipment as well as liaising with coaches, parents,
administrato rs and rowers, the role of boatman is
significant and central to the Boat Club, while being
unusual in its skills and demands.
Andrew brought positive energy and
professionalism to his role, which included
operating as a member of the Maintenance
department. Over the course of his tenure, Andrew
was responsible for managing other staff who
worked alongside him as boatmen, and he did
this in a highly effective manner. He also made

Great Scot Number 149 – December 2016

significant progress in the reorganisation of all
items stored in the boatshed.
Student athletes enjoyed their interaction with
Andrew during their time in the Boat Club. An
accomplished rower himself, having stroked the
2011 1st VIII to a Head of the River victory, Andrew
had an acute appreciation of what the rowers
were experiencing, and used this to good effect.
Andrew was also continually active in seeking to
improve his practical skills in working with, and
repairing, all materials and operating all types of
vehicles and machinery.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Andrew,
and his ‘can do’ attitude will serve him well as he
moves into his career in the construction industry.
On behalf of staff, parents and students, I extend
our gratitude to Andrew for all that he has done
and wish him all the best for his future.
TOM WOODRUFF
EMORFIA KUPRAIOU
came to us as a highly
qualified teacher librarian
with a broad background
of experience in both
public and secondary
school library systems.
After 20 years of service
at the Moreland Public
Library, Emorfia joined the senior school library at
Wesley College and worked closely with teaching
staff and students undertaking the International
Baccalaureate. Following this Emorfia served as
Head of Library at St Bernard’s College and then
joined Scotch in mid-2011.
Throughout her time at Scotch, Emorfia
enthusiastically engaged herself across the broad
range of library services. Underlying this was her
commitment to promoting a love of reading and
a determination to connect the right boys with
the right books. To this end she drew on her rich
knowledge of fiction, and had remarkable success
in inspiring and challenging reluctant readers and
bookworms alike.
Emorfia was attached to various teaching
teams at Years 7 and 8, and she provided vital
assistance especially in connection with the
cross-curricular projects; her expertise in relation
to ancient Greece research was particularly
valuable and greatly appreciated by her teaching
colleagues.
The impact of her infectious enthusiasm for
reading was not restricted to the boys. Emorfia

ran the Staff Book Club, which provided many
members of staff with opportunities for stimulating
and entertaining lunchtime discussions, and she
made a major contribution to the planning and
running of the last three biennial Literature Festivals.
As a House Tutor, Emorfia was dedicated to
supporting the pastoral and academic care of
her Eggleston boys, who never doubted that her
affection and commitment to them was abiding,
even if a firm word was occasionally necessary.
Emorfia can leave us knowing that she made a fine
contribution to this school, and our best wishes go
with her as she takes on new opportunities.
WARWICK HALL

Beginning at Scotch in
2015, TONY MARTINSON
has shown his adaptability
and breadth of knowledge,
teaching VCE Psychology,
Environmental Science,
Science and Maths at
junior levels. His friendly
and collaborative manner is
highly valued by his colleagues. Tony’s conscientious
approach in preparing lessons and his ability to
connect with boys have built a strong rapport with
his classes. As a Year 8 Form Teacher, his attention
to detail and the learning needs of each boy was
outstanding.
Tony’s enthusiasm in supporting the boys
extended to a range of co-curricular activities,
including football, white water kayaking and yoga.
‘Marto’ quickly drew the admiration of the 10C
footballers by taking part in training exercises. He also
worked hard to ensure that his team, no matter how
low in number, made the Saturday field by recruiting
extra players.
Tony leaves us to take up a role as Year 7
coordinator at Glenaeon School, on the NSW central
coast. We wish Tony and his fiancée, Polly, all the best
as they start a new life together.
MATTHEW MANNING and MARK WILLIAMS (G)

www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot

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