12/31/2013 0 Comments A New Year's HonourCongratulations to old boy Peter McDonald on being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the latest honours list. A fine reward for many years of dedication to the real estate industry and his community. Click here for more details.
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12/30/2013 0 Comments Situations VacantOne of the harder teaching positions to fill these days is for teachers of workshop technology. Things have changed a bit since the days of Brendan "Onions" O'Neil in the woodwork room. While the world seems to be over populated by PE teachers a good workshop operator is very hard to find. The advert below gives some details on our current search. If you know of any one who might be suitable why not mention it to them.
Francis Douglas Memorial College. We are a highly regarded Catholic state integrated Y7-13 day and boarding school for boys based in New Plymouth and we require a Teacher of Hard Materials Technology – with graphics an advantage. Commencement will be as soon as possible in the new school year. Applications close at noon Friday 17 January 2014. Questions of the Principal are welcomed – Ph 021 155 8366. To receive an application pack, please contact chamb1@xtra.co.nz and then apply in writing to Box 5124, New Plymouth 4343, or electronically tom.chamberlain@fdmc.school.nz including a letter of introduction, CV and proof of NZ teacher registration. 12/27/2013 0 Comments God's McGyverThanks to Michael Ryan for forwarding the following photo of past staff member Br Denis Loft. Br Denis has been working alongside Br Bill in South Sudan, a challenge that does not seem to have altered his sense of humour. Here is a picture of Denis Loft with my wife Lee attending a barbecue in South Melbourne in February of 2013. Denis was sporting a South-Sudani tan, plus the physiological effects of having eggplant as his staple diet for the previous three years. Denis is heading back to South Sudan imminently, to stand up for peace, tolerance and concern for others in the midst of an African civil war. Denis is a pretty damn effective operator once he gets going. They don’t call him “God’s MacGyver” for nothing. :-) 12/20/2013 0 Comments One Of Our OwnAs we announced a week or so ago, the latest Deputy Principal at FDMC is Tim Stuck. It is hard to imagine someone more steeped in our culture than Tim.
His father Bruce was a student here in the 1960's. Tim and his brothers, Matthew and Michael, were students here during the late 80's and in to the mid 90's. Tim was deputy head boy in his final year at the college. Having gained a degree in Physical Science at Otago Tim began teaching at FDMC in the early 2000's, going on to complete his teaching qualification while on staff. After several years of teaching he headed off on the big OE and spent some time teaching and playing rugby in Scotland. On his return to NZ after 2 years Tim rejoined our staff and has held a wide range of positions in the last few years. He has also been heavily involved with rugby at the college and has been a key ingredient in our 1st XV's success in the last couple of years. Tim is married to the lovely Helen (nee Walsh!) and they have two young children, Harry and Macy. There are times when making key appointments that it makes sense to bring in "new blood" from outside, but it is great to also have new blood that is developed from within. Tim knows and loves FDMC and we look forward to seeing how he can help shape it in the future. 12/17/2013 0 Comments A Time To Catch UpWith school out for the summer (as Alice Cooper once sang) the local news is some what thin on the ground. Regular visitors to our blog cam expect a couple of posts a week over the festive season. We would encourage old boys to contact us with stories/info/tales as this is the season to catch up with old friends as well as family.
Recent old boys to register with the Foundation include Patrick Learmonth - 1972 Kevin Kretchmar - 1978 Nick Hopkins - 2005 Nathan Nelson - 1997 Noel Butler - 1966 We have been encouraged by the registrations this year so if you know of old boys who haven't got their names down, give them a little push. 12/11/2013 0 Comments The Young GunsThe last act of the school year is always the Junior Prizegiving and pictured above are some of our younger students getting some recognition for their work during the year. In keeping with the youth theme we have Lana Phipps (Y9 Dean) and Tim Stuck (new DP) making the presentations. A step up from some of the grumpy old buggers from the past!?
12/9/2013 0 Comments The Loss Of An Old BoySad news at the end of last week of the sudden passing of old boy Peter Zawodny at the age of 41. Peter was a student at the college in the mid 1980's and his older brothers, Chris, Richard and Stephen attended in the 1970's.
Peter had a partner Dianne and a young son Leon. We ask that you keep them and all his family in your thoughts and prayers. May perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace. 12/6/2013 0 Comments Now Part Of Our HistoryPictured above is Chris Moller spending some of his last day as an FDMC DP at his desk. Chris is a member of a very exclusive club with a short members list that reads. Leo Walsh, John Whyte and Chris Moller. One of the strengths of the College has been the power and common sense of these men, who have guided us through the day to day running of a complicated place and done it with a sense of calm and certainty.
We wish Chris well as he moves on to a new challenge as Principal of Wanganui Collegiate. We also welcome the newest member of the Deputy Principal "Growling" club - Tim Stuck. We will have more on his new era at a later date. 12/4/2013 2 Comments Words Of WisdomThe Senior Leavers Mass has developed a tradition of having an address by a Y13 student, a parent of a Y13 student and a staff member. This year's staff address was given by staff stalwart Graham Blanks. We include a transcript below as we are sure there are many old boys who will recognise and appreciate both his humour and wisdom. |
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AuthorThe FDMC Foundation exists to keep old boys aware of their old school and give them the chance to stay connected. |
The FDMC Foundation
C/O Francis Douglas Memorial College 201 Tukapa Street New Plymouth |