Speech & Prize Giving 12 October 2006 Chairman of the Board's Address

The Chairman of the Board of Governors, Andy Laing, addressing guests and the boys of Falcon at the 53rd Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremony. Below is the full text of the Chairman's address.

Mr Robinson, Headmaster and Mrs Querl, ladies and gentlemen, young men of Falcon College…

Another highly successful year comes to a close, and our challenge remains to ensure that we stay focused for the next six weeks because the huge difficulties we face just won’t go away.    However I do not intend to dwell on any negatives, of which you are all too well aware, but rather to briefly note what has been achieved.

The year started with greatly improved academic results at all levels.  The efforts on the part of the Director of Academic Studies, Miss Walker, the Heads of Department, the teaching staff and the boys themselves generally paid off, and although there is still much room for improvement, we noted what we hope is a trend that will continue this year and beyond. 

Notwithstanding economic constraints, there has been material improvement in many areas.    The Board always tries to achieve correct priorities in allocation of funds, hence money has been allocated to improvements in the areas of sport, academic studies, boarding facilities, transport and marketing.

In the sporting arena construction of our new gymnasium is at an advanced state.     The challenge of embarking on such a project in the current environment was daunting, and the fundraising efforts continue across the globe and locally.     

On the academic front, one of the Board’s responsibilities is to provide teachers with the tools required to do the job.    You can all see the site of new Computer Laboratory outside this Hall.   This double storey complex will contain classrooms, toilets, workshops, and offices and we are indebted to the Beit Trust for funding the major part of the costs.    In line with our academic thrust, the budget in this area was increased by 350% this term, and at significant cost we have ordered the country’s first two smart boards, which if used to full potential will considerably enhance teaching of all subjects.  

In the boarding Houses, we have embarked on a three year programme to completely change the face of accommodation at Falcon.    When shown the dormitories recently, a distinguished guest asked:   ‘Do the boys really have to pay to come here?’     That comment, together with feedback from the Director of Marketing, Mrs Stewart, underlined the importance of upgrading the Houses.    Chubb House will require the least changes, as the dormitories are already some way towards what we wish to achieve.     Renovations to junior dormitories in Tredgold and Oates have been completed, and work on George Grey is underway.    By the start of the 2nd term next year we hope to have completed refurbishment of all form 1 and form 2 dormitories throughout the College.      Once this has been done, we intend progressing until all areas, including senior studies, etc. have been altered and renovated to a much higher standard.

In sporting and extra mural activities, the Headmaster will give details of achievements, which include what is possibly the largest number of international tours ever undertaken by this College during a single year.    In recognizing the value of travel and interaction with other institutions both within and outside our borders, the Board has continued to allocate resources to College transport.     We now have a fleet of three large buses and four small buses, painted in Falcon colours.  This sets a standard by which all those who travel in them should feel proud.   I do not believe there is another school in this country that can match our fleet, and hopefully boys will never again be required to travel in the back of pick up trucks reminiscent of farmers taking pigs to market.   Furthermore, thanks to the generosity of one of our greatest supporters who as always wants to remain anonymous, we will shortly be taking delivery of our own fully equipped ambulance. 

On the marketing front, the Board has allocated funds and Mrs Stewart has continued to work tirelessly throughout the year, visiting many areas, delivering presentations, and hosting junior schools on visits and sporting festivals, all on top of her responsibilities in the art department.   The visit of Gary Teichmann, the world’s greatest ever national rugby captain, was the highlight of these junior school festivals.    On his return to South Africa, Gary Teichmann wrote:   ‘Having had the good fortune of visiting a number of private schools in South Africa, I can honestly say that what you have here is unique and special, and it would be difficult to find any better calibre school around.’ 

Mrs Stewart’s professional approach and huge efforts have borne fruit with applications for January vastly improved on recent years.

As parents are only too aware, fees have been increased dramatically.   The overall increase has been 1,202% for the year which is consistent with the official increase in the consumer price index for the same period, ie 1204%.   We are most fortunate to have an understanding and sympathetic parent body that accepts the need for fees to be set at levels that will maintain standards.  This was amply demonstrated last term at the parents’ meeting, when the 126 present in person or proxy voted unanimously in support of the Board’s position on fees.    

30 years ago parents would not have been so understanding.  On 1 July 1974, they were sent a letter which read in part:   ‘Since the last increase in 1971, (ie 3 years ago) …..costs have risen steadily….  Accordingly, it has been decided that with effect from 1975, fees will be increased by $60 a term.   Parents are warned to expect an increase after 1975 of not less than 5% per annum.    Times have changed.

Two years ago the illegal closure of this College was uppermost in our minds.      Happily today I can report that last term we had the opportunity of hosting the Secretary for Education and the Regional Director.  We held constructive and useful discussions which set the foundation for a much better relationship, manifested in the immediate approval of our fees for the current term.   Accordingly I would like to compliment the Regional Director Mr Khumalo who is here with us today, and to thank him for his continued assistance and advice whenever required.   We hope that the disputes currently affecting almost every other private school and which are already in the High Court, will be speedily and satisfactorily resolved.

Fundraising efforts have continued throughout the year thanks to a small band of hardworking parents under the leadership of Mrs Bristow and the motivation of Mrs Thomson.  Once again this has yielded substantial results, the bulk of these funds being allocated to the upgrade of the common rooms in the all houses.     Fundraising has now been stepped up a gear, not only in respect of the requirements for the gymnasium, but also in the longer term, designed to ensure that we have sufficient resources to continue and even ratchet up the momentum that has been achieved this year.    In this regard we are hugely indebted to the Old Boys who between them have contributed over £25,000 and the money is still coming in.  Meanwhile Mr Harvey Leared, who has brought with him a wealth of expertise and energy to the Board,  has embarked on a dynamic and long term fundraising and public relations initiative, where he has partnered two great schools,  Lilfordia and Falcon College.    This kicks off in Harare at the Harry Margolis Hall on 10 November with ‘Reach for the Stars – a Celebration of Education’.   This goes way beyond anything previously envisaged by this College.      It requires the support of every one of us.

Now, the question of girls coming to Falcon.   The Board is well aware of the frustration in some quarters where decisions are anxiously awaited.   This has been a critical issue, and one that could well be the make or break of this great College.    All stakeholders have now been consulted.   The questionnaires that were circulated early this year brought in useful advice.  We recall one senior boy, who obviously forgot that he was once in form 1.  His comment:  ‘What’s the difference if we take girls, we already have form 1’s?’    And another boy, who said:  ‘That’s fine, and can we have more chicken’.    You’ve got your chicken, but still no girls !   

Mrs Alison Holman, herself a senior science teacher whose son was head of Hervey last year and whose daughter attended Peterhouse, has been engaged to research and report back on this complex issue.    This was debated in depth at yesterday’s board meeting, and the unanimous decision was that Falcon should focus on what it does best, that is to continue striving to maintain and improve a world class boarding school for boys, without dilution of effort.

Accordingly the decision has been made not to admit girls to Falcon.    

Sadly, it was always inevitable that whatever decision was made, many people would be disappointed, but after almost 18 months of deliberations and consultations, we are now confident that we have reached the right decision.

In closing, I should acknowledge the huge efforts that have been made in so many areas this year.    Mr Coulson, the vice chairman of the Board, has played a pivotal role in all areas, particularly with regard to liaison with the Esigodini Rural Council, Quiet Waters, our Agricultural Development, worker relations, water supply, the grounds, maintenance a and assistance with transport.   All other Board members have been incredibly supportive and given so much of their time throughout the year.

 We are also grateful to all the staff, both academic and administrative, who have continued to dedicate themselves to the College beyond the call of duty.   In particular, the Bursar Mr Allan Wale who has just completed his first year here, moved very quickly to take control of all finances and this has resulted in tight controls enabling us to stick to budget as well as developing critical areas.   The Headmaster and Mrs Querl continue to work tirelessly towards achieving their vision for the College, which is to make it a place of old world values that provides first world education.   The Headmaster has the Board’s full support in his ongoing efforts to stamp out unacceptable bullying, abuse of seniority, and anti-social behaviour.    None of that can be tolerated at Falcon.

 Finally, although it is not my place to introduce our special guest, I just want to say a few personal words about Mr Guy Robinson.  Outstanding qualities of leadership and fair play made him a role model for me and so many others.   He was an exemplary Head of School in 1965, earning but never demanding the tremendous respect we all had for him;  and subsequently as a parent of two Falcon Boys, his support and commitment to his sons and to the College was inspiring.   I welcome him and I am delighted that he is here today, for I could not recommend a more appropriate guest on this, the most important day in our calendar.

 Thank you.