Interview with Robin Smith – Board and Foundation 2001 to date Robin and Alison’s sons, Alastair and Stuart attended St David’s with Alastair enrolling in grade 0 in 1997, matriculating in 2009 and Stuart staring in grade OO in 2000 and matriculating in 201... »
Interview with Robin Smith – Board and Foundation 2001 to date Robin and Alison’s sons, Alastair and Stuart attended St David’s with Alastair enrolling in grade 0 in 1997, matriculating in 2009 and Stuart staring in grade OO in 2000 and matriculating in 2012. Having attended a Catholic school, CBC in Kimberly, Robin wanted his sons to have a similar religious based education. The family home was nearby in Atholl and Robin’s uncle, Br Hugh Smith was Brother Provincial of CBC in South Africa. Robin and Alison were always very involved parents and Robin was invited to join the board of governors in
Paul Edey was then the headmaster of the high school and Rick Wilson of the preparatory school. Tony Reilly, who had been a classmate of Robin’s at CBC, had taken over as chairman of the board following Kevin Brewer. Robin’s initial portfolio was that of finance with the aim of improving the financial systems within the school. In 2004 he then took over the development portfolio from Kevin Brewer, launching into a very strong development phase at St David’s. The development progressed in several stages with the junior school pavilion being the first rather controversial project. Robin, together with the support and assistance of Willy Castle planned and developed the facility. They did this “asking for forgiveness not permission” from the brothers. It was a success and a great improvement. The Design and Technology centre followed together with the senior Art room and then the Music centre. In 2006 the Astro was built, the grounds, parking facilities, both “Thatches”, signage and the main entrance had a much needed revamp. A new workshop was built and cricket nets built into the bank on the main field. The chapel was next with two years in the planning with many people wishing to give their input. After much discussion and planning, together, with the new junior school Art facility the chapel was completed in 2007. The brothers and Rome became progressively more supportive as the board had shown they could handle major projects within the time projections and most importantly budgetary requirements. Kevin Brewer, who was then on the Marist Schools Council, was a great help in this regard, and was very supportive of the accelerated development. There was a lull in the development activity in 2008, followed in 2009 with the design, planning and construction from scratch of the staff housing project and the grade 1 and 2 classroom block was extended. Robin was involved with the planning of the Brother Anthony wing but didn’t run the project as he was by then involved with the Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2005 and launched in 2006 with Thierry Dalais as its first chairman. Robin as chairman of the board of governors was automatically a trustee of the Foundation and eventually took over as chairman from 2011 to date. Robin was the longest standing member of the board having served for three consecutive terms of three years. Robin wished to emphasise that from the initial renovations of the junior school pavilion to current developments, Willy Castle has always been very supportive, having a hand in every project and has proven to be very practical and very helpful. Current projects on the drawing board include the proposed new cricket pavilion on the main oval with the drawings and design completed. The Marist old boys facility and sports centre has become a Foundation project with the date of completion being set for 2016 in time for the 75th anniversary of St David’s. Robin is very involved but is focused on getting the right people on board moving forward with the Foundation. JLE May 2014
