RETIREMENT AFTER 40 YEARS......

The week started with Steve school fare welling him after 40 years of Service.. It was to be his last week of work...  but like all things at the moment things change daily.

Presentation from the Headmaster

They had a staff send off for him with his Boss making the following Speech...

Steve Latham Staff Farewell

40 years ago, Time Magazine’s Man of the Year was Ronald Reagan, the first 1 gigabyte hard drive was sold for $40000 US,  Mt St Helens erupted in Washington State killing 57 people, Azaria Chamberlain disappeared from a campsite at Ayers Rock, the Blues Brothers were on a mission from god, Dallas was on television with everyone wanting to know who shot JR, Devo was singing “Whip It”, and Pink Floyd was placing “Another Brick in the Ball”. This was the time that Steve Latham became part of the RGS family.

You have heard me talk many times about the School and how it is many things, and how it is not the bricks and mortar, not the steel and glass, not the tables and chairs – but the people. All of the people. From the smallest preppie to the tallest Year 12 student. Each and every staff member. Parents and past students. People are who and what make RGS great. One such person, a special person, is Steve Latham.

Sadly, today, we say goodbye and farewell to Steve.  We will have him back though later in the year for the students to say farewell, as is fitting for this kind, caring and thoughful gentleman.

Whilst you know that Steve is a member of the RGS staff, famous not only for running basketball for 36 years, and having the biggest assignments produced by students each year in graphics, you may not know that he is an RGS parent. To him RGS is much more than a School, it is a part of his home – a place where his family has grown up and developed, a place where he has invested his heart and soul into helping every student to grow into young men and women. And really, more than anything, doing everything possible to make sure that our students grow in character and scholarship every day.

He has managed to do what I think we all hope to do during our time here - make RGS better. Even though there is nothing simple about what he does or how he works.

I think there are good lessons to learn from them about loyalty, hard work and compassion – three characteristics which help to define good leaders, and which defines Steve as a person.

A small speech such as this can not capture or adequately reflect on the 40 years of service Steve has provided to the School, but I want you to know and remember him as a true champion of RGS.

He stands for Grammar and the right.

Steve, we are all proud of your endeavours here and ask that God may be your protector in your future endeavours.

Please come forward and accept this gift on behalf of The Rockhampton Grammar School as well as a certificate marking 40 years of service to the School.

Steve was presented with the following gifts...

The school bought him a really good quality fishing knife, had it specially engraved (too good to take out fishing).  They also had a special wooden box made that they presented it in.  Steve was wrapped.  Totally unexpected..

His gift presented in a lovely wooden box....

Sitting in a bed of wood shavings..

 Most appropriate to be presented in this little wooden box with the wood shavings as Steve works in the Manual Arts Dept...  I am sure his staff had quite a lot to do with this...

Engraved with his name on it...

A real keep sake..

 During his 40 years at Grammar, Steve was involved in a lot extra Co-curricular activities, namely ISCF (Interschool Christian Fellowship), Volleyball, Basketball, and other different clubs within the school.  He has been Master In Charge of Basketball for most of those 40 years and the Sports Co-ordinator presented him with this gift as well in recognition of all the work he has put into Basketball within the school.

Presentation from Co-curricular Coordinator Mr Todd Wells

Basketball presentation to Steve

 As this year also marks 40 years of Steve teaching at the school he was also presented with this loved framed certificate.  It matches the one he received after he had been there for 30 years...

 Steve was also given the opportunity to say a few words in response and I have saved his words so that I can remember them also....

Farewell Speech – Steve Latham's Thoughts & Reflections

It’s not the best time retire. Well 40 years, where did it go.

·       The days are long, but the years are short. 

·       As a young teacher, Richard (Dick) Scarvell (Art) and Frank Richards (Economics) both humble men and respected teachers. Amazed then, at their service of 25 years at RGS being a long time. Here I am well exceeding that.

I remember in the 1980’s

Back in the early 80's

·       My job interview with the Headmaster Arthur Butler where there was no job, a suit, tie, late January, very hot, humid, impressed with the facilities

·       Being the young whipper snapper amongst a culture of Rugby fanatics – not good when trying to introduce a new sport like volleyball

·       1981 the planting of the 100 year time capsule in the wall to the left of the stairs on exiting the Common Room. As a year 12 graduation prank, this was invaded a few years later.

·       Assemblies were on the bitumen parade ground where the present Space Frame exists now (completed 1993)

·       (1980) In my first year: Nearly being punched by a frustrated student. As I saw his clenched fist, I said “you had better go before you do something you will regret”. We can pick this up tomorrow. Through further mutual conversations we formed a positive relationship. He came up to me late that year and thanked me very much; being very satisfied with his academic results. That connection was a great motivation for me to connect with future students I taught rather than just lecture them. Help me to see, I could make a difference.

·       A close friend, Lew Johnson, who was School Captain at Salisbury SHS when I was School captain at Bundy SHS in 1974. We tackled most obstacles and developed ISCF group Interschool Christian Fellowship) under the banner of Scripture Union with the aim of catering for the spiritual needs of students.

·       Relatively a small staff 30 – 40. Relationships were relatively close between all staff.

·       Games of 500 and crib at morning break and lunch time develop great staff relationships. This was during the time when the admin staff would take lunch time duties. There’s an idea ehhh! It was a race up to the common room to get a place at the card table (usually in the Long Room off the Common Room) – very similar to the rush now-a-days for the Thursday and Friday mini pies at morning tea.

· 

·       Two very large trampolines where CRC is now (enough for two people at once) no padding

·       The closing of the school during the union strikes (7^th Feb 1985) because we had no water supply for the toilets – electricity strikes.

·       Form camps at Ritamada in Mr Browns house and extension halls (now demolished), stairs still remain. I recall the time my wife and I were sleeping in a room adjacent to the courtyard with our son in a portable cot (1984). Peter was asleep in the cot whist we had a shower. We returned to find a snake wrapped around the leg of the cot near his head. My wife freaked out and calm old me, identified the snake as a harmless children python, however, Karen was not convinced and kept our baby in the bed along with the torch.  Those were the days where we had a 2 cylinder 12Volt generator.

·       Smoking: Problems with students smoking – the forest (where Humanities and the Pool is now, the drain - Primary behind Duggan Hall - partially still there,

o   On our (Lew, & I) occasional lunch duties: Two students were caught smoking: Options either eat the cigarettes OR straight up to see the Headmaster (Mr Butler) – most likely resulting in receiving the CUTS. They chose to eat the smokes (butts and all). Luckily there were only one or two cigarettes in the packet. Sir! Two kids are vomiting in the toilet, we found the butts encased in the spew on the floor. We became renowned amongst the students and a great reduction in smoking especially on our patrols.

·       Cadets shooting and training with real weapons.

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·       The introduction of morning tea facilities into department office areas and not just in the Common Room – who would ever have thought that it was preparation for social distancing today.

·       When the Library caught fire and the Cathode Ray Tube TV’s Exploded, shattering the library windows into the Space frame – of course we (all staff and students) observed this from the northern end of the Top oval

·

·       1992 – IN A RUT: Young Teacher walked me out the front gate and asked how long I was here. I said 12 years. She said “Woow! Your in rutt!” I wonder what she would say now? Abyss?

Involved with:

·       Prior to the New syllabus, taught all the maths subjects in all grades, Junior Science, Senior Physics, Wood & Metal Work & Graphics (GD&P – Tech Drawing earlier)

·       Staff Representative for Staff superannuation (during the transition from defined benefits to accumulation fund.

·       In the early years, volleyball but mostly basketball (~1987)

·       Became Graphics coordinator in ~1998 under Islay Lee (Headmaster)

·       HoD Tehnologies in 1^st May 2016.

Highlights

·       The arrival of new technology,

o   BBC computers in late 1990’s with CAD verses the drawing board, set-squares & Tee – squares + talcum powder

o   OHT projectors + vinyl screen, verses the chalk and talk

o   3.5” floppy’s over the 5 ¼” floppy’s (1.22MB to 1.44MG – Yeh! not enough for a basic image from a modern smart phone),

o   Pen Plotters for CAD drawings (similar action to the modern 3D Printers), the arrival of air-conditioning (R3 was one of the first room to receive aircon)

o   Rapid development of CADD software into the 2000’s especially photo realistic rendering software

o   AutoCAD becoming free to school about 4 years ago and of course 3D printers and laser technologies.

·       Seeing all the intense Junior year training and teaching come to fruition in the senior years especially for Graphics. The late nights and long weekends, especially near submission time. Very rewarding working amongst enthusiastic students

·       Teaching ALL three of my children, one of whom constantly reminds me (annually) that I gave her a detention for not doing her homework – once only. My son then asks, “Who is the best then?”

·       Year 11 Leadership camp at Ritamada (2013)

      Julie Harris as my mature aged student in my Year 12 Maths 1. Her enthusiasm to learn, was infectious.  I found it easy to help her with understanding mathematical concepts as much as I could.
 

·       Working with the Technologies Department staff – In a pressured year of change last year, they were amazing in their support and work habits (including Nathan our teacher aid). They have been a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to work with.

Young Teachers: Sometimes you never know how much influence you have in your classroom. I know you will have at least one pupil who you will have influenced in a positive manner in your teaching career. Unfortunately, we as teachers do not get to see the fruits that often, it comes with the job. It is not always as obvious as say, a musical. I came across this article on Saturday night and I am positive that one day you will encounter the same: this has been is my motivation and drive – to see that same passion for success in my students.

 I will miss this very much (beside the Thursday and Friday mini pies at morning tea). No competition for you anymore now Stu. 

I am not sharing this to blow my own whistle, but you will have your Daniel Krause over and over:

Daniel Krause (2011): I developed an interest in planning through studying graphics and geog­raphy at School. I also have a general interest in sustainability,’’ Daniel said. Daniel still appreciates the time his graphics teacher, Steve Latham, gave up for his students.

“Nothing was too hard for him and he would give everything a go. I remem­ber one of my assignments being building a cello in CAD. Steve sat there for quite a few hours with me working on it.’’ 

The emphasis is on “with me”. This is a teaching principle I have tried to adhere to with students and colleagues, to be with them.  I remember this incident vividly and I actually thought nothing of it at the time - the thing to do.

One very influential person in my life was my father-in-law who died about 2 weeks ago. On his business office wall hung his motto:

“I had 6 honest serving men.
They taught me all I know.
Their names were HOW, WHAT, WHEN …. WHY, WHERE and WHO.”

He often quoted as an encouragement:

1 Chronicles 28:20

Be strong and courageous and do the work.

Do not be afraid of discouraged

For the Lord God, my God is with you.

He will not fail you or forsake you

until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.

I believe I have tasted success, because I have not sort to be student’s friend or vice versa, but rather a mentor and guide. It has been a two-way process where their enthusiasm has motivated me to be flexible and devoted to their learning as developing young people.

I hope to isolate on the water, fishing and crabbing, spend time with my children and grandies, maintain the house due to neglect over the last 20 years (s many of us do during our passion for teaching), travel – well that will be postponed.

A lot of people have played a very influential role in my time here:

I want to finish by thanking our Headmaster Phillip Moulds for his support in my roles over the last 10 years. Thanks to the Admin team and Leadership team (past and present), Ground and Maintenance Staff (especially the cleaners – Tracey), IT staff (to whom “AutoCAD” become a swear word),  Catering staff for the good supply (tap tummy) ready for the lock-down and last but not least, the Board of Trustees over the year for their budgeting that allowed us to be a leading educational institution.

The most significant person in my life is my wife Karen, my best friend – through thick and thin, she helps me gain a good perspective, She greets me every day with “how was your day, Darl?” She has put up with me spending endless hours up at school with students.

There is comfort in that we are facing this new episode in our lives together.

 Steve received some lovely cards and comments from different folk during what was to be his last week at school but that was about to change as well.  One of the cards he received really touched me as he has often doubted his ability as a good teacher, even though of the years numerous parents have told me know much their sons and daughters have benefited from being in his classes and how his classes have actually inspired their children to enter into employment where they can utilize the skills they learnt in his classes.  His students had a very good name out in the local businesses and at the end of the year, Employers would ring the school to see if they could offer his students employment and cadetships...


This card from one of the admin staff members at school backed that up completely...

The words from her card read:

"Thank you for the endless hours spent with students - especially the graphics ones.  I remember some saying they were taking their swag to R3 whilst their assignments were "rendering".

R3 was a pleasure to walk into - I really enjoyed seeing the students so engaged and  the projects they worked on and produced were so incredible.

So many employers would contact us in the SSO at the end of the year to ask if we had any of your Year 12 students looking for a job/cadetship as they knew the skill level they had was exceptional.

I remember talking to a few students who had started studying architecture in Brisbane but they were bored as they felt they had better skills/techniques than their lecturers and were not being challenged enough.

Thank you for giving all you taught the enjoyment and desire to excel in those subjects."


Dear Steve,
You have been promoted to the retirement stage of your life - Congratulations.
This is the stage where every day is the weekend.

Wishing you a long healthy wealthy and happy retirement.

Regards,
Pam H

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU MY DARLING ON A WONDERFUL SUCCESSFUL CAREER.  MAY THE NEXT STAGE OF OUR LIVES BE FULL OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE.  I AM SO PROUD OF ALL YOU HAVE ACHIEVED. 

Pulling the pin after 40 good years....

How things can change in the space of a week.  All this happened on Monday morning the 30th March... By that evening the changes had already started to take place when Steve got a call from his boss asking if could possibly come back for two weeks after the holidays to help with the transition from classroom teacher to online classes.  Since the coronavirus, we are all pretty much in lockdown, so we are unable to do anything or go anywhere, he accepted the offer...  

Two days later, one of the staff members in his department  resigned effective immediately, which meant that for the new term the department would now be down two staff members and under the current situation it would be very hard to find staff to start immediately, so once again Steve was approached to see if he would be happy to stay on for the rest of the year but if not at least for six months... He had overnight to think about it....

It was a really hard decision for him as we had been counting down the days to retirement and had so many plans for the rest of the year.  These plans had all changed in the last few weeks, along with a massive slump in the stock market meaning that all our superannuation had rather plummeted.  Considering that we weren't able to do any of the travel we had planned and that our state borders were also closes making even travel within Australia not an option either, he decided to take it on for at least six months and then review it then before deciding whether he will complete the year...  The other benefit would allow us not to draw on our super for a few more months, hopefully giving it a chance to start to recover.    It also helps the school out a difficult time so therefore mutually beneficial.

So retirement has been put on hold for just a TAD longer.....