Michael De'Ath joined the Team Section in 1978 and commenced Company Section in 1979. Michael gained his QB in 1984. |
by Michael De'Ath |
I attended BB in the late seventies / early eighties starting in Team section and ultimately obtaining my Queen's Badge. I look back on those years with a far greater appreciation for what they meant now than I ever had back then. The experiences gained went on to be significant factors in shaping me as a person. The friends made have proven to be firm friends on whom I can always rely if needed. So what have I been doing since scampering with my Queen's Badge? I went on to train as a Primary School teacher. I married Paula (who Paul Shepherd set me up with at a Drill competition held at Linwood High School) and we moved to Otago to take up my first teaching job. We spent seven wonderful years in Dunedin where I became Deputy Principal of the school where I had started teaching. Our first two lovely daughters were born in Dunedin and are now 6 & 7 years old. We moved back to Canterbury where I took up the position as Principal at Little River School (on the way to Akaroa). From Little River I took up the position as Principal of a large private school in Pakistan. Well, that was an eye-opener. While in Pakistan we developed a massive appreciation of the lifestyle and surroundings that we are able to enjoy in New Zealand. Twelve months later we returned to NZ and moved to the West Coast. I took up the position of Principal at Cobden School in Greymouth. This is a fantastic part of NZ and stark contrast to Pakistan! While on the coast our third daughter was born and is now 18mths old. We have now moved back to Christchurch, built a new home in Burwood about 1km from where Paula and I grew up. I am Principal of Freeville School in North New Brighton (opposite QEII Park). Here we hope to stay put now - yes seriously. Clearly BB was an influence in all of this: - A firm BB friend setting me up with my lovely wife and then best man at our wedding! - A great sense of adventure. - Leadership skills. - Values education. - Practical skills. I clearly recall Les Bouterey encouraging me along every step of the last stretch of a tramp to get to the end and now think about how many children I have gone on to do this for. These seem small things at the time yet go on to have a huge impact on our lives and the lives of others. That's what BB did for me, impacted on my life in a positive way that allows me to impact positively on the lives of others. That is a wonderful thing to be able to do. So what do I think of BB as it exists today? Move with the times! Society is changing at an exponential rate. There are things about BB that should be retained but there are other things where the emphasis may need to change. Military style movements are no longer in vogue. Parents don't want this for their kids. The adventure, experiences and social opportunities are vital. This is what builds the character of the boys. BB also has a strong religious base. This is important to this movement but is probably one of the least successful marketing strategies available to it. Keep it incidental and don't blow it out of proportion. In my years of teaching I have only seen a presentation about BB to boys at the school once. What is the vision for the movement now? Is the training of leaders adequate? Why would people want to be leaders? Are there top notch marketing people selling a concept? What about local television as a marketing tool? Who attended BB and is now in the corporate world that may influence sponsorship? What is the structure of the administration? If BB clings to the past then there may be no BB to do for others as it did for me - what a huge loss. So to conclude: A great organisation that impacted on me in so many ways. People such as Dick Johns and Les Bouterey who I know gave so much - to you I am very grateful. Time for change - why not! Michael De'Ath Principal Freeville School. |
