To view the House Report for Nicol (2006-2007), click here.
House Ethos
Our goal is to provide a caring, safe, supportive and disciplined environment for all members of the house, thus encouraging all to develop themselves to their full potential, both as an individual and as a valued member of the house, school and society.
• In Nicol it is expected that pupils should help each other and show consideration for the welfare of others, both in the house and in the school at large
• We believe that a clear and reasonable set of rules and regulations is desirable and will be enforced consistently by the House Authority
• Anti-social and rude behaviour will not be tolerated at any time
• All pupils have the right to be treated as individuals, their views and privacy are to be respected, and their varied talents to be encouraged
• Honesty is the best policy and nothing wastes more time than lengthy and unnecessary investigations. ‘Coming clean’ usually brings a more sympathetic assessment of situations
Recent News
Aadhar Kendra Sponsorhip Scheme
Lawrie Quibell, the Head of Nicol House, and all the Nicol Upper Sixth Boys joined the Aadhar Kendra Sponsorhip Scheme during the Spring Term and made a collection to support a child in India. (Aadhar Kendra means support centre in Marathi). Their sponsorship has made possible the education and support for a child for one year. The recipient of this sponsorship is Anand Reddy, a fourteen year old boy who lives with his widowed mother and three elder brothers in the Taidwala Road slum area in Puna. Some 25,000 people at Taidwala Road face the same issues as any slum area, including AIDS, alcoholism, poor sanitation and hygiene.
The Aadhar Kendra program, to which the Nicol boys have contributed, is designed to oversee the education of the children in the area so that their academic life is not overshadowed by the concerns and circumstances of home. All Anand's educational needs at the Jyotiba Phule School, meals at the local nutrition centre, medical care and school clothing will be provided from the Nicol boys' contribution.
Lawrie will pass on the responsibility for continuing the sponsorship of Anand to the next Head of Nicol House. Lawrie said "This scheme really makes you aware of the hopes of other people. To be able to contribute in what is a small way for us will make a huge difference to Anand's life."
Nicol House Parents' Discussion Forum Makes For Lively Debate
Strathallan prides itself on the close relationships which exist between parents and House staff. To this end, Nicol House held a lively Parents' Discussion Forum at the School in February. Despite the winter weather, almost 30 parents from as far away as Madrid braved the elements on a cold Sunday evening to come and discuss various issues relating to their boys before being treated to a buffet supper and a musical concert. Matters discussed were wide ranging and included communications with parents, food, pupil coaching, study skills and a variety of other 'boy things'. David Giles, Housemaster of Nicol House, found the evening "a positive experience in which parents welcomed the opportunity to speak freely and had a real sense of working together."
Who’s Who in Nicol
David Giles – Housemaster – married to Mary, father of Lauren and Ben. Teaches Mathematics and P.E.. Was Senior Tutor in Simpson House and a tutor in Ruthven before taking over Nicol. Coaches 1st XI Boys' and Girls' hockey and Second XI cricket.
Richard Fitzsimmons – Senior Tutor – Head of History and is jointly responsible for the School Archives with GRMR. Referees Rugby, Qualified Hockey Umpire and is both Master i/c Cricket and 1st XI coach.
Gregory Ross – Visiting Tutor – Father of Philip, and husband of Mrs. Ross. Former head of Computing and current School Archivist. In fact he’s been here so long he’s become part of the archives! Famous for coaching rugby at all sorts of levels, hockey and the IIIrd Form C cricket side. Pioneer of basketball at Strathallan and obergruppenfuhrer of the Land Management team.
Andrew Gordon – Senior Tutor – teaches DT. Married to Claire, father of Serenne and Inez. Coaches Riley games.
Adam Streatfeild-James - Visiting Tutor - Father of Jake and Olivia. Formerly Housemaster of Woodlands.
George Kitson - Visiting Tutor - Strathallan's Mr Golf and also has a Killer touch on the rugby field.
Neil Metcalfe – Visiting Tutor – Director of Music.
Matron Davina Chalmers – Her regular hours are from 8am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday. She dispenses first aid and runs the House Shop. Please do not disturb her outside the published times to open the shop, she does this to help you and has the more important job of ensuring that the house is tidy, i.e. rooms and pupils! She is supported by the cleaners who look after the first and second floors respectively. They are not directly responsible for tidying your areas, you are!!
Seamstress Caroline Gunn– responsible for the House laundry and for mending of pupils’ clothing. Also general seamstress for the House furnishings, curtains etc. She works from 8am-2pm and can be found in the first of the ground floor studies along from the Tutor’s flat.
Cleaners Charlotte - responsible to make sure that the senior boys’ rooms are tidy, along with general cleaning on their respective floor.
Brenda – responsible to make sure that the junior boys’ rooms are tidy, along with general cleaning on their respective floor.
Contact with Staff
Housemaster: David R. Giles
Phone: (01738) 815029
Fax: (01738) 815030
e-mail: nicol@strathallan.co.uk
Please bear in mind that teaching, sporting and pastoral commitments may prevent an immediate response. The times you are most likely to be able to contact me on the telephone are between 8.00am until 8.15am and in the evening after 7.45pm. You are more than welcome to try at other times and if you do not get myself or my wife, Mary, the answer machine will be on and I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as humanly possible. I would be grateful if you could avoid 6.00pm and 7.15pm, as this is when Mary & I try to spend some family time with our daughter, Lauren, and son, Ben. However, if there is an emergency I am always available.
Resident Matron: D Chalmers
Phone: (01738) 815031
