Alex and Daphne Thomson. Photo supplied.Let’s go way back to 1965. David Thurlow was College Principal at the time and although Alex was appointed to the role as Head of Technology in 1965, he didn’t actually start the job until 1967. Alex had been teaching at Shirley Boys High and had been granted 12 months leave of absence in order to return to the UK to visit family and friends so when he was successful in getting the role at Ashburton College, that leave of absence had to be part of the deal also! Along with his wife Daphne and their two boys, Alex travelled widely in England and Scotland and worked short term contracts along the way.

Alex was in his Scottish birthplace of Eyemouth at the beginning of WWII and was too young to be called up. He had to wait until he turned 18 years before his involvement where he was sent to Palestine as an infantryman with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He and Daphne met after the war in Eyemouth where Daphne had started for her first teaching role.

The move to New Zealand came in 1951. Alex and Daphne had also considered Australia and Canada as places to emigrate but New Zealand was almost chosen for them a Canterbury University lecturer who happened to be brother-in-law of Daphne's teaching colleague did a lot of the arranging and before they knew it, Daphne had a position at Papanui High School and Alex as an engineer for a firm in Christchurch. His first job in Ashburton was as an engineer with C E Baileys. Alex attended Teachers College in 1957 in Auckland and changed careers.

So in 1967 Alex’s long tenure at Ashburton College began where he taught Engineering and Technical Drawing. Alex worked with three Principals at the College, originally Dave Thurlow and later Owen McDowell, then Digby Prosser. Alex and Daphne became the Deputy Principals, Alex in charge of North School, and Daphne of the South School, now the Ashburton Intermediate School site.

Daphne passed away in 1998, ten years after Alex and Daphne retired on the same day in May 1988.

Travelling has been an obvious passion for Alex travelling back to the UK 13 times to visit family and friends, as well as to California several times. His last trip to the UK was just two years ago.

Recently Alex celebrated his 90^th birthday and so travelling long distances doesn’t have the same appeal any more. He has made numerous visits to his sons Malcolm in Melbourne and Ian in Sydney but says “they can visit me now”.

Alex has been very involved in his community over many years – Masonic Lodge since 1951, Pipe Major of Ashburton Pipe Band, and is a retired Elder at St Andrews Presbyterian Church where he still attends.

Teaching has been a very rewarding career and when asked for any particular highlights, Alex mentioned that ‘just keeping the large staff happy’ was very satisfying.

And when asked about his purported use of the cane while at College, quick as a flash and with a twinkle in his eye he stated “those tales are much exaggerated!”.

Let’s go way back to 1965. David Thurlow was College Principal at the time and although Alex was appointed to the role as Head of Technology in 1965, he didn’t actually start the job until 1967. Alex had been teaching at Shirley Boys High and had been granted 12 months leave of absence in order to return to the UK to visit family and friends so when he was successful in getting the role at Ashburton College, that leave of absence had to be part of the deal also! Along with his wife Daphne and their two boys, Alex travelled widely in England and Scotland and worked short term contracts along the way.

Alex was in his Scottish birthplace of Eyemouth at the beginning of WWII and was too young to be called up. He had to wait until he turned 18 years before his involvement where he was sent to Palestine as an infantryman with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He and Daphne met after the war in Eyemouth where Daphne had started for her first teaching role.

The move to New Zealand came in 1951. Alex and Daphne had also considered Australia and Canada as places to emigrate but New Zealand was almost chosen for them a Canterbury University lecturer who happened to be Daphne’s brother-in-law did a lot of the arranging and before they knew it, Daphne had a position at Papanui High School and Alex as an engineer for a firm in Christchurch. His first job in Ashburton was as an engineer with C E Baileys. Alex attended Teachers College in 1957 in Auckland and changed careers.

So in 1967 Alex’s long tenure at Ashburton College began where he taught Engineering. Alex worked with three Principals at the College, originally Dave Thurlow and later Owen McDowell, then Digby Prosser. Alex and Daphne became the Deputy Principals, Alex in charge of North School, and Daphne of the South School, now the Ashburton Intermediate School site.

Daphne passed away in 1998, ten years after Alex and Daphne retired on the same day in May 1988.

Travelling has been an obvious passion for Alex travelling back to the UK 13 times to visit family and friends, as well as to California several times. His last trip to the UK was just two years ago.

Recently Alex celebrated his 90^th birthday and so travelling long distances doesn’t have the same appeal any more. He has made numerous visits to his sons Malcolm in Melbourne and Ian in Sydney but says “they can visit me now”.

Alex has been very involved in his community over many years – Masonic Lodge since 1951, Pipe Major of Ashburton Pipe Band, and is a retired Elder at St Andrews Presbyterian Church where he still attends.

Teaching has been a very rewarding career and when asked for any particular highlights, Alex mentioned that ‘just keeping the large staff happy’ was very satisfying.

And when asked about his purported use of the cane while at College, quick as a flash and with a twinkle in his eye he stated “those tales are much exaggerated!”.

By Shirley Falloon (nee Melrose) © AshColl Alumni - 22 December 2018